If you want a feel-good, lyrically genius, soulful addition to your musical collection, Dave Matthews Band is all this and more. The vocals of Dave Matthews himself are hip and soulful, while his performance on guitar is electrifying. The band formed in early 1991 in Virginia, have released five studio albums, and are soon releasing a sixth set to release June 2, 2009. Here are ten songs to hold your attention until you can grab the newest addition to thier historical collection.
10. Ants Marching: off thier debut studio album, features a different sound than your average top 40 mix of songs. The lyrics are creative and the music is catchy and if you do not catch yourself moving your feet, then you are not hearing the true essence of Dave Matthews Band. The guitar riffs, saxophone and drums make you feel like dancing and leave you smiling, feeling good.
9. Crash: off thier second studio released album, was a top 40 hit on the radio charts for months. The song is a different rendition of your typical radio airwaves love song. The song has a simple instrumental arrangement and the lyrics are sweet as Dave sings to his love, “im holding you so close to me, as you come crash into me.”
8. Crush: off thier third studio released album, by far one of my favorite song of Dave Matthews Band. The song is soulful, lyrics are beautiful, and the music fills you with energy and a soulful spirit that makes you feel like you are floating on a cloud. The lyrics are again, a love song, but intense. One of my favorite parts of the song is when Dave sings, “lovely lady, I will treat you sweet, adore you.”
7. If I had it All: a song off thier Everyday album, never made it to Top 40, but is my all-time favorite. The song is dark, reflective and a love song again, but with a darker side to it. The lyrics speak of how individuals wish to have it all, but if you had it all, how life would not be perfect. There would still be trials. In Dave’s words, “If I had you, I would give you your dreams. If I had it all, then tell me what in the world would I sing for.”
6. I Did It: another song off thier Everyday album. This song is fun, catchy and definitely will have you tapping your foot and singing the chorus throughout the day. The song was the first release off the album, and with its fast pace is definitely one of thier best jamming songs.
5. Grace is Gone: off thier fifth album, Busted Stuff. The song is quiet, gentle and very sad. The song is of lost love and the drunken state we find ourselves in at our low points. The lyrics are beautiful, like, “take my heart, take my eyes, I need them no more, if never again they will fall upon the one I so adore.” How beautiful are those lyrics. This is a true-breakup song.
4. Where Are You Going: off the Busted Stuff album again. The song was featured in the movie, Mr. Deeds with Adam Sandler, and is one of the first songs I heard of Dave Matthews Band that got me to be a huge fan of thiers. The way they speak on love is original and unlike any other artist. The lyrics are true to life and the music is so great to hear in a society of rap, hard rock and lack of quality lyrics.
3. Big Eyed Fish: another off Busted Stuff, the album I would probably recommend buying first. The song is about mortality and the common moments in life that can feel hopeless and dark. Yet, Dave Matthews speaks of how things may seem “brighter on the other side”, but that sometimes life can work itself out.
2. Stolen Away on 55th and 3rd: a song about love with a simple beat, lyrics that are not real deep, as most of his are, yet for some reason, this song holds a place in my heart. The album, Stand Up, is not one I would highly recommend but holds a couple good tracks on the album.
1. DreamGirl: off Stand Up album. This video featured Julia Roberts. The song is a love song with cute lyrics and feel good music, as mostly all Dave Matthews Band is.
If this has you wanting to learn more about Dave Matthews Band, visit thier website at www.davematthewsband.com .
Also, you can purchase Dave Matthews’ cds at your local Wal-Mart, Fye! or Best Buy!!
