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Dave Matthews Band — Tripping Billies
Album: Crash
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1243









Released: 1996
Length: 4:44
Plays (last 30 days): 0
We were above
You were standing underneath us
We were not yet lovers
Dragons were smoked
Bumblebees were stinging us
I was soon to be crazy
Eat drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die
Eat drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die
Cause we're tripping Billies

We're wearing nothing
Nothing but our shadows
Shadows falling down on
The beach sand
Remembering once, out on
The beaches
We wore pineapple grass bracelets

So why would you care
To get out of this place
You and me and all our friends
Such a happy human race
We're tripping Billies

We are all sitting
Legs crossed around a fire
My yellow flame she dances
Tequila drinking, oh,
Our minds will wander
To wondrous places

So why would you care
To get out of this place
You and me and all our friends
Such a happy human race
Eat drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die
Eat drink and be merry
For tomorrow we die
Comments (119)add comment
 pktinkler2984 wrote:

5.9? Really?  It's worth a 7 for musicianship alone.  Still, I guess that's free-speech and opinion in action.  Long live RP.




I Agree on all counts!   
5.9? Really?  It's worth a 7 for musicianship alone.  Still, I guess that's free-speech and opinion in action.  Long live RP.
 Grayson wrote:
This is a serious contender for Worst Song Ever. 


Why do you say this? I am genuinely curious what you do not like about the song. I am not a musician so I do not pick up details that others may do. But I find the song to simply be a lot of fun, danceable, and comes across as a very 'open' song that allows the band to just simply 'play' and have fun. I am really curious what people do not like about the song. No judging. Just curious.
 spodiodi67 wrote:

if a clenched sphincter was a voice....



Many  sphincters are able to make comments apparently...

if a clenched sphincter was a voice....
This is a serious contender for Worst Song Ever. 
DM  The luckiest white boy to ever pick up a guitar. 😅
 ImaOldman wrote:

Like Dave or hate him, Carter Beauford is a monster drummer. Tim Reynolds ain't bad either...



I like him.  
 stanktoni wrote:

Long time listener, first time caller here in Taiwan. Bill's lineup just pulled a cosmic doozy here. Last play, Van Morrison, Redwood Tree... was thinking that my mom had made a side comment that Van Morrison was a musical genius.. then this track plays and I recall that she said the exact same thing about Dave. She has since passed away so felt was a nice cosmic communique. Thanks RP. P.S. just noticed the the track before Van was Los Lobos, her other favorite band. Nice one you two. Stay safe Cali side.



And once again, RP doubling down. Just played Redwood Tree and Tripping Billies back to back two years on!! Well done BG
RP can do no wrong. Except DMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ack!
The cover art reminds me of a Cadbury's Creme Egg.
 rednred wrote:


Whenever people tell me (or write on RP) that they don't like bands such as U2, Dave Mathews, or Bruce Springsteen, I always ask them: "Have you ever seen them perform live in concert?" The answer is always "no". Then I just say, "well if you did you would have a completely different opinion of that band."


That may be true, but why would anyone spend all the money and time to go to a concert of an artist whose music they don't like?
 noe.architecte169 wrote:

Good drummer




"There are simply too many notes"
 noe.architecte169 wrote:

Good drummer



Not a band I listen recorded stuff from, but my wife brought me to several live concerts over the years and without a doubt, these guys can jam with the best, even better with Tim Reynolds.
 DeemerDave wrote:

I did not know that DMB has more haters than U2.


It's a close race on these boards.  Don't leave out David Byrne, though.  The RP H8 Trifecta.
The haters, which is evident by the rating, overlook how good Crash really is. IMHO the best DM album. I know what you are going to say.
Have seen DMB twice, once in Toronto and once in Dallas. Fantastic live show; a super talented band. But, really, it's a cult; most of the crowd sings along to every word of the incredibly complicated lyrics.
To the people who hate DMB hate on beck or moby instead.
Having seen DMB a few times - he/they are fucking great live. I am blind to you h8ters!
 noe.architecte169 wrote:

Good drummer



You should hear the "Remember Two Things" version of this song. Wow
 DeemerDave wrote:

I did not know that DMB has more haters than U2.



oh yh, they are very bad... :/
 Ohmsen wrote:

You can't just vaccinate people with a good taste. A sure "9" for me.



not sure you need a vaccine, maybe a lethal dose.....
bit shit this band
 vandal wrote:

PSD


Play anything different.
You can't just vaccinate people with a good taste. A sure "9" for me.
I like this song!
 rednred wrote:


Whenever people tell me (or write on RP) that they don't like bands such as U2, Dave Mathews, or Bruce Springsteen, I always ask them: "Have you ever seen them perform live in concert?" The answer is always "no". Then I just say, "well if you did you would have a completely different opinion of that band."

Hol up. If I don't like a certain band I should buy tickets and go see them live? I'm going to pass, thanks. 
 Gerry941 wrote:


Many of us don't have the ability or opportunity to see or hear live music despite our wish to do so.  Nonetheless that does not invalidate our comments.


It doesn't invalidate your comments vis a vis the performers' recorded output, but it does establish that you aren't fully informed.  Many bands primary output is actually their live show, with recorded albums being more of an advertising tool.

I agree with OP; if someone says they don't like Dave Matthews Band, but haven't seen them perform live, their opinion is based on insufficient information, and shouldn't be granted much weight.
 rednred wrote:


Whenever people tell me (or write on RP) that they don't like bands such as U2, Dave Mathews, or Bruce Springsteen, I always ask them: "Have you ever seen them perform live in concert?" The answer is always "no". Then I just say, "well if you did you would have a completely different opinion of that band."


Many of us don't have the ability or opportunity to see or hear live music despite our wish to do so.  Nonetheless that does not invalidate our comments.
Like Dave or hate him, Carter Beauford is a monster drummer. Tim Reynolds ain't bad either...
Is it over yet?
 rednred wrote:


Whenever people tell me (or write on RP) that they don't like bands such as U2, Dave Mathews, or Bruce Springsteen, I always ask them: "Have you ever seen them perform live in concert?" The answer is always "no". Then I just say, "well if you did you would have a completely different opinion of that band."
 
Their hatred also comes from that place where people think it is cool to hate popular bands. Don't really get it.
 paloeguevo wrote:
U2, DMB, Coldplay, Snow patrol, hated in radio paradise still played by Bill, one one the reasons I always come back to RP
 

Whenever people tell me (or write on RP) that they don't like bands such as U2, Dave Mathews, or Bruce Springsteen, I always ask them: "Have you ever seen them perform live in concert?" The answer is always "no". Then I just say, "well if you did you would have a completely different opinion of that band."
wow THIS is annoying!
Not enough barf-y emojis on the planet comes to mind.  
 iloveradio wrote:
I have to defend DMB; Crash is a very good album. I am always amazed at the DMB haters, but then RP doesn't always play their best.
 
What amazes me is the fact that DMB seemed to take the world by storm but history is not as kind to them now.  Lot of haters now, not so many early on.
Good drummer
U2, DMB, Coldplay, Snow patrol, hated in radio paradise still played by Bill, one one the reasons I always come back to RP
I always liked this song, Thanx for the lyrics! ...I could never understand the words.
Hillbillies on acid
Long time listener, first time caller here in Taiwan. Bill's lineup just pulled a cosmic doozy here. Last play, Van Morrison, Redwood Tree... was thinking that my mom had made a side comment that Van Morrison was a musical genius.. then this track plays and I recall that she said the exact same thing about Dave. She has since passed away so felt was a nice cosmic communique. Thanks RP. P.S. just noticed the the track before Van was Los Lobos, her other favorite band. Nice one you two. Stay safe Cali side.
DMB; the very definition of the word, eclectic.
The discontented... how full their bladders are to rain down upon others' enjoyment... PSD, don't hate.
Not good but infinitely better than Radiohead.
 Proclivities wrote:

hate ray
I'm not sure who "Ray" is, but he should work on his popularity.
 

WHO KNOW ?
? for Dave Mathew fans
is Trippin Billies like Trippin Balls
 rpdevotee wrote:
What happened to this guy anyway?  He was so popular in the early 2000's.  He had a cult like following and then just sort of faded away.
 
He's been playing 20K plus arenas during 2018/9. I think his following is still following. But they did lose two members over the past ten years or so - one died and the other got kicked out.
 (anonymous) wrote:
Is DM autistic? I mean, sometimes, when he talks..or sings.. I fear someone has strapped electric nodes across his genitalia.
 
I could be wrong, but that isn't autism?
why 5.7 ?? 8 would be correct!!!
 rpdevotee wrote:
What happened to this guy anyway?  He was so popular in the early 2000's.  He had a cult like following and then just sort of faded away.

 
The Onion nailed it (though I admit, I still love his music but don't play it nearly as much as I used to):

https://entertainment.theonion.com/dave-matthews-not-that-into-himself-anymore-1819568003
Hmmm. I like it. Hate if ye must - but with better reason than "Ewww."
 rpdevotee wrote:
What happened to this guy anyway?  He was so popular in the early 2000's.  He had a cult like following and then just sort of faded away.

