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."
Helter Skelter
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and turn
and I go for a ride
'Til I get to the bottom and I see you again
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Do you don't you want me to love you
I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you
and you may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
Go helter skelter
helter skelter
helter skelter
Yeah, hu, hu
I will you won't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
Look out
Helter skelter
helter skelter
helter skelter
Yeah, hu, hu
Look out cause here she comes
When I get to the bottom
I go back to the top of the slide
Where I stop and turn
and I go for a ride
'Til I get to the bottom and I see you again
Yeah, yeah, yeah
Well will you won't you want me to make you
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
Look out
Helter skelter
helter skelter
helter skelter
Yeah, hu,
Helter Skelter
She's coming down fast
Yes she is
Yes she is
Coming down fast
The lyrics of Phish's Helter Skelter describe the singer's thrill-seeking behavior, conveyed through the imagery of a slide at a playground. The opening lines suggest the singer's desire for speed and movement, as he repeatedly goes up and down the slide. He then asks a rhetorical question, "Do you don't you want me to love you," which may reference an unrequited love or a flirtatious encounter. The following lines, "I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you / Tell me tell me come on tell me the answer," further suggest a sense of urgency and a desire for connection.
The chorus, "Helter skelter / helter skelter / helter skelter," refers to a Beatles song of the same name. The phrase "helter skelter" can be defined as a state of confusion or disorder, and the repetition of the phrase in the chorus emphasizes the chaotic and frenzied nature of the singer's behavior.
In the second verse, the singer asks another rhetorical question, "Will you won't you want me to make you," which may suggest a more sexual desire. He again emphasizes his speed and urgency, while also acknowledging the potential danger in his actions, "I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you." The final lines repeat the chorus and add, "Look out cause here she comes," perhaps indicating the singer's sense of danger and excitement as he approaches his object of desire.
Overall, the lyrics of Helter Skelter use playground imagery to convey the singer's thrill-seeking behavior and desire for connection, while also emphasizing the chaotic and dangerous nature of his actions.
Line by Line Meaning
When I get to the bottom
Once I reach rock-bottom
I go back to the top of the slide
I start my journey to success again from scratch
Where I stop and turn
Before beginning my ascent, I pause to reflect
and I go for a ride
And then I take fast and risky actions to climb back up
'Til I get to the bottom and I see you again
Until I encounter the same adversity and failure again
Do you don't you want me to love you
Are you unsure of my love and dedication to you?
I'm coming down fast but I'm miles above you
I'm able to take big risks and show bravery even in tough times
Tell me tell me come on tell me the answer
Please be honest and straightforward with me
and you may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
You might be able to love me, but you're not able to keep up with my pace and energy
Go helter skelter
Let's take extreme risks and be bold
Helter skelter
Chaos and confusion
helter skelter
Extreme disorder and pandemonium
Yeah, hu, hu
I will you won't you want me to make you
I want to know if you want me to intervene and take control
I'm coming down fast but don't let me break you
I'm taking fast actions, but I don't want to completely harm or demolish you
Tell me tell me tell me the answer
Please be clear and direct with me
You may be a lover but you ain't no dancer
You may be able to love me, but you can't keep up with all the craziness
Look out
Be careful and alert
Helter skelter
More chaos and confusion
Helter skelter
Complete and utter disorder
helter skelter
Complete and utter pandemonium
Yeah, hu, hu
Look out cause here she comes
Be careful, chaos is headed our way
She's coming down fast
The chaos is rapidly approaching
Yes she is
Yes she is
Coming down fast
The chaos is rapidly approaching
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Lennon, Paul McCartney
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind