This is a hauntingly beautiful song about introspection, specifically about looking back at a relationship that started bad and ended so poorly, that the narrator wants to go back to the very beginning and tell himself to not even travel down that road. I believe that the relationship started poorly because of the lines:
"Take me back to the night we met:When the night was full of terrors: And your eyes were filled with tears: When you had not touched me yet"
So, the first night was not a great start, but the narrator pursued the relationship and eventually both overcame the rough start to fall in love with each other:
"I had all and then most of you"
Like many relationships that turn sour, it was not a quick decline, but a gradual one where the narrator and their partner fall out of love and gradually grow apart
"Some and now none of you"
Losing someone who was once everything in your world, who you could confide in, tell your secrets to, share all the most intimate parts of your life, to being strangers with that person is probably one of the most painful experiences a person can go through. So Painful, the narrator wants to go back in time and tell himself to not even pursue the relationship.
This was the perfect song for "13 Reasons Why"
Some folks trust to reason
Others trust to might
I don't trust to nothing
But I know it come out right
Say it once again now
Oh, I hope you understand
When it's done and over
Lord, a man is just a man
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Some folks look for answers
Others look for fights
Some folks up in treetops
Just look to see the sights
But I can tell your future
Well, just look what's in your hand
But I can't stop for nothing
I'm just playing in the band
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Standing on a tower
World at my command
You just keep a turning
While I'm playing in the band
If a man among you
Got no sin upon his hand
Let him cast a stone at me
For playing in the band
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Others trust to might
I don't trust to nothing
But I know it come out right
Say it once again now
Oh, I hope you understand
When it's done and over
Lord, a man is just a man
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Some folks look for answers
Others look for fights
Some folks up in treetops
Just look to see the sights
But I can tell your future
Well, just look what's in your hand
But I can't stop for nothing
I'm just playing in the band
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Standing on a tower
World at my command
You just keep a turning
While I'm playing in the band
If a man among you
Got no sin upon his hand
Let him cast a stone at me
For playing in the band
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Playing
Playing in the band
Daybreak
Daybreak on the land
Lyrics submitted by itsmyownmind
Playing In The Band Lyrics as written by Robert C. Hunter Michael S. Hart
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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How has no one commented on this song?
Quite possibly one of the best songs they jam out to
I cant believe it either! this is an awesome song to chill to if your drinking and playing some cards.....a song everyone can enjoy!! jerry garcia was a GOD!
i think this song is an answer for the followers of the band. bobby is saying "i'm not a messiah, i don't have the answers, i'm just playing in the band." they can't be held responsible for what the dead heads do, you know? they're just playing music.
he's obviously comparing himself to jesus, too. maybe as a misunderstood prophet?
the recording on Weir's album "Ace" is worth a nomination for best Dead studio recording ever. Take a listen and agree with me...
@orphan_yachts Yes, absolutely agree! Hands-down that is the one Dead studio track that accurately captured the essence of the song as performed live by the band.
First released on 'Skulls & Roses' in 1971 and written by Robert Hunter and Bob Weir, who sang the song for the Dead. The song often appeared towards the end of a first live set, and, encouraged by Deadheads, the band very often used the song as an end to their famous jams that would encompass several songs.
Bobby was trying to tell Deadheads that the dead weren't Gods, they just wanted to play their music and have people listen.
*When performed by the Grateful Dead, the lyrics read "Some folks up in treetops, just look to see the sights..."
When performed by Bob Weir on Ace, several changes are made, including singing the above line as it is seen in these lyrics: "Some folks up in treetops, just looking for their kites."
He also sings "Daybreak while I'm playing in the band," in place of "Daybreak, daybreak on the land," and in some places sings "Playing, like a wave upon the sand."
Also known as the "Main Ten," because of the irregular meter; Hunter and Weir wrote the tune in ten.
I always loved the verse "I can tell your future, just look what's in your hand." Your present actions determine your future. (I can't tell you how many times I heard that verse live with a joint in my hand. Eventually though I'd hear it and I'd have my partner in my arms....)
Hands down my #1 favorite Dead song of all. Check out the 45+ minute monster jam version from 5/21/74 in Seattle - whoa! (My personal all-time favorite tripping tune...)
I've always viewed "playing in the band" as a larger metaphor for life & living in general. "If a man among you got no sin upon his hand/Let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band..."
We're all just "playing in the band", so be and let be.
Peace, be well.