"Don't Drink the Water" is a song by the Dave Matthews Band, released as the first single from their album Before These Crowded Streets. The song, which features guest vocals by Alanis Morissette and banjo playing by Béla Fleck, addresses apartheid in South Africa and the persecution of the Native Americans.

"Don't Drink the Water"
Single by Dave Matthews Band
from the album Before These Crowded Streets
Released	1998
Genre	Rock
Length	7:03 (Album Version) 4:35 (Radio Edit)
Label	RCA
Songwriter(s)	Dave Matthews [1]
Producer(s)	Steve Lillywhite
Dave Matthews Band singles chronology
"Tripping Billies" (1997) "Don't Drink the Water" (1998) "Stay (Wasting Time)" (1998)

Music videos were made to promote three singles from the album, with "Don't Drink the Water" as the first.

Track listing

U.S. single

1. "Don't Drink the Water" (Edit) – 4:35
2. "Don't Drink the Water" (Album Version) – 7:03

Australia single

1. "Don't Drink the Water" (Edit) – 4:35
2. "Crash into Me" (Live) – 5:33
3. "Tripping Billies" (Live) – 5:28

Live releases

• Listener Supported
• Live in Chicago 12.19.98
• Live at Folsom Field, Boulder, Colorado
• The Central Park Concert
• The Gorge (Special Edition)
• Live Trax Vol. 1
• The Complete Weekend on the Rocks
• Live Trax Vol. 6
• The Best of What's Around Vol. 1
• Live Trax Vol. 9
• Live at Radio City
• Live Trax Vol. 10
• Live at Piedmont Park
• Live at Mile High Music Festival
• Live Trax Vol. 14
• Live Trax Vol. 15
• Europe 2009

Charts

References