The band is known for musical improvisation, extended jams, blending of genres, and a rigorous touring schedule that draws a famously dedicated fan base. Their music blends elements of a wide variety of genres, including funk, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, folk, country, jazz, blues, bluegrass, and pop. Phish were part of a movement of improvisational rock groups, inspired by the Grateful Dead and colloquially known as "jam bands", which gained considerable popularity as touring concert acts in the 1990s.
After 15 years of performing together, Phish went on hiatus in 2000. They resumed touring in December 2002, but disbanded in 2004 after a farewell performance at their Coventry Festival in Vermont. They reunited in March 2009 for a series of three consecutive concerts played in the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia, and have since resumed performing regularly.
Although the group received little radio play or MTV exposure, Phish developed a large following by word of mouth during the 1990s, particularly through fan-record tapes of their concerts, which circulated for free online with the band's permission. While often compared to the Grateful Dead, Phish finds their roots in styles such as jazz, funk and alternative rock as opposed to the Dead, who were more influenced by folk, country and blues.
Each Phish concert is different in terms of the songs included and the order in which they appeared, and (for many songs) in the way in which they were performed. Also unique to Phish are their large summer festivals which draw upwards of 70K people to remote areas in Maine and New York State as well as close to 100K for their epic Millennium Show in the Everglades of South Florida.
Along with Bob Dylan and The Beatles, Phish were one of the first bands to have an Internet newsgroup - rec.music.phish - launched in 1991.
In regards to Phish, Rolling Stone magazine proclaimed "Given their sense of community, their ambition and their challenging, generous performances, Phish have become the most important band of the Nineties."
46 Days
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
46 days and the coal ran out
Please come 'round here another day
Sit yourself down when you're ready to stay
She dug down when they took the town
Lookin' for clues but they couldn't be found
Leigh found out she was ready to roam
Taste the fear
For the devil's drawing near
The interpretation of Phish's "46 Days" lyrics is complex, but the song seems to revolve around themes of betrayal, survival, and the coming of evil. The song begins with the phrase, "Leigh Fordham sold me out," which suggests that the singer has been betrayed by someone he or she trusted. The rest of the lyrics reference the depletion of resources, including coal, and the struggle to survive in difficult times. There is also a sense of desperation in lines like "Please come 'round here another day," as though the singer is asking for help from anyone who might be able to offer it.
As the song progresses, there are references to digging and searching for clues, but ultimately, these efforts are fruitless. The phrase "47 days and the coal came home" suggests that something has changed, but it's unclear whether this is a positive or negative development. The final line, "Taste the fear / For the devil's drawing near," suggests that there is a looming sense of danger or evil that is approaching.
Overall, "46 Days" seems to be a song about struggle and hardship, but also about the potential for redemption or at least a change in circumstances. There is a sense of ambiguity throughout the song, which encourages listeners to fill in the gaps with their own interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
Leigh Fordham sold me out
Someone named Leigh Fordham betrayed me
46 days and the coal ran out
The coal supply ended 46 days ago
Please come 'round here another day
I request that you visit me on a different day
Sit yourself down when you're ready to stay
Take a seat only when you're prepared to remain for a while
She dug down when they took the town
She went searching when the town was evacuated
Lookin' for clues but they couldn't be found
Despite searching, no evidence was discovered
Leigh found out she was ready to roam
Leigh discovered that she wanted to wander
47 days and the coal came home
The coal supply returned after 47 days
Taste the fear
Experience the sensation of terror
For the devil's drawing near
Because the devil is approaching
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TREY ANASTASIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nate Foss
God I flippin love this band.
TONY H
Great - thank for posting! the Toronto 2019 46 Days was even better - epic guitar duel with Trey and Mike - show wasn't broadcast but could we get that one at least!
D. Banerjee
High as a lab rat. Dusk at the beach. Dancing my ass off! Thank you Phish.💖
The Cardinal Sound
So Awesome! Love it!!!
Chris Magnarelli
RIP Leigh Fordham
CD Projekt DOWNGRADE@sony/ms/ubisoft.coN
Awesome version ..Great night of phish if you ask me just missing that one 20 min monster. Piper was great but I thought it shoulda gone on longer. Tube and hood though just awesome versions.
Ryan Sutter
California love teases were incredible
Willie Ward
Take me to the top of the mountain Trey...
Brian
RIP Leigh Fordham ...
Dan Demsky
Tight tight tight!