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."
Sleeping Monkey
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In fact it's getting pretty tame
It's just not that great anymore
I guess I'll go outside
And flag a weasel for a ride
And take it on down to the shore
The days and weeks that you're not here
Was all the waiting in vain?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
The day that you arrived
My sleeping monkey is revived
But you sent him home on the train
Home on the train
In "Sleeping Monkey," Phish frontman Trey Anastasio sings about a relationship that has lost its spark. He describes how the feeling of excitement he once had for his partner has diminished, and the relationship has become "pretty tame." The song's narrator decides to go outside and "flag a weasel for a ride" to distract himself from his disinterest in the relationship. He then reflects on the time he spent waiting for his partner and wonders if it was all in vain.
When his partner finally arrives, the singer's "sleeping monkey" (perhaps a metaphor for his passion and interest in life) is revived. However, his partner then sends the monkey home on a train, leaving the singer confused and disappointed. The repetition of the phrase "why'd you send my monkey on a train?" adds to the song's sense of frustration and confusion.
Overall, "Sleeping Monkey" is a humorous and quirky exploration of the ups and downs of relationships. It highlights the importance of maintaining passion and interest in a relationship, and the negative effects of neglecting those aspects.
Line by Line Meaning
The feeling's not the same
The emotions have changed and they are not as intense as they used to be.
In fact it's getting pretty tame
Actually, the emotions are becoming quite weak.
It's just not that great anymore
Overall, the situation is not as exciting as it once was.
I guess I'll go outside
I think I'll leave this place and venture into the outdoors.
And flag a weasel for a ride
I may attempt to capture a weasel and take it for a ride.
And take it on down to the shore
I'll bring the weasel to the coast.
Wallowing in fear
I am overwhelmed with fear and anxiety.
The days and weeks that you're not here
The time that you are absent seems to drag on for an extended period.
Was all the waiting in vain?
Did waiting for you to return end up being futile?
The day that you arrived
On the day that you arrived back.
My sleeping monkey is revived
My happy-go-lucky attitude had returned.
But you sent him home on the train
Unfortunately, you ended up sending that part of me back away again.
Home on the train
Returning back by train.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
Why did you send that part of me away when it had just revived?
Home on the train
Departing from that place via train.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
Why did you send that part of me away when it had just revived?
Home on the train
Returning to where I came from on that same train.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
Why did you send that part of me back away after it had just re-emerged?
Home on the train
Leaving that place using that same form of transportation.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
Why did you end up pushing that piece of me away after it had just come back?
The day that you arrived
Upon the day whereupon you arrived back here once more.
My sleeping monkey is revived
That jolly part of me that had been stagnant for so long has awakened.
But you sent him home on the train
Unfortunately, that happier part of me has since departed once again.
Home on the train
Returning back to whence I originated on the locomotive.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
What compelled you to send that happy-go-lucky portion of me back away yet again?
Home on the train
Returning back to that same location via the means of the train.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
Why did you send that part of me away when it had just revitalized my mood moments prior?
Home on the train
Returning to my starting place via the train.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
What caused you to send that part of me back into hibernation yet again?
Home on the train
Departing from that place with that same train vehicle.
Why'd you send my monkey on a train?
What compelled you to revert my jovial demeanor back to its once dormant nature?
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
rm1133
Imagine being the guy with the sign and more than likely loving this band more than anything in the world (c’mon, what Phish fan doesn’t, especially one who takes the time to create some crazy cool sign to request “Sleeping Monkey”) and then not only does your favorite band acknowledge you pre-song, but mid-song, Trey then implores the 15k fans to sing their hearts out for YOU to hear on the tape! I mean, does it ever get any better than that?
Bart M
Hey, I followed your suggestion and imagined being that guy and it turns out you were correct; it was pretty awesome.
Matt Punzo
Best part? Trey's glances at Page throughout, almost as like a "Hey are you having as much effing fun as me? This is great! Why'd we ever split? Let's do this for life!"
Andrew Cochran
That’s exactly it.
Unreal brah
J.W. Wasylik
I was at this show and this song was a highlight for me. By the way I never heard phish play so well as they did that night! Thanks for the amazing video!
wheelin98tj
I love this band
Keith Landry
Just incredible! Really awesome, Thanks!
TheDEADHEAD1967
SWEET!!! ENJOY THE TOUR!!!! PEACE
Evangeline Rose
This is sincerely fucking phenomenal. YES. YES and YES. Brilliant. TRUELY. Yours. ❤ P.S. thank you.
David Ray
like with all of HarpuaFSB's other videos, why doesn't this have 10,000 more views. Great stuff. Hope you'll be out in full force for Fall Tour.