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
In a Big Country
moe. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another promise fallen through
Another season passes by you
I never took the smile away from anybody's face
And that's a desperate way to look
For someone who is still a child
In a big country dreams stay with you
Stay alive, here we go
I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime
In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive
In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive
So take that look out of here it doesn't fit you
Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded
Pull up your head off the floor, come up screaming
Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted
I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered, see ya
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert
But I can live and breathe
And see the sun in wintertime
In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive
Ha, ha
In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive
In a big country dreams stay with you
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
Stay alive
The lyrics to moe.'s song "In a Big Country" are all about hope and perseverance in the face of adversity. The singer begins by observing that the person they're addressing looks lost and defeated, as if they've been let down by something or someone. The next lines talk about passing time and broken promises, framing this sense of disappointment as a recurring theme in life. But then, the chorus comes in, insisting that dreams can provide a source of strength and inspiration even in difficult times. The image of a lover's voice firing up a mountainside suggests that passion and connection can give us the energy we need to keep going.
The second verse continues this theme, describing a struggle to reconcile the belief that pain and truth are important with the realization that sometimes we have to let go of our expectations and move forward without them. The line about not expecting to grow flowers in a desert suggests that sometimes we have to accept the limitations of our environment or circumstances, but that doesn't mean we can't find purpose and enjoyment in life anyway. The final lines are a call to action, encouraging the person to stand up and fight for what they want, even if it means crying out in frustration or anger.
Overall, "In a Big Country" is a message of hope that encourages listeners to hold onto their dreams even in the face of setbacks and disappointments. It acknowledges that life can be full of pain and struggle, but insists that there is also beauty and joy to be found if we are willing to keep looking for it.
Line by Line Meaning
I've never seen you look like this without a reason
The singer notices a change in the addressee's demeanor and wonders what has caused it.
Another promise fallen through
Another commitment has been broken or unfulfilled, possibly contributing to the addressee's demeanor.
Another season passes by you
Time continues to march on, leaving the addressee feeling stuck or unfulfilled.
I never took the smile away from anybody's face
The artist has not intentionally caused harm or upset to anyone.
And that's a desperate way to look
Despite the artist's good intentions, the addressee's current state is concerning and worrying.
For someone who is still a child
The addressee is not yet fully matured, despite potentially being an adult.
In a big country dreams stay with you
The vastness and beauty of the natural world can inspire and encourage one to hold onto their aspirations.
Like a lover's voice fires the mountainside
The metaphorical power of a loved one's encouragement can be just as breathtaking and awe-inspiring as a stunning landscape.
Stay alive, here we go
The artist exhorts the addressee to persevere and continue on in life, despite hardships or setbacks.
I thought that pain and truth were things that really mattered
The artist once believed that emotional intensity and honesty were the most important things in life.
But you can't stay here with every single hope you had shattered
However, it is not helpful or productive to dwell on past disappointments.
I'm not expecting to grow flowers in a desert
The artist recognizes that not every situation is ideal or perfect, but they do not give up on finding beauty in their circumstances.
But I can live and breathe
The singer reaffirms that they are still alive and capable of experiencing joy and happiness, even in less-than-ideal circumstances.
And see the sun in wintertime
The singer can find warmth and hope even in the cold and difficult times.
So take that look out of here it doesn't fit you
The addressee's negative demeanor is not representative of their true self, and they should try to dispel it.
Because it's happened doesn't mean you've been discarded
Although negative experiences and setbacks may happen, they do not mean that the addressee is worthless or unimportant.
Pull up your head off the floor, come up screaming
The addressee should lift their head up and cry out loud to assert their resilience and strength.
Cry out for everything you ever might have wanted
The addressee should not be afraid to fight for their dreams and desires, even if they seem unrealistic or difficult to attain.
See ya
The singer's parting words, suggesting that they will see the addressee again in the future.
Ha, ha
An exclamation of joy or laughter, expressing the artist's continued hope and optimism for the addressee.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Watson, Mark Brzezicki, Stuart Adamson, Tony Butler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind