The Last Stop

For the 2012 Brazilian film, see The Last Stop (film).
"The Last Stop"
Song by Dave Matthews Band from the album Before These Crowded Streets
Released April 28, 1998
Genre Rock, Middle Eastern music
Length 6:57
Label RCA
Writer Matthews, Lessard
Composer Dave Matthews Band
Producer Steve Lillywhite
Before These Crowded Streets track listing

"Rapunzel"
(2)		 "The Last Stop"
(3)		 "Don't Drink the Water"
(4)

"The Last Stop" is a song by Dave Matthews Band and the third track from their 1998 album, Before These Crowded Streets. The previous track, "Rapunzel," segues into a clip of Saxophone player Leroi Moore answering his cell phone, which in turn leads directly into the song. The song was written primarily by DMB bass player Stefan Lessard (who provided the music) and DMB front man Dave Matthews (who provided the lyrics) (SOURCE : Before These Crowded Streets liner notes).

The song stands out with its Eastern influences, dark, violent themes, and harsh vocals. It also features Béla Fleck on the banjo and Tim Reynolds on electric guitar. A reprise to the song is featured as an unlabeled track at the end of album, after "Spoon." When played live, "The Last Stop" always segues into the outro, which is performed with the whole band as opposed to the guitar-only version on the album. The outro is a stark contrast to the song, with a peaceful melody and simple, calming lyrics.

Live performances

During the Winter 1998 tour, the song often featured Tim Reynolds on electric guitar and Fleck on banjo. Closer to Christmas time that year, Fleck was known to interpolate Johann Sebastian Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" during the reprise outro, such as during the 20 minute plus performance released on Live Trax Vol. 1.

In September 2002 at the Gorge Amphitheater, audience members were relentless with their chants and signs requesting "The Last Stop" be played; especially on the night of September 8, 2002. Dave Matthews would go on to 'tease' the song on his guitar during the encore that night, strumming the riff for a total of 0:18 seconds. Dave would also eventually address the crowds in regards to the song during that encore, promising to play it when they returned there the following summer (SOURCE : Dave Matthews Band : The Gorge 2002 Box Set). He kept his word, as the Band played the song as the first song of their encore on August 8, 2003 (SOURCE : dmbalmanac.com)(a version that would be released by the Band on the bonus disc, "Live at...", which was part of a package with "The Central Park Concert" release (SOURCE : Dave Matthews Band : "Live At..."; released November 18, 2003). This version has become a 'finalist' among dMb fans for one of the best versions ever played live of "The Last Stop".) (SOURCE : antsmarching.org Forums)

After the Summer 2003 Tour, the band did not play "The Last Stop" again for almost three years. The song returned on 2 July 2006 during a concert at Alpine Valley Music Theatre, and received several more plays during that tour.

"The Last Stop" made a comeback at West Palm Beach's Cruzan Amphitheater on July 31, 2010. This was the first time in over 1400 days the song was played. After the comeback, it was played sporadically during the remainder of the 2010 summer tour and was played heavily during DMB's 2010 fall tour.

Chants and signs by audience members requesting The Last Stop are very common at DMB live shows (SOURCE : Dave Matthews Band Summer Tour Recordings - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012).

Live releases

A live version of "The Last Stop" appears on the following albums:

External links

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