More song ranking: Fine organic from Phish (2 Viewers)

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

I'm not sure if Pecorino mentioned it before, but that entire set was an interpretation of this album and used a lot of the spoken word from it.

He has mentioned the Halloween shows, but I hadn't put it together with this.  That's super interesting!  

I had that album as a kid.

I may still have it - or my mom may have it. She hates haunted houses, but hates throwing out things even more.

 

[pecorino]

Breaking into the top 30, and the last group in the bottom half of the list. Pretty amazing that a song like "Birds of a Feather" would be in the middle of the pack, such a solid tune. Here is a bonus link, by the way, to the fat 23-minute smackdown of "BOAF" that the boys just unleashed last week. By all accounts, this has been an excellent summer tour so far.

Bug (30): I’m a sucker for lyrics about God and the futility of it all. And who doesn’t love to yell “Bug!” along with thousands of your best friends when you hear this one live?  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA7N9zbbdCY   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81YzeXhUob8

Meat (29): As a staunch carnivore, it used to bother me that I did not like this song more. The studio version and the early live versions almost made me mad. The oddball rhythms, offset singing, and plodding tempo really bothered me. Then something happened, sometime around 2013, when the live versions really started popping. I saw this one in San Francisco that summer and my mind had been changed about Meat, the song. They’ve only amped up the impact of this song in the past couple years, enough to warrant sharing the studio version, my 2013 San Fran version plus a biggee from 2018. Meat’s been growing on me.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoFZ_72gepg    Live 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E1PJRGo5g    Live 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffD5Ucezo5Q

The Birds (28): They Attack! Such a strong groove, fits perfectly with the Haunted House set of 2014 Halloween. Also provides Page a great sample of “They attack!” which he can sprinkle throughout whatever jam he likes.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_rWsCpFqzk

Birds of a Feather (27): The rare song that peaked, in my mind, when it was released. This sounded so fresh in 1997 when it came out on The Story of the Ghost. Those live versions satisfied a thirst for its cool groove, tight drumming, and propelling rhythms. But over the years, the live versions have stagnated a bit and now this can even be a let-down song especially in the midst of an exploratory set. It deserves to be right in the heart of this list, which is where it is, but nonetheless this tune has not quite lived up to its initial hype. “They attack!” does spice up renditions performed after 2014. Edit to add: This comment was written prior to 6/19/19 when the band stretched this one out beautifully (see link above).  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4nGOQpFQ_Y   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sZ7qu8aFoA

The Sloth (26): An angry, dissonant song with some mealy lyrics. This tune gets bonus points for all of that plus for being part of the Gamehendge saga. Not a ton of variation in live versions, however, keeps it from being rated higher.  Live verison: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7XQsyX_yqU

 

[pecorino]

Some real gems in this batch. Wombat and I am Hydrogen, two very different songs, are among my favorites. No chaff anymore as the quality of these songs is pretty high from here on out.

Possum (25): Another Gamehendge song. It is a straight-ahead rocker to a fault. The best twist on Possum that I can recall comes from a show in Cleveland where they melted it down musically and then built it back up. Check it out.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2319bxujI

Wombat (24): The endangered Wombat. Rarely seen or heard. Crepuscular you might say. So odd and whimsical, who doesn’t love the Wombat? I know Abe Vigoda did. He had rhythm. Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAcdn5Y9GAI    Live version (Halloween set with guest dancers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-lmVFLeTbM

Camel Walk (23): From wombat to camels, this song also features some serious rhythmic gymnastics. A couple cool modulations and unexpected changes make this an interesting one for repeated listens.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSr_RipfY48

I Am Hydrogen (22): Such a pretty tune. It’s tough to place since it so rarely stands on its own, serving most often as the glue between Mike’s Song and Weekapaug Groove. I may have over-ranked it because Hydrogen gets overlooked in this servant’s role. But the sweet guitar line and the interplay with bass and piano works perfectly on its own. A very well-crafted composition.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsHgcXXCmE0

Golgi Apparatus (21): Tough to leave this song out of the top twenty. It’s an incredibly catchy tune, a great entrée into the band if you were trying to get someone into them. The live versions are raucous crowd-pleasers but they don’t tend to improvise around the main melody much so there is little variation from one to the next. But it’s always a welcome song to hear at a show—“I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand!”  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgnITtuv2Hs    Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccUouA7k1c

 

[shuke]

Some real gems in this batch. Wombat and I am Hydrogen, two very different songs, are among my favorites. No chaff anymore as the quality of these songs is pretty high from here on out.

