Phil Lesh turned 75 on March 15th and "is entering his 15th year of playing with a rotating mix of Friends, both old and new. Phil began playing under the moniker Phil Lesh and Friends in 1998, after he’d returned to performing following the death of his friend and bandmate Jerry Garcia in 1995. With a varied mixture of some of the best performing musicians in the live music universe, Phil has kept his musical journey fresh by constantly and consistently putting together bands featuring dynamic, exciting musicians and singers working together toward keeping the music of the Grateful Dead moving forward into the future.
Musicians who have joined Phil Lesh and Friends over the years include a who’s who of performers: Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell of Phish, Jorma Kaukonen, David Nelson, John Molo, John Scofield, Greg Osby, Ryan Adams, Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Joan Osborne, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Bill Payne and Paul Barrere of Little Feat, Chris Robinson… and the list goes on and on. Phil is continuing the journey with some more recent friends of the past few years: Joe Russo, Jackie Greene, John Kadlecik, Jeff Chimenti and Adam MacDougall. With the opening of Terrapin Crossroads in 2012, Phil has signaled his intent to keep playing with friends old and new for many years to come."
Besides the 50th Anniversary concerts in July with The Grateful Dead, on May 14th he will be at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, MD for Dear Jerry - Celebrating the music of Jerry Garcia with a band called Phil Lesh's Communion. In the fall he has 4 shows with Phil & Friends in Portchester, NY at The Capitol Theater. He also shows up at his venue Terrapin Crossroads periodically.
Real Thing
Phil Lesh Lyrics
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Like some medal of honor
He carried his wisdom like a knife
An empty pocket was a temporary chain
Knowing you've got it coming
Ain't no crime
Every blue note that rolled off his tongue
Nobody knew where he came from
Ah but everybody knew, everybody knew
He was the real thing
No doubt about it
The kind that you remember when they're gone
The real thing
Put here for a reason
We knew someday the whole world
Was going to know his name
He was the real thing
She whispered in his ear, and he heard the thunder
Singing 'bout a world he never knew
Head spinning round, he began to wonder
Was he made to love her, or born to sing the blues
He searched inside him for an answer
But all he found was a troubled mind
He left her somewhere on the blue highway
Oh it wasn't just another love that he left behind
It was the real thing
No doubt about it
The kind that you remember when it's gone
The real thing
Not like passion's fire
But a burning, smoldering, eternal flame
It was the real thing
And sometimes at night he longs for her whisper
But he hides from the dawn, 'cause he always wakes to find her gone
In some broken down dressing room in some major city
The thunder plays an old familiar tune
He spies a face of a distant angel
Outside, beneath the halo moon
Finger on the trigger, needle in the vein
One more bullet, it might be your last ride
This is ain't no no-show, this ain't no nervous breakdown
And it sure as hell ain't the time to let the fool decide
This is the real thing
No doubt about it
Who cares if they love you and you're gone
This is the real thing
So you were put here for a reason
But what gives you the right to quit when you're tired
Anyway boy, this ain't no game
This is the real thing
He wore a song around his neck
Like some medal of honor
He carried his wisdom like a knife
The song "The Real Thing" by Phil Lesh & Friends tells a story of a musician who was truly authentic and had a deep passion for his craft. He wore his love for music like a badge of honor, and his wisdom was like a weapon he used to create beautiful sounds. He had a troubled mind, and sometimes he didn't know where he belonged. He was torn between the love for a woman and the love for music.
The song emphasizes the musician's authenticity and passion, which made him stand out from others. He was not like other musicians who played just for the sake of playing. His music was a reflection of his soul, and every note he played was a testament to his true self. The song shows how important it is to be true to oneself and to pursue one's passions relentlessly, no matter how difficult the journey may be.
Overall, the song "The Real Thing" is a tribute to those rare and special individuals who live their lives authentically and passionately. It encourages the listener to pursue their dreams and to be true to themselves, no matter what obstacles they may face.
Line by Line Meaning
He wore a song around his neck
He always carried music within himself, it was a part of him
Like some medal of honor
He wore his music like a badge of honor, it was a source of pride for him
He carried his wisdom like a knife
He always had wisdom with him and it was as sharp as a knife
An empty pocket was a temporary chain
He saw being poor as a temporary obstacle that he could overcome
Knowing you've got it coming
He was aware of his fate and ready to face it with courage
Ain't no crime
He believed that it was not a crime to be aware of one's fate, it was a natural thing
Every blue note that rolled off his tongue
Every time he sang, his voice was imbued with emotion and feeling
You could feel his soul twisting right in two
His music resonated so much with people that you could feel his pain, joy and sorrow
Nobody knew where he came from
He had a mysterious persona that no one could decipher
Ah but everybody knew, everybody knew
Despite his mysterious persona, everyone knew that he was authentic and genuine
He was the real thing
He was not fake, he was genuine in his art and persona
No doubt about it
His authenticity was undeniable
The kind that you remember when they're gone
His persona and music would be missed even after he's gone
Put here for a reason
He believed that he had a purpose in life to fulfill with his music
We knew someday the whole world
His music would spread beyond his home and be heard all over the world
Was going to know his name
His music and persona would become famous and recognizable
She whispered in his ear, and he heard the thunder
Her whispers had a profound effect on him, he felt a deep emotion akin to hearing thunder
Singing 'bout a world he never knew
She sang about a world he was not familiar with
Head spinning round, he began to wonder
Her words made him feel confused and bewildered
Was he made to love her, or born to sing the blues
He wondered if he was meant to be with her or if his destiny was to sing melancholy songs
He searched inside him for an answer
He looked within himself to find an answer
But all he found was a troubled mind
His mind was filled with doubts and fears, he couldn't find a clear answer
He left her somewhere on the blue highway
He parted ways with her at some unknown location
Oh it wasn't just another love that he left behind
Their love was not just another relationship, it was significant and memorable
Not like passion's fire
Their love was not just a fleeting or intense emotion
But a burning, smoldering, eternal flame
Their love was a deep, long-lasting and passionate connection
Sometimes at night he longs for her whisper
He sometimes misses her voice and longs to hear it again
But he hides from the dawn, 'cause he always wakes to find her gone
He avoids the morning because it reminds him that she is not there with him
In some broken down dressing room in some major city
He is in a dressing room that is in a state of disrepair, in a large city
The thunder plays an old familiar tune
He hears thunder, which is reminiscent of a familiar song
He spies a face of a distant angel
He sees the face of a person who is like an angel, but who is far from him
Outside, beneath the halo moon
Outside, where the moon appears surrounded by a halo
Finger on the trigger, needle in the vein
He is ready to use a drug, with his finger on the trigger of the syringe
One more bullet, it might be your last ride
Taking one more hit could be his death
This is ain't no no-show, this ain't no nervous breakdown
This is not a situation of him backing out or being anxious
And it sure as hell ain't the time to let the fool decide
This is not the time to make a foolish decision that would have permanent consequences
Who cares if they love you and you're gone
It doesn't matter if people loved him after he was gone
So you were put here for a reason
He was born and meant to fulfill a purpose in life
But what gives you the right to quit when you're tired
He didn't have the right to give up just because he was tired
Anyway boy, this ain't no game
Life is serious and should not be trivialized by considering it a game
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEVIE WONDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind