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.
Tao Talk 
Awww so awesome Li! Great song choice!
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Thanks, CA!
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morning Lisa thanks for introducing me to this track I have not heard it before- what fabulous lyrics 🙌♥️
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Ange, happy the lyrics speak to you. Happy to make the introductions <3
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🙌
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Great choice Lisa this band is new to me! I agree this is a great song and brings back dark memories of those days.
Great choice! 👍👍💜💜💜
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Willow, the fact they were able to muster their courage and their creative spirits makes me love the album all the more. Happy to make introductions <3 Thanks!
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Thanks Lisa I am so grateful 🙏
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<3
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I can always rely on you to play something I’ve not heard before! The Dave Matthews Band has achieved the square root of diddly squat over here.
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Clive, that is kind of surprising to me. I wonder how they fare in the rest of the world? I know they are going to be in Grand Rapids, about 50 miles from here, in July.
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Apart from Canada, not that well! One of those bands who are big at home but haven’t travelled well. Hope you get to see that concert 👍
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Thanks, Clive, I hope so also <3
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I love that you chose this! I am a longtime lover of the Dave Matthew’s Band and this is a lesser-known track that really deserved more attention.
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V, happy you are a fan and it doesn’t surprise me. I think Covid was generally bad for business for creatives. Especially with DMB being most a live jam band, when you can’t fill seats, it hurts.
After reading Clive’s comment, I went to wiki and looked at the international charts. From my view, it looks like they are mostly an American sweetheart.
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Technically this must be my favorite band as I’ve seen them in concert more than any other act! It is for the same reason you like them Li. They are such a tight band and they produce these magnificent tracks and have they have a stage presence that is electric. They are all part of the same being. I absolutely love this one ☺️❤️
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Christine, I had no idea you were such a big DMB fan. I can only imagine the energy passing back and forth in their concerts! Thank you for your wonderful and eloquent comment <3
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That was a really good song! I first heard DMB on SiriusXM and then I started listening closer. He’s going to be here in June but the tickets are a little too pricey for me.
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Michael, glad you agree it’s a really good song. Happy you happened across the band and started listening closer. I hear you about the tickets. He will be 50 miles from here in July.
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A great choice (in my View) Li
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I love love love this song!
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I can see why you like this song so much, Lisa and the Dave Mathews Band has this incredible technical musicianship which gives them a very tight sound. Thanks for sharing this and joining in again.
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Glad you like the song, Jim, and thank you for the feedback on why you feel they are so good! You’re very welcome. I have begun to look forward to SLS again.
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A new number for me, Lisa, but I can see why you’re digging that opening. Cool song.
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Thanks, Nancy!
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I’ve heard some of their songs which I like, but this is a new one. Love that opening intro beat kinda all growly or something. Great lyrics too, and the information on it was interesting. :)
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Yay! Glad you like it and love your description of the opening intro <3
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This is worth it just for the lyric “Just wish I could crawl out of the skin I’m living in”….wish I could have written that! Great song Lisa.
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Max, perfect for covid times or any time of trouble, really.
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Yes…that line is awesome…one of the many lines I wish I would have written!
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We still haven’t gotten back, probably never will. (C)
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good choice!
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Thanks, Christine!
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I’m floating far far away in bliss!! Excellent share 💝
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J, this song does the same thing to me. <3
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