Mike's Song
Encyclopedia
Mike's Song is a song by the jam band Phish
. Originally written in 1985, and debuting that year on October 17, bass player Mike Gordon
's song has been played a total of 378 times (appearing in 31% of all of Phish live shows), the second most played song in Phish history (after You Enjoy Myself
)..
of three songs known to Phish fans as "Mike's Groove", which traditionally consists of Mike's Song>I Am Hydrogen>Weekapaug Groove.
This musical trinity of segues resembles the Grateful Dead
's Help on the Way>Slipknot!>Franklin's Tower jam. Mike's Groove is either altered or extended - I Am Hydrogen may be replaced by or sandwiched between other songs, usually the song "Simple
" (Which is also sometimes included in the standard Mike's Song
>I Am Hydrogen
>Weekapaug Groove
and placed somewhere before or after the "I Am Hydrogen.") However, other songs are also often used, including but not limited to "Contact
", "Free
", "Harry Hood
", "Frankie Says
", or "Tela", the latter adding considerable playing time to that particular Groove.
The entire "Mike's Groove" may sometimes take up an entire set, or sometimes only 10 minutes. This is because of the many ever-changing jams; 2 in Mike's Song (sometimes the second, more experimental one is cut off), jams in whatever song(s) they segue into from Mike's, and usually one at the end of Weekapaug Groove. Sometimes (i.e. Raleigh 22/07/97), they segue into Mike's from somewhere else, extending the groove ever further.
There are also several notable versions of Mike's Song that segue directly into Weekapaug Groove
, with those two songs lasting nearly (or more than) 30 minutes (i.e. 12/1/95 Hershey
and 12/7/95 Niagara). Click here to hear the 12/7/95 Mike's -> Weekapaug http://vimeo.com/26038430
Twice in 2003 Weekapaug Groove was played with out Mike's Song at all. They were the only 2 times Weekapaug has been played without Mikes. I Am Hydrogen was also played by itself for the first time since 1987 on 10/7/99.
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
. Originally written in 1985, and debuting that year on October 17, bass player Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon
Mike Gordon is a bass guitar player and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish. Gordon is also an accomplished banjo player, and is proficient at piano, guitar, harmonica and percussion...
's song has been played a total of 378 times (appearing in 31% of all of Phish live shows), the second most played song in Phish history (after You Enjoy Myself
You Enjoy Myself
You Enjoy Myself, commonly abbreviated to "YEM" is a Phish song written by Trey Anastasio. It is the band's most frequently played song, having been featured —as of August 2011— at about 36% of their 1,496 shows. The song is also one of the oldest in Phish's catalog, having been first performed...
)..
"Mike's Groove"
Mike's Song is the first song in a seriesMedley (music)
In music, a medley is a piece composed from parts of existing pieces, usually three, played one after another, sometimes overlapping. They are common in popular music, and most medleys are songs rather than instrumental. A medley which is a remixed series is called a megamix, often done with tracks...
of three songs known to Phish fans as "Mike's Groove", which traditionally consists of Mike's Song>I Am Hydrogen>Weekapaug Groove.
This musical trinity of segues resembles the Grateful Dead
Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The band was known for its unique and eclectic style, which fused elements of rock, folk, bluegrass, blues, reggae, country, improvisational jazz, psychedelia, and space rock, and for live performances of long...
's Help on the Way>Slipknot!>Franklin's Tower jam. Mike's Groove is either altered or extended - I Am Hydrogen may be replaced by or sandwiched between other songs, usually the song "Simple
A Live One
A Live One is a live album by the American rock band Phish, released on June 27, 1995, by Elektra Records. The album was the Phish's first official live release, and the band's only "traditional" live album, wherein songs from several different shows are compiled into one composite "set"...
" (Which is also sometimes included in the standard Mike's Song
Slip Stitch and Pass
Slip Stitch and Pass is the second official live album by the American rock band Phish. It was released on October 28, 1997, by Elektra Records and has nine tracks from the band's March 1, 1997, show at the Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, which was part of Phish's 1997 European Tour.Three of the...
>I Am Hydrogen
Live Phish Volume 6
Live Phish Vol. 6 was recorded live on the first night of a three night stand at the Worcester Centrum in Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 27, 1998....
>Weekapaug Groove
Slip Stitch and Pass
Slip Stitch and Pass is the second official live album by the American rock band Phish. It was released on October 28, 1997, by Elektra Records and has nine tracks from the band's March 1, 1997, show at the Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, which was part of Phish's 1997 European Tour.Three of the...
and placed somewhere before or after the "I Am Hydrogen.") However, other songs are also often used, including but not limited to "Contact
Junta (album)
Junta is the first official studio release from the American rock band Phish. The album was independently recorded and released on tape in 1988, and did not appear in stores officially until May 8, 1989. The album was re-released by Elektra Records on October 26, 1992...
", "Free
Billy Breathes
Billy Breathes is the sixth official studio album by American rock band Phish. It remains one of the most popular Phish albums, and is credited with connecting the band to a more mainstream audience beyond its strong cult following...
", "Harry Hood
A Live One
A Live One is a live album by the American rock band Phish, released on June 27, 1995, by Elektra Records. The album was the Phish's first official live release, and the band's only "traditional" live album, wherein songs from several different shows are compiled into one composite "set"...
", "Frankie Says
The Story of the Ghost
The Story of the Ghost is the seventh official studio album by the American rock band Phish. It was released by Elektra Records on October 27, 1998.Much of the album originated during large-scale improvisation sessions...
", or "Tela", the latter adding considerable playing time to that particular Groove.
The entire "Mike's Groove" may sometimes take up an entire set, or sometimes only 10 minutes. This is because of the many ever-changing jams; 2 in Mike's Song (sometimes the second, more experimental one is cut off), jams in whatever song(s) they segue into from Mike's, and usually one at the end of Weekapaug Groove. Sometimes (i.e. Raleigh 22/07/97), they segue into Mike's from somewhere else, extending the groove ever further.
There are also several notable versions of Mike's Song that segue directly into Weekapaug Groove
Slip Stitch and Pass
Slip Stitch and Pass is the second official live album by the American rock band Phish. It was released on October 28, 1997, by Elektra Records and has nine tracks from the band's March 1, 1997, show at the Markthalle in Hamburg, Germany, which was part of Phish's 1997 European Tour.Three of the...
, with those two songs lasting nearly (or more than) 30 minutes (i.e. 12/1/95 Hershey
Live Phish 12.01.95
Live Phish 12-1-95 is an archival release by the band Phish. It is the only two disc set in the livephish downloads CD series to date. The show was originally released in MP3, FLAC and CD formats on March 20, 2007...
and 12/7/95 Niagara). Click here to hear the 12/7/95 Mike's -> Weekapaug http://vimeo.com/26038430
Twice in 2003 Weekapaug Groove was played with out Mike's Song at all. They were the only 2 times Weekapaug has been played without Mikes. I Am Hydrogen was also played by itself for the first time since 1987 on 10/7/99.