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."
The Wedge
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
and the shadow glides below
They say she feels my heartbeat
Oh, but how I'll never know
That it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh that it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh 'cause we could have come so very far
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
I'm building you a pyramid
With limestone blocks so large
I drag them from the mountain top
You'll need a two car garage
And it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Cause it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
The Wedge by Phish is a song filled with ocean and highway metaphors that express the ideas of movement and change. The first verse features a person floating on the surface of the water with a shadow beneath them, which represents the unknown parts of their self or their subconscious. The lyrics hint that there is a connection between what's happening beneath the surface and what's happening inside the person's body. The ocean is described as flowing in their veins, and salt represents the tears of both joy and sadness. They could have gone very far in life if they had just given themselves the chance to explore the depths of their thoughts and emotions.
The second verse makes a drastic shift to the image of a pyramid being built out of limestone blocks, representing the idea of building something lasting but also something that requires a lot of effort. The idea of needing a two-car garage hints at the desire for space and stability. This verse once again ties back to the ocean metaphor as the ocean is still flowing within the person and would continue to influence their actions as they build this structure.
Overall, the song seems to be about taking chances, exploring different aspects of oneself, and creating something lasting. The highway through the Great Divide could represent the path one takes in life or a journey towards an unknown destination. The ocean metaphor and the idea of salt in one's tears represent the emotional aspects of this journey.
Line by Line Meaning
We're bobbing on the surface
We are floating aimlessly on the surface
and the shadow glides below
Below us, the shadow of something is moving
They say she feels my heartbeat
I have been told that she feels my pulse
Oh, but how I'll never know
I will never truly know if she feels my heartbeat or not
That it's the ocean flowing in our veins
We feel a strong connection to the ocean
Oh that it's the salt that's in our tears
Our tears are salty because of this connection
Oh 'cause we could have come so very far
We could have achieved much more than we have
Oh in at least as many years!
We have had many years to accomplish more
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Travel through the Great Divide via the highway
I'm building you a pyramid
I am constructing a large monument for you
With limestone blocks so large
Using enormous blocks of limestone
I drag them from the mountain top
Carrying them down from the top of a nearby mountain
You'll need a two car garage
This monument requires a large space to accommodate it
Cause it's the ocean flowing in our veins
We have a deep connection to the ocean
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
Our tears are salty due to this connection
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
We could have achieved so much more than we have
Take the highway through the Great Divide
The best way to cross the Great Divide is via the highway
Cause it's the ocean flowing in our veins
Our connection to the ocean is very strong
Oh..That it's the salt that's in our tears
The ocean has a profound effect on us, even causing our tears to be salty
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
We have not yet accomplished what we are capable of
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Traveling through the Great Divide via the highway is the best option
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheRealForrestGeorge
We’re bobbing on the surface
and the shadow glides below
They say she feels my heartbeat
Oh..But how I’ll never know
That it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh..’Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years!
Take the highway through the Great Divide
I’m building you a pyramid
With limestone blocks so large
I drag them from the mountain top
You’ll need a two car garage
And it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Cause it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh..That it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh..Cause we could have come so very far
Oh..In at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
@suanne3244
We’re bobbing on the surface
And the shadow glides below
They say she feels my heartbeat
Oh, but how I’ll never know
We’re bobbing on the surface
And the shadow glides below
They say she feels my heartbeat
Oh, but how I’ll never know
That it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh, that it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh, ’cause we could have come so very far
Oh, in at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
I’m building you a pyramid
With limestone blocks so large
I dragged them from the mountain top
You’ll need a two car garage
I’m building you a pyramid
With limestone blocks so large
I dragged them from the mountain top
You’ll need a two car garage
That it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh, that it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh, ’cause we could have come so very far
Oh, in at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
That it’s the ocean flowing in our veins
Oh, that it’s the salt that’s in our tears
Oh, ’cause we could have come so very far
Oh, in at least as many years
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
Take the highway through the Great Divide
@LucidRevelation
Wow! I started listening to Phish over 25 years ago, it's hard to believe that they are still able to perfect songs like this at an ever-increasing level. Best Wedge I've ever heard.
@stephanlarsen8169
Phuchk yeah. So different more of a groove than a jam. Phunky?
@rebeldropper8933
96 Nassau Colliseum was my first show theyve only perfected there skillz
@InnerTubes
Phan since 1992. Hardly perfect but yea the jam is tasty. Rather hear fewer songs played with precision than hacked up rarities.
@mattferrara6472
When a 5 minute drive takes 14 minutes, pHish is involved
@sybo7617
Love your post!!
@GreensnGuitars
Lol i just drove around the block today lol before parking at home even then i sit in my truck lol
@samblakely9047
this comment is everything
@stephansteohanlarsen7457
Gas mileage... I'll have a slice of the Pisces pie 🥧 praises blessings Tucson Arizona Sonoran desert 🏜️ Jah sisters Jah jerrymylitis Jah sisters Africa Jah rastafari respect
@stephansteohanlarsen7457
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