Possum (25): Another Gamehendge song. It is a straight-ahead rocker to a fault. The best twist on Possum that I can recall comes from a show in Cleveland where they melted it down musically and then built it back up. Check it out.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2319bxujI

Wombat (24): The endangered Wombat. Rarely seen or heard. Crepuscular you might say. So odd and whimsical, who doesn’t love the Wombat? I know Abe Vigoda did. He had rhythm. Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAcdn5Y9GAI    Live version (Halloween set with guest dancers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-lmVFLeTbM

Camel Walk (23): From wombat to camels, this song also features some serious rhythmic gymnastics. A couple cool modulations and unexpected changes make this an interesting one for repeated listens.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSr_RipfY48

I Am Hydrogen (22): Such a pretty tune. It’s tough to place since it so rarely stands on its own, serving most often as the glue between Mike’s Song and Weekapaug Groove. I may have over-ranked it because Hydrogen gets overlooked in this servant’s role. But the sweet guitar line and the interplay with bass and piano works perfectly on its own. A very well-crafted composition.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsHgcXXCmE0

Golgi Apparatus (21): Tough to leave this song out of the top twenty. It’s an incredibly catchy tune, a great entrée into the band if you were trying to get someone into them. The live versions are raucous crowd-pleasers but they don’t tend to improvise around the main melody much so there is little variation from one to the next. But it’s always a welcome song to hear at a show—“I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand!”  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgnITtuv2Hs    Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccUouA7k1c

Some of these seem way too low.  I'm not trying to rack my brain of what's left, but it better be some good stuff.  

Hated Wombat the first time I heard it.  Now love it.

 

[pecorino]

Some of these seem way too low.  I'm not trying to rack my brain of what's left, but it better be some good stuff.  

Hated Wombat the first time I heard it.  Now love it.

My tastes skew towards bigger songs, more in the vein of prog rock. We still have some more dogs and pigs and worms to go. And more water. Always more water with this band.

 

[pecorino]

Sand (20): We launch into the top twenty with a groove tune from the post 1997-era. The driving beat is infectious and this song also works well with its kin “Gotta Jibboo”, “First Tube” and other groove cousins. The Big Cypress version from 12/31/1999 is especially memorable, coming at 3AM in the darkness of the Everglades yet with no loss of power or urgency.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60gvPhShVc0    Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BayAIRqFsHY 

Fly Famous Mockingbird (19): It’s only natural to place this song and The Lizards right next to each other. While “Colonel Forbin’s Ascent” is most clearly tied to Mockingbird, the Lizards is also a close relative as both are central to the Gamehendge saga. Both Lizards and Mockingbird share a common musical sensibility, if with disparate lyrics, as Trey was developing his fugal style with some Irish jig / salsa components tossed into the mix (see also Guyute). While Mockingbird is pretty, the Lizards is more utilitarian with some very purposeful, melodic playing in its final bars and a lot of lyrics to carry the story. Two gems from Gamehendge, leaving three more still to show up on this list.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sBqMYIHDQ4

The Lizards (18): See Mockingbird. I’ll add, though, that this song is not played all that often but for some reason, I seem to hear it an inordinate number of times. Couple that with its limited improvisational space, and frankly I’m kind of tired hearing it live. Others may rank this song higher especially if it they have encountered the Lizards less frequently than I have.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1w3tQQVTRVI

Llama (17): Let’s keep the tempo high with another Gamehenge song. I love the studio version, love all of the live versions and am gobsmacked by the newest “slow” Llamas. This song is meant to be played at breakneck speed but the boys have slowed it down lately into a half-time funk tune which is different but no less appealing. Decide for yourself--no losers here.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1yAiyaVgaU   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxSDHqHPSSo [From the comment section “A seizure but in musical form”]   Live, slow version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZq756v0ZMQ

It’s Ice (16): From the visceral to the refined. It’s Ice is a mature song even though it was written very early in Phish’s career.  The imagery of fighting with oneself provides solid evidence against those who would disparage the band for silly or nonsensical lyrics. Not all songs fall into that category. There are also plenty of live examples with more exploratory improvisations so it’s worth tracking down different It’s Ice’s from the varying eras of the band. I could see where the instrumental break in the middle of the song is tough for some folks to listen to, but as a purveyor of progressive rock, that’s some pretty sweet syncopation going on in that composed middle section.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1czZXbnYvI  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7954Qna9vs

 

[Workhorse]

Some real gems in this batch. Wombat and I am Hydrogen, two very different songs, are among my favorites. No chaff anymore as the quality of these songs is pretty high from here on out.

Possum (25): Another Gamehendge song. It is a straight-ahead rocker to a fault. The best twist on Possum that I can recall comes from a show in Cleveland where they melted it down musically and then built it back up. Check it out.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zy2319bxujI

Wombat (24): The endangered Wombat. Rarely seen or heard. Crepuscular you might say. So odd and whimsical, who doesn’t love the Wombat? I know Abe Vigoda did. He had rhythm. Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAcdn5Y9GAI    Live version (Halloween set with guest dancers): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-lmVFLeTbM

Camel Walk (23): From wombat to camels, this song also features some serious rhythmic gymnastics. A couple cool modulations and unexpected changes make this an interesting one for repeated listens.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSr_RipfY48

I Am Hydrogen (22): Such a pretty tune. It’s tough to place since it so rarely stands on its own, serving most often as the glue between Mike’s Song and Weekapaug Groove. I may have over-ranked it because Hydrogen gets overlooked in this servant’s role. But the sweet guitar line and the interplay with bass and piano works perfectly on its own. A very well-crafted composition.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsHgcXXCmE0

Golgi Apparatus (21): Tough to leave this song out of the top twenty. It’s an incredibly catchy tune, a great entrée into the band if you were trying to get someone into them. The live versions are raucous crowd-pleasers but they don’t tend to improvise around the main melody much so there is little variation from one to the next. But it’s always a welcome song to hear at a show—“I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand!”  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgnITtuv2Hs    Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccUouA7k1c

Two Jeff Holdsworth tunes in this batch. Was lucky enough to see him play them with Phish in Albany '03. That was fun

By the way, Possum is essentially a rewrite of Skynyrd's "Swamp Music."

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Birds of a Feather (27): The rare song that peaked, in my mind, when it was released. This sounded so fresh in 1997 when it came out on The Story of the Ghost. Those live versions satisfied a thirst for its cool groove, tight drumming, and propelling rhythms. But over the years, the live versions have stagnated a bit and now this can even be a let-down song especially in the midst of an exploratory set. It deserves to be right in the heart of this list, which is where it is, but nonetheless this tune has not quite lived up to its initial hype. “They attack!” does spice up renditions performed after 2014. Edit to add: This comment was written prior to 6/19/19 when the band stretched this one out beautifully (see link above).  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4nGOQpFQ_Y   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sZ7qu8aFoA

This was my first exposure to Phish - I believe. It is still one of my very favs. I have it on a few playlists. I really like this live version.

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Golgi Apparatus (21): Tough to leave this song out of the top twenty. It’s an incredibly catchy tune, a great entrée into the band if you were trying to get someone into them. The live versions are raucous crowd-pleasers but they don’t tend to improvise around the main melody much so there is little variation from one to the next. But it’s always a welcome song to hear at a show—“I saw you with a ticket stub in your hand!”  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgnITtuv2Hs    Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EccUouA7k1c

I like it. The title drew me to listen to it ahead of some others I passed.

I always liked the GA. It is pictured beautifully across the web. 

I look into the finance box
Just to check my status
I look into the microscope
See Golgi Apparatus

Golgi, oh, woe is me
You can't even see the sea
Golgi, olgi, oh ooo olgi
Golgi
Golgi

 

[pecorino]

I like it. The title drew me to listen to it ahead of some others I passed.

I always liked the GA. It is pictured beautifully across the web. 

I look into the finance box
Just to check my status
I look into the microscope
See Golgi Apparatus

Golgi, oh, woe is me
You can't even see the sea
Golgi, olgi, oh ooo olgi
Golgi
Golgi

Those images freak me out a bit. They remind me of the fantastic book Vurt in which IIRC there is a major hallucinogenic virtual reality "object" that is described as looking like those pictures and when you eat it, you take this really deep, crazy trip in VR land. I need to reread that book. And stop looking at cell structures online.

 

[pecorino]

Getting pumped for Camden on Friday and Sunday night (think I'll take off Saturday). Here are the best five organic Phish tunes outside the top ten. Some real heavy hitters now. All fatties.

