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."
Access Me
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You weren't even there 'cause you were walking in the fog
I call you up and plead and beg and talk to your machine
My friends say not to bother when you're acting pretty mean
But I don't need to bother you, no I won't play that part
I just want access to the inside of your heart
Access to your thoughts on the way that I should be
Access me, access me
You could tell me all about all the things you did at work
The guy who sits beside you and how he's acting like a jerk
And you don't have to open up the secrets of your soul
But if that's the place you want me I'd be glad to pay the toll
But I don't need to bother you, no I won't play that part
I just want access to the inside of your heart
Access to your thoughts on the way that I should be
So I could start to change and maybe you could access me
Access me
Phish's "Access Me" is a love song that ponders the idea of access and communication between two individuals. In the first verse, the singer recalls a time when he was bitten by his lover's dog. He pleads with her through her answering machine, even though his friends tell him not to bother. This highlights his willingness to ignore the suggested norms and pursue his heart's desires. In the chorus, the singer expresses his wish to gain access to his lover's heart to understand their thoughts and feelings. He wants to know how he can change to be a better partner and hopes that she will also have access to his emotions in return.
In the second verse, the singer desires to hear about his lover's daily experience at work. He acknowledges that he does not need to know everything about her, but he is willing to pay a toll to get intimate access to her innermost thoughts. The song's central theme is access and what it means for a successful relationship. The singer is looking for a way to connect with his lover on a deeper level, and he is willing to make changes to do so. The song implies that communication is the foundation of any successful relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
The first time I came over I was bitten by your dog
During my first visit, I got bitten by your dog, and you weren't there as you were absent-mindedly wandering in the fog.
I call you up and plead and beg and talk to your machine
I call you on the phone, begging and pleading, and leave messages on your answering machine.
My friends say not to bother when you're acting pretty mean
My friends advise me not to pursue you when you're being cruel and unkind.
But I don't need to bother you, no I won't play that part
I don't want to trouble or harass you, so I won't act that way.
I just want access to the inside of your heart
I only want to understand what's going on inside your heart and mind.
Access to your thoughts on the way that I should be
I want your perspective on how I should change myself to fit your desires.
So I could start to change and maybe you could access me
I hope that by changing myself, you'll be drawn to connect with me on a deeper level.
You could tell me all about all the things you did at work
You could share with me the mundane details of your workday.
The guy who sits beside you and how he's acting like a jerk
You could complain to me about your annoying coworker.
And you don't have to open up the secrets of your soul
You don't need to reveal your deepest, darkest secrets to me.
But if that's the place you want me I'd be glad to pay the toll
However, if that's where you're willing to let me in, I'm willing to go the extra mile.
Access me, access me
I want you to access my heart and mind in the same way I want to access yours.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: MIKE GORDON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clyde Glyde
Love this too much. Heard this song at alpine as a kid and it never left me.
Daniel A
I was soooo happy to hear this saturday night at Dick's!
Joseph Meyers
Same! I was at this Alpine show too and LOVE this song.
HipCrew167
This song is awesome.
Eric Voigt
Play this more.
Dave Leafey
Phish in AC tonight & tomorrow!!!!!
Cool Breeze
who else wishes they'd pan over to page when he lays it the fuck down?