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,
Mr. Big
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come rain or shine
And I don't need no one
To tell me 'bout a girl of mine
She's got so much love
And she saves it all for me
I would not be lying
That's the way it's got to be
So Mr. Big
You'd better watch out
When only you hang around me
Oh for you now
I will dig
A great big hole in the ground.
I don't care who you are
So don't explain
Just get out of here
And don't come back again
I don't want a thing from you
I don't want to give you nothing too
Get out of here
Before I lose my cool.
Mr. Big
Oh watch out
Baby and don't you hang around me
Oh for you now
I will dig
A great big hole in the ground.
So Mr. Big
You'd better watch out
When only you hang around me
Oh for you now
I will dig
A great big hole in the ground
The song "Mr. Big" by Gov't Mule is a fierce warning to a man who is trying to interfere with the singer's relationship with his girl. The lyrics suggest that the singer has worked hard to win the girl's love and will not allow anyone to mess it up. He addresses the man, who is referred to as Mr. Big, telling him to watch out because he is not afraid to take action against him. The singer is very protective of his relationship and warns Mr. Big to stay away before he loses control and causes harm.
The lyrics are full of tension and anger, with the repeated threat to dig a great big hole in the ground if Mr. Big doesn't stay away. It is clear that the singer is ready to take drastic action to protect what he sees as rightfully his. The chorus of the song is particularly powerful, with the singer warning Mr. Big again and again to watch out for him.
Overall, "Mr. Big" is a passionate and intense song about love and jealousy. The singer's determination to protect his relationship is clear, and the warning to Mr. Big to stay away is a stark reminder of the stakes involved. The song is a classic example of Gov't Mule's bluesy, hard-rock sound, and its lyrics are a testament to the band's ability to convey raw emotion through music.
Line by Line Meaning
I work hard everyday
I put in a lot of effort each day
Come rain or shine
No matter what the weather is like
And I don't need no one
I don't require anyone
To tell me 'bout a girl of mine
To inform me about my significant other
She's got so much love
She has a lot of affection to give
And she saves it all for me
She keeps it all for me
I would not be lying
I am telling the truth
That's the way it's got to be
That's how it must be
So Mr. Big
Addressing someone named Mr. Big
You'd better watch out
You should be careful
When only you hang around me
When you are the only one with me
Oh for you now
Concerning you now
I will dig
I will excavate
A great big hole in the ground
A large pit in the earth
I don't care who you are
I'm indifferent to your identity
So don't explain
There's no need to clarify
Just get out of here
Leave this place
And don't come back again
Do not return
I don't want a thing from you
I have no desire for anything from you
I don't want to give you nothing too
I don't want to give you anything either
Get out of here
Leave this place
Before I lose my cool
Before I become angry
Contributed by Mason D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Mike Babb
Just an amazing live version of a great song. The sound quality is outstanding & Warren is masterful as always ...
Sam Gibson
In 93 when they were a power trio.... Heaviest thing since Black Sabbath
Beth Fredericks
This band allows me to keep the faith in the 21st century, awesome chops
steven bowles
just saw these guys again in Rocky Mt Va at the harvester theatre,,,,once again my wife and I were totally blown away,,,excellent band,in a time when music is stalled out and stale these guys have always carried the torch for proffesionalism and character,,,awesome band!
Alan Cooney
First time I’ve heard this band - appreciate this great version of a classic Free masterpiece- Mr BIG!
stealhunt1
This has been my favorite song for the last two months.....Thanks for posting
wendy ratliff
Love this jam!!!
JethroRush
Such an awesome take on the classic.
Bonnie Cole Howlingcrane
Mr big!!!! Love my Mule!!!
FreshAir
This is medicine.🤘🤘