Theme From the Bottom (15): Another well-crafted song with a “cold water” feel to it. More high-end lyrics, too, this time from the peak of Phish’s songwriting era, the “Billy Breathes” days. The simple two-note, slightly dissonant piano chord on the sixth notes of the song just make my ears ##### up and listen a little more intently. Simple but sublime. Beautiful harmonies in there, as well. The rocking ending belies the quiet melody at the opening of the tune which makes for a fun live song, too, as it builds to its peak.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7BOr-h95FE   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qaiqnKRr9w

Wading in the Velvet Sea (14): A stunningly beautiful ballad, led by Page on piano and vocals. The lyrics are evocative—living in the moment, taking the opportunities to say things to the people we love and having our words perceived as we intended them. That’s what I get from the lyrics but they’re cryptic so open to interpretation. This song took on added meaning when Page broke down at Coventry in 2004 (at their second “last show ever”) when the band must have felt that this break would be different. Trey was dealing with pretty heavy issues and their future was definitely cloudy. A power ballad that is honest, not clichéd, simple, organic, perfect.   Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V-7zRvvc9I   Live, intimate setting (warning: clam alert): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7ffJpsWpMg

Light (13): Here is a song that’s been rising for years as it has really grown into itself in the live setting. The opening guitar chords must be in a key that is easy for Trey to jump into from lots of different places so Light has become a second set staple, often gluing together other songs in a festival of segues. The version below is a stand-alone from Camden which sprawls and is playful but doesn’t meander. A very solid effort from last summer. The studio version is fine but it’s the improvisation that makes this tune really stand out.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RJRJoniiwY   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmoOQjFzKvY

Pebbles and Marbles (12): I was surprised to see this song clock in at over 11 minutes on the Round Room album. I don’t think of it as an epic but obviously love the tune, given its high placement on this list. The jam is dense and thick but moves quickly so as to make it feel shorter than it really is.  Studio Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3H3vUcjPfk  Live version (with a raging Page): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVJXJ8dqs4Q

Walls of the Cave (11): OK, so I am a sucker for big songs that exploit the grand piano. At least that’s what you’d get from this stretch of tunes. The biggest knock on Walls of the Cave is that the band rarely improvises outside the bounds of the tune, but oh what a tune it is. With two distinct sections, each melody is catchy on its own, combining elements of a ballad with a powerful rocker. I just can’t get enough of the slap bass work and the drumming at the outset of the second portion. The refrain “Listen to the silent trees” sounds cool as a turn of phrase and is very fun to hear in a big arena. Not as exploratory as Fluffhead, as theatrical as Petrichor, or as ambitious as You Enjoy Myself, Walls of the Cave threads the needle between being a commercial rock song and an epic prog-rock tune. No one doesn’t like Walls.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUZ7EGdC_sU   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntSPzx0Utb8

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

Those images freak me out a bit. They remind me of the fantastic book Vurt in which IIRC there is a major hallucinogenic virtual reality "object" that is described as looking like those pictures and when you eat it, you take this really deep, crazy trip in VR land. I need to reread that book. And stop looking at cell structures online.

I have not read that book, but it looks good.

I think that I have been to Vurt tho.

... in which society has been shaped by Vurt, a hallucinogenic drug/shared alternate reality, accessed by sucking on colour-coded feathers. Through some (never explained) mechanism, the dreams, mythology, and imaginings of humanity have achieved objective reality in the Vurt and become "real".

 

[krista4]

Bug (30): I’m a sucker for lyrics about God and the futility of it all. And who doesn’t love to yell “Bug!” along with thousands of your best friends when you hear this one live?  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA7N9zbbdCY   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81YzeXhUob8

Meat (29): As a staunch carnivore, it used to bother me that I did not like this song more. The studio version and the early live versions almost made me mad. The oddball rhythms, offset singing, and plodding tempo really bothered me. Then something happened, sometime around 2013, when the live versions really started popping. I saw this one in San Francisco that summer and my mind had been changed about Meat, the song. They’ve only amped up the impact of this song in the past couple years, enough to warrant sharing the studio version, my 2013 San Fran version plus a biggee from 2018. Meat’s been growing on me.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoFZ_72gepg    Live 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E1PJRGo5g    Live 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffD5Ucezo5Q

Doing small catch-up after a few days off the grid.  These were my two favorites of this list.  "Bug" was just lovely, but I'm the opposite of you in that I'm generally turned off by God lyrics.

