We spend a lot of time bickering at great cost, and very little time actually coming up with solutions. And I think we misuse our ambition for our own gains and rarely for the betterment of ourselves, and people around us and our environment. And I think that's sort of pathetic and desperate.
Dave MatthewsI find sometimes it's easy to be myself, sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else.
Dave MatthewsI know I have a very unusual style of playing, where other more recognized and technically proficient players might look at me and wonder what the heck I'm doing. The purpose of my learning to play the way I do was more to accompany my singing. I figured out a style where I'm mentally playing the drums over a simple melody.
Dave MatthewsDon’t you rob yourself of what you’re feeling; don’t rob yourself of all that you could be.
Dave MatthewsI think I am a very kind person. I think I'm joyful, but I could be kinder and I could be more joyful. I do believe peace is a state of grace, and not the absence of violence.
Dave MatthewsIt is criminal to put our servicemen and women in harm's way and to put the lives of so many civilians on the line for the misguided frustrations of the Bush administration.
Dave MatthewsI go back to South Africa at least once a year, sometimes twice, and usually for a month. And probably, I'm guessing, I'll spend more time back there as I get older.
Dave MatthewsI definitely like the oddballs. There's a song called 'Little Thing,' which is the only song that I have recorded that has no words. And it's the one that I get past my critic inside me.
Dave MatthewsI found there's a fairly blatant racism in America that's already there, and I don't think I noticed it when I lived here as a kid. But when I went back to South Africa, and then it's sort of thrust in your face, and then came back here - I just see it everywhere.
Dave MatthewsI was just wondering if you'd come along to hold up my head when my head won't hold on.
Dave MatthewsA vote for change is a vote for a stronger, safer, healthier America. A vote for Bush is a vote for a divided, unstable, paranoid America. It is our duty to this beautiful land to let our voices be heard. That's the reason for the tour. That's why I'm doing it.
Dave MatthewsI'm familiar with that feeling of silence that comes with a very imminent catastrophe, when you know you have absolutely no control over a situation.
Dave MatthewsOne sweet world Around this star is spinning One sweet world And in her breath I'm swimming And here we will rest in peace
Dave MatthewsThe melodies are always the most important part to me. I am pulled more to the groove than the chord progression. After you find the groove, you find the most simple chord progressions and then sit inside that groove.
Dave MatthewsI have always been drawn to percussion and drums, to bass and piano, in music much more then I am drawn to the guitar and the other lead instruments.
Dave MatthewsWhen I look at how fortunate I've been, being a musician... my response to being overpaid is that I should pay it back to my community in some way.
Dave MatthewsI think I'm probably a very sad man wrapped in a very joyful package, and I think I'm very resilient, and I think I'm quite generous, sometimes to a fault. And I'm very bad with money, but I don't see that too much of a flaw.
Dave MatthewsI'm a fairly tormented artist, and I'm less willing to indulge myself in self-pity, outside of songwriting.
Dave MatthewsTake these chances Place them in a box until a quieter time Lights down, you up and die
Dave MatthewsI'm glad some people have that faith. I don't have that faith. If there is a God, a caring God, then we have to figure he's done an extraordinary job of making a very cruel world.
Dave MatthewsGoodnight moon. Sweet dreams. Smile kindly upon this little blue gum ball of us while we sleep.
Dave MatthewsBeing a white South African, I enjoyed the better things that that country gave to a small percentage of its population.
Dave MatthewsA guy and a girl can be just friends, but at one point or another, they will fall for each other... maybe temporarily, maybe at the wrong time, maybe too late, or maybe forever.
Dave MatthewsI like to think I'm a night person, because that's my job, but now I'm a father of three. I'm trying to become more of a morning person. I don't know if it will last. I have two choices, right? Either I'm bitter about getting up early, or I start drinking wine earlier and get to bed.
Dave MatthewsSo I watched the Pink Panther last night, and so I'm trying desperately to be funny, and then it's just not working out so good... I wonder if maybe I could've been a comedian or something like that, or maybe I could've been a doctor, then I wouldn't have to make anyone laugh.
Dave MatthewsSometimes it's nice to be able to reflect on the music itself and then write lyrics that I feel anyone can relate to. It's not my dreaming tree that is dead. The feeling of a loss of hope is universal. There are moments that we've all felt a little bit of it, so I don't think it is something that is too hard to identify with.
Dave MatthewsI don't touch electric guitars. It's just not my thing - I stick with acoustic guitars only.
Dave Matthews