| Under the Table and Dreaming is the debut studio album from the Dave Matthews Band, released on September 27, 1994.
The album's first single was "What Would You Say," featuring John Popper of Blues Traveler on harmonica. Two other singles from the album followed, "Ants Marching" and "Satellite". By March 16, 2000, the album had sold six million copies, and was certified 6× platinum by the RIAA.
Recording
The acoustic guitar tracks on the album were played by Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds. During the recording sessions, Matthews and Reynolds would sit face-to-face with a piece of glass between them, playing the same guitar part. This was done twice for each song, resulting in four acoustic guitar tracks (two from Matthews, two from Reynolds) all playing the same part on each song. Producer Steve Lillywhite frequently turned down the volume on Matthews' parts and turned up the volume on Reynolds' parts, resulting in Reynolds' guitar playing being more prominent on the final album. Reynolds then overdubbed additional acoustic and electric guitar parts.
Matthews has stated during performances that the harmonica solo performed by John Popper on "What Would You Say" was done in only five to ten minutes, while Matthews was in the bathroom.
One of Dave Matthews Band's most popular live songs, "Granny", was recorded in the studio sessions for this album and was originally intended to be the first single before being cut from the album.
"#34" is the only instrumental track on the album although it was played with lyrics on 9 occasions in 1993, prior to the band taking it to the studio. The band originally recorded the song with lyrics, but they were removed from the final album cut. On some pressings of the album there are 22 blank tracks between "Pay for What You Get" and "#34", so that the latter appears as track number 34. Other pressings simply have the 12th track pre-pended by a period of silence.
The album's title comes from a lyric of the song "Ants Marching": "He remembers being small / playing under the table and dreaming."
The album was dedicated "In memory of Anne" for Matthews' older sister Anne, who was killed by her husband in 1994 in a murder-suicide. Included in the jewel case packet is a picture of Dave Matthews and one of Anne's children.
Track listing
All tracks written by David J. Matthews, except "#34" by Matthews, LeRoi Moore, Carter Beauford and Haines Fullerton.
No. Title Length
1. "The Best of What's Around" 4:17
2. "What Would You Say" 3:43
3. "Satellite" 4:52
4. "Rhyme & Reason" 5:16
5. "Typical Situation" 5:59
6. "Dancing Nancies" 6:08
7. "Ants Marching" 4:31
8. "Lover Lay Down" 5:38
9. "Jimi Thing" 5:57
10. "Warehouse" 7:06
11. "Pay for What You Get" 4:35
12. "#34" 4:58
20th anniversary edition bonus tracks
No. Title Length
13. "Granny" 3:56
14. "Dancing Nancies" (acoustic) 4:13
15. "The Song That Jane Likes" (acoustic) 2:56
Songs cut from the album
Songs that were recorded during the sessions, but weren't included on the final cut:
"Granny" - Matthews wanted this to be the band's first single, but the song never made it to any of the studio albums. Nonetheless, the song remains a strong fan favorite and is played to this day, also appearing on 19 live releases by the band. A studio version of this track is included on the 2014 reissue of the album.
"Say Goodbye" - More than likely not recorded during a full-band session. The song was later released on the next album, Crash.
"Let You Down" - Was probably the only original song written in the studio, although it may have not even made a demo. The song was also later released on the next album, Crash.
"Get in Line" - the song was played regularly during the 1994 support tour for the album, but later was abandoned by the band completely.
"Kind Intentions" (also known as #32) - the song first appeared as a demo recording, made by the band in 1991–1993, but never appeared as a studio version or a full song during the known live performances.
Personnel
Dave Matthews Band
Carter Beauford – drums, percussion, vocals
Stefan Lessard – bass guitar
Dave Matthews – vocals, acoustic guitar
LeRoi Moore – alto, soprano, and tenor saxophone; vocals; flute
Boyd Tinsley – acoustic violin, vocals
Additional personnel
John Alagía – additional vocals on "Dancing Nancies" and "What Would You Say"
Steve Forman – additional percussion on "Typical Situation"
Ted Jensen – mastering
Michael McDonald – additional vocals on "Dancing Nancies" and "What Would You Say"
Andrew Page – additional vocals on "Dancing Nancies" and "What Would You Say"
John Popper – harmonica on "What Would You Say"
Tim Reynolds – acoustic guitar, electric guitar
Jeff Thomas – additional vocals on "Dancing Nancies" and "What Would You Say"
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