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,
Thorazine Shuffle
Gov't Mule Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ain't no need to worry today
Thorazine shuffle make everything OK
I know how you feel
You say you need your highs and lows
But what if you could take your pain
And just let it go
I'll show you how it's done
Stay right here with me now
Till the damage is done
And the damage is done
Time drags by
When you're boring
Don't care what you do care what you say
There comes a time
When you got to let the monster inside you
Let him come on out, come on out and play
Step right back and watch me now
I'll show you how it's done
Stay right here with me now
Till the damage is done
Step right back and watch me now
I'll show you how it's done
Stay right here with me now
Till the damage is done
And the damage is done
Stand by to stand by
Ain't no need to worry today
Thorazine shuffle make everything OK
The song "Thorazine Shuffle" by Gov't Mule seems to be an exploration of the effects of using psychiatric medication to manage mental health issues. The title references Thorazine, which is an antipsychotic drug that has been widely used to treat symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder since the 1950s. The first verse of the song suggests that the medication is a way to alleviate the worry and anxiety that can be associated with mental illness. The line "Thorazine shuffle make everything OK" conveys the idea that the medication can help to create a sense of calm and stability in those who take it.
The second verse delves deeper into the concept of emotional regulation that can come with medication use. The lyrics suggest that people might believe they need the "highs and lows" of their emotions to feel alive, but the singer suggests that "letting go" of the pain and negative feelings associated with mental illness might actually be a healthier approach. The chorus repeats the idea that taking medication can help to alleviate worry and make everything feel okay.
Overall, the song seems to be a reflection on the complicated and often difficult journey of managing mental health issues with the help of medication. It acknowledges both the benefits and potential drawbacks of psychiatric drugs, while ultimately suggesting that the "damage" associated with mental illness can be managed with the right care and support.
Line by Line Meaning
Stand by to stand by
Get ready to wait patiently
Ain't no need to worry today
There's nothing to worry about at the moment
Thorazine shuffle make everything OK
The use of drugs can temporarily alleviate mental health issues
I know how you feel
I can empathize with your situation
You say you need your highs and lows
You believe the ups and downs of life are necessary
But what if you could take your pain And just let it go
What if you could release yourself from that pain and move on
Step right back and watch me now
Observe and learn from my actions
I'll show you how it's done
I'll demonstrate the correct way to do things
Stay right here with me now Till the damage is done
Stick around until the issue has been resolved
And the damage is done
The problem has been fixed or resolved
Time drags by When you're boring
The feeling of boredom makes time seem to pass more slowly
Don't care what you do care what you say
Words are more important than actions
There comes a time When you got to let the monster inside you Let him come on out, come on out and play
Sometimes you need to embrace your inner demons and let them have control for a while
Stand by to stand by Ain't no need to worry today Thorazine shuffle make everything OK
Reiterating that the use of drugs can temporarily alleviate mental health issues
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: WARREN HAYNES, MATTHEW ABTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ireland831
Loved Warren and Allen in the Alllman Brothers. When they kicked out the first record....it was a must buy. Outstanding band...everything is so fierce. Guitar tones are unreal. Riffs second to none. I love Matt's drumming. I think he might be my favorite drummer since John Bonham and Phil Rudd and Butch Trucks. Must be someone else in there that I am forgetting, but Matt is a monster. What a song...what a band. Bravo boys.
Glenn Kemp
Well said Mr. Ireland.
Aleksei J. Savinkoff
One of the first Mule tunes I heard, roughly 20yrs ago ... SO good. These guys have such an incredible sound. Check out their new songs "same as it ever was" and "dreaming out loud". In this day and age, they actually recorded it to TAPE. Blew my mind all over again.
William Pardue
One of my favorite Mule tunes, and this live version is sweet. Thanks!
Jonathan Lindberg
Really good stuff a large band staying out of each other's Lane and playing well together evidence of plenty of practice
EscapeVelo
Those Allen Woody bass licks, so good.
Jonathan Lindberg
A modern-day Leslie West and Mountain a refreshing return to skillful live performance
RasTomas Stanford
This is one of the best songs i've ever heard on EARTH.
ThePangia
on mother earth, you mean?
RasTomas Stanford
@ThePangia yes and yes yes