Album: Away From The World (2012)
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Songfacts®:

  • Dave Matthews sings about the evolution and demise of a species that once, "could do anything," on this Away From The World cut. This is one of several tracks on the album where Matthews chose to write lyrics about the scope of human history. "My daughters and I were watching a documentary on Yellowstone, which talked about how the volcano erupted 600,000 years ago and covered a third of North America in ash," he explained to Rolling Stone. "My daughter said, 'Would that kill us?' I said, 'There's a far greater chance human beings won't survive long enough to see the next time it erupts.'"
  • Trumpeter Rashawn Ross supplies the Mexican Mariachi flourishes. An accomplished session musician, Ross's contributions in the Dave Matthews Band since beginning working as a touring member in 2005 have gained him increased visibility.
  • When asked about the song, Matthews told NPR: "I don't think that 'good can win.' I don't think everything is going to get peachy ever. But I think we have to fight for what we believe in. I also get very disheartened by the shallowness of the debates we have. Nothing is black or white, nothing's us or them. But then there are magical, beautiful things in the world. There's incredible acts of kindness and bravery, and in the most unlikely places, and it gives you hope."

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