You could ask 100 music fans to list their favorite Dave Matthews Band songs and you’d get 100 different lists. With seven full-length studio records and many more live albums to their credit, the band has a deep, varied catalog of with a number of memorable songs.
Here’s my personal list of the ten best Dave Matthews Band songs.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #10: One Sweet World
Though “One Sweet World” has never appeared on one of DMB’s studio albums, a live version of the track appears on the band’s 1993 self-released debut Remember Two Things. The pleasant, cheerful tune has been a live favorite for years and has often been the show opener at many concerts. The song also provided the title of the band’s special flavor of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, known as One Sweet Whirled.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #9: Louisiana Bayou
DMB’s 2005 album Stand Up was not particularly beloved by long-time hardcore fans of the group, but a few of its better songs have stood the test of time. “Louisiana Bayou” has turned into one of the group’s most fun live tracks, with a funky, danceable edge and Boyd Tinsley often providing a lengthy violin solo at the end.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #8: Crash Into Me
The few music fans who still weren’t familiar with DMB by 1997 finally came around when “Crash Into Me” took over the pop radio airwaves to become one of the most recognizable hits of the year. Even the slightly creepy lyrics – Dave acknowledges he wrote the song from the perspective of a voyeur – don’t take away from its sweetness.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #7: Lie in Our Graves
The first time I ever saw DMB play live, I was witness to a jaw-dropping performance of “Lie in Our Graves” that went on for 13 minutes, including a six-minute violin solo. I’d never seen anything like it. This song gets overshadowed by a lot of the other great tracks on Crash, which is a shame because it’s one of the group’s best.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #6: Grace is Gone
This track first appeared on The Lillywhite Sessions, a batch of songs the band recorded in 2000 but scrapped, before re-recording many of them two years later for Busted Stuff. “Grace is Gone” is a beautiful forlorn ballad in which Dave sings about having his heart broken. “Excuse me please, one more drink,” he sings. “Could you make it strong, cause I don’t need to think.”
Best Dave Matthews Band song #5: Crush
Crush” seems to be the one Dave Matthews Band song liked even by people who generally dislike DMB. Its dark, moody verses powered by Stefan Lessard’s bass provide a different vibe from most of the group’s hits. The black and white music video, set in a martini bar, fits the vibe of the track perfectly.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #4: Two Step
One of four songs from the Crash album on this list, “Two Step” has always been one of the band’s most epic live songs. “Celebrate, we will,” Dave sings, “Cause life is short but sweet for certain.” It’s a total feel-good record. Despite not charting when it was released as a single, “Two Step” remains a fan favorite.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #3: Ants Marching
Ants Marching” is an insanely catchy track about the dangers of getting caught in the rat race, mindlessly shuffling off to work each day without stopping to appreciate the world around you. The song was one of the band’s biggest radio hits and has become one of its signature tracks.
Best Dave Matthews Band songs #2: Don’t Drink the Water
Matthews addresses the persecution of Native Americans in this country with harsh language not often used when discussing the subject. All I can say to you, my new neighbor,” Matthews sings, “is you must move on or I will bury you.” Add in some exotic instrumentation and background vocals from Alanis Morissette, and “Don’t Drink the Water” stands as one of the DMB’s most impressive songs.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #1: Tripping Billies
Tripping Billies” might be the song that best exemplifies the Dave Matthews Band. The infectious up-tempo track features a terrific violin solo from Boyd Tinsley and lyrics full of visual imagery like dragons being smoked, bumblebees stinging, and pineapple grass bracelets. “Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die,” sings Matthews, summing up DMB’s carefree, live-for-the-moment attitude.
The Ten Best Dave Matthews Band songs: Summary
Narrowing down the list of the best DMB songs to ten is a difficult task. Grey Street, Warehouse, Shake Me Like a Monkey, Everyday, #41, The Stone, You Might Die Trying, and Jimi Thing all deserve honorable mention.
Sources:
www.davematthewsband.com
www.dmbalmanac.com