"Meat" had me at "oddball rhythms, offset singing, and plodding tempo..."    

 

[Man of Constant Sorrow]

I jumped to this next:

Light (13): Here is a song that’s been rising for years as it has really grown into itself in the live setting. The opening guitar chords must be in a key that is easy for Trey to jump into from lots of different places so Light has become a second set staple, often gluing together other songs in a festival of segues. The version below is a stand-alone from Camden which sprawls and is playful but doesn’t meander. A very solid effort from last summer. The studio version is fine but it’s the improvisation that makes this tune really stand out.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RJRJoniiwY   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmoOQjFzKvY

I listened to the live version. It is bit jazzier to me than some of the others I've listened to.

The lyrics are great. And the light show in the vid is sweet.

Spoiler

I can see the light between me and my mind
I can feel memories fall behind
And the light is growing brighter now
And the light is growing brighter now


I see the future is less and less there
And the past has vanished in the air
And I'm left and I'm now with a wondrous glow
I think I'm still me
But how would you know?

It a takes a few moments of whirling around
Before your feet finally leave the ground
And fending off fears and hearing the call
And finally waiting for nothing at all
And the light is growing brighter now
And the light is growing brighter now

Obstacles are stepping stones
That guide us to our goals
Fences are filters
That purify our souls

 

[tommyGunZ]

Awesome thread.   LOVE the high Pebbles and Marbles placement - the most underrated song in the Phish catalogue IMO.  

Keep up the awesome work pecorino! 

 

[pecorino]

Sorry for the delay, I've been in Camden enjoying the Friday and Sunday shows. Last night was all kinds of hot fire. The top ten organic Phish tunes will be coming at you over the next couple of days but for now, here is a short list of songs that were not included but seem like they could have. Reasons for omission are included. In no particular order. Enjoy.

Plasma: This is Trey solo even though Phish plays it live now and then.  LIve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sz-BcAHz1A

Sleeping Monkey: This is not really about a monkey. Plus it bothers me that they lifted so blatantly from the Beatles. In fact, this track (when it appears on a live recording) gives credit to Lennon/McCartney so as to avoid lawsuits, I assume.  Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLIAWY5om3g

Big Black Furry Creatures from Mars: These don’t really exist so far as I know:   Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxWfqrgXYOY

Sample in a Jar: This is not really about urine. A very accessible and catchy tune, though.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNQRFAlFcZk  Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZlnmDeR178

Waste: This is not really about bodily excretions. An underrated gem.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zg2tVuXXkpk  Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTe88nuWq34

Limb by Limb: For some reason, I don’t feel like “limbs” fit the theme of this list.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ouWKZapvfo  LIve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-cEZQtWAz8

The Birdwatcher: It is not a bird, but a person who is watching birds. I stipulated that this list would exclude people. That would be a completely different list    Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k69GsUZFwY  Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0vOCTrLjMo

Fuego: This song is about the Fuego car, not nature’s fire.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDHrhvx7JMM  Live:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TnkKp3vk8w

 

[jb1020]

You picked the right nights to go @pecorino

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I’ve always thought Pebbles and Marbles was a super underrated tune. Has a Slave to the Traffic Light-like progression. Euphoric. 

 

[Workhorse]

Limb by Limb: For some reason, I don’t feel like “limbs” fit the theme of this list.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ouWKZapvfo  LIve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-cEZQtWAz8

Boo!  You get a 4.2 from the Czech judge for this one. Clearly organic IMO and top 5 worthy. LxL is one of my favorite Phish songs. That Fishman drum riff is insane.

Adding my favorite LxL ever (SPAC 2004):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IEFmsdvzuo

 

[pecorino]

Boo!  You get a 4.2 from the Czech judge for this one. Clearly organic IMO and top 5 worthy. LxL is one of my favorite Phish songs. That Fishman drum riff is insane.

