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."
You Enjoy Myself
Phish Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Man
God
Shit
Boy man
Boy man
Wash uffitze drive me to firenze
The lyrics of Phish's song You Enjoy Myself are both playful and enigmatic, with abstract phrases juxtaposed with concrete imagery. The song starts with the simple and direct words "Boy, Man, God, Shit," which can be interpreted as a nod to the cycle of life, death, and spirituality. The repeated chorus of "Boy Man, Boy Man" could be interpreted as a commentary on personal growth and the blending of youthful energy with adult maturity.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the song is the line "Wash uffitze drive me to firenze," which appears to be a nonsensical sentence. However, it has been speculated that the words are actually secret code among the band members, referring to a specific location or memory. Others have analyzed the line linguistically and suggest that it may be a phrase from an unknown language.
In addition to the song's mysterious lyrics, You Enjoy Myself is also notable for its unique structure, shifting between sections of driving rock and roll and funky, upbeat grooves. The instrumental break is famous for its vocalized instrumental sounds, with the band members creating a chorus of vocalized notes and beats that culminate in a cathartic climax.
Line by Line Meaning
Boy
I am a young male
Man
But I am also maturing into an adult male
God
I possess godlike musical abilities
Shit
Despite these abilities, I deal with everyday struggles and frustrations
Boy man
I embody the characteristics of both youth and adulthood
Boy man
I navigate the complexities of life and relationships with these dual identities
Wash uffitze drive me to firenze
This nonsensical refrain serves as a playful, catchy hook in the song without any particular meaning
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: TREY ANASTASIO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Medicine Box
I remember traveling in Italy on a High School trip in 98. I brought my journal and a CD (yes a CD) that had ALL my favorite live YEMs on it. I'd listen to it on the bus between cities trying to channel Trey and Fishman on their trip to Italy when this masterpiece was scribed. I then understood the freedom and creativity they had when you totally immerse yourself into a different culture and let it release emotions within you that you didn't know you had. We finished that trip in Florence (where the Uffizi gallery is). I ditched my classmates for an afternoon and wandered the alleys there and found a pawn shop serving espressos. A couple espressos later for the free spirited 18 year old me and I left with a $100 nylon string guitar. I walked back to the Uffizi Square and saw a group of travelers singing along to a guitar player, so I lifted my guitar with the universal head nod of "may I join" Turns out the guitar player was from my exact state (NH) back in the USA. We dropped into playing "No Woman No Cry" so that EVERYONE could comprehend the language of Bob Marley. Within minutes there had to be 100s of travelers from ALL over the world singing along with us. Later that year, I used this experience to write my college application essay and was granted early acceptance to UVM in Burlington VT for the class of 98. I'm 42 NOW and this experience is forever engrained in my heart, mind and soul. Thank you PHISH for being a magical weaver of life experiences that has transcended space time since my first show in 95.
FerniFF
Very cool. Thank you for sharing.
D P
Ok
Jeff Dawson
This is the definition of the band. Everything about them is right here. To the uninitiated: start here - the fun never ends.
Spooked Horse
Been trying to like these guys for decades. Just ain't working. They're okay.
Henry codm
Agree
Jim Eagle
Fluff head and divided sky also rank amongst the best , every best song is pre breakup
Coalter Wilson
Keyword is fun folks
Spooked Horse
@Coalter Wilson Exactly. Cos nobody takes their musicianship seriously. It sounds like a mess. Fun show though......pft.
Stephen Inman
Dig their music or not, they are one of the greatest bands of all time. They can play anything. And after 30 years they still love what they do.