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,
The Shape I'm In
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Anybody seen my baby?
Livin' alone sure drive me crazy
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
I'll be there lookin' for my maker
'Cause they sayin' that's where she's been, lord knows
Out of nine lives, I spent seven
How in the world can I get to Heaven?
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Shape I'm in
Shape I
Shape I'm in
I just spent 16 days in the jail house
For the crime of havin' no dough
Here I am now back out on the street
For the crime of havin' nowhere to go
Save your neck or save your brother
These days you know, one or the other
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Go out yonder, peace in the valley
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
Oh, you don't know, shape I'm in
Oh, you don't know, shape I'm in
Shape I'm in, shape I'm in
The lyrics of Gov't Mule's 'The Shape I'm In' tell a story of someone who is struggling to find their way. The opening line refers to seeking peace in a place far from home, only to find trouble when returning to their own neighborhood. The chorus emphasizes that the singer is in bad shape and others cannot understand what they're going through. The following lines add to the sense of loneliness and desperation, with the singer searching for their lost love and feeling crazy from living alone.
The next verse is about contemplating suicide and seeking redemption. The singer reflects on their life, having spent most of their lives facing death, and now wondering how they will make it to heaven. The final verse talks about the singer's experiences in jail and on the street, having committed no crime but being punished for not having any money or a place to go.
The song was originally written by The Band and included on their 1970 album 'Stage Fright'. Gov't Mule covered the song on their 1998 album 'Dose'.
The song has been covered by various other artists such as Joe Cocker and The Black Crowes.
The song was ranked No. 276 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
It features prominent slide guitar work from guitarist Warren Haynes.
The bass player on the song, Allen Woody, played in The Allman Brothers Band with Warren Haynes before founding Gov't Mule.
The music video for the song features the band performing live and was directed by drummer, Matt Abts.
The song was included on the soundtrack of the 1999 film 'Double Jeopardy'.
Both The Band and Gov't Mule have frequently performed the song in concert.
The song's theme of struggling with poverty and the criminal justice system has remained relevant to current times.
Chords:
Verse: G - C - G - D - G
Chorus: C - G - D - G
Bridge: Am - D - G - C - G - D - G
Line by Line Meaning
Go out yonder, peace in the valley
The singer is seeking peace and tranquility away from their current situation.
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Upon returning home, the singer is faced with conflict and violence.
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The singer is indicating that their current state is much worse than others realize.
Anybody seen my baby?
The artist is desperately searching for companionship.
Livin' alone sure drive me crazy
Being forced to live alone with one's thoughts has affected the artist's mental health.
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The singer is emphasizing again how severe their circumstances are.
I'm goin' down to the river but I ain't gonna jump in
The singer is seeking spiritual guidance and answers.
I'll be there lookin' for my maker
The artist is searching for a higher power to help them through their struggles.
'Cause they sayin' that's where she's been, lord knows
The artist has heard that God can be found at the river.
Out of nine lives, I spent seven
The artist has been through a lot of difficult situations in their life.
How in the world can I get to Heaven?
The singer is questioning how they will ever be able to improve their life and move on to a better place.
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The artist restates that others do not understand the extent of their suffering.
Shape I'm in
The chorus echoes the singer's sentiment of being in a very bad situation.
I just spent 16 days in the jail house
The singer has recently been incarcerated and is feeling the effects of this experience.
For the crime of havin' no dough
The singer was arrested for being poor.
Here I am now back out on the street
The artist has been released from jail but still does not have a home.
For the crime of havin' nowhere to go
Even though the artist committed no crime, they were arrested simply for being homeless.
Save your neck or save your brother
The singer is faced with a difficult decision, to prioritize their own survival or to help someone else.
These days you know, one or the other
In difficult times, there are often no easy choices.
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The artist repeats that others cannot comprehend the severity of their circumstances.
Go out yonder, peace in the valley
The artist continues to seek a peaceful place away from their current situation.
Come back home, have to rumble in the alley
Despite their best efforts to find peace, the artist is inevitably drawn back into conflict.
Oh, you don't know the shape I'm in
The song ends with a final reminder that the singer's situation is much worse than others realize.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind