The band's first record, Fatboy (1992), established the band as a favorite of the same 1990s scene that became popular through bands such as the Dave Matthews Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic. moe. has toured with the 1997 Furthur Festival, appeared at Woodstock '99, have played in Central Park, were the opening band for The Allman Brothers and The Who, and performed at Radio City Music Hall on New Years Eve 2006 and 2007.
They also host the annual festival moe.down at Snow Ridge Ski Area in Turin, NY. Started in 2000, the festival runs for three days and occurs every Labor Day weekend. The festival has attracted a wide variety of musical talent. Acts range from newer bands just emerging onto the scene (such as Tea Leaf Green, Nellie McKay and Raq) to big name acts and jam rock staples, such as Les Claypool, Blues Traveler, and Mike Gordon (of Phish fame); to pop rock icons, such as Leo Kottke, The Flaming Lips, The Violent Femmes; and most recently, Perry Farrell. Each year, the amount of moe.down attendees has steadily increased. moe.down I attracted around 3,000 people while moe.down VI in 2005, had attracted close to 7,000.
During an interview, guitarist Al Schnier was asked to describe moe. for those who have never heard their music: "It's an amalgamation of a wide variety of the history of rock, all regurgitated and recycled through the eyes, ears, hands, whatever of the guys in our band and all of that with a sense of adventure, a sense of humor, also a constant desire to push the envelope. All in this arena of taking chances, improvising live, and making things up on the spot."
Their official site can be found at www.moe.org
Darkness
moe. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dizzy with eternity
Paint it with a skin of sky, brush in some clouds and sea
Call it home for you and me
A peaceful place or so it looks from space
A closer look reveals the human race
Full of hope, full of grace is the human face
There's a fear down here we can't forget, hasn't got a name just yet
Always awake, always around, singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Now watch as the ball revolves and the nightime calls
And again the hunt begins and again the bloodwind calls
By and by again, the morning sun will rise
The darkness never goes from some men's eyes
Well you know it strolls the sidewalks and it rolls the streets
Stalking turf, dividing up meat
Nightmare spook, piece of heat, it's you and me, you and me
Click, flashblade in ghetto night, Rudie's looking for a fight
Rat cat alley roll them bones, need that cash to feed that Jones
And the politicians throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Commissars and pin-striped bosses role the dice
Any way they fall guess who gets to pay the price?
Money green or proletarian gray
Selling guns instead of food today
So the kids they dance, they shake their bones
While the politicians throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Heartless powers try to tell us what to think
If the spirit's sleeping then the flesh is ink, yea
History's page, it is thusly carved in stone
The future's here, we are it, we are on our own
On our own, on our own, on our own
If the game is lost then we're all the same
No one left to place or take the blame
We will leave this place an empty stone
For that shinning ball we can call our home
So the kids they dance, they shake their bones
And the politicians, throwing stones
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Shipping powders back and forth
Singing, black goes South while white comes North
And the whole world full of petty wars
Singing I got mine and you got yours
And the current fashions set the pace
Lose your step, fall out of grace
And the radical he rant and rage
Singing someone got to turn the page
And the rich man in his summer home
Singing, just leave well enough alone
But his pants are down, his cover's blown
And the politicians are throwing stones
So the kids they dance and shake their bones
'Cause its all too clear we're on our own
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
It's dizzying, the possibilities
Ashes, ashes all fall down
Ashes, ashes all fall down
Ashes, ashes all fall down
Ashes, ashes all fall down
All fall down, all fall down
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
All fall down, all fall down
Singing ashes, ashes all fall down
Ashes, ashes all fall down
Ashes, ashes all fall down
The lyrics of moe.'s "Darkness" are a poignant reminder of the fragile state of our planet and the constant struggle of humans to balance progress with sustainability. The song metaphorically depicts the earth as a "bright blue ball" that is vulnerable to destruction from multiple fronts, including negligence, greed, and indifference. The first few lines describe the earth's beauty with words like "spinning free" and "dizzy with eternity," suggesting the planet's limitless potential. However, a closer look reveals the harsh reality of the human race, full of hope and grace, but also capable of catastrophic destruction. There's a "fear down here we can't forget," hinting at the planet's vulnerability to damage from human activity.
The content of the lyrics is a critique of the way people treat the planet, their viciousness to each other, and the problems that face humanity. They criticize people and describe the planet's destruction through powerful imagery of the problems that threaten human existence. These include wars, exploitative trade, political corruption, poverty, and poor leadership. The last lines of the song are an ominous warning that if things don't change, there won't be anything left to call home.
Additionally, the song makes references to politics, with words such as "commissars" and "pin-striped bosses," suggesting a call for political and social change. The use of phrases like "ashes, ashes all fall down" in the chorus captures the idea of the earth's inevitable destruction if humanity fails to take care of it.
Line by Line Meaning
Picture a bright blue ball just spinning, spinning free
Imagine a blue planet floating in space, constantly in motion.
Dizzy with eternity
Endlessly moving and changing, without a clear direction.