Adding my favorite LxL ever (SPAC 2004):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IEFmsdvzuo

It's clearly about a person. I prefer 7/31/97, one of the early versions, which I was able to catch in San Fran. Trey even calls out Fish's crazy drumming at the end: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_CHwqaox4

The shoulder that I leaned on was carved out of stone
But when I'm done freezing I want to be alone

Never want my hand cut off
Never want a hacking cough
Never need a cliffside push
Never turn my brain to mush

Always give me what I lack
Always take the best parts back
Always recognize your fate
Always just a moment late

Left is where I always turn
Left is how I'm forced to learn
Left the route my walking takes
Left alone with my mistakes

Up against a person who
Up 'til now I never knew
Up from hell the answer blew
Up and down it's up to you

Drop me off the chinese wall
and peel my fingers off the rim
I come unglued while in mid-air
and land to reform
limb by limb

And I am taken far away

Lingering slowly and melting away
Tossed with the salad and baled with the hay
Pooling like water that drips from above
Trampled by lambs and pecked by the dove

Silence is suddenly smothering me
Nothing I touch and nothing I see
Possesses a pulse or is fit to be seen
If I am a drone then where is my queen?

Drop me off the chinese wall
and peel my fingers off the rim
I come unglued while in mid-air
and land to reform
limb by limb

 

[nirad3]

Sample in a Jar: This is not really about urine. A very accessible and catchy tune, though.  Studio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNQRFAlFcZk  Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZlnmDeR178

I love Phish and when I think of them, I think of this song.

 

[pecorino]

Any one of these top ten songs would be a defining masterpiece for another band (except maybe Piper which is really just an in-your-face crescendo). For Phish, they form the backbone of their epic catalog and really represent their sound and songwriting acumen. Hearing any one of these songs live is a treat so listen up.

Petrichor (10): This newer tune (2016) had fans turning to their dictionaries to find: petrichor, noun, a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather. The lyrics evoke the end of the world, or its rebirth, possibly after a period of climate change. The music is much more upbeat and gentle with smooth lines crisscrossed by some intervening movements which introduce new melodies every few minutes. Phish has done a few other extended pieces that span several movements but none have been as cohesive as this effort. The composition lends itself to performance by a symphony orchestra which is shared below.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eplTdkN1YLk   Live version, with horns (and cats and dogs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbMTa1yeSyw    Orchestral version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCI8-Z0v7kg

Piper (9): A diminutive worm of a song, clocking in at under four and a half minutes, this song is really just a melody with a chorus repeated over and over again. It’s the opposite of the compositional epics of the past few picks, but its charm is its simplicity and the blank canvas that it provides the band in the live setting. In short, when Phish is inspired, this becomes a twenty-minute orgasmic wall of sound that emerges from the meekest of beginnings. Reminiscent of Ravel’s Bolero, if you like crescendos (and repetition), ride the worm.  Studio version, which feels so rushed and impatient compared to the live takes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXgjnZol0Y   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9WjbRgg0PU

Mercury (8): The other “new” song to break into the top ten, it also contains more than one movement. Mercury is highlighted, however, by the appearance of the Marimba Lumina played by drummer Jon Fishman. The licks played by Trey at the end of the lyrical lines of the first verse sound like they were lifted right off Zoot Allures by Frank Zappa. But the rest of the piece sounds more like Yes than Zappa as the boys get into some power chords then move into the ‘Vermillion’ section which bleeds into Fish on the Marimba. Such a haunting, unique sound, this interlude fits perfectly between the vermillion/rock sections as a palate cleanser. Another fine example of aged, mature Phish as they’ve really honed their skills at composition.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h5HNqu2CPc

Steam (7): I’m surprised this newer tune has not found its way onto an album yet. It preceded the Fuego album by at least three years and would have been a natural fit. Steam’s slow tempo gives it a walking feel and leaves a lot of space for experimentation. Some great wordplay in this song, too—I just find it satisfying in so many ways.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAVi_hHEFc

Run Like an Antelope (6): The inverted song with the jam up front, resolving into a composed chorus to end the song. Often a set closer, this song absolutely rages in person but most Youtube versions don’t really capture the live energy. You’ve gotta be there. Homework assignment: Find Camden 6/29/19 for a nice Antelope plus a massive Mercury.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wm5urlBaKMs   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcuUa3DQRxg

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I’ve always thought Pebbles and Marbles was a super underrated tune. Has a Slave to the Traffic Light-like progression. Euphoric. 

This is wrong. I was thinking of Scents and Subtle sounds. 

 

[jb1020]

We supposed to start guessing the top 5?  That how this works here??

 

[pecorino]

We supposed to start guessing the top 5?  That how this works here??

Or you could just surrender to the flow.

 

[Workhorse]

Bring back the "slow build" Piper!

The version I caught at Oswego in '99 is the prototype for what that song truly should be.

 

[pecorino]

And rounding out the fine organic Phish, five more epics. I like the big tunes and these all deliver. Lots of variety, too, in the live versions of these songs (except for Guyute) so I encourage you to explore more on your own. It's pretty crazy that the band has the equivalent of five full album's worth of material, 55 songs, that fit into this category of "nature tunes". They definitely embody the spirit of Phish and I am confident that this list will grow as the band releases more new material. Enjoy.

Guyute (5): The very rare Phish song that, to me, is better in its studio version compared to just about any live version. This is because the composition is so intricate; the band made great use of the production to lay down a flawless track on The Story of the Ghost but when performed live they have great difficulty being true to the original. There is also very little space for improvisation. I find myself tense up when they play it live, preparing for the inevitable clam from Trey, but that’s just me. For most, this is a fun tune, an Irish jig wrapped up in a progressive composition with quirky lyrics about a diabolical pig. What’s not to like?  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1saKDqEQmBE   Live version (the notorious Guyute from Utica, or Guyutica. That whole show is worth a listen.): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Laa5bYmEWoU 

Harpua (4): This is my white whale. In 70+ shows, I have never seen a live Harpua so I can only go by versions I’ve heard on tape or elsewhere. Although this is one of the band’s oldest songs, it has never been recorded and only rarely played nowadays, about once per year. I won’t go into the details of the song (plenty to find online if you like) but note that Harpua is a dog so it fits into this countdown. Harpua usually swallows another song and also includes narration which is typically pretty entertaining. So the link below comes from a decent sounding show from 1996 and the “song within the song” is Champagne Supernova. I’ll shut up now—Harpua is a just an all-around bad-### song about a bad-### dog.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KNeDUll-WM

Scent of a Mule (3): A song about mules, aliens and the joy of living in a cabin. Is it a country ditty or a Russian dance? Yes. So darn catchy and quick. The Russian dance interlude in live performances sounds like a non sequitur but it actually works. The “Mule Duel” is often the highlight of a set. If you’re lucky, the Marimba Lumina may even make an appearance. Quirky Phishyness at its finest.  Studio Version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eok2hkYvFZA   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjSVEGDGdUA

Divided Sky (2): The most beautiful song you’ve never heard.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJExiqyRwRA   Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdbqvs7DDOM

A Song I Heard the Ocean Sing (1): I love the title of this song, love the acronym by which it is known (ASIHTOS), love the lyrics, love the descending sung melody, love the watery guitar sounds, love the way it sprawls when played live. From the otherwise pedestrian Undermind album, this tune (and also Scents and Subtle Sounds) stand out as gems. The guitar solo from the studio version channels Zappa in all the best ways: dirty, crunchy, organic. A fitting way to end this list of all-natural Phish tunes.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckIwY2G7cZ4   Live version (love the Youtube comment “at the 10 minute mark, they sound like a bunch of robots having an argument”): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBF6yaxTbbw    Bonus Live version for my #1 choice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFothrGt3HA

 

[Apple Jack]

My only Harpua I think? Trey's dog was wandering around.

https://phish.net/setlists/phish-march-26-1992-ziggys-winston-salem-nc-usa.html

The studio Guyute is fantastic. I remember there was a time 10-15 years ago that the Weather Channel had it in regular rotation which was entertaining for the skiers among us who watched it daily.

 

[Workhorse]

9 years ago tomorrow, I caught a hell of a Harpua in Alpharetta GA that lead into Killing In The Name. To date, the most wild energy I've ever experienced at a Phish show.

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

Last night at an open mic here in Chicago, me and the host played 'Esther' and 'The Lizards'.  Fun stuff and two of my all time favorite Phish songs!  Sorry for the temporary hijack.

 

[pecorino]

Last night at an open mic here in Chicago, me and the host played 'Esther' and 'The Lizards'.  Fun stuff and two of my all time favorite Phish songs!  Sorry for the temporary hijack.

No sweat. Just checked the setlist from SPAC tonight where they are halfway through set one. Three out of five songs from my list, all top-half. What a start to a show: Fluffhead, Guyute, Martian Monster, Llama, Steam.

 

[pecorino]

Most notable in the next five is Lawnboy which sort of doesn't fit the theme of this list but sort of does. I think the lyrics merit its inclusion and certainly the 7/25/17 version is worth your attention. You be the judge:

Throughout the night
When there's no direct light
And a thin veil of clouds
Keeps the stars out of sight

I can smell the colors
Outside on my lawn
The moist green organic
That my feet tread upon

And the black oleander
Surrounded by blues
I'm soon overwhelmed
By olfactory hues

Mountains in the Mist (45): A beautiful guitar riff, some lovely vocals and harmonies. A great tune but too mellow to be higher on this list. Original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf7yps_toxA  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3cMSGxt66c

Water in the Sky (44): Fans caught the first piano tinkles of Water in the Sky back in 1997 when it was played as a slow, laid back country tune. The band retooled it for The Story of the Ghost album, giving it more danceability and liveliness. This would be a bottom-ten song in its original version but the double-time album version kicks it up a few notches.  Album version (fast): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PaFTv76QXM  First draft, live from 1997: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=voEjd9HTC-I

Leaves (43): Only three live versions to draw from and only one that can be found on Youtube. This ballad features some interesting harmonies and requisite power chords. If it finds its way onto an album and into the live rotation, I could see this song blossoming but until then, it is a pedestrian tune.  Live from 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV05Ap3BtZs

Lawn Boy (42): This is the one song that was added to this list despite the title alluding to a person. In reality, the lyrics are more “nature-centered” than human-centered so I included it. For some reason, the phrase “olfactory hues” elicits such a clear vision (smell?) of nature to me that it felt wrong to leave it off this list. Also, and no less importantly, I’d be remiss not to include one of the all-time great jams which happened in 2017 when the band decided to stretch out this typically sub-3-minute tune into a tour de force which won “jam of the year” and is worthy of repeated listens. Yes, it is always schmaltzy when played live, but no, it’s never been done quite like 7/25/17, keytar and all.  Album version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4BwDl9_t98    Phat 30-minute summer 2017 version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILK-02_1i40&t=19s

Ocelot (41): Straightforward song that walks along like the titular kitty cat. Nothing too stellar here but a solid tune that has been taken for an extended outing fairly often in recent years.  Studio version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcs1xm6ufyo   Live in 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcCioXdbzxM

This Lawn Boy, voted "Jam of the Year" from 2017, will be rebroadcast for free from Phish.com this Tuesday night. The band has been doing "Dinner and a Movie" nights each Tuesday to help us get through this pandemic. They air an entire show (video and audio) and 7/25/17 is the selection for April 7 at 8:30.  IIRC, there is also an epic Sample in a Jar (which sounds like an oxymoron as that's another typically-3-minute pop song). This was the "Jam-filled donut" night in their 13-show Baker's Dozen residency at MSG. Come get some. It's a 14-song, three hour show but completely accessible with some of the finest playing you'll ever hear. 

On another note, I have some downtime and so thinking of slicing the Phish catalog along different lines: Songs with names or allusions to people in the title. There were 56 originals that are connected to organic things (in this thread) and now I count 53 that refer to people. Stay tuned if you want to hear all about Jim, Suzy, Reba, Minkin, Fee, Esther, Billy, Julius, Monica, Jennifer, McGrupp, Mike, Joy, Harry, Carini, David, Icculus, Tela, Wilson, Spock, Brian and Robert and many others.

 

[Bobcat10]

Steam (7): I’m surprised this newer tune has not found its way onto an album yet. It preceded the Fuego album by at least three years and would have been a natural fit. Steam’s slow tempo gives it a walking feel and leaves a lot of space for experimentation. Some great wordplay in this song, too—I just find it satisfying in so many ways.  Live version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwAVi_hHEFc

Will also say, this past Fall, Trey pulled off a fun solo of this in Canton.  Was one of my highlights of the night.  Very sad I missed the live debut of Steam back in '11 at Blossom.  The only show I've missed there since their return.

 

[pecorino]

Will also say, this past Fall, Trey pulled off a fun solo of this in Canton.  Was one of my highlights of the night.  Very sad I missed the live debut of Steam back in '11 at Blossom.  The only show I've missed there since their return.

And Steam made its way onto the Sigma Oasis album which they released last week. 

 

[Bobcat10]

And Steam made its way onto the Sigma Oasis album which they released last week. 

That's why I bolded that part of your post!

You were ahead of the game, sir 

 

[krista4]

@KarmaPolice , you might want to check this thread out, too.