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."
Taste
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I'm here but I don't want you to live with me
'Cause all I want is a taste for free
I'm down and I will drag you along and around
Until you burst into song and unwind
And leave your new life behind for a while
Cause I can see through the lines
I'm down and I will drag you along and around
Until you burst into song and unwind
And leave your new life behind for a while
I'm out and I will stay here alone and without
Someone controlled by the phone and TV
'Cause what it's doing to me is fine
Cause I can see through the lines
Cause I can see through the lines
Oh oh
Step into space
Oh oh
Alter my place
Oh oh
That someone else made
Why I have stayed
Into things I could be
Or if I could see
Into fog that surrounds
And pins me to the ground
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
The song Taste by Phish seems to be about the struggle of wanting to disconnect from the world and live freely, but also the need to do so without the influence or control of others. The main chorus, "All I want is a taste for free" reflects the desire of the singer to experience life without the constraints of societal expectations or obligations to others. However, despite this desire and attempts to "drag" others along on this journey of self-discovery, the singer ultimately chooses to stay alone and disconnected, as being "controlled by the phone and TV" is not an option. The line "I can see through the lines" seems to suggest that the singer is aware of the illusions that society creates and is actively trying to break free from them.
The second half of the song includes verses that reflect a sense of frustration and fear of being stuck in a rut or not living up to one's full potential. The lines "Into things I could be, or if I could see, into fog that surrounds and pins me to the ground" express a feeling of being trapped or blinded to alternative paths or possibilities. The repeated line "I can see through the lines" seems to be a form of self-affirmation or a way to remind oneself to stay aware and conscious of the societal constructs that exist.
Overall, the song Taste seems to be a reflection on the tension between wanting to live freely and independently, yet being aware of the illusions and expectations that exist in society.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm up and I can take what you give
I am feeling good and am capable of handling anything you offer
And I'm here but I don't want you to live with me
Though I am present, I do not desire permanent companionship
'Cause all I want is a taste for free
I only seek to sample what is available without paying the full price
I'm down and I will drag you along and around
I am feeling low and will pull you along for the ride
Until you burst into song and unwind
Eventually, you will let loose and relax
And leave your new life behind for a while
You will forget about your present circumstances for some time
'Cause I can see through the lines
I possess the ability to detect lies and deceit
I'm out and I will stay here alone and without
I have left and will remain by myself, free of obligation
Someone controlled by the phone and TV
I avoid people who are slaves to technology
'Cause what it's doing to me is fine
Because it has no effect on me, I find their dependence acceptable
Oh oh
Step into space
Oh oh
Alter my place
Oh oh
That someone else made
Why I have stayed
I need to explore new surroundings and change the place that others have created since I do not feel fully comfortable where I am
Into things I could be
Or if I could see
Into fog that surrounds
And pins me to the ground
I consider other potential paths and wonder if it is possible to escape the confusion and uncertainty which entraps me
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
Repeated line expressing the ability to distinguish truth from lies despite the complexity of the situation
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: ERNEST ANASTASIO, JONATHAN FISHMAN, MICHAEL GORDON, PAGE MCCONNELL, TOM MARSHALL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
I'm up and I can take what you give
And I'm here but I don't want you to live with me
`Cause all I want is a taste for free
I'm down and I will drag you along and around
Until you burst into song and unwind
And leave your new life behind for a while
Cause I can see through the lines
Cause I can see through the lines
I'm down and I will drag you along and around
Until you burst into song and unwind
And leave your new life behind for a while
I'm out and I will stay here alone and without
Someone controlled by the phone and TV
`Cause what it's doing to me is fine
Cause I can see through the lines
Cause I can see through the lines
Oooh oooh
Step into space
Oooh oooh
Alter my place
Oooh oooh
That someone else made
Why I have stayed
Into things I could be
Or if I could see
Into fog that surrounds
And pins me to the ground
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
I can see through the lines
@lumpyheadcarini7553
I was never a huge fan of "taste" but wow..what a phantastic version..so bummed I missed out on this historic run 😔
@mutoneon
Sounds like you haven't read the book. Please turn to page 97.
@icbpiano
Read the book now
@amarguitar
Around 10:55 they settle into such a beautiful and meditative groove. Like raindrops gently landing on the surface of a still pond
@MarshalTennerWinter
it's like seeing a butterfly land on a baby's nose!
@JerkMorrison
I love a good Taste jam! I think it's one of Phish's most underrated songs.
P.S.: Also dig your YT channel dude!
@martinluthierking
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anz9wz9vmro&t=204s <---this one has always hit me hard
@phoebexavier7050
It was right then that I thought "We're still in Lawnboy!"
@mikeyaeger9279
Beautiful words brah
@larptroll69er22
Their current light show is the best it's ever been! 👍👍👏👏👏👏👏