When the Allman Brothers Band reformed in 1989 in response to the popularity of the Dreams box set, Warren Haynes was added on lead guitar and Allen Woody on bass. The two shared a love for '60s power trios, like Cream, Jimi Hendrix Experience, and James Gang. With no bands making similar music in the 90s (except ZZ Top), Haynes, Woody, and former Dickey Betts drummer Matt Abts came together as Gov't Mule during Allman Brothers' breaks. (It is likely that Haynes and Abts first met during the recording of the Dickey Betts Band CD "Pattern Disruptive" in 1988.) They released their debut album the selftitled Gov't Mule in 1995. It was followed by Live from Roseland Ballroom.
When it became apparent that the Allman Brothers weren't planning on recording any new material, Haynes and Woody left to concentrate full-time on Gov't Mule in 1997. Dose, the studio follow up to their first studio effort, was released in early 1998. They were joined by members of the Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, and Parliament/Funkadelic for their 1998 New Year's Eve concert. This was released in both a two and four CD version as Live ... With A Little Help From Our Friends. The band exposed some of their roots with covers of Neil Young, Free, Traffic, Jimi Hendrix, Black Sabbath, Mongo Santamaria (via John Coltrane) and Frank Zappa.
In 2000, the band released Life Before Insanity to critical praise. Many thought that this would be Gov't Mule's breakthrough CD. However, Woody was found dead in New York City in August. Haynes and Abts considered breaking up the band but did stage a concert called "One for Woody" to raise money for his daughter's education. The Allman Brothers, the Black Crowes, members of the Grateful Dead, and other friends of Woody also performed at the concert.
At both the "One for Woody" performance and other shows, Haynes began appearing with the Allman Brothers Band again. With Dickey Betts' departure from the Allmans, Warren came back full time to the band at the beginning of 2001 and has continued splitting his time between the Allmans and for a period Phil Lesh and Friends and the reformed Dead as well as Gov't Mule (performing acoustic gigs with just Haynes on guitar and Abts on percussion and as The New School of Gov't Mule with Widespread Panic's Dave Schools on bass and Chuck Leavell, formerly of the Allman Brothers and known for his current work with the Rolling Stones on keyboards).
The next year, Haynes and Abts began to record a tribute CD using Woody's favorite bass players. These sessions resulted in two CDs The Deep End, Volume 1 (2001) and The Deep End, Volume 2 (2002). A documentary of the recording sessions was also made by Phish bassist Mike Gordon called Rising Low. Bass contributions to the CDs came from Jack Bruce of Cream, John Entwisle of The Who, Mike Watt of Minutemen, Les Claypool of Primus, Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Chris Squire of Yes among others.
When it came to touring in support of the Deep End CDs, Haynes and Abts used a revolving door of keyboardists and bassists. Keyboardists included Chuck Leavell, Rob Barraco of Phil Lesh and Friends and Zen Tricksters, Phish's Page McConnell and Danny Louis. Bassists included among others, Dave Schools, Oteil Burbridge of the Allman Brothers, Les Claypool, Victor Wooten of the Flecktones, George Porter Jr. of The Meters, Greg Rzab formerly of The Black Crowes and the Buddy Guy Band and Andy Hess, also formerly of The Black Crowes. Louis and Hess were eventually added as permanent members of Gov't Mule. They continue to tour extensively and have become staple acts at many music festivals including Bonnaroo, Wakarusa, Vegoose, and their annual New Orleans Jazzfest night show (where they filmed and recorded the last show of the Deepest End tours, with 17 guest musicians in a 6 hour show) wich was released on CD/DVD as The Deepest End, Live in Concert.
The first CD with Louis and Hess Deja Voodoo was released in September 2004. Additional material from those sessions was released in 2005 as and EP entitled Mo' Voodoo.
The new lineup's second release, titled High and Mighty, was released on August 22, 2006.
A third, Mighty High, was released in 2007 it features reggae and dub versions of classic Mule covers and originals with special guest appearances by Willi Williams, Michael Franti and Toots Hibbert,
Monday Mourning Meltdown
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bitterness in Oakland
Guess there’s nothing you can do
So much for the new day
Making your own way
These things don’t apply to you
Shame on you for fooling me
Who’d have thought your Patriot act
Could be so damn deceiving
What’s happened to you
Is it all a part of your monday mourning meltdown
If a tear falls in the ocean does it make a sound
And what about all the blood there on the battleground
How do you like me now that I’m not around
Looking backwards
Is your life everything you wanted it to be
But looks will only take you so far
Do your patron-eyes let you see
Prisoners are as prisoners do
You’re all alone in your open cell
Betraying those that had your back
Guess your methods served you well
What’s happened to you
Is it all apart of your monday mourning meltdown
If a tear falls in the ocean does it make a sound
And what about all the blood there on the battleground
How do you like me now that you’re not around
What do you do now
You’re all alone
Do you still stand by your misguided views
Is it all a part of your monday mourning meltdown
If a tear falls in the ocean does it make a sound
And what about all the blood there on the battleground
How do you like me now that I’m not around
How do you like me now that I’m not around
How do you like me now that I’m not around
The song "Monday Mourning Meltdown" by Gov't Mule talks about the bitter reality of the world we live in. The lyrics convey deep-seated disappointment and disillusionment with the political and societal systems that we expect to have our backs. Fear and bitterness have taken over in different parts of the country, and the singer feels helpless in the face of this chaos. The line "So much for the new day, making your own way, these things don’t apply to you" suggests that the American dream is no longer accessible to everyone as it appears to be a façade for the majority. The song may also be an outcry against the Patriot Act and the impact it had on civil liberties, leading to a sense of betrayal and deception.
The chorus "Is it all a part of your Monday Mourning Meltdown, if a tear falls in the ocean does it make a sound" highlights the feeling of being insignificant and voiceless amid the overwhelming problems facing society. The final verse "What do you do now, you’re all alone, do you still stand by your misguided views" brings to light the question of accountability as the ones who perpetuate the systems of injustice are ultimately left alone with their thought process.
Line by Line Meaning
Fear grows in Brooklyn
The people in Brooklyn are feeling scared and anxious
Bitterness in Oakland
The people in Oakland are feeling resentful and angry
Guess there’s nothing you can do
There seems to be no solution to the problems mentioned in the previous two lines
So much for the new day
The hopes and promises of a new day have been shattered
Making your own way
Trying to forge your own path despite the difficulties
These things don’t apply to you
The obstacles and challenges faced by others don't affect you personally
Shame on you for fooling me
The singer feels let down and disappointed by someone who deceived them
Shame on me for believing
The artist takes responsibility for being naive and trusting
Who’d have thought your Patriot act
The Patriot Act, a piece of government legislation, was not expected to be so deceptive or harmful
Could be so damn deceiving
The Patriot Act has turned out to be more harmful and deceptive than expected
What’s happened to you
The singer is questioning what has led the other person to act in such a way
Is it all a part of your monday mourning meltdown
The artist suggests that the other person's behavior is like a meltdown, possibly brought on by the stress of a new week
If a tear falls in the ocean does it make a sound
The singer is questioning whether anyone would notice or care about their pain and suffering
And what about all the blood there on the battleground
The singer is highlighting the damage and casualties of war
How do you like me now that I’m not around
The singer is questioning whether the other person resents or misses them now that they are gone
Looking backwards
Reflecting on the past
Is your life everything you wanted it to be
The artist is asking whether the person is satisfied with their life and choices
But looks will only take you so far
Appearances and image are not enough to sustain happiness or success
Do your patron-eyes let you see
The singer is questioning whether the other person is able to see the truth clearly, or if they are blinded by their position or authority
Prisoners are as prisoners do
People who are confined or oppressed may begin to act like the very thing that oppresses them
You’re all alone in your open cell
Even when given freedom, the other person remains trapped by their own harmful behaviors or beliefs
Betraying those that had your back
The other person has betrayed the trust of those who were once loyal to them
Guess your methods served you well
The other person has gained some benefit or advantage from their harmful actions, though at a cost to others
What’s happened to you
The artist is still questioning what has led to the other person's downfall or change in behavior
What do you do now
The singer is asking the other person what their plan is moving forward
You’re all alone
The other person is now without support or companionship
Do you still stand by your misguided views
The singer is questioning whether the other person still believes in their harmful or deceptive ideas
How do you like me now that you’re not around
The artist is questioning whether the other person misses or regrets their absence now that they are gone
How do you like me now that I’m not around
The artist is questioning whether the other person resents or misses them now that they are gone
Contributed by Bentley F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.