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."
Mother Nature's Son
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All day long I'm sitting singing songs for everyone.
Sit beside a mountain stream, see her waters rise
Listen to the pretty sound of music as she flies.
Find me in my field of grass, Mother Nature's son
Swaying daises sing a lazy song beneath the sun.
Mother Nature's son.
The lyrics of Phish's song "Mother Nature's Son" paint a vivid picture of a simple and humble life connected closely with nature. The first line, "Born a poor young country boy, Mother Nature's son," suggests a sense of belonging to the natural world and a deep appreciation for the beauty and simplicity of rural life. The use of "Mother Nature's son" highlights the symbiotic relationship between the singer and the natural world, implying a sense of nurturing and protection that comes from the environment.
The next line, "All day long I'm sitting singing songs for everyone," conveys a sense of contentment and purpose in sharing music with others. The act of singing songs can be seen as a way of connecting with people and spreading joy, much like how nature's beauty can uplift and inspire those who experience it. The singer's willingness to share their songs with everyone reflects a generosity of spirit and a desire to bring a little piece of joy to those around them.
The imagery in the following lines further emphasizes the singer's deep connection with nature. "Sit beside a mountain stream, see her waters rise / Listen to the pretty sound of music as she flies" evokes a sense of serenity and tranquility that comes from immersing oneself in the natural world. The description of the music of the flowing stream and the imagery of the water rising create a sensory experience that captures the beauty and harmony of nature.
The final lines of the song, "Find me in my field of grass, Mother Nature's son / Swaying daisies sing a lazy song beneath the sun," bring the narrative full circle, highlighting the singer's immersion in the natural world. The swaying daisies and the lazy song they sing beneath the sun symbolize a sense of peace and contentment that comes from being in harmony with nature. The repetition of "Mother Nature's son" reinforces the idea of a deep connection and reverence for the earth, portraying a sense of unity and belonging with the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Born a poor young country boy, Mother Nature's son
I come from humble beginnings, connected to the earth as Mother Nature's child
All day long I'm sitting singing songs for everyone.
I spend my days creating music to share with others, bringing joy through my melodies
Sit beside a mountain stream, see her waters rise
I find peace by the side of a flowing stream, witnessing the natural beauty as the water flows higher
Listen to the pretty sound of music as she flies.
I am entranced by the harmonious melodies of nature, feeling uplifted as the music of the natural world surrounds me
Find me in my field of grass, Mother Nature's son
I can be found in a serene field of grass, connected to the earth as a child of Mother Nature
Swaying daises sing a lazy song beneath the sun.
I enjoy the peaceful melodies of the swaying daisies, as they create a soothing tune under the warm sunlight
Mother Nature's son.
I am deeply connected to nature, feeling a strong bond with the world around me as Mother Nature's son
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN LENNON, JOHN WINSTON LENNON, PAUL MCCARTNEY, PAUL JAMES MCCARTNEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind