Dave Matthews Band Songs Ranked
Dave Matthews Band is an American rock band, formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The band’s founding members are singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer, and backing vocalist Carter Beauford, violinist and backing vocalist Boyd Tinsley, and saxophonist LeRoi Moore, who died after complications from an ATV accident in August 2008. Dave Matthews Band’s 1994 major-label debut album, Under the Table and Dreaming, brought the band worldwide fame and was eventually certified six times platinum. As of 2018, the band had sold more than 20 million concert tickets and a combined total of 38 million CDs and DVDs. Their 2018 album, Come Tomorrow, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, making DMB the first band to have seven consecutive studio albums debut at the peak. Here are all of Dave Matthews Band‘s songs ranked.
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20. Tripping Billies (Remember Two Things, 1993)
“Some of the old live versions (1992 – 1995) sound completely out of tune and too fast. But in 1996, dave and the gang nailed it in the studio and along with two step, this song just keeps getting better and better live.”
19. Bartender (Busted Stuff, 2002)
“Bartender is more of a slow burn song, but when it finally busts out into an epic jam, it is easy to lose yourself in this DMB standard. Driving, epic, and poetic, its always been my favorite”
18. Warehouse (Under the Table and Dreaming, 1994)
“They touched on something in this work that few people manage to see in all their lives. It is an altogether enthralling stroke of brilliance, and anyone who doesn’t see that needs only to listen again to the lyrics and the gripping climax to the song.”
17. Satellite (Remember Two Things, 1993)
“Intricate guitar, a fun sounding violin used only when it should be, a beautiful soprano saxophone to throw in some occasional fills, a funky bass, complex but fitting drums, and to top it all off beautiful lyrics sung perfectly by Dave. It might not be a “jam” song, but it’s still a great song that should never be skipped.”
See more: Dave Matthews Band Albums Ranked
16. Proudest Monkey (Crash, 1996)
“It is so calming and it feels like I’m floating. It’s nice to get away from Dave Matthews Sex songs that were highly rated because of the topic. Nice to here a well done, calming song. I have a theory on what the song means. My dad lived in Charlottesville for 4 years and said that Monkey was derogatory term towards the poorer people of Charlottesville. But they lived a very peaceful and happy life.”
15. The Stone (Live Trax Vol. 19: Vivo Rio, 2010)
“Man this is another one that should be a top 5 choice. The instruments, the vocals and the deep, dark, grasping lyrics. It’s everything you could ask for.”
14. Grey Street (Busted Stuff, 2002)
“I love the way this songs builds and builds to the peak only to fall off to “Grey” one last time. A wonderful creation, hauntingly emotional. I much prefer the shorter version, sometimes more is not better. It seems to have the perfect tempo for what he wanted to create. Certainly deserving of the high ranking. Better live too.”
13. The Best of What’s Around (Under the Table and Dreaming, 1994)
“This song is so wonderful. First song off of the first album, great energy and each instrument stands out, great chorus at the end”
12. Stay or Leave (Some Devil, 2003)
“Beautiful song about loving someone and then they leave. I get tears in my eyes every time I hear this song. Thinking back about the good, good love and the times we had and then one leaves the relationship. This song captures that so well.”
11. The Space Between (Everyday, 2001)
“Amazing! Will always be one of my favorite DMB songs. The chorus is absolutely amazing, and vocal is perfect! Love the meaning of the song as well deep.”
10. American Baby (Stand Up, 2005)
“American baby brings back so many childhood memories! Whether it be spending the night with my father and him blasting this great tune in his car. Those moments and this song will stay with me forever.”
9. Don’t Drink the Water (Before These Crowded Streets, 1998)
“This song is about when the colonists came to america and started pushing the Indian’s off their land. People were told not to drink the water from streams because there could be blood in it from all the fighting going on.”
8. Funny the Way It Is (Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King, 2009)
“The words to the song delivers a message that we all know already – the world is ironic: good things and bad things happen simultaneously; yet we are helpless when it comes to preventing all the bad things from happening. As he points out, it’s not right or wrong – it just happens. And no matter how disastrous the situation may be, we keep moving forward in our lives.”
7. Lie in Our Graves (Crash, 1996)
“This song on the red Rock live album makes me a better person. That instrumental in the middle is like the custard in an eclair. Would you not like to be? Sitting on top of the world with your legs hanging free”
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6. Crush (Before These Crowded Streets, 1998)
“Probably the best lyrically captured explanation of love You will ever find. What a deep and grasping song. Deep emotion, deep lyrics, awesome lyrics, super instrumentals, the best all-around.”
5. Dancing Nancies (Under the Table and Dreaming, 1994)
“The more I listen, the more I like it. I have been a Dmb fan since the early 90s and you need to understand how Dave came up with the song. It is pretty amazing. The more you know, the more you will appreciate this song.”
4. Two Step (Crash, 1996)
“My favorite live song ever. The way they build up slowly, layering on each instrument, until they are flat out jamming, then taking you back down for a bit before building again to the crescendo. Very moving.”
3. Ants Marching (Remember Two Things, 1993)
“Ants Marching” is probably the most played DMB song in concert and it envelopes who they are and what their signature sound is. Great song with an epic dose of Boyd Tinsley on the fiddle.”
2. Crash Into Me (Crash, 1996)
“It’s an outstanding expression of love! I love listening to the awesome and relaxing quality of Dave’s music! It’s a truly legendary love song that will live on for years to come. A true masterpiece! This song simply transcends time. It’s a classic that reinvents itself every time it plays. I can hear different sounds and textures every time I listen to it. It’s unique.”
1. #41 (Crash, 1996)
“Absolute best song in the history of the world. If there was ever a song that could lift you up after a hard day, this would undoubtedly be that song. It only gets better if you listen to it live at radio city with Tim Reynolds. This song is certainly an emotion within itself. It’s uplifting and vibrant.”