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Wolfman's Brother Lyrics
Well it was many years ago now but I really can't be sure
That's when it all began then I heard that knock upon my door
And the wolfman's brother
The wolfman's brother
Came down on me
The telephone was ringing, that's when I handed it to Liz
She said, "This isn't who it would be if it wasn't who it is"
repeat chorus
So I might be on a side street or a stairway to the stars
I hear the high pitched cavitation of propellers from afar
repeat chorus
So with meaningless excitement and smooth atonal sound
It's like a cross between a hurricane and a ship that's run aground
repeat chorus
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This song, which came out on (hung like a) Hoist, after Phish had reached a stadium sized following, with variously dreadlocked/ bearded/ hairy corduroy pant wearing young gentlemen faithfully following the band around. One can imagine various levels of access to the band, and a sort of hippie paparazzi press to get backstage or into exclusive parties.
This is what I always imagined the song to be about-- these furry guys I'd see at every show and at every party I went to back then.
Thus, the sound similar to "the high pitched cavitation of propellers from afar" would be the roar of the crowd, a crowd with some of the qualities of a hurricane, and a ship that's run aground-- the song really gave me some insight how it might feel to be in the eye of that hurricane, perhaps while watching the ship-running-aground self-destructive actions of many of the folks in that crowd.
Not sure if it's about an ostensibly hairy brother of Jon Fishman... and no idea about the phone call, other than unwanted phone calls from rabid fans who get ahold of a star's phone number.
the side street and stairway to the stars invites an image of a rock star ascending some metal back steps into some venue in through a door marked with a star-- like some old b'way dressing room-- when he is discovered by the crowd outside.
See also the lyrics to "birds of a feather." I think it's talking about similar experiences. Ever been to a show?
it is a song about being overshadowed . for exaple if you go into school and an older simbling already has formed a reputation, your expected to live up to that. whatever phish rules
"this isn't who it would be if it wasn't who it is"
fucking brillant
Well, shouldn't it be "weren't?" I mean, subjunctive case and all....
Well, shouldn't it be "weren't?" I mean, subjunctive case and all....
phish is the shit. Tom is the man...
im desperate for some news of an up and coming band with the same skill as phish. not to mention marshall, who i believe is a member of the band. but thats just me.
At Coventry, Trey announced who "Liz" was. The one who the phone was handed to.
I heard that the Wolfman's brother was Fishman because fish had a bro that was hairy or maybe it was fish that is the hairy one; not sure
I hate to be the guy, but I thought this could be about smaking? I htought perhaps in an odd, and common Phish theme, they incorporated a past occurance or individual in a song in a crypitic manner. In this case, Wolfman could be hairy buds, and his brohter could be a different kind of weed. Or the Wolfman's brother could be a bong. Many people name their bongs.
The lines that get me to this poinnt are the references to "cavitations" and "cross between a hurricane and a ship that's run aground" All of those noises could be references to the bong noise? Vary consistent I think. The song kinda makes more sense as one of Phish's groupings of "nonsense songs" as I call them. (in a resepctufl use of nonsense)
Again, sorry be being the guy talking about buds.
i love that line about the its not who it would be if it wasn't who it is
The wolfman's brother is Fishman.
Fishman's brother is the wolfman.