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The Existentialism Of Dave Matthews Band: Rhyme And Reason - Online Term Paper

The Existentialism Of Dave Matthews Band: Rhyme And Reason

Existentialism is the main theme throughout the song Rhyme and Reason by Dave Matthews Band. Matthews cites the ideas of dying and the pointlessness of life in general within the song. His ideas follow the basic pattern of existentialism thinking.
The main points of existentialism found in the song are the search for meaning everyone has in their own lives, everyone is responsible for their own choices, the outside world is meaningless and absurd, people are often overcome by anxiety in the face of their own choices, and that happiness only exists in the present.
Since the song is full of examples, so I’ll start from the beginning. The lyrics, “Oh well so here we stand but we stand ...

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because “ he needs to kill his pain”. In addition to showing that death is the ultimate end, this also shows that happiness only exists in the present. By needing “to kill his pain” Dave shows that he is unhappy and troubled at the present time and needs relief immediately. Since the song is mostly about dying and relieving pain there are many examples of the ultimate end and the pursuit to find happiness in the present. “In my grave lying wired and shut and quiet… leave it to me to waste here.”
Through reading the lyrics one can get a sense of self-condemnation to live in Matthews’ personal hell. In following with the existential idea of responsibility for one’s own choices and the anxiety in the face of that responsibility, the reader can get a sense of Matthews need to stay like this because of the choices he has made. This is shown through the lyrics “the reason – my reason”, this shows that the only reason this is happening is because it is a self-choice and there ...

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The Existentialism Of Dave Matthews Band: Rhyme And Reason. (2008, May 10). Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Existentialism-Dave-Matthews-Band-Rhyme-Reason/83397

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"The Existentialism Of Dave Matthews Band: Rhyme And Reason." Essayworld.com. May 10, 2008. Accessed January 6, 2026. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Existentialism-Dave-Matthews-Band-Rhyme-Reason/83397.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 5/10/2008 04:15:43 AM
Category: Music & Musicians
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 583
Pages: 3

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