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."
My Friend My Friend
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A statement from his former life
When he was easy but alone
Beside him was an empty throne
But what of silver silken blade
Affix his gaze, his features staid
Grasps the handle, clips the cable
One steps up, sits at his table
My friend, my friend, he's got a wife
My friend, my friend, the clever ruse
Persuasion through his thoughts peruse
A hidden relic from his past
That wasn't there when he looked last
He feels it ticking like a bomb
Feeding fear, assaulting calm
Takes the object, starts the game
Moves closer to the flame
My friend, my friend, the clever ruse
My friend, my friend, he lights the fuse
My friend, my friend, he's got a knife
My friend, my friend, he's got a knife
My friend, my friend, he's got a knife
The lyrics of Phish's song "My Friend, My Friend" paint a picture of someone who is haunted by their past and the weapons they have accumulated to protect themselves. The first verse describes a man who carries a knife and appears to have a troubled history. The second verse presents the idea of him using a hidden relic from his past to persuade those around him. The phrase "persuasion through his thoughts peruse" suggests that this person is skilled in manipulation.
The song’s chorus pivots the focus of attention to the man's ominous knife. The repeated statement, "My friend, my friend, he's got a knife," feels like a warning to the listener, indicating something is not quite right in this person's life. The references to "silver silken blade" and "grasps the handle, clips the cable" build a sense of fear for what could come next. It feels as though the singer is observing someone who is mentally unstable and unpredictable.
Overall, the lyrics of "My Friend, My Friend" touch on themes of darkness, manipulation, and violence. The use of repetition in the chorus and the ominous descriptions of the knife build a haunting atmosphere that keeps the audience in suspense, waiting for what will happen next.
Line by Line Meaning
My friend, my friend he's got a knife
My friend from the past has a dangerous weapon
A statement from his former life
The knife is a remainder of his old life
When he was easy but alone
The friend was happier but also more isolated
Beside him was an empty throne
The friend had no one to share his life with
But what of silver silken blade
What is the significance of the sharp, smooth knife?
Affix his gaze, his features staid
He stares at the blade, expressionless
Grasps the handle, clips the cable
The friend picks up the knife and attaches a wire
One steps up, sits at his table
Someone new comes along and becomes a part of his life
My friend, my friend, he's got a knife
The dangerous knife is still in his possession
My friend, my friend, he's got a wife
The friend has found companionship and love
My friend, my friend, the clever ruse
The friend is deceiving those around him
Persuasion through his thoughts peruse
He uses his intelligence to manipulate others
A hidden relic from his past
The object he's hiding has emotional significance
That wasn't there when he looked last
The object has recently become relevant to his current situation
He feels it ticking like a bomb
The object is causing him great anxiety and pressure
Feeding fear, assaulting calm
The object is disrupting his peace of mind
Takes the object, starts the game
He begins to interact with the object in a significant way
Moves closer to the flame
He approaches danger and risk
My friend, my friend, he lights the fuse
The friend ignites a situation that will have explosive consequences
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ERNEST ANASTASIO, TOM MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andrew Duddy
I love when we get jams from songs not typically jammed. I would love to see every song get jammed out (or extended in some way) at least once.
Big Mike
I'm still holding out for a 20+ bouncing around the room.
The avatar known as Nathaniel Peters
Most mfmf are like five minutes. So nice here.
Joseph Johnson
i saw them extend camel walk in '21 that was fire.
Cass Burkett
38 min asshanded is what the world needs
Stephan Steohan Larsen
All for a twenty three minute I am hydrogen 🍄🐟🍄
Andy Sadowski
Way back in 1996 at Alpine Valley, this was the first song I saw Phish perform live...53 shows later still bringing the goosebumps and smiles.
phishhead96
That whole tour was so much fun.
Piano Fight
07:56 who ever is editing these… thank you for showing more and more of CK5. that minute&a half long interrupted take is a beaut’ clark.
couchtourist
I agree!