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,
Simple Man
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Come sit beside me, my only son
And listen closely to what I say
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day"
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
Troubles will come and they will pass
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
All that you need is in your soul
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
Oh yes, I will
"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
Follow your heart and nothing else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"And be a simple kind of man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby be a simple kind of man
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
Baby, be a simple, really simple man
Oh, be something you love and understand
Baby, be a simple, kind of simple man
The song "Simple Man" by Gov't Mule is a cover of the original song by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The lyrics are a conversation between a mother and her son, with the mother imparting wisdom and advice on how to live a fulfilling life. The mother advises her son to take his time and not rush through life, to find a woman and love, and to remember there is someone up above. She encourages him to be a simple kind of man and to be something he loves and understands. She tells him not to be driven by greed and material possessions and to find satisfaction within himself. The mother ultimately wants her son to follow his heart, be true to himself, and find contentment in living a simple life.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama told me when I was young
My mother advised me when I was young
"Come sit beside me, my only son
"Come and join me, my only child
And listen closely to what I say
And pay close attention to my words
And if you do this it'll help you some sunny day"
If you follow my advice, you'll benefit in the future
"Oh, take your time, don't live too fast
"Take things slow, don't rush through life
Troubles will come and they will pass
You may face obstacles, but they won't last forever
You'll find a woman and you'll find love
You will meet someone you care for and who cares for you
And don't forget, son, there is someone up above"
And remember, there is a higher power
"And be a simple kind of man
"Live a straightforward life
Oh, be something you love and understand
Do what you enjoy and comprehend
Baby be a simple kind of man
My child, live a life of simplicity
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
"Please live a simple life if possible, my son"
"Forget your lust for the rich man's gold
"Let go of your greed for wealth
All that you need is in your soul
Everything you require is within yourself
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
And you can achieve it, my dear, if you make an effort
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"I hope all you desire is to be content, my son"
"Boy, don't you worry, you'll find yourself
"Don't be concerned, you will discover who you are
Follow your heart and nothing else
Listen to your heart and no one else
And you can do this, oh baby, if you try
And you can accomplish this, my dear, if you make an effort
All that I want for you, my son, is to be satisfied"
"All I wish for you is to be content, my son"
"And be a simple kind of man
"Live a straightforward life
Oh, be something you love and understand
Do what you enjoy and comprehend
Baby be a simple kind of man
My child, live a life of simplicity
Oh, won't you do this for me, son, if you can"
"Please live a simple life if possible, my son"
Baby, be a simple, really simple man
My child, live an extremely simple life
Oh, be something you love and understand
Do what you enjoy and comprehend
Baby, be a simple, kind of simple man
My child, live a life of simplicity in your unique way
Lyrics © Spirit Music Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Graham Nash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sarahkuhn566
Gov’t mule & Warren are like THE MOST underrated musicians in my opinion. This cover is fucking incredible.
@11B4V
Anyone can play the notes, but the tone and the timing...Awesome. This is not a cover: This is a compliment.
@sarahkuhn566
Dan Jewell truth 👏
@rafaspinola
For me, way better than the original. I agree with you.
@sarahkuhn566
@Rafael Spinola so underrated
@jayvarner1305
@Dan Jewell bingo
@JonnySublime
I watched my father pass away in the hospital while this was playing by his ear on my phone. He was unresponsive but lasted until this song came on. It was our song in life and it was our song at his death. This will forever be carved into my soul. Thank you Skynyrd and thank you Gov't for a beautiful tribute.
@jcgood
Good you could be there bro.
@kumuttaja
Couldnt help it, tears pouring out..
@govtmule611
Thanks for your story. I lost my Dad when I was 40. He sold a car to one of the Skynrd boys. We lived in Jacksonville, FL. Before their plane crashed. I started live audio taping pro. Saw LS when I was 17 in SC.
DECIDED after living in Asheville NC where Warren Haynes lives, to name my handle Govt Mule after I saw them live.