Rapunzel (song)
Encyclopedia
"Rapunzel" is the second track and was the last single of the Dave Matthews Band
1998 album, Before These Crowded Streets
. It is featured on the Dave Matthews Band compilation album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1.
Originally titled "Funk in 5", "Rapunzel" evolved from an instrumental jam that the band had played live
in 1994. Four years later, the jam was reworked in the studio and lyrics were added to complete the track. The song was released as the band's fourth and final single
off this album; however, it never became a hit on the radio. At the end of the song, saxophonist LeRoi Moore
can be heard talking on the phone with somebody he refers to as "Greg" while people are talking in the background.
This track directly segues into the following track, "The Last Stop
". The song also features Butch Taylor
on the organ.
The employs an unusual time signature: 5/4 for the intro, 4/4 for the verses, and 6/8 for the bridge.
," which segues into the song, similarly to the way the two appear on Before These Crowded Streets
. There is a jam section at the closing of the piece including a soprano saxophone
solo by LeRoi Moore
(now Jeff Coffin
); a brief jam is heard on the studio version. During the bands 2001 Tour, Matthews played electric guitar on this song four times.
Dave Matthews Band
Dave Matthews Band, sometimes shortened to DMB, is a U.S. rock band formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991. The founding members were singer-songwriter and guitarist Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer/backing vocalist Carter Beauford and saxophonist LeRoi Moore. Boyd Tinsley was...
1998 album, Before These Crowded Streets
Before These Crowded Streets
Before These Crowded Streets is the third studio album by Dave Matthews Band, released on April 28, 1998. It is the last official album by the group to be produced by longtime producer Steve Lillywhite and their first album recorded at The Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, California...
. It is featured on the Dave Matthews Band compilation album The Best of What's Around Vol. 1.
Originally titled "Funk in 5", "Rapunzel" evolved from an instrumental jam that the band had played live
Concert
A concert is a live performance before an audience. The performance may be by a single musician, sometimes then called a recital, or by a musical ensemble, such as an orchestra, a choir, or a musical band...
in 1994. Four years later, the jam was reworked in the studio and lyrics were added to complete the track. The song was released as the band's fourth and final single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
off this album; however, it never became a hit on the radio. At the end of the song, saxophonist LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
can be heard talking on the phone with somebody he refers to as "Greg" while people are talking in the background.
This track directly segues into the following track, "The Last Stop
The Last Stop
"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 cilp of saxophonist LeRoi Moore answering his cell phone, which in turn leads directly into the song.The song stands out with its...
". The song also features Butch Taylor
Butch Taylor
Butch Taylor is a composer, writer, keyboardist and long time guest musician with Dave Matthews Band....
on the organ.
The employs an unusual time signature: 5/4 for the intro, 4/4 for the verses, and 6/8 for the bridge.
In concert
When played live by the band, the song is almost always preceded by "Pantala Naga PampaPantala Naga Pampa
"Pantala Naga Pampa" is the first track on the Dave Matthews Band's album, Before These Crowded Streets.The song is the shortest track recorded by the band in the studio and was based on an old live song known as "What Will Become of Me?" part of which can be heard at the end of "Jimi Thing" on...
," which segues into the song, similarly to the way the two appear on Before These Crowded Streets
Before These Crowded Streets
Before These Crowded Streets is the third studio album by Dave Matthews Band, released on April 28, 1998. It is the last official album by the group to be produced by longtime producer Steve Lillywhite and their first album recorded at The Plant Recording Studios in Sausalito, California...
. There is a jam section at the closing of the piece including a soprano saxophone
Soprano saxophone
The soprano saxophone is a variety of the saxophone, a woodwind instrument, invented in 1840. The soprano is the third smallest member of the saxophone family, which consists of the soprillo, sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass, contrabass and tubax.A transposing instrument pitched in...
solo by LeRoi Moore
Leroi Moore
LeRoi Holloway Moore was an American saxophonist best known as a founding member of the Dave Matthews Band. Moore often arranged music for the songs written by frontman Dave Matthews...
(now Jeff Coffin
Jeff Coffin
Jeff Coffin is an American jazz and alternative rock musician best known as the saxophonist for Dave Matthews Band and Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. In addition to the saxophone, he plays clarinet, flute and oboe.-Biography:...
); a brief jam is heard on the studio version. During the bands 2001 Tour, Matthews played electric guitar on this song four times.
Track listing
- "Rapunzel" (edit) — 4:50
- "Rapunzel" (album version) — 6:00