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Dave Matthews Band – What Would You Say Lyrics 3 years ago
I think this song is just about life and don’t spend it worrying about other people or the past.

Up and down the puppies’ hair
Fleas and Ticks jump everywhere
’Cause of original sin
Down the hill fell Jack and Jill
And you came tumbling after
’Cause of original sin

This is using the Adam and Eve story to set up the idea the world isn’t perfect. We come from the world so we aren’t perfect and aren’t meant to be perfect. Yourself and others included.

Rip away the tears
Drink a hope to happy years
And you may find
A lifetime’s passed you by

This says to stop living in the past because even living in the good times of the past you will find life has passed you by.

What would you say
Don’t drop the big one
If you a monkey on a string
Don’t cut my lifeline
If you a doggie on a chain
Don’t bite the mailman
What would you say

What would you say is a question of what would you say about your life once it’s all over. Did you live it well? Don’t drop the big one I take as don’t die. In either don’t commit suicide or rush yourself to death. The monkey line is we are all in this together don’t bring me down because you are having a hard time. The dog line is about don’t be cruel to or judge people who are just out there trying to live their life.

I was there when the bear
Ate his head, thought it was a candy
Everyone goes in the end
Knock knock on the door
Who’s it for, there’s nobody in here
Look in the mirror, my friend

The first part is about suicide. Innocent animals are used as symbolism throughout the song to imply that is all we are. People kill themselves thinking it will be their salvation but what’s the point we all reach the same destination. The second part is about judging others. When we judge we are knocking at their door but no one is in there because there is nothing for us to judge. We can only know ourselves.

And cannot speak for all the rest
The morning rise a lifetime’s passed me by
Every dog has its day every day has its way
Of being forgotten - Mom it’s my birthday
What would you say

This part is the easiest to interpret and is saying he doesn’t understand life or it’s meaning. I cannot speak for all the rest goes back to judging because someone may have those answers but it doesn’t matter since you can only know yourself. And if you spend too much time pondering life you will never actually live it.

The final bit is talking about their are good times in your life and they will come and go. but to live in the past is pointless even if it was good times. And there is a sudden drop of mom it’s my birthday to show good times will come again. So don’t worry about the good times that are gone because more will come.


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