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,
Scenes From A Troubled Mind
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sometimes you wonder how it feels
But you’ll never know
All the times that you’ve been blinded
All the times that you’ve been burned
Scenes from a troubled mind
Sometimes your soul is on fire
Do you choose to feel this way or
Are you chosen
All the treasures in your memory
All the pounding in your chest
Scenes from a troubled mind
Scenes from a troubled mind
It’s like a giant airplane
Inside your brain
Will it crash or will it fly
See what the moment brings
See what the moment brings
And who do you blame this time
Surely not yourself
Will you hide or run away
See what the moment brings
See what the moment brings
See what the moment brings
Sometimes you seem to know yourself all too well
Sometimes you don’t seem to know yourself at all
Thunder, thunder, please bring the rain
Wash these lies away
Scenes from a troubled mind
Scenes from a troubled mind
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's "Scenes From A Troubled Mind" speaks of the inner turmoil one experiences within themselves. It begins with a reference to a heart that is constantly in motion, unable to move slowly, and even wonders how it feels. The theme of uncertainty is evident in the line "But you'll never know," which is repeated throughout the song. The chorus of the song, "Scenes from a troubled mind," further emphasizes the idea of internal conflicts that come to a head in moments of crisis.
The song continues with a reference to the soul, which can be both on fire and frozen, and questions whether people choose to feel that way or if they are merely chosen to experience it. The references to treasures in one's memory and the constant pounding in one's chest underscore the constant emotional stress that comes with turmoil. The bridge of the song likens the experience to a giant airplane inside one's brain that could either crash or fly.
The final verse of the song is reflective, with the realization that sometimes people think they know themselves all too well but at other times are entirely lost. The mention of thunder and rain serves as a symbol of washing away the lies and troubles that one might be facing. Overall, the song speaks to the universality of mental anguish and the internal battles that we all fight.
Line by Line Meaning
Sometimes your heart is on wheels, can’t move slow
Your heart might be energized and restless, unable to stay idle.
Sometimes you wonder how it feels, But you’ll never know
Sometimes you might be curious about how it feels to change your ways, but it could remain an unfulfilled desire.
All the times that you’ve been blinded
refers to the times when you were unable to see things clearly.
All the times that you’ve been burned
refers to the times when you experienced pain or loss.
Sometimes your soul is on fire, Sometimes it’s frozen
Your soul can be on fire, full of passion, or frozen with apathy.
Do you choose to feel this way or, Are you chosen
Asks if your current state of being is a choice or a result of fate.
All the treasures in your memory, All the pounding in your chest
Your memories and emotions can hold immense value and significance.
It’s like a giant airplane, Inside your brain, Will it crash or will it fly
Describes how thoughts can feel like a large airplane soaring in your mind, and not knowing if it will succeed or fail.
See what the moment brings
Encouragement to see what will happen next, and to accept the present moment as it comes.
And who do you blame this time, Surely not yourself
Asks who could be responsible for your troubles this time, hoping that it's not you.
Will you hide or run away, See what the moment brings
Wondering if you will retreat from the situation or face it head-on.
Sometimes you seem to know yourself all too well, Sometimes you don’t seem to know yourself at all
Describes how self-awareness can sometimes come easily, while other times it can be difficult to understand oneself.
Thunder, thunder, please bring the rain, Wash these lies away
A plea for a cleansing rainstorm that will wash away the dishonesties in life.
Scenes from a troubled mind
The repeated phrase that emphasizes how these thoughts and emotions haunt the singer's mind.
Contributed by Nicholas K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kurt Fischer
killer song, I want to hear this live!!!!
jay dee
bad ass tune
captaincaptured
Thanks for sharing this ..superb.