 
Exactly!  And look at the rating for this song. Very low.
wait, the beginning of this was Townsend's "The old ones / have seen two wars"
all of his cult finally drank the cool-aide
god this is horrible vocals
{#Stop}
What happened to this guy anyway?  He was so popular in the early 2000's.  He had a cult like following and then just sort of faded away.
 Skydog wrote:

wasn't confused until now {#Stupid}

 
What's confusing?  Your original post only makes sense if you think that Bill feels the same way about those two particular songs as you apparently do.
I can get down with just about anything on the first couple of DMB albums, even if I don't quite know what they're about. It's sad they got kind of swallowed up in this whole jam-band-hating scene and produced some dreck but they showed some nice technical proficiency and grooving before all the peripheral stuff swallowed them up.
 Rooney wrote:
Nope.  From the land of Nopes, if there ever was such a place.

I couldn't disagree with you less!  My dislike for DMB ended relationships in the past.  Thankfully I married a non-fan of DMB. 


 dwhayslett wrote:

Are you confusing your taste with everyone else's (or at least Bill's)?

 
wasn't confused until now {#Stupid}
 Skydog wrote:
two songs ago was Bloodsweattears and now this ?!?!?!?
Bill, my brother, you need a vacation?{#Sunny} 

 
Are you confusing your taste with everyone else's (or at least Bill's)?
two songs ago was Bloodsweattears and now this ?!?!?!?
Bill, my brother, you need a vacation?{#Sunny} 
Nope.  From the land of Nopes, if there ever was such a place.
I have to defend DMB; Crash is a very good album. I am always amazed at the DMB haters, but then RP doesn't always play their best.
 DeemerDave wrote:
I did not know that DMB has more haters than U2.

 
hate ray
I'm not sure who "Ray" is, but he should work on his popularity.
Sweet - PSD took me to Fink - Pilgrim - thanks RP
Cats dancing - me barfing. Guess that's tripping.
I hit PSD so fast, a cheetah said "Dayyyyyyum!"
Surprised rating is so low. In my view one of his very good songs. Love Boyd.
Balls
 great_one wrote:
Who cares what a tripping Billie is! Boyd Tinsley can play!
 
I saw the Boyd Tinsley Band play in the basement of a fraternity house around 89/90 (memory is a little fuzzy for those years).  Pretty cool experience.  Didn't get into DMB at the time, but I like them now.
 the_jake wrote:
What does "Tripping Billies" mean, anything?

 
"Billies" = "Hillbillies"
 daigoro wrote:
Ah, a Dave Matthews song. Sounds like every other Dave Matthews song. Please don't play Dave Matthews.

 
Hard to disagree with that. It always sounds like a garage band having a jam session without knowing what they're trying to do. There might be the germ of a good song in there somewhere, but it's too formless to be worth bothering with.
Decent music (if a little contrived-sounding), but the voice is pure barf.
 i_love_delgnat wrote:

Is Dave Matthews autistic? I mean, sometimes, when he talks..or sings.. I fear someone has strapped electric nodes across his genitalia.
 
{#Yes}
What does "Tripping Billies" mean, anything?
Ah, a Dave Matthews song. Sounds like every other Dave Matthews song. Please don't play Dave Matthews.
 ppopp wrote:
Hahahha. I was right! Worst singers in the world day today. Earlier we had Coldplay, Counting Crows and The Smashing Pumpkins. Funny stuff.

 
{#Stupid}People who laugh at their own jokes.
 Ahnyer_Keester wrote:
Okay, okay. I LIKE Dave Matthews! Kind of jazzy and folky and other stuff all tossed together. Plus I love horns.

 
Yea, haters gotta hate. I can see why he doesn't appeal to some (obviously not true to many given his popularity). But I'm with you... jazzy, folky, fun, good horns, killer percussion then sung and played with passion. Oh and I like the Dead live, and U2 too, sorry haters.
Okay, okay. I LIKE Dave Matthews! Kind of jazzy and folky and other stuff all tossed together. Plus I love horns.
 aelfheld wrote:

They try harder.

 
indeed they do, geez I can't stand this stuff
 DeemerDave wrote:
I did not know that DMB has more haters than U2.
 
They try harder.
I did not know that DMB has more haters than U2.
 ppopp wrote:
Hahahha. I was right! Worst singers in the world day today. Earlier we had Coldplay, Counting Crows and The Smashing Pumpkins. Funny stuff.

 
Great tight band, good songwriting and arrangements...I just wish DM could ditch that annoying (IMO) voice inflection, like when he sings the line "...cause I'm tripping billies".
Hahahha. I was right! Worst singers in the world day today. Earlier we had Coldplay, Counting Crows and The Smashing Pumpkins. Funny stuff.
 cherylg4 wrote:
This band is can be heard on any FM station in the country at any given time on any given day. I'm changing channels.
 
I did not know that all FM stations had changed to an all Dave Matthews Band format.
 cherylg4 wrote:
This band is can be heard on any FM station in the country at any given time on any given day. I'm changing channels.
 
