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,
Streamline Woman
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gave my heart a stir
Naked in the moonlight
Made me shimmer for sure
Ooh, streamline woman
Your head's in the city
Looking so doggone pretty
Made me laugh out loud
Ooh, streamline woman
Ooh, streamline woman
Let me be good to you
Streamline woman
Let me be good to you
Eyes wide open
Suitcase in your hand
Passport in your pocket
Do you need a place to land
Ooh, streamline woman
Ooh, streamline woman
Let me be good to you
In the first verse of Gov't Mule's song "Streamline Woman," the singer is expressing his attraction towards a woman he saw in the starlight. Her nakedness in the moonlight evokes a strong reaction in him as she makes him feel a sense of shimmer. The woman is described as streamlined, indicating that she is elegant, efficient, and refined in her appearance and mannerisms.
The second verse juxtaposes the woman's head being in the city with her soul flying through the clouds. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for her being grounded in reality yet still having a dreamy, imaginative essence. The singer is struck by her physical beauty and cannot help but laugh out loud in her presence.
The chorus repeats the phrase "let me be good to you" as the singer tries to convey his desire to treat her well. The woman's situation is uncertain as she has a suitcase in her hand and a passport in her pocket, making the singer wonder if she needs a place to land.
Overall, the song seems to be about the singer's attraction to a mysterious and intriguing woman who has a certain air of sophistication about her. It is possible that the song is an ode to independent and free-spirited women who are not bound by societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Saw you in the starlight
You caught my attention and I saw you shining brightly
Gave my heart a stir
You made my heart beat faster and excited me
Naked in the moonlight
You were vulnerable and exposed, but still beautiful
Made me shimmer for sure
You had a radiating effect on me that I couldn't deny
Your head's in the city
You are focused on your career and your physical surroundings
But your soul flies through the clouds
Your spirit is free and unbound by earthly constraints
Looking so doggone pretty
You are stunningly beautiful and catching my eye
Made me laugh out loud
You have a playful energy that brought joy to my soul
Eyes wide open
You are aware of your surroundings and taking it all in
Suitcase in your hand
You are on the move and prepared for a journey
Passport in your pocket
You are ready to travel and explore the world
Do you need a place to land
I am willing to offer a safe haven and provide comfort and care
Let me be good to you
I want to treat you with kindness and respect, and be a positive presence in your life
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind