Dave Matthews - Stay or Leave

[@justamurse5646]

“What to do with the days afternoon”. Man that hits home, everything around the house reminds you of them. The dogs, the thing she left. Just going through the motions trying to get by. And “what day is this..since the day you left me”. Hell this whole song tugs on the heart strings so accurately.

[@Prometheus1st]

The phrase 'it was good as good goes...' haunts me. I mean it really haunts me. I can't explain it. If you can't understand, then I could never explain it.

[@CoCTino]

I know exactly what you mean.... struck me right in the heart

[@jdejesus7645]

I understand bro. Trust me.

[@formomanddad1]

How you feeling now about it??? 10 years later. Still hainting or is it just funny? Legit curious

[@blackrosemoth]

This song has been making me cry for literally almost 20 years. And that line is killer

[@colleenbradshaw4876]

I get it💔 In this moment sadley I get it💔 My soul cries out Noooo!! Not us🥲 Not Colleen and Joey, “Remember we use to dance and everyone wanted to be us, I want to too” That’s the one that haunts me. Like a warm summer day you came into me and like the cold winter night you flee, Worst time if my life right now and I have no idea how I will ever love again💔💔💔

[@joeblow4390]

This is my favorite version of this. Just Dave and his guitar. So much I love about this song. The alternate tuning, the intricate chords later in the song. The fact he is playing and singing at the same time so effortlessly. And those lyrics. I lost my girlfriend recently. A heart operation left her paralyzed from the belly button down for life. Kidney dialysis which gave her panic attacks. Decubitus. For ten months she lived like that. It became obvious over time there was no hope for any kind pf recovery. Mercifully she died the end of 2022. Blood clot in her lungs. Stay or leave I don’t want you to go but you should. But you did. God bless you for this song Mr Matthews.

[@die.spunkfabrik]

Keep on rocking in a free world beloved Dani ❤️

[@rebeccatroxel8478]

I agree this is the best version of this song. So beautiful and soul touching. I’m so sorry about your girlfriend. ❤

[@darylynnbuckler5941]

I realize this song strikes everyone a different way that's why it's so beautiful. Sorry for your pain, Dave got me through much of mine as well. ❤❤

[@wellness4u906]

This song is so heartbreaking. Dave creates lyrics that can evoke such powerful emotions.

[@vitaminb29]

see a therapist

[@AlexCrossWriteitall4U]

I love this song so much. So much meaning. This man has known heartbreak.

[@DaniBeauchamp]

Words cannot express how much I love acoustic Dave. I could be in the worse mood ever & listen to him and feel better. I spend all year looking foward to be able to see them in concert in the summer :) Best live show ever!

[@formomanddad1]

And now covid. We are more divided then ever. 40percent are left 60 percent are right. Except the left have the media, hollywood, schools, radio all on thoer side, all owned by pedophiles pushing sex on minors. The pedophilia is the big divide, but the left doesnt see it yet so they still support the broadcast. More and more people are waking up (trulywaking up)

[@JiFan]

Actually I agree how beautiful his acoustic stuff are, but.. listening to them makes me more depressed and melancholic 😭😭 Which is delicious and beautiful though 💔

[@wolfspiritoutdoors1484]

Well said and do the same. Took that love to being in a DMB tribute band now touring nationally come check us out sometime @Tripping_Billies

[@betsyowers2835]

Amen..

[@kaylamorusan3858]

14 years later I feel this way as well

[@Keyrunnet]

I can not express how much I love this song.

[@deirdremichele]

This song touches me every time I hear it! It can be a sad song for some, but for me it reminds me of the perfect crisp winter day spent with family watching the snow outside!!

[@anickh]

You've gotta remember not only does dave have an amazing voice, but he writes all of his music and its all amazing and he is a brilliant guitarist. too many musicians out there can only either write, sing, or play. he does all 3, and he kills them all

[@ABNMPmama]

I played this song on repeat, as I drove my now ex-husband to the bus station, leaving me and our children, to go to his parents house on the other side of the country. After he boarded the bus, before it drove away, I was sobbing in the car, listening to this song, again. The line, “Did I do all I could? That I should’ve done?” I got out of my car, and ran toward the bus. I boarded the bus, found him, and with tears running down my face, asked if he would speak with me one last time. Even though I wanted him to stay, he should leave. The days of laughter and good times ceased; it changed everything we did. I remembered dancing, date nights, and all the rest of the good memories, too. So, I asked him if he was sure of his decision; me, walking on that bus was putting myself, and my pride, to the wind. This was the all-or-nothing moment. He had two choices: stay or leave. He left. With me to pick up my pride, my dignity, my life, but most importantly, the children and home we had created together. Stupidly, I made one last effort, by driving to the coast to keep my family together, and for my still-then husband to see his children. We made amends long enough to procreate. I was left, and emotionally burned, by my ex 3 times before I realized my children and I deserved better, after a 12 year time span of an unhappy relationship. This song is in the soundtrack to my life.

[@ttpv]

You did what you could. It’s never stupid.

[@UlfJayThatGoldenTeacher]

Sad story.

[@adamdix9125]

Jesus. Feels

[@Judywalk]

Much love to you. It holds a lot meaning for me too.

[@awms.145]

I felt as if I was reading a novel. Sad but beautifully written.

[@LagowBros]

Like most musicians , it's a frozen moment you write about . He grabs the fillet minion of what tugs at the heart . Relativity genius , such a on earth man , it hits him , but it hits you harder .

[@slancho1]

beautifully said

[@mathias3253]

Filet Mignon.. but I agree..

[@madelynpoling1738]

I will be 13 in 9 days and I love dave mathews band but a lot of kids my age have never even heard of them. I hate how everything is so autotuned and some songs sound as if no effort was put forth. So no one my age understands my taste in music but they don't realize just how beautiful some one's voice and an acoustic guitar can be. This song was posted when I was 4 but that doesn't stop me from appreciating it. Music doesn't stop being wonderful

[@Randolph1924]

Madelyn Poling I'm just about your age (a little older but yeah) and I can't agree more. I've shown my friends some of DMB'S hits and now one of my friends just shrugs off my "80's songs" (even though they're from the 90's) and laughs at me for it. Nowadays, the songs that are mainstream really don't contain the style and message that DMB strives for. Whenever I hear the radio go on I'll just slip on a pair of headphones and put on under the table and dreaming or come tomorrow. It doesn't matter what they think, I truly hope someday they'll realize what idiots most of them are and value true musical talent like dave matthews.

[@holdenrbishop]

Yep. I'm 17 and everyone my age listens to lame rap music and weird emo garbage. I know it's cliché but it's so true when you say this generation is full of unoriginality 😂

[@rainbowroad69]

Not everyone your age is the same. Stop distancing yourself, it's pretentious. You'll find more friends with other tastes in music if you stop parading as special.

[@jetel1]

You Get It Madelyn, Good music is good music...don't conform to someone else's taste in music... I applaud you for your insight in music....I'll be 73 in a month and have seen Dave Mathews Band 7 times...He is among many world class musicians ranging in ages from 78 to even some 14 year olds, I see on The VOICE...talent is talent...To Thine Own Self Be True

[@danielcolunga942]

I've always liked them. People have always hated on Dave Matthews Band though.

[@janisoreilly5336]

Dave helps me so much with my depression......So excited summer tour .....nothing like a Dave Matthews in concert !!!

[@jacobfinder7476]

Yes🙏

[@sanduand22]

The most heart warming beautiful piece of music. Gives me chills everytime

[@pisces8882]

He is just amazing, my absolute favorite artist and has been since '91...

[@maddielikesmusic]

congrats one two decades!

[@jessejaden12]

Love Dave in this video. This is the way I love to see Dave most, alone with his guitar. I could listen to him all day. This is one of my many favorites...I could never pick just one.

[@kathleenmarie8457]

So much emotion in this song. I listen to it and I grieve, every time. "Did I do all I could? That I should have done?"

[@mlbb262]

Its songs like these that make you choose to be blind over deaf any day if you had to choose one.

[@bojanglesace33]

Here I am in 2019, still greatness

[@nikisawyers7559]

2021 and still

[@Ironman4297]

@@nikisawyers7559 beat me to it

[@TheIndividual.]

Finding this like an old shirt I left back in sorrow lane. I'll never wash it. Thank you, Dave. Y'all helped me along my life. Still.

[@NattyBurz]

this song never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

[@zdonna362]

I can't describe how good this is..

[@TheRealAdamT]

I remember when I first heard this song back in the day, I was going through a break up. This was one of the first times a song ever hit me so hard. To this day when I hear this song it brings back a flood of old feelings and memories. I hope you're doing well.

[@squeekytoy123]

People who say this song is simple... it is. And maybe if you've never been left by the person you love more than anything you don't get it, but that's what it is. "What day is this besides the day you left me?" Remembering the good times when everyone was in awe of how great your relationship was... "remember we used the dance?" Bah. It's simple. It is. Some of the best songs are.

[@ashleystout8436]

Well said my friend

[@atxgrl]

So true

[@jitstrike5579]

This song is very complicated but he makes it look easy.

[@pashafarms]

Who on earth said it was simple?!

[@jazdager-old8015]

There may be many songs about heartbreak but this song just seems to stand out musically and lyrically. It may not be very complex but it is a masterpiece nevertheless. I've covered this song myself on my channel and as easy as it is, it's really fun to play :)

[@coreylatimer9577]

Probably my favorite Dave song. Wow.

[@mikespiano190]

Thanks, Dave. You put words and sounds to our feelings, as deep as they are.

[@smurphy339]

I'm not sad or missing anyone but this song just breaks my heart in a beautiful way. Dave makes me believe in love.

[@troytaylor4996]

Thanks, that was a good way of putting it 👍🏾

[@natepratt2720]

DMB: only band i will actually buy music from instead of downloading for free. purely out of respect and admiration for these amazing musicians

[@truthbombs-ii7ke]

Extremely difficult song to play on guitar, pure masterpiece!

[@Hello.Newman]

Lyrics: Maybe different but remember Winters warm where you and I Kissing whiskey by the fire With the snow outside And the summer comes In the river swims at midnight Shiver cold, touch the bottom You and I with muddy toes Stay or leave I want you not to go But you should It was good as good goes Stay or leave I want you not to go But you did Wake up naked drinking coffee Making plans to change the world While the world is changing us It was good, good love You used to laugh under the covers Maybe not so often now The way I used to laugh with you Was loud and hard Stay or leave I want you not to go But you should It was good as good goes Stay or leave I want you not to go But you did So what to do with the rest of today's afternoon? Hey, isn't it strange how we change everything we did? Did I do all that I should? That I coulda done Remember we used to dance And everyone wanted to be you and me I want to be too What day is this? Besides the day you left me What day is this? Besides the day you went So what to do with the rest of the day's afternoon? Hey, isn't it strange how we change everything we did? Did I do all that I could? Remember we used to dance And everyone wanted to be you and me I want to be too What day is this? Besides the day you went, babe What day is this?

[@greedydijkstra]

Listening him for 7 years.... still listening

[@CharlesHarbit]

Leah: It was good as good goes…remember we used to laugh under the covers; maybe not so often now. The way I used to laugh with you, was loud and hard. Stay or leave: I want you not to go, but you should. It was good as good goes. So what to do with the rest of the days afternoon, hey, isn’t it strange how we change everything we did? Remember we used to dance at Castle Hill in the first snow flakesof winter, and everyone always wanted to be you and me, I want to be too, what day is this? Besides the day you left me. Did I do all that I could, that I should have done? What day is this, besides the day you left me? Sorry had to be written, I apologize with tear stained eyes…everything Dave wrote described a life I used to have and it rips my heart to pieces every time I hear it.

[@_ohley]

Had I only known how to respect myself. Maybe then I would’ve given you the respect you deserved. I often reminisce and think about our love. Our storybook. You took a part of my soul that summer. I hope I still have a piece of yours. Even after all this time.

[@Sumita098]

This one's better than the official one. Gives me nostalgia every time

[@ravib1285]

I know that feeling ! :-)

"Remember, we used to dance, and everyone wanted to be you and me, I want to be too. What day is this? Besides the day you left me. What day is this? Besides the you went So what to do with the day's afternoon?" Talk about brilliance, all in a few verses of the song. You can't evoke missing someone any better in just a few verses in any song than this. Brilliant!

[@agnieszkagro1712]

:-( heartbreaks..... :-( thank you Dave for your music. it lifts my soul up again...

[@cherylbrown80]

Haunting, Loving, Wonderful ... The great DMB xoxoxoxooxox

[@Susana.Ventura]

This song makes me cry every time I hear it.

[@Keyrunnet]

I can not express in word how Mich I love this song.

[@charlenecolette2468]

Stay or Leave. Sometimes leaving is the absolute hardest thing to do! But the right thing even if you're soulmates!

[@juliaasplund5261]

Charlene Colette so true. I had to leave my soulmate of 8 years bc he didn't want kids and I couldn't give up on that dream. After I moved thousands of miles away, got a new job and a new place, he realized what he was losing and moved here with me. We plan on starting a family soon :) Sometimes you just have to leave, as painful as it is, and believe good things come from following your heart, trusting that you will be ok, and making those leaps that feel impossible.

[@silver0078]

That's true and it hurts so much.

[@granth14]

I can’t imagine leaving my soulmate

[@julielong9622]

I love this song so much it hurts.

[@addisonhinn]

this is the most beautiful song he plays ive loved this song from the beginning. perfect

[@1997armybrat]

i think i could hear this song from the time i wake up to the next da y and still not be tire of it...

[@johncave3334]

Out of My Head, Fastball...my all time favourite tune. Is it rock? Gospel? Jam? Folksy? Classic? Alternative? All rolled into one? Take your pick. To me it's the best of all time.

[@seawench1]

Just re-discovered DMB after watching a concert on PBS last week....can't get enough of his voice, guitar, lyrics, killer band... I am a fan!!!

[@colinherzog2947]

"Waking, Making, Drinking coffee, making plans to change the world while the world was changing us . . . ." Probably some of my favorite lyrics of his and oh there are many--I know that he is hardly the most talented musician out right now and that these lyrics sound incredibly simplistic--and on paper, they really do. However, that's part of why I love his lyrics so much: they're simplistic, not often sugar coated, and they're accessible: they have enough of a story going that they stand on their own, but are malleable enough that anyone can relate to them to some degree. There's a power in simplicity and, especially with Dave, it comes from the emotion that is charged in them (one of the reasons why he's best heard live or from a live track recording); it feels like it's being told by a regular person and therefore, all the more believable. With them, there almost never seems to just be a throwaway song or one made just for the money--it's about the music, something he puts his all with almost every strum. If receptive, you can feel the loss and the regret here and, oddly enough, his music and lyrics are something that, in my experience, at least, people tend to appreciate more as they get older--maybe because they can impose their own experiences onto the music and gel with it more; regardless, listening to one of his song's, to truly get the most out of it, is always a team effort, even when you hear him by himself. He certainly isn't in it for the attention, given that he's incredibly shy and the fact he's rhythm guitar, versus a more traditional soloist--he wanders around stage to keep the focus on everyone, most of the others get to solo while he just keeps the pattern going for them to come back to, almost as reliably as the bass guitar and the drums--even if some of those patterns are as difficult as all let out, between the stretches and the strum patterns. Again, it's about the team and the music, and the emotional resonance that occurs . . . it's, to me, beautiful.

[@SweetFitness]

"Wake up naked, drinking coffee..."

[@MegaATM]

absolutely incredible song, one of my favorite songs. makes me feel content :)

[@yellowshirting]

I think Dave is the one "celebrity" that I actually love. Like if Dave showed up to my Thanksgiving meal, I'd be like "Dude - you're late. Get a plate and eat up." Been listening to him my entire life and plan to never stop. xoxo

[@PookieIntrigued]

To me, this song is about having to be apart from your love. Having to let them go away (be for work or travel or school) for a period of time and knowing it hurts and has you reminiscing while you wait for their return. This song touches me deeply as me and my partner are forced to be apart for months at a time some years due to our fields of work. Beautiful song Dave Matthews

[@daleva187goligo]

hauntingly beautiful

[@SantasBlumpkin]

when you have 3/4 of a million views and only 17 people dislike it, thats when you know you have something thats pretty damn amazing

[@Bubblej0028]

Dave is an amazing artist! His fingers flow effortlessly across the strings. ❤

[@Atlas_Mohler]

I love you very much, ms. Hedman. You are the best art teacher ever

[@amybrennanlarison8382]

All these years of being DM obsessed and this still hits hard! Such talent!

[@giselemello3948]

This song reminds me of a good friend who is no longer in my life. I was the one who left, I guess. I had a dream about him last night and he said he was sorry for the way he treated me at the end of our friendship. Heartfelt apologies. It felt soooo real and for a moment, in that dream, we were extremely happy for reuniting. I woke up today, January 1st 2025, feeling really good about the dream. I don't know if he is really sending a message to me through the cosmos or what, but for me it was enough to fully forgive our past hurts and to be grateful for the time we spent together in this lifetime. We grew to be very different individuals, so I dont think it is possible to be friends again in real life... But I can live with a good nostalgia of a time in our relationship when "everyone wanted to be him and me". Celebrate the people who were once part of your life. Even if they (or you) had to leave. ❤

[@nataliebudakphotography]

I cry so hard when I listen to this. Recently the love of my life and I had to part. He says he still loves me, and I love him too. We can't be together now because while we were making plans to change the world, the world began to change us. This song speaks louder than anything I could have come up with. He is truly the greatest friend I could ever have asked for in this life of mystery and misery. It's too bad we have to put a hold on our love...I hope one day well be happy & together again..

[@anandacoughlin1643]

Anyone who know's me, know's that this is my favorite song. Not many people may be able to actually pin point there #1 Favorite song.... I pray that they may find the joy in finding this. If I have, anyone can. - - - - - - - - This is my personally #1 Song of my Life and the poet, Thank you. This is lovely and kind and warm and tender and everything to me. My sincere love and happiest of tears

[@Katasa_____nova]

Something about this song being performed live makes it so much more emotionally intense

[@bernlin2000]

One of his best lyrics, and that's saying a lot

[@etobias86]

[@xlolxism]

"Making plans to change the world, while the world is changing us" So damn true.

[@immadoyarealgood7803]

this hits so hard.

[@Elfdogable]

Favorite song by my favorite artist:) This song has so much emotion and surreal setting of a place in the universe that takes me up to my cabin in the middle of winter. Gonna have to grab some whiskey on my next trip up with the wife and doggies. There are folk songs like this that just strikes me to the core. As a young kid I would hear songs like Sundown by Gordon Lightfoot which seemed so mysterious ( if I find you’ve been sneaking around my back stairs. Wha ???) This song also strikes some disparity that takes me to a strange place in my dreams.

[@Gigalord3]

This song is one of the few things on earth that are truly beautiful

[@jacobdiaz7254]

I lost my soul mate to the world It nearly killed, but I thank god for giving me his priceless gifts that he did to keep me from ending my life sometimes you have to let go of what you love, but never give up it will come back to you knew way or another peace everybody

[@Gattobuono]

Possibly my all time favourite DM song :-)

[@wjcrouse913]

This song got me through my first heartbreak ... girlfriends come and go but ill never stop listening to dave

[@elcocobochum]

To me the line: "Did I do all that I could have done, that I should have done" makes this an incredibly accurate break up song. And it was the one I listened to on repeat after my last break-up. It was too fiting. But that is the beauty of music. Everyone hears the song for themselves and has a different interpertation. I truly hope you find a job situation where you don't have to be so far apart.

[@denissehernandez4661]

“What day is this .. besides the day you left me” 😭

[@trinifishstix]

how can u dislike a great piece of musical art such as this???

[@jessicaannewatson]

such a brilliant song. his music takes me somewhere else.

[@scotthock]

I just discovered this song not long ago when I finally picked up the Wrigley Field album. Everyone can relate to this song. Love it.

[@Ryden11Exists]

I love this song, specially this version. It has been with me so many times, often the worst, and when I sing it I really feel... complete, like if nothing bad could happen at all. I know the lyrics really don't say that, but I'm talking about the feeling that remains after I listen to it, for me it's like the song told me 'I know this is a hard moment for you, but everything will be okay... in time' well that was deep xDD

[@chelseahp8]

Great song. Dave Matthews is amazing.

[@ryapickinup]

Tuesday, I will be in Boise for my first show.. been listening since '94... First show... Can't wait!

[@InspiredGet]

lost one of my dear friends in 9th grade and that was over 5 years ago now...everytime I wake up I still feel the same

[@JackHernandezGentlemanJack]

this man fully inspires me

[@xoXneoncookiezXox]

love this song... and so nice to hear someone with true talent

[@Evilash1303]

Its still hard to listen to this song because it reminds me of such an emotional time in my life, but this is an amazingly beautiful song that makers me cry every time

[@thevixterful]

omg-brings back sooooooooooooo many memories...used to listen w/ my fiance' for hours as we drove @ nite...not to go anywhere...just to be...mostly our homemade dmb lovesongs cds...mostly songs like this

[@kaylamorusan3858]

Even though the the lyrics don’t ring true for me right now (I am alone and want to stay alone for a while), the lyrics give me chills and I am transported back to a time when I lost my person

[@Sublime_37]

The absolute best 💯💯💯💯🎸🙌🏽

[@slancho1]

Nostalgic ... yet makes you smile

[@Towndrunk26er]

He is such a great song writer. There is a story told with every song and that story can be his or yours.

[@diggerodell6468]

Probably my favorite DM song....and I have several.

[@SparklesGoddess]

This song breaks my heart and I'm not even heartbroken over anyone right now.

[@awms.145]

Beautiful song. I looked this song up it was playing on the show" Cold Case" they always have to most heart felt songs. ❤️

[@djcecil0606]

One of this worlds true troubadours.

[@dsvw]

The AOL session - was the best he ever did... the songs become so much clearer when played unpluged. just great!

[@shabbybari]

dave matthew.... thank you!

[@0713mas]

That 1990's Taylor 714 an amazing guitar! Dave puts it to work

[@harvsmen]

It's a sweeeet guitar indeed!

[@giuliobetti3071]

This song leaves me breathless

[@DmB4LiFe420eL]

easily one of my favorite songs... ♫♫ SIMPLY AMAZING ♫♫

[@DrWorm29]

Amazing. Absolutely amazing! I love this sound!

[@jacobdiaz7254]

So beautiful so gorgeous such a perfect masterpiece frozen in time or just speechless love support compassion all for you man ✊

[@naneanilau]

Wonderful....just amazing, atcually makes me cry.

[@naneanilau]

Just...breath taking.

[@amarcela]

great song, dave is amazing

[@miketarara]

this, every song, how does he do it, just amazing. i'd love to hear how he approaches writing.

[@quentinnavarro8062]

One of the greats of my lifetime