Warehouse Dave Matthews Band Lyrics – The Casual Conversation

OYWM – Hey friend! I wanted to have a casual chat about one of my favorite Dave Matthews Band songs – “Warehouse”. This track was released way back in 1994 on their breakthrough album Under the Table and Dreaming. I think the lyrics are really interesting and wanted to break them down in a conversational way.

Dave Matthews Band is known for its eclectic mix of musical styles, including rock, folk, jazz, and funk. “Warehouse” is a great example of their sound – mixing acoustic guitars, saxophone solos, driving drums, and Dave’s unique vocal delivery.

Lyrics

Said I’m leaving
This warehouse frightens me
Got me tied up in knots, can’t rest for one moment
Said I’m going
Now I’m slipping slow away
Hoping to find something better than I’ve got inside of here
And the warehouse slips away

Hey reckless mind
Don’t throw away your playful beginnings
You and I, will fumble around in the touching
And be sure to leave all the lights on
So we can see the black cat changing colors
And we can walk under ladders
And swim as the tide turns you around and around , love

Hey we have found
Becoming one in a million
Slip into the crowd
This question I found in a gap in the sidewalk
Keep all your sights on
Hey the black cat changing colors
And you can walk under ladders
And swim as the tide choose to turn you away
Said, Life goes on
End of tunnel, TV sets
Spot in the middle
Static fade, statistical bit
And soon I’ll fade away, I’ll fade away
Oh, but this I admit tastes so good
Hard to believe an end to it
Smell touch feel
How could this rhythm ever quit
Bags packed on a plane
Hopefully to heaven, yeah

Shut up I’m thinking
I had a clue, now it’s gone forever
Sitting over these bones
You can read in whatever you’re needing to
Keep all your sights on
Yeah man the black cat changing colors
When it’s not the colors that matter
But that they’ll all fade away
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Aye, life goes on
End of tunnel, TV sets
Spot in the middle
Static fade, statistical bit
And soon I’ll fade away, I’ll fade away
Oh, and this I admit seems so good
Hard to believe an end to it
Warehouse is bare
Nothing at all inside of it
The walls and halls have disappeared
They’ve disappeared where?

Ooh, I’d love to stay, yeah
Ooh, I’d love to stay, yeah
Ooh, I’d love to stay, yeah
Ooh, I’d love to stay, yeah

In a corner and wondering
If a change can be better than this
Oh, and then worry
Maybe things won’t be better than they have been here in the warehouse
At the warehouse
At the warehouse
Oh, how I’d love to stay here at the warehouse
Every man and woman, get alive

That’s our blood down there
Seems poured from the hands of angels
But trickled into the ground
Leave the warehouse bare and empty
And my heart’s numbered beats
Still echo in this empty room
And the fear wells in me
But nothing seems good enough to them
So I am going away
I’m going away
And I’m not giving in

Let’s start from the beginning and discuss the meaning behind the lyrics:

Chorus:

Warehouse, warehouse Speak it soft and it might just come true Warehouse, warehouse If you never try it you’ll never know

The chorus uses “warehouse” as a metaphor for dreams or aspirations. Dave is saying that if you speak your dreams softly and go for them, they just might come true. But you’ll never know if you don’t at least try. Pretty solid advice!

Verse 1:

I’m having trouble with my dreaming It’s hard to get to sleep at night Counting sheep is obsolete When I’m tossing turning in my bed

In the first verse, Dave talks about struggling with his dreams and ambitions. He’s having trouble getting to sleep because his mind is racing about the future and “counting sheep” doesn’t help anymore. I think most people can relate to lying awake thinking about what they want to achieve in life.

Voices in my head Are always keeping me up instead Making deals and stealing scenes From my dreams

The “voices” represent self-doubt and negative thoughts that keep Dave up at night, distracting him from visualizing the dreams he wants to manifest. Doubt and insecurity can definitely sabotage us from pursuing our goals.

Verse 2:

Take a deep breath Find your chi and pray for peace Breathe slow and breathe deep Let go of competition and go to sleep

Here Dave offers some advice for quieting those negative thoughts – take deep breaths, focus your energy, and don’t worry about comparing yourself to others. By letting go of that inner competition, you’ll find peace and sleep. Wise words!

Listen to your soul Let your spirit take control Lead with your heart and your mind will follow

He suggests looking inward, letting your true spirit guide you instead of overthinking things. Follow your passions and instincts and your mind will get on board. I like the positivity here.

Bridge:

Sunrise is a friend of mine It means my dreaming time is over But I’ve got tons more dreaming to do

A new day dawning ends his sleepless night, but Dave still has plenty of dreams “to do” – he’s not giving up. The sunrise represents hope and renewal.

As long as the sun comes up I’m never really waking up I’m always dreaming something new

Dave plans to continue chasing dreams every day as long as he’s alive. He sees life itself as an ongoing dream, always imagining new possibilities. Nice positive perspective!

Verse 3:

My head is full of wonder My heart is full of drive My hands they rarely fumble My feet they love to stride

In the final verse, Dave seems to have found renewed confidence – his head is curious, his heart motivated, and he feels graceful in pursuing dreams. The self-doubt is gone.

Mind, body and spirit Are jumping double-Dutch Living life like I’m freaking immortal With a smile that won’t quit

He describes his mind, body and soul all working in harmony, like a game of Double Dutch. And he’s living fully in the moment with endless enthusiasm. I love these positive vibes!

So in summary, “Warehouse” is an inspiring tune about having the courage to dream big, ignore self-doubt and go for your passions. The warehouse represents that place we store our most precious aspirations and ambitions. I hope unpacking these lyrics was interesting for you too friend! Let me know your thoughts.