You could ask 100 music fans to list their favorite Dave Matthews Band songs and you’d get 100 different records. With seven full-length studio records and many other albums to their credit, the band has a deep and varied catalog with some memorable songs.
Here is my personal list of the ten best Dave Matthews Band songs.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #10: Sweet World
Although “One Sweet World” never appeared on one of DMB’s studio albums, a live version of the track appears on the band’s 1993 debut self-released Remember Two Things. It has been a fun, enjoyable live tune for years and has often been the opening act for many concerts. The song also provided the band’s unique 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 wasn’t the group’s best-loved work for a long time, but it featured a few of the best songs of the time. “Louisiana Bayou” turns into one of the band’s 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: I Believe in Me
The few music fans who weren’t yet familiar with DMB from 1997 finally came around when “Cash In Me” went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year on the pop radio airwaves. Even the slightly creepy lyrics – Dave admits he wrote the song from a voyeur’s perspective – don’t take away from the cuteness.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #7: Sleep in our graves
The first time I saw DMB play live, I witnessed the jaw-dropping “Sleep in Our Graves” that went on for 13 minutes, including a six-minute violin solo. I have never seen anything like it. This song is overshadowed by many other great tracks on Tomorrow, which is a shame because it’s the group’s best.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #6: Grace Gone
This track first appeared on The Lillywhite Sessions, a collection of songs the band wrote in 2000 but scrapped, before recording many of them two years later on Busted Stuff. “Grace Gone” is a beautiful desert ballad in which Dave sings about a broken heart. “Please forgive me, drink more,” he sings. “Can you make it firm, cause you don’t need to think.”
Best Dave Matthews Band song #5: Contere
“Crush” seems to be one Dave Matthews Band song loved even by those who generally dislike DMB. , the sad lyrics from Stefan Lessard’s bass provides a different vibe than most of the group’s hits.The video, set in a martini bar, fits the vibe of the track perfectly.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #4: Two Step
One of the four songs from the Crash album on this list, “Two Steps” has always been one of the band’s most epic live songs ever. “Let’s celebrate,” Dave sings, “cause life is short, but it sure is sweet.” It is in the highest estimation of things. Despite not charting when it was released as a single, “Two Step” remains a fan favorite.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #3: March of Ants
Ant Marching” is a crazy track about the dangers of getting into the rat race, mindlessly shuffling through each day without working allowing them to know the world around you.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #2: Don’t Drink Water
Matthew addresses the persecution of the Native Americans in this region in harsh terms not often discussed in the context. All I can tell you, my new neighbor,” Matthew sings, “is to go or bury you.” Add some exotic instruments and Alan Morissette’s vocal career, and “Don’t Drink water” stands as one of DMB’s most powerful songs.
Best Dave Matthews Band song #1: Tripping Billies
The Billies” would be the song that best exemplifies the Dave Matthews Band. A violin solo from Boyd Tinsley and lyrics full of visual images like dragons smoking, bumblebees, and pine-grass bracelets.
Ten Best Dave Matthews Band Songs: Summary
A narrow list of the best DMB songs is hard to pin down. Gray Street, Warehouse, Shake Me Like A Monkey, Everyday, #41, The Stone, The Experience of Dying, and Jimi’s Thing are all worthy of mention.
Sources:
www.davematthewsband.com
www.dmbalmanac.com
