Dave Matthews writes great songs. He just played a version of this old song solo on March 11, 2026 on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Watch it, it’s great. In my high school, Porter-Gaud of Charleston SC, Stephen was in 8th grade when I was a senior - I did not notice him, HA on me!
Here is me trying, three flubs at least, using a verse Dave omitted in his current masterpiece arrangement. Btw, I fixed my cell phone - replaced the daughter board, but left a screw out - so I have both right and left channels. Lot of fun learning on this song, getting better - Dave is a contortionist, drone master, and unbelievable at rhythm. Here is me the vole: https://youtu.be/ZOcFtmv03aE?si=PC3oTgW5IuEjXo-F
Never heard this song before. Holy Smokes, some of those fingerings were surprising! I could not tell what was going on with that chord where your index finger was on the 5th fret of string 6 and your pinky on 7th fret of string 3. Were you barring or muting 5 and/or 4? I admit I’m being lazy in not trying it out myself but even if I did I wouldn’t know what to call it. Nice work!
That sounded great. Nice rythem and fret work. I am not the biggest fan of The Dave Matthews band, I do like a few of his songs. I do admit they are a talented band.
So I went to one of his shows down in the Bay Area with my wife, she was just my girlfriend at the timr, and a group of friends.
I am not sure if it was this exact song, dont drink the water or another they sang after it. But this reminded me of a story Dave told at that show having to do with the song. I thought it was so funny because I had partially grew up in Arizona, even thought it was not 100% accurate it was still good in the moment. Here is the story Dave Matthews told us.
They just toured through Arizona and the SouthWest and he described how hot it was, dusty and dry. In wild west they would travel for days between towns on dusty trails dried up rivers and having to battle wild animals and face off against angry indian attacks.
These cowboys would go miles to get to town and then first off go to the saloon right away. They would walk in through the door with dusty boots, sore and tired from the trip, injured often, Crackled lips, raspy throats. They would step up to the long bar where many different refreshments could be purchased. Even rooms or a bath in a tub and when the proprietor asks what they would like, what do they reply? Not water, oh no not the refreshing H2O that comes out of the hand pumped well right there.
No, not cool agua, they dont drink the water.
They ask for Whiskey.
Give me a whiskey
And then they sang the song. I cant remeber if the song was called Whiskey or Dont drink the water. Like I said, I didnt know a lot of their music. But it was a good story and a good song. Just as your song was good. I have no idea if the lyrics fit or not but there you go.
I had forgotten about that show for over 20 years until watching your cool video. Thank you so much for sharing with us.
Interesting song Robert. More and more I’m begining to enjoy guitar playing techniques that are little more then straightforward and I think it’s fair to say that’s true of your playing.
Great story! Thanks for that one - sounds like Dave descibing the TX Rangers coming off the high plains trails. The DMB did release the album Big Whishey & the GrooGrux King in 2009, but that was probably after the time of your concert experience. It’s said that Big Whiskey is really related to an encouter in New Orleans. Don’t Drink is really about pushing out the native american indians where Dave, the speaker, is a bad guy…
I’m not so much into his wanderings into to endless jazz. Of course, I do like his story telling and doing it all with an acoustic. The full band is powerful, but my favorites are his solo performances.
The song is in drop D and he has rearranged it several times. The clip I presented is short, leaves out most of the lyrics, but does include a verse he omitted, and includes the ending. He has even changed the chording over the years. It’s great for trying/attempting a new groove and a real “grip” workout!!
Wow TopHat, that is what I was thinking when on learning how to play this!
It’s been a few days, so I’m better at it. But, I really enjoyed your response with query. I’m always trying to tame the fret board. …restated: my emotion veers me off the road it takes restaint, a lighter touch and so much patience to start dialing it all in.
Very much appreciate your take!
Aha! Drop D tuning! That explains a lot. So that weird-looking chord would be a G power chord with an added high D on the 3rd string, assuming you weren’t muting string 4 or 5. Cool!