Really can't stand this band either. Have to turn off RP. Repellant.
 cherylg4 wrote:
This band is can be heard on any FM station in the country at any given time on any given day. I'm changing channels.
 
I haven't listened to FM in years but this song definitely sticks in those ugly memories. Rumor has it that DMB wrote more than three songs; it'd be  great if RP could move beyond this one. 

12/21/15 edit: OK, this is the second time I've heard this on RP in less than a week. And PSD is not working tonight. Must flee.  
 Bill_Rockoff wrote:
Okay, I TOTALLY fail to understand the appeal here. I never cared for the Grateful Dead, but it always seemed to me like music I SHOULD like, if only I could see it the way Deadheads see it. I can say "I don't care for it, but I understand why some really do." But not DMB. I've tried; it's not like "oh, that's just their popular stuff, you'd really like the deeper cuts on the album." Nope, every single thing I've ever heard by these guys makes me cringe. Is there a rating lower than "1?" Whew, it's over and I survived it. At least I get a reward - some Warren Zevon to get that taste outta my mouth...
 
hmmm, critique from '03 but this DMB poo-poo still being spun, and it seems this piece registers an awful lotta 1's  : (
Bill_Rockoff wrote:
Okay, I TOTALLY fail to understand the appeal here. I never cared for the Grateful Dead, but it always seemed to me like music I SHOULD like, if only I could see it the way Deadheads see it. I can say "I don't care for it, but I understand why some really do." But not DMB. I've tried; it's not like "oh, that's just their popular stuff, you'd really like the deeper cuts on the album." Nope, every single thing I've ever heard by these guys makes me cringe. Is there a rating lower than "1?" Whew, it's over and I survived it. At least I get a reward - some Warren Zevon to get that taste outta my mouth...
lordcruloze wrote:
It's the drummer that carries the group entirely. He should find a real band. That fiddle player is an embarrasing joke. So's the sax player.
No way, dude... the bari sax line in "So Much to Say" (1st song on Crash) is wicked funky.
It's the drummer that carries the group entirely. He should find a real band. That fiddle player is an embarrasing joke. So's the sax player. camarkim wrote:
You are obviously not a drummer.
You are obviously not a drummer.
Originally Posted by Bill_Rockoff: Okay, I TOTALLY fail to understand the appeal here. I never cared for the Grateful Dead, but it always seemed to me like music I SHOULD like, if only I could see it the way Deadheads see it. I can say "I don't care for it, but I understand why some really do." But not DMB. I've tried; it's not like "oh, that's just their popular stuff, you'd really like the deeper cuts on the album." Nope, every single thing I've ever heard by these guys makes me cringe. Is there a rating lower than "1?" Whew, it's over and I survived it. At least I get a reward - some Warren Zevon to get that taste outta my mouth...
trying to outlast this song and not turn off RP....like a dentist\'s drill.
Bye. Can\'t take any more DMB.
Originally Posted by bcwake: saw them in concert... most boring band i have seen. great music though
I have seen them ten times in concert and they are always very high energy. If you are not into the jam band style then I could see how you would find it boring since they do tend to add to their songs live. Thanks for playing some Dave.
Okay, I TOTALLY fail to understand the appeal here. I never cared for the Grateful Dead, but it always seemed to me like music I SHOULD like, if only I could see it the way Deadheads see it. I can say \"I don\'t care for it, but I understand why some really do.\" But not DMB. I\'ve tried; it\'s not like \"oh, that\'s just their popular stuff, you\'d really like the deeper cuts on the album.\" Nope, every single thing I\'ve ever heard by these guys makes me cringe. Is there a rating lower than \"1?\" Whew, it\'s over and I survived it. At least I get a reward - some Warren Zevon to get that taste outta my mouth...
Some people get it, others... it\'s their loss! :D
This band is can be heard on any FM station in the country at any given time on any given day. I\'m changing channels.
Time to brush off the frat sweater and drink stale beer. Dude. :roll:
Originally Posted by Art_Carnage: Obviously NOT. Oh, wait. You said autistic, not artistic. Never mind.
Grrrrrrrr....
Originally Posted by i_love_delgnat: Is Dave Matthews autistic?
Obviously NOT. Oh, wait. You said autistic, not artistic. Never mind.
I\'m at the checkout counter at Tower Records. I\'m buying a Dave Matthews CD. I wake up screaming! Whew! It was only a nightmare. :p
re: your comments on dave matthews: :p re: your username and yourself:
Originally Posted by music_critic: But what are "tripping billies"?
Like trip-hop, trip-blues
saw them in concert... most boring band i have seen. great music though
Great high energy song. I love their sound, combining acoustic guitar, sax and violin.
Nice Filler... Nothing special.
Was never one of my favorites, but now I\'m definitely tired of it.
Good song, but the version off Remember Two Things is way better.