Best Dave Matthews Band Songs

A list of the top ten songs from a band that has managed to write and record some of the greatest albums of all time.
The Top Ten
1 #41

I love so many Dave Matthews Band tracks, but whenever I see them live in the UK, this is the only one they HAVE to play for my night to be awesome. Anything else is a bonus. So many beautiful different versions, several of which make me cry on the switch from the verse to the outro, particularly when played by Boyd.

When I first heard this song in eighth grade, it was very unlike my typical music choice, but I was immediately drawn in by the life that teemed within this song. This song is certainly an emotion within itself. It's uplifting and vibrant.

2 Crash Into Me

It's an outstanding expression of love! I love listening to the awesome and relaxing quality of Dave's music. It's a truly legendary love song that will live on for years to come. A true masterpiece!

This song simply transcends time. It's a classic that reinvents itself every time it plays. I can hear different sounds and textures every time I listen to it. It's unique.

Even though I find myself rediscovering songs in the DMB library from time to time, I always seem to come back to this one.

3 Ants Marching

"Ants Marching" is probably the most played DMB song in concert, and it envelops who they are and what their signature sound is. Great song with an epic dose of Boyd Tinsley on the fiddle.

Great rhythm and makes your feet keep juggling over and over. I can repeat this song all day long. Cheers!

This is definitely one of my favorites, but I think Warehouse should be up here too!

4 Two Step

My favorite live song ever. The way they build up slowly, layering on each instrument, until they are flat-out jamming, then taking you back down for a bit before building again to the crescendo. Very moving.

#41 is amazing, but this one has a slight edge for me. You just can't beat the lyrics! Such a great song about helping each other through this life.

This song is lyrically deep and melodious, but not overindulgent. I can listen to it over and over again and find something new in it each time.

5 Dancing Nancies

The more I listen, the more I like it. I have been a DMB fan since the early '90s, and you need to understand how Dave came up with the song. It is pretty amazing. The more you know, the more you will appreciate this song.

Without a doubt, this song really lifts me up, especially the little speeches he does at the beginning of the live versions. Truly memorable.

Liked this song until I saw it live. Now I love it! The energy is fantastic live.

6 Crush

Probably the best lyrically captured explanation of love you will ever find. What a deep and grasping song.

Deep emotion, deep lyrics, awesome instrumentals - the best all around. I wish I could vote for multiple DM songs.

Ultimate, I absolutely love this song. Always have and always will. Wish it was on every DMB top 10 list.

7 Lie in Our Graves

This song on the Red Rocks live album makes me a better person. The instrumental in the middle is like the custard in an éclair.

Would you not like to be? Sitting on top of the world with your legs hanging free?

8 Funny the Way It Is

This song provides a brilliant and unique outlook on the contrasts and imbalances of life, with catchy, complex, and effective instrumentation. It's one of their best.

Guys, listen to this song. It should be in the top 5 at least.

I completely agree with the previous five comments!

9 Don't Drink the Water

Just a perfect song. The voice and the music - everything in it is just awesome. Remember, don't drink the water.

This song has been kissed by God.

10 Typical Situation
The Contenders
11 The Space Between

How in the world is this not number one? This is one of the few songs that can bring a grown man to tears. It's a perfect synopsis of a difficult relationship.

Halfway through DMB's discography, this is the first song that put them on my radar. I have since become a very big fan. But still, nothing tops this one.

The chorus is haunting. Overall, an amazing song. It will forever be my favorite DMB tune.

12 Where are You Going

Should be higher. Quite similar to Crash.

Such a meaningful and thought-provoking song. Definitely one of their best.

13 Grey Street

I love the way this song builds and builds to the peak, only to fall back to "Grey" one last time. A wonderful creation, hauntingly emotional. I much prefer the shorter version. Sometimes more is not better. It seems to have the perfect tempo for what he wanted to create. It is certainly deserving of the high ranking and is even better when performed live.

This song is everything. It's such a powerhouse, especially when performed live.

Underrated to extreme measures.

14 The Best of What's Around

First song off the first album, great energy, and each instrument stands out. Great chorus at the end.

15 The Stone

Older, but late DMB fan. Was watching American Idol with my daughter and heard Phillip Phillips do this song. Went online and have been singing it for two weeks. A beautifully haunting and complex song with a deep message. I like Sade and Steven Curtis Chapman too, but this song is addictive if you're deep.

Man, this is another one that should be a top 5 choice. The instruments, the vocals, and the deep, dark, grasping lyrics. It's everything you could ask for.

One of my all-time favorites! I love this song! The lyrics are incredibly deep. They seriously pierce your soul!

16 Proudest Monkey

Best DMB song. And don't you dare challenge me. It is so calming, and it feels like I'm floating. It's nice to get away from Dave Matthews' sex songs that were highly rated because of the topic. It's nice to hear a well-done, calming song.

I have a theory on what the song means. My dad lived in Charlottesville for four years and said that "Monkey" was a derogatory term towards the poorer people of Charlottesville. However, they lived a very peaceful and happy life. When Dave Matthews became famous, he was the proudest "Monkey" for what he had done but wondered if he would rather still be living that peaceful life. The rest of the song is based on the conflict of him wondering if he should have taken the band to where it is now.

But if the "Monkey" term is wrong, then this is an absolute waste of your time. That would mean that my dad has been misleading me all these years.

17 Warehouse

By far, Warehouse is the best song Dave Matthews Band has ever released. They touched on something in this work that few people manage to see in their entire lives. It is an altogether enthralling stroke of brilliance. Anyone who doesn't see that needs only to listen again to the lyrics and the gripping climax of the song.

Clearly, the best Dave Matthews Band song is Warehouse. It's so musically coordinated. Lyrically, it's one of Dave's best. The ending is perhaps the best aspect of Dave Matthews Band, period.

I'm surprised this song isn't near the top of the list, considering it's a staple of all his live shows and one of the most well-received songs on his setlists.

18 Satellite

Intricate guitar, a fun-sounding violin used only when it should be, a beautiful soprano saxophone to throw in some occasional fills, a funky bass, complex but fitting drums, and to top it all off, beautiful lyrics sung perfectly by Dave. It might not be a "jam" song, but it's still a great song that should never be skipped.

A work of art, melodic and lyrical masterpiece!

19 You and Me

Amazing song! This song really deserves a spot in the top ten.

One of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard.

20 What Would You Say

By far my favorite song by DMB. It's just amazing to listen to. It should be in the top ten, if not top five.

That is definitely top five! Come on, guys.

21 Tripping Billies

Some of the old live versions (1992-1995) sound completely out of tune and too fast. But in 1996, Dave and the gang nailed it in the studio, and along with Two Step, this song just keeps getting better and better live.

22 Bartender

Bartender is more of a slow-burn song, but when it finally bursts out into an epic jam, it is easy to lose yourself in this DMB standard. Driving, epic, and poetic, it has always been my favorite.

Bartender is one of the deepest, most soulful tracks DMB has ever recorded and is one of their absolute best.

The live performance at Radio City with Mr. Tim is amazing!

23 If I Had It All
24 American Baby

Ah, American Baby brings back so many childhood memories! Whether it be spending the night with my father and him blasting this great tune in his car, those moments and this song will stay with me forever.

25 Pig

I truly believe "Pig" holds the answer to the meaning of life! It is the most powerful, inspiring, mind opening piece of pure genius ever created. I would love to have the entire lyrics tattooed on my body but where? Laugh out loud nothing beats pig!

I just love Boyd on the violin here. It's such a well put together song. The build in this song is gripping. I hate that Boyd is gone, such a great violinist.

Epic song, great meaning to life lyrics.

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