Dave Matthews Band

Walk Around The Moon (2023) album cover 

Hello Everybody! This week’s prompt is extremely challenging in that there an almost infinite number of songs with great openers. Openings so memorable that often it only takes a few notes to recognize them. I agonized for a few moments before deciding on a cut from an album I’ve chosen songs from twice already for Song Lyric Sunday. The album is Dave Matthews Band’s, “Walk Around the Moon,” released in 2023, written during Covid, when everybody had time to think about things. The song, “The Only Thing,” was written by all of the band members: David John Matthews, John Alagia, Stefan Lessard, Carter Beauford, Rashawn Ross, Arthur Strong, Tim Reynolds, Jeff Stanley Coffin.

I first wrote about the album HERE in 2023, shortly after finding it on a library database search for new books, albums, DVDs, Blu rays, etc. in 2023. I fell in love with the album immediately and have listened to many times since.

What is The Only Thing? Listen to Dave reflect on the state of the Covid world, where everyone is trapped at home, in their heads, away from the people they care about. I remember my daughter in-law being pregnant during Covid and my son not being able to go with her to her check-ups. I remember no family members were allowed at the hospital to wait while she was in labor. Nobody could visit them and the new baby. If that all doesn’t make you feel trapped and away from love, I don’t know what will.

These lyrics speak a truth felt in your bones, beyond words, and into the cells of your soul:

If you could crawl out of the skin you’re living in
Like some kinda love just opened you up
You know when you feel it
It’s the only thing

Everyone’s trying to feel that only thing, to be on its giving and receiving wavelength. When the world is lost in chaos, that only thing is what holds us together, hanging on.

Besides the profound lyrics within the song, is the musical ensemble that is Dave Matthews Band, that rises and burns in celestial clockwork. The whole song does it with a tightness that demonstrates these guys are brothers in more ways than one. The kind of bond that manifests that of which they sing. The opener perfectly announces it.

The Only Thing

All of us, we're always trying to catch up
Call just to let me know what you think
How is this never quite enough
Lost and always tryin' to get back, can we get back? Oh

Call the doctor, and the doctor came in
She said, "Where does it hurt, you know there's a pill for 'most everything?"
Close your eyes, open wide, and we'll make you smile again
Some people believe in ghosts, and some believe in aliens

Just wish I could crawl out of the skin I'm living in
Crawl out of my mind into the outside
Nobody could reach me

If you could crawl out of the skin you're living in
Like some kinda love just opened you up
You know when you feel it
It's the only thing

Oh, don't you feel like you're tryin' to catch up
Fear makes you jump a little too quick
Time, do we know when it's too late?
Always trying to get it back, trying to get it back

But remember, all the things that used to be real
Things to help you believe, 'cause you want to make sense of everything
Then there's the first time you crack, and you think everyone's laughing at me
All at once, you're a ghost, you're some kind of alien

Just wish I could crawl out of the skin I'm living in
Crawl out of my mind into the outside
I just want to feel it

If you could crawl out of the skin you're living in
Find some kinda love to open you up
You know when you feel it
It's the only thing

Just wish I could crawl out of the skin I'm living in
Outta my mind into the outside
Nobody can reach me

If you could crawl out of the skin you're living in
Like some kinda love just opened you up
You know when you feel it
It's the only thing

The only thing 

Written by: David John Matthews, John Alagia, Stefan Lessard, Carter Beauford, Rashawn Ross, Arthur Strong, Tim Reynolds, Jeff Stanley Coffin
Album: Walk Around The Moon
Released: 2023

Jim Adams is the host of Song Lyric Sunday. This week Jim wants us to find a song with a great intro.