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."
Sand
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But not affect the cause
It's quite a bit like trying to heal
The gunshot wound with gauze
If you instead attempt to rest
The pistol from the hand
Then I would not be able to
Equate my life with sand
Flowing through the hourglass
Pushing through the funnel
Turn once more and racing
All your siblings for the tunnel
Slide and let the silicone
Embrace you as you fall
Then bounce around
And let your brothers
Crush you to the wall
I would choose my own religion
Worship my own spirit
But if he ever preached to me
I wouldn't want to hear it
I'd drop him a forgotten god
Languishing in shame
And then if I hit stormy seas
I'd have myself to blame
If you can heal the symptoms,
But not affect the cause
You can't heal the symptoms
The song "Sand" by Phish talks about the idea of addressing the root cause of a problem rather than just treating its symptoms. The lyrics suggest that healing the symptoms of a problem is like trying to heal a gunshot wound by merely covering it with gauze rather than removing the gun from the hand that causes it. The song seems to encourage the listener to take responsibility for their actions and attempt to tackle the problems at their source.
In the second verse, the lyrics paint a picture of time passing, with sand flowing through an hourglass and racing through a funnel. The listener is urged to embrace life's ups and downs, to slide and let themselves fall, and to bounce around and face any obstacles that come their way. The song suggests that life is uncertain, but the listener has the power to determine their own spirituality and take control of their own fate.
Overall, "Sand" by Phish is a song about taking control of one's own life and addressing the root causes of problems rather than just treating their symptoms. It encourages the listener to take responsibility for their actions and embrace life's uncertainty as they move forward.
Line by Line Meaning
If you can heal the symptoms
Treating only symptoms and not the true cause is not sufficient.
But not affect the cause
Failing to address the underlying problem will render treatments ineffective.
It's quite a bit like trying to heal
This approach is akin to applying bandages to a gunshot wound.
The gunshot wound with gauze
Applying superficial treatments to an issue that requires more comprehensive care.
If you instead attempt to rest
Rather than focusing on the superficial, address the underlying problems.
The pistol from the hand
Taking more significant steps to address the issue and interrupt harmful behaviors or patterns.
Then I would not be able to
By addressing the underlying problem, my life will be less chaotic.
Equate my life with sand
Refers to considering the inherent instability and unpredictability of life.
Flowing through the hourglass
Life passes by swiftly and cannot be easily controlled.
Pushing through the funnel
Life can be full of uncertainties, but a direction can be chosen.
Turn once more and racing
Life can feel like a continuous sprint, with one turn leading to another.
All your siblings for the tunnel
Everyone is competing for the same opportunities and trying to reach the same goals.
Slide and let the silicone
Embracing the inevitability of change and unpredictability in life.
Embrace you as you fall
Accepting and adapting to change, even when it means failing or experiencing setbacks.
Then bounce around
Embracing life with a sense of lightness, humor, and joy.
And let your brothers
Being part of a community and accepting help and support from others.
Crush you to the wall
Accepting the inevitability of hardships and setbacks in life.
I would choose my own religion
Choosing one's own beliefs and values.
Worship my own spirit
Embracing personal growth and development.
But if he ever preached to me
Opposition to being told what to believe or pressured to conform.
I wouldn't want to hear it
Resenting attempts to dictate or control one's own beliefs or values.
I'd drop him a forgotten god
Rejecting beliefs or values that do not resonate with one's being and integrity.
Languishing in shame
Feeling ashamed or unhappy for one's own compromises or failings.
And then if I hit stormy seas
If the going gets tough in life...
I'd have myself to blame
...I can only look to myself for meaning, purpose, and support.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TOM MARSHALL, TREY ANASTASIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bresilhac
I'm relatively new to Phish but I must say this particular jam is extraordinary. It is musical improvisation at its finest. The creativity and skill level of the respective band members, most notably the guitarist, is extremely high and on full display in this treasure. I like.
@hlf_coder6272
If you're new to Phish, you're in for a treat and have almost endless musical experiences to treat yourself to. A couple great random ones to start with would be 12/27/97 MSG, 11/27/98 in Worcester (especially 2nd set) and of course 10/31/94 from Binghamton. (The amazing White Album show and possibly GOAT Harpua)
And if you haven't seen them live in person, check that off the bucket list. Enjoy!
@joshuaserber6663
Sand has become one of the best songs live. I can't deny it lol
@BIIZZxGaming
A sand so fine it's considered Silt
@andrewfurner7321
Underrated comment.
@themaninblack5777
A sand so fine that it isn’t coarse, rough or irritating, and it doesn’t get everywhere.
@oceantree5000
Literal LOL, my good man. Well played! 😅
@PIPER898
A master class of improvisational jamming. No one does it better
@augustwest4233
Not anymore.
@giuliettarenner1343
@August West ?