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."
Party Time
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
Party time!
The lyrics to Phish's song "Party Time" seemingly speak for themselves - it is a song about a party, and the excitement and joy that comes with that. However, upon closer inspection, it can be seen that there is a deeper message within these lyrics. The repetition of the phrase "party time" can be seen as a representation of the fleeting nature of happiness and the desire to hold onto it. Just as a party only lasts for a finite amount of time, so too does happiness and joy in our lives. The song encourages us to embrace these moments of joy and celebrate them while we can.
Furthermore, the repetition of the phrase can also be seen as a nod to the cyclical nature of life. Just as one party ends, another begins, and so too do the ups and downs of life. The song encourages us to make the most of the present moment and to celebrate life in all its forms. It is a reminder to let loose, have fun, and enjoy the ride.
Overall, "Party Time" is a song that celebrates the joys of life and encourages us to make the most of the moments we are given. It is a reminder to not take life too seriously and to embrace the happiness that comes our way.
Line by Line Meaning
Party time!
It's time to party!
Party time!
Let's have some fun!
Party time!
This is the perfect occasion to celebrate!
Party time!
It's time to throw a party!
Party time!
Let's dance and enjoy ourselves!
Party time!
Let's forget everything else and have a good time!
Party time!
Let's drink, eat, and be merry!
Party time!
It's time to get the party started!
Party time!
This is the moment we've been waiting for!
Party time!
Let's make this an unforgettable party!
Contributed by Elliot B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Patrick Brooks
This is by far one of my favorite performances and songs of all time. @The Phish Jams do you know where I can get this whole show? Thanks!
nucappy
Phish.in for audio, date of the show is 6/19/12
Rob Marley
Looks like the boys are back again for another awesome summer. It only gets better from here.
Aaron Krouse
Learning the newer stuff, I'm falling in love all over again. Just imagining the dancing this summer makes me…..
cshubs
loved the trumpet!
Moramoth Hauntz
Finn the Human "What time is it?"
Phish "Party Time!"
Alan Daniel
I was there; can't believe I haven't run across this video before. I know the consensus has always been that these two Portsmouth shows were average, filed under the "you had to be there" kind of thing, but in my opinion, the shows hold their own, even without the gags – and with them, the shows were a lot of fun. Do you or does anyone actually have the webcast video of these shows? Other than the Maze that's on Phish's channel (but mislabeled as being in New Jersey, for some reason), I've only been able to find a terrible-quality fan recording of the jumbotron at the show of Antelope, and now this, which appears to be the actual pro-shot webcast
That said, man it's crazy how many noteworthy banter-related, non-music moments there were, especially night 1. From a rare guest joining, who is beloved by all of us; to Trey telling Fish to tuck his dress into his underwear so he's appropriate during I Didn't Know; then Run Like an Antelope but it's about Fish tucking his dress in; then the impromptu invitation during Lengthwise (another bustout) for anyone in the crowd who wanted to tuck their dress in to come on stage, only for it to be ruined in 20 seconds when the dude lifted his dress to tuck it, letting the entire audience see that he was going commando under there; then the lightsaber stuff in Maze while being chastised about our lack of tucking skills (side note, I love that the lightsaber clip has been used in a ton of montages from the band; it's cool to actually have been at a show that becomes part of the notable history), and then the total left-field Mexican Cousin, complete with giant sombreros, because why not?
Ended up being longer than I intended, but it was still pretty fun to walk through my memory of these shows
Kyle Veenema
The bass to this is sliding my Bluetooth speaker around
Lawrence Sommer Playin' Lists
😂😂😂👊
Dewey Tucker
Always a fun one!