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,
Painted Silver Light
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I watched you gently move
Now, in the cold early dawn
I long to have that vision in my head again
Conjure, as I may, my guilt won't let me sleep
Now I know what it means
To have and to hold
To let go and to lose
[Chorus]
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
Here they come again
Those voices, they'll be with me till the end
Maybe it helps the pain
How would I know?
I never slow down long enough
But, ain't life funny
I don't know if I will ever see you again
But, in the painted silver light
I watched you
And I'll keep on watching you
[Chorus: x2]
Seven days I watched the sun come rising
No sleep for the wicked
Seven nights I lie awake
While my mind drifted across valley and streams
Shadows everywhere
Still I search for some kind of sign
But, in the painted silver light
I'll come running
Running
[Chorus: x2]
The song "Painted Silver Light" by Gov't Mule is a deeply emotional piece that deals with the emotional aftermath of a breakup. The song's lyrics are permeated with feelings of longing, regret, and heartbreak. The song's narrator watches his former partner moving in the "painted silver light" and longs to recapture that image again. He can't seem to shake off his guilt and it troubles him even in his sleep. He's haunted by the memories of his former lover and takes refuge in the "screaming silence" where he tries to lose himself. However, he realizes that there is no hiding place from his pain and the voices that keep ringing in his head.
The song's chorus repeats the phrase "no hiding place" which affirms the idea that the singer can't escape his thoughts and feelings. He acknowledges that he is a "wicked" person and that the pain he feels may be a form of punishment. Throughout the song, he reveals that he still has strong feelings for his former lover, and that he hopes to see her again someday. In the end, the singer concludes that he will keep watching her in the "painted silver light."
The song's lyrics are very poetic and metaphorical, which allows the listener to interpret the meaning in various ways. One could understand the "painted silver light" as a reference to a special moment or place where the couple shared a meaningful experience. Or one could see the "screaming silence" as a metaphor for a state of emotional turmoil that the singer is going through. The song is a poignant exploration of the vulnerable human heart and its struggles with love and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
In the painted silver light
In the soft and luminous glow of moonlight
I watched you gently move
I observed your graceful movements
Now, in the cold early dawn
At this moment, during the chilly, pre-dawn hours
I long to have that vision in my head again
I yearn to recollect that image in my thoughts once more
Conjure, as I may, my guilt won't let me sleep
Despite my best efforts, my remorse prevents me from resting
Now I know what it means
Now I comprehend its significance
To have and to hold
To possess and cherish
To let go and to lose
To release and forfeit
[Chorus]
Refrain:
In the screaming silence
Amidst the deafeningly silent atmosphere
I try to lose myself
I endeavor to escape from my thoughts
But there is no hiding place
But there is no shielding from reality
Here they come again
They are recurrently resurfacing
Those voices, they'll be with me till the end
Those internal voices will persist until my demise
Maybe it helps the pain
Possibly it alleviates the suffering
How would I know?
But how could I be certain?
I never slow down long enough
I never take sufficient time to pause
But, ain't life funny
However, life is peculiar
I don't know if I will ever see you again
I am unsure if we will reunite
But, in the painted silver light
Nonetheless, in the shimmering moonlight
I watched you
I gazed upon you
And I'll keep on watching you
And I will persist in observing you
[Chorus: x2]
Refrain (twice):
Seven days I watched the sun come rising
For seven consecutive days, I witnessed the sunrise
No sleep for the wicked
I did not experience rest due to my immoral deeds
Seven nights I lie awake
I spent seven nights awake
While my mind drifted across valley and streams
As my thoughts roamed over valleys and streams
Shadows everywhere
Darkness engulfed everything
Still I search for some kind of sign
Nonetheless, I am looking for some sort of indication
But, in the painted silver light
However, in the radiant moonlight
I'll come running
I will come rushing
Running
Rushing
[Chorus: x2]
Refrain (twice):
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Best Lyrics in Music
In the painted silver light
I watched you gently move
Now, in the cold early dawn
I long to have that vision in my head again
Conjure, as I may, my guilt won't let me sleep
Now I know what it means
To have and to hold
To let go and to lose
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
Here they come again
Those voices, they'll be with me till the end
Maybe it helps the pain
How would I know?
I never slow down long enough
But, ain't life funny
I don't know if I will ever see you again
But, in the painted silver light
I watched you
And I'll keep on watching you
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
Seven days I watched the sun come rising
No sleep for the wicked
Seven nights I lie awake
While my mind drifted across valley and streams
Shadows everywhere
Still I search for some kind of sign
But, in the painted silver light
I'll come running
Running
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
In the screaming silence
I try to lose myself
But there is no hiding place
No hiding place
DJ Miyagi
No dislikes for a reason. One of the greatest songs I've ever heard. RIP Allen Woody
It'sAboutTheEffinMusic
You know there's always an A-hole out there ready to put a thumb down on anything🙄
This is a killer song. Reminds me of something Bad Co in places, and I loved that intro.
Patrick-Emil Zörner
Saw them in Schlachthof Wiesbaden in Germany. Three hours of good music to my ears! Great concert.
James Shaff
Warren Haynes is a straight beast. 5 stars
franky bassman
this song and this álbum are just fucking great
Jim Meek
If you don't like this song you don't like rock and roll
More Wave Less Particle
Saw them in Saint Louis, Missouri in 1996. 👍🏻
Packer Backer
Awestruck.