Paint it with a skin of sky, brush in some clouds and sea
Color the planet with a blue atmosphere, adding elements like clouds and oceans.
Call it home for you and me
Consider this planet a place of belonging for all living things.
A peaceful place or so it looks from space
From the outside, everything appears calm and harmonious.
A closer look reveals the human race
However, upon closer inspection, the presence of humans becomes apparent.
Full of hope, full of grace is the human face
Humans are both optimistic and gracious in their appearance and demeanor.
But afraid, we may lay our home to waste
Unfortunately, humans are also capable of destroying the planet they call home through their actions.
There's a fear down here we can't forget, hasn't got a name just yet
Humans are aware of an underlying fear that goes beyond words, but they cannot ignore it.
Always awake, always around, singing ashes, ashes all fall down
This fear is ever-present, as if singing a warning of the potential end of humanity and the planet.
Now watch as the ball revolves and the nightime calls
As the planet continues to spin, darkness falls over different parts of the world at different times.
And again the hunt begins and again the bloodwind calls
With darkness comes danger, and humans must be wary and alert as they hunt for resources and survive.
By and by again, the morning sun will rise
However, the darkness is only temporary, as the sun always rises and brings light and warmth to the planet.
The darkness never goes from some men's eyes
Unfortunately, not all humans are capable of finding the light and becoming better, more compassionate people.
Well you know it strolls the sidewalks and it rolls the streets
The darkness takes on a life of its own, pervading the world and affecting every aspect of society.
Stalking turf, dividing up meat
It fuels conflicts and competition for resources, leading to violence and oppression.
Nightmare spook, piece of heat, it's you and me, you and me
All humans are affected by the darkness, and it is up to each individual to fight against it.
Click, flashblade in ghetto night, Rudie's looking for a fight
The darkness takes on a specific form in urban environments, leading to crime and aggression.
Rat cat alley roll them bones, need that cash to feed that Jones
In impoverished areas, people turn to desperate measures to survive and provide for themselves and their families.
And the politicians throwing stones
Political leaders use propaganda and division to maintain power and control, rather than working towards a better future for all.
Selling guns instead of food today
Some powerful people prioritize profit over the well-being of others, causing harm and destruction in the world.
So the kids they dance, they shake their bones
Despite the darkness, some people find joy and escape in music and dance.
While the politicians throwing stones
However, political divisions and conflicts continue to exist and intensify, leading to more harm and violence.
Heartless powers try to tell us what to think
Those in power use their influence to shape public opinions and control the masses.
If the spirit's sleeping then the flesh is ink, yea
When people are not actively engaged with the world and working for change, they become lost and fall victim to destructive influences.
History's page, it is thusly carved in stone
The past is set in stone and cannot be changed, but it shapes the present and the future.
The future's here, we are it, we are on our own
The present is the only time we have agency and control over our actions, and it is up to us to create a better future.
On our own, on our own, on our own
We must rely on ourselves and our own efforts to make a difference and create a better world.
If the game is lost then we're all the same
If the planet and humanity are destroyed, everyone will suffer the consequences, regardless of their status or power.
No one left to place or take the blame
In this scenario, there is no one left to point fingers at or hold responsible for the tragedy that unfolds.
We will leave this place an empty stone
If we do not take care of the planet and each other, there will be nothing left, no legacy to leave behind.
For that shinning ball we can call our home
Humanity must work together to preserve the planet and make it a true home for all living things.
'Cause its all too clear we're on our own
While there are many challenges and obstacles to overcome, ultimately, each of us is responsible for the fate of the planet and the future of humanity.
Shipping powders back and forth
The drug trade, with its associated violence and corruption, is a major issue in the world.
Singing, black goes South while white comes North
The racist dynamics of the drug trade lead to further oppression and inequality for marginalized groups.
And the whole world full of petty wars
Conflict and violence exist at many levels in society, from the individual to the global.
Singing I got mine and you got yours
Many people focus only on their own self-interest, rather than working towards greater equality and justice for all.
And the current fashions set the pace
The trends and norms of society shape our behaviors and values, for better or for worse.
Lose your step, fall out of grace
If we do not fit into these norms or fail to achieve certain standards, we may face rejection and stigma.
And the radical he rant and rage
Those who challenge the status quo often face ridicule and opposition, even when advocating for positive change.
Singing someone got to turn the page
However, it is up to courageous individuals to stand up for what is right and make a difference.
And the rich man in his summer home
Wealthy individuals may be insulated from the problems of the world, allowing them to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
Singing, just leave well enough alone
They may also resist change and cling to the status quo, rather than working to address systemic issues.
But his pants are down, his cover's blown
However, when those in power are exposed and their true nature is revealed, they can no longer hide behind their success.
And the politicians are throwing stones
Even as public opinion turns against them, those in power may continue to use fear and division to maintain control.
Ashes, ashes all fall down
The song's refrain serves as a haunting reminder of the possible consequences of inaction and complacency.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: AL SCHNIER, CHUCK GARVEY, JIM LOUGHLIN, ROB DERHAK, VINNIE AMICO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind