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,
Perfect Shelter
Gov't Mule Lyrics
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A pillow to rest your weary bones
Recharge, redefine
Time to repaint the lines
Change your world, it's time
Life's around the corner, death's grip is far behind
Life can be sweet, wounds can start to heal
Grow or wither, it's all up to you
None of us has built a perfect shelter
Don't christen me with your condescending laughter
Don't, don't, don't put me in a box
Don't forget I once knew a few things about you too
I think you'll see, life can be quite the paradox
Stay and be destroyed, move and be renewed
Grow or wither, it's all up to you
None of us has built a perfect shelter
None of us has built a perfect shelter
Stay and be destroyed, move and be renewed
Grow or wither, it's all up to you
None of us has built a perfect shelter
None of us has built a perfect shelter
None of us has built a perfect shelter
None of us has built a perfect shelter
The song "Perfect Shelter" by Gov't Mule is about finding peace and clarity in the midst of life's chaos. The lyrics encourage the listener to take time to recharge and redefine their priorities. The first verse suggests that life can be rejuvenating like a dream, providing a pillow for rest and a chance to repaint one's life. The chorus emphasizes the importance of taking action, either to grow and be renewed or to wither and be destroyed. The repeated line "None of us has built a perfect shelter" acknowledges that despite our best efforts, we are all vulnerable to the unpredictable events of life.
Towards the end of the song, the lyrics take on a more confrontational tone. The singer rejects being labeled or put in a box by those who see themselves as superior. They remind these individuals that they too have flaws and challenges to overcome. The ultimate message is that life is a paradox with both beauty and difficulty, but it's up to each individual to determine their own course and ultimately build their own shelter.
Overall, "Perfect Shelter" is a song of empowerment and encouragement. It reminds the listener that they have agency in their own life and can make choices to grow and thrive despite the uncertainties that surround them.
Line by Line Meaning
Serene, what a dream
Peaceful, tranquil, and idyllic is the perfect vision
A pillow to rest your weary bones
A place of peace and quiet to rest and recharge
Recharge, redefine
Regain energy and reconsider what matters
Time to repaint the lines
Take control and redefine life's boundaries
Change your world, it's time
It's time to take charge and make changes to your life
Life's around the corner, death's grip is far behind
Opportunities for growth and change are always approaching, but we should not fear the end of life.
Life can be sweet, wounds can start to heal
Life can be good and healing can happen with time
Stay and be destroyed, move and be renewed
Staying stagnant can lead to destruction, but moving forward can bring renewal
Grow or wither, it's all up to you
Personal growth is a choice and can be stunted by remaining stagnant
None of us has built a perfect shelter
No one has created a perfect, failsafe life.
Don't christen me with your condescending laughter
Don't ridicule me with dismissive, belittling laughter
Don't, don't, don't put me in a box
Don't try to limit or define me with boundaries or stereotypes
Don't forget I once knew a few things about you too
I once had insight into your life and perspective as well
I think you'll see, life can be quite the paradox
Life is mysterious and can be full of contradictions and surprises
None of us has built a perfect shelter
No one has created a perfect, failsafe life.
None of us has built a perfect shelter
No one has created a perfect, failsafe life.
Stay and be destroyed, move and be renewed
Staying stagnant can lead to destruction, but moving forward can bring renewal
Grow or wither, it's all up to you
Personal growth is a choice and can be stunted by remaining stagnant
None of us has built a perfect shelter
No one has created a perfect, failsafe life.
None of us has built a perfect shelter
No one has created a perfect, failsafe life.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind