The first song I ever heard by Phish at the beginning of the 90’s. It is still my favourite Phish song.
Nirvana…Vibration Of Life…the Tramps…The Note…
Perfect flowing sections of progressive music, minimalistic lyrics, and ultimate musical bliss…
As my signature states…
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE GREATEST PHISH SONG EVER…?
Can’t say it any better Vern. Quite possibly the quintessential Phish song.
As i have said before, this song has literally put me in tears. I knew it would be the last time i heard them play it live and i got very sad when i realized that, and it was one of the most beautiful versions i have ever heard.
In the summer of 1990, I was DEEEPLY into 70’s progressive rock like King Crimson, Genesis, Gentle Giant, Gong, Soft Machine…as well as Kraurock like Can, Faust, Ash Ra Tempel, and Amon Duul II.
Then…I heard YOU ENJOY MYSELF. I was immediately taken by the artistic aestetic of it’s Grateful Dead-like flair with it’s heady Progressive Rock edges. I had to hear more Phish. Second song I heard was DIVIDED SKY. Then, FLUFFHEAD. Then FOAM…
I realized there was band that was playing everything that I liked about difficult music, but with Country, Jazz, and comedic influences inter-weaved within this progressive sound. I was sold…
Fantastic, no doubt. I still need to get my hands on the 10/31/95 monster…
Unfortuntely, in my words, I cannot state that it is “the greatest Phish song ever.”
*Most definitely. Antelope too.
My favorite recording of any song ever. Best YEM, best song IMO. PM me your email and I’ll hook you up, it’s already in my email cause I’ve sent it to people. The tone, jam, everything is perfect.
The first time I heard YEM was the ALO version. I didn’t realize that all the tracks were from different shows, and when Montana dropped into YEM, my jaw dropped. I was so blown away that I ran and got my mom from down the hall and made her listen to it. I had no idea… none whatsoever.
YEM = greatness. Yeah, the first YEM i heard whas ALO. but i actually prefer the Junta version.
Every time I hear a new YEM I almost always find something totally enjoyable about it. There are soooo many good versions of this song. It’s crazy.
my first yem was a tape my friend had of gamehendge and there is a yem at the end of it. not sure if anyone has this on any of their copies of gamehendge but it blew my mind and still does to this day. i never knew music could sound like that.
yem is definitely amazing and rarely fails to bring great jams out of them, but i always hate listening to the ones where trey butchers the beginning-even though the jam at the end may be incredible. when i do hear a flawless pre-nirvana section though, it is that much better
It is impossible for me to listen to YEM without getting chills. Thank you Phish.
The first two songs I ever heard by Phish: ALO’s “Montana>YEM” and from there on out it’s been a love affair I can’t get enough of. The build-up of tension right until “Booooooooooooooy” gets me every time and still sends chills down my spine.
I have a favorite, but I can’t remember the date of the top of my head…I’ll post it later tonight.
yem was different than any other song i had ever heard. i remember hearing new sections of the song, and thinking, whoa, this is still the same song, that is awesome. i truly enjoyed myself.
This is the tune phish will always be known for. Truly adventerous and challenging while maintaining beauty and excitement.
Love YEM. I heard it for the first time on Juanta. By far, this is my favorite album.
By far the best song of the early days. It highlights that semi classical-progressive era for Trey in terms of composing. The opening lines just seem so effortless yet they are great! I agree with CemetreryRoses, Junta is my favorite Studio Album. My favorite era, even though I didn’t get to see any shows from the early 80s.
bigger fan of divided sky i am