Years

39 years of Phish, 1983–2026

What a year sounded like, taken from the order the songs came in rather than from how long the band went without them. Every other list here is about one song’s habits. This one is about the band’s.

Sounded like is not the same list as most played, and the difference is the point: Possum was played every year, so it says nothing about any of them. A song earns a place in the first list by being a bigger share of that year than of every other year put together.

Moves that recur is the share of a year’s song-to-song moves that turn up on more than one night — stated over a fixed 20 nights, because otherwise it is a count of how many shows the band played. A long year gets more chances to repeat itself for reasons that have nothing to do with how it sounded. Over the same 20 nights, 1993 reads 32% and 2017 reads 1%.

Built from the running order of 1,955 nights. The archive has no running order for 158 of the shows the calendar counts, almost all of them before 1992, so a year short of its own count says so under its figures — and only in means only in the nights read here.

Years
39
Nights read
1,955
Most habitual
1993
Widest rotation
2019

202634 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
223 songs
Median song
31 years old
Moves that recur
4%

Most played

Tweezer13Sand7Fuego7Character Zero7Ghost7

Sounded like

What’s Going Through Your Mind18%Life Saving Gun15%A Wave of Hope18%Oblivion15%Sigma Oasis18%

Only in 2026

Brief Time1Dancing in Midair1Dark Puddle1Fling Your Head1Simeon1

Ran together

Back on the Train→Free3 nights, of 4 ever

202547 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
213 songs
Median song
29 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

Tweezer Reprise14Carini12Harry Hood12Chalk Dust Torture12Tweezer12

Sounded like

What’s Going Through Your Mind21%Life Saving Gun17%Oblivion17%Evolve17%Monsters13%

Only in 2025

Sincere1

Ran together

A Life Beyond The Dream→Harry Hood3 nights, of 5 ever

202441 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
218 songs
Median song
27 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

Down with Disease13Tweezer11Ruby Waves11Sand10Ghost10

Sounded like

Pillow Jets17%Hey Stranger17%Oblivion20%Evolve20%Ruby Waves22%

Only in 2024

Human Nature2Box of Rain1Woodlands Jam1

Ran together

Back on the Train→Wolfman’s Brother3 nights, of 5 ever

202349 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
236 songs
Median song
26 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

Harry Hood12Chalk Dust Torture12Blaze On11A Wave of Hope11Ghost11

Sounded like

A Wave of Hope22%Oblivion16%Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.20%Evolve16%Ruby Waves18%

Only in 2023

Broken Into Pieces2...And Flew Away1Back in the Bubble1The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia1

Ran together

Chalk Dust Torture→Oblivion3 nights, of 3 ever

202246 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
237 songs
Median song
25 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

Tweezer15Sigma Oasis12Sand12Ghost12Free11

Sounded like

Sigma Oasis24%The Howling17%Set Your Soul Free22%A Wave of Hope20%Say It To Me S.A.N.T.O.S.20%

Only in 2022

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction1Broken Heart Attack1So Damn Lucky1

Ran together

A Life Beyond The Dream→Tweezer Reprise3 nights, of 9 ever

202136 shows↑ Top

A night
20 songs
In rotation
261 songs
Median song
24 years old
Moves that recur
2%

Most played

46 Days9Sigma Oasis9Ghost9Carini9Harry Hood9

Sounded like

Sigma Oasis25%I Never Needed You Like This Before14%Lonely Trip17%Everything’s Right22%Drift While You’re Sleeping17%

Only in 2021

And So To Bed1Get More Down1I Never Left Home1If 6 Was 91Thanksgiving1and 3 more

20204 shows↑ Top

A night
21 songs
In rotation
79 songs
Median song
22 years old
Moves that recur
—

Most played

Shafty4Free2Plasma2Bathtub Gin2Torn and Frayed1

201941 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
271 songs
Median song
22 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

Tweezer14Plasma11Everything’s Right1046 Days10No Men In No Man’s Land10

Sounded like

Death Don’t Hurt Very Long17%We Are Come to Outlive Our Brains15%Set Your Soul Free24%Turtle in the Clouds17%The Final Hurrah17%

Only in 2019

20-20 Vision1Cathy’s Clown1Friend1Ghosts of the Forest1Gloria1and 5 more

201839 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
224 songs
Median song
21 years old
Moves that recur
3%

Most played

No Men In No Man’s Land12Twist11Character Zero10Harry Hood10Everything’s Right10

Sounded like

No Men In No Man’s Land31%Everything’s Right26%Set Your Soul Free21%Blaze On26%Soul Planet15%

Only in 2018

Infinite2Keeping It Real2

Ran together

Tweezer→Golden Age3 nights, of 7 ever

201728 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
252 songs
Median song
20 years old
Moves that recur
1%

Most played

Down with Disease6Free5Theme from the Bottom5Wolfman’s Brother5The Wedge5

Sounded like

Breath and Burning14%Waking Up Dead11%Crazy Sometimes11%Winterqueen14%Rise/Come Together11%

Only in 2017

In The Good Old Summer Time2Tuesday2Chocolate Rain1Coconut1Corona1and 13 more

201647 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
257 songs
Median song
19 years old
Moves that recur
4%

Most played

Fuego15Harry Hood14Ghost1346 Days13Blaze On13

Sounded like

Breath and Burning19%Tide Turns13%Fuego32%Ass Handed17%Blaze On28%

Only in 2016

Friends2Let’s Go2Running Out of Time2Hang On to Yourself1It Ain’t Easy1and 8 more

Ran together

The Line→Tide Turns3 nights, of 3 ever

201530 shows↑ Top

A night
21 songs
In rotation
186 songs
Median song
19 years old
Moves that recur
4%

Most played

46 Days11Twist10Fuego10Blaze On10Ghost10

Sounded like

Waiting All Night27%No Men In No Man’s Land33%Blaze On33%Fuego33%The Line23%

Only in 2015

Scabbard2Drive-In Jam1The Last Step1United We Stand1

201440 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
193 songs
Median song
19 years old
Moves that recur
7%

Most played

55518Fuego17The Line15Tweezer1546 Days14

Sounded like

The Line38%55545%Waiting All Night35%Wingsuit35%Fuego42%

Only in 2014

Intro1Is This What You Wanted1Take Me Out to the Ballgame1The Chinese Water Torture1The Haunted House1and 2 more

Ran together

555→Rift3 nights, of 5 ever

201341 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
202 songs
Median song
20 years old
Moves that recur
5%

Most played

Chalk Dust Torture14Backwards Down the Number Line13Ocelot13Run Like an Antelope13Harry Hood13

Sounded like

Ocelot32%Yarmouth Road20%Backwards Down the Number Line32%Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan22%Light27%

Only in 2013

Architect4Say Something2Amidst the Peals of Laughter1Easy To Slip1Legalize It1and 3 more

201237 shows↑ Top

A night
23 songs
In rotation
220 songs
Median song
20 years old
Moves that recur
7%

Most played

Possum13Backwards Down the Number Line13The Moma Dance12Harry Hood12Kill Devil Falls12

Sounded like

Backwards Down the Number Line35%Kill Devil Falls32%Roses Are Free22%Golden Age24%Ocelot24%

Only in 2012

Fly Like an Eagle1Garden Party1The Gambler1

Ran together

Golden Age→Also Sprach Zarathustra3 nights, of 6 ever

201139 shows↑ Top

A night
23 songs
In rotation
220 songs
Median song
19 years old
Moves that recur
8%

Most played

Possum15Backwards Down the Number Line15Tweezer12Funky Bitch12Kill Devil Falls12

Sounded like

Backwards Down the Number Line38%Kill Devil Falls31%Show of Life18%Crosseyed and Painless23%Roses Are Free21%

Only in 2011

50 Ways to Leave Your Lover1Big Balls1Monkey Man1Rhymes1Rocket Man1and 3 more

Ran together

Scent of a Mule→Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan3 nights, of 3 ever

201048 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
251 songs
Median song
18 years old
Moves that recur
7%

Most played

Possum17Backwards Down the Number Line17Down with Disease15Mike’s Song15Weekapaug Groove15

Sounded like

Backwards Down the Number Line35%Ocelot27%Light29%Show of Life17%Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan23%

Only in 2010

Summer of ’894My Problem Right There3What Things Seem2A Apolitical Blues1All That You Dream1and 23 more

Ran together

Halley’s Comet→Light3 nights, of 4 ever

200950 shows↑ Top

A night
23 songs
In rotation
247 songs
Median song
16 years old
Moves that recur
7%

Most played

Possum17You Enjoy Myself17Chalk Dust Torture16Harry Hood16Run Like an Antelope16

Sounded like

Time Turns Elastic24%Let Me Lie14%Kill Devil Falls32%Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan26%Ocelot28%

Only in 2009

Middle of the Road2All Down the Line1Blue Moon1Bobby Jean1Casino Boogie1and 19 more

Ran together

Possum→Down with Disease3 nights, of 3 ever

200418 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
134 songs
Median song
11 years old
Moves that recur
—

Most played

Wilson7Piper6You Enjoy Myself6Scents and Subtle Sounds6AC/DC Bag5

Sounded like

Friday22%Scents and Subtle Sounds28%Seven Below28%Crowd Control17%Pebbles and Marbles17%

Only in 2004

99 Problems1Big Pimpin’1Cool Jerk1Girls Girls Girls1The Dickie Scotland Song1and 1 more

200344 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
201 songs
Median song
10 years old
Moves that recur
5%

Most played

Down with Disease14Chalk Dust Torture13You Enjoy Myself12David Bowie12Seven Below12

Sounded like

Anything But Me18%Friday18%Thunderhead14%Two Versions of Me14%Seven Below25%

Only in 2003

Discern4Spices2Spread It ’Round2Blue Skies1Chariots of Fire1and 14 more

Ran together

Waves→Sample in a Jar3 nights, of 4 ever

20021 show↑ Top

A night
24 songs
In rotation
24 songs
Median song
10 years old
Moves that recur
—

Most played

Piper1Guyute1NICU1Horn1Wilson1

200053 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
186 songs
Median song
7 years old
Moves that recur
6%

Most played

First Tube25Gotta Jibboo22Heavy Things20Piper19Back on the Train18

Sounded like

The Inlaw Josie Wales23%Gotta Jibboo40%First Tube42%Heavy Things36%Bug26%

Only in 2000

Come on Baby Let’s Go Downtown2Windora Bug2El Paso1Hold Whatcha Got1Rapper’s Delight1and 2 more

Ran together

Heavy Things→Piper3 nights, of 3 ever

199963 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
199 songs
Median song
6 years old
Moves that recur
6%

Most played

Back on the Train23Guyute20Farmhouse19Down with Disease19Chalk Dust Torture19

Sounded like

Farmhouse30%Back on the Train37%Guyute32%Heavy Things27%Limb By Limb29%

Only in 1999

Mozambique5My Left Toe5Misty Mountain Hop4Will It Go Round in Circles2Big Alligator1and 11 more

Ran together

Guyute→Loving Cup3 nights, of 3 ever

199867 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
237 songs
Median song
5 years old
Moves that recur
5%

Most played

Birds of a Feather27Roggae26The Moma Dance25Chalk Dust Torture21Guyute20

Sounded like

Roggae39%Birds of a Feather40%Frankie Says21%Brian and Robert24%The Moma Dance37%

Only in 1998

Sexual Healing4Something4I Get a Kick Out of You2You Better Believe It Baby2All the Pain Through the Years1and 33 more

Ran together

Sexual Healing→Hold Your Head Up4 nights, of 4 ever

199778 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
197 songs
Median song
4 years old
Moves that recur
8%

Most played

Character Zero32Taste30My Soul30Ghost28Theme from the Bottom27

Sounded like

My Soul38%Dogs Stole Things26%Beauty of My Dreams27%Taste38%Dirt26%

Only in 1997

Black-Eyed Katy7Rock A William5Ain’t Love Funny3I Don’t Care2Merry Pranksters Jam2and 15 more

Ran together

Beauty of My Dreams→Wolfman’s Brother4 nights, of 4 ever

199670 shows↑ Top

A night
18 songs
In rotation
165 songs
Median song
6 years old
Moves that recur
12%

Most played

Taste28Sample in a Jar26You Enjoy Myself24Chalk Dust Torture23Sparkle21

Sounded like

Taste40%Hello My Baby24%Cars Trucks Buses27%Swept Away19%Steep19%

Only in 1996

Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)1Champagne Supernova1Flatbed Truck Jam1Hold to a Dream1Houses in Motion1and 11 more

Ran together

Swept Away→Steep13 nights, of 33 ever

199581 shows↑ Top

A night
20 songs
In rotation
187 songs
Median song
5 years old
Moves that recur
11%

Most played

Hold Your Head Up37Free31Sample in a Jar30Strange Design28Stash27

Sounded like

Strange Design35%Keyboard Army16%I’m Blue, I’m Lonesome22%A Day in the Life28%Suspicious Minds14%

Only in 1995

Acoustic Army27Taste That Surrounds14The Fog That Surrounds8Don’t You Want To Go?5The Real Me2and 26 more

Ran together

Suspicious Minds→Hold Your Head Up11 nights, of 13 ever

1994124 shows↑ Top

A night
22 songs
In rotation
210 songs
Median song
4 years old
Moves that recur
20%

Most played

Sample in a Jar73Hold Your Head Up72Julius65Down with Disease58Rift49

Sounded like

Julius52%Sample in a Jar58%Axilla (Part II)27%If I Could27%Foreplay/Long Time13%

Only in 1994

I Wan’na Be Like You9Little Tiny Butter Biscuits5Beaumont Rag4Blackbird2Dooley2and 32 more

Ran together

Tweezer→Lifeboy14 nights, of 18 ever

1993110 shows↑ Top

A night
25 songs
In rotation
166 songs
Median song
3 years old
Moves that recur
32%

Most played

Hold Your Head Up147Rift68Big Ball Jam66You Enjoy Myself61Sparkle59

Sounded like

Big Ball Jam60%Amazing Grace50%Hold Your Head Up75%Rift62%It’s Ice51%

Only in 1993

Leprechaun3When Something is Wrong with My Baby3Nothin’ But A Nothin’2Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie1Cocaine1and 12 more

Ran together

Big Ball Jam→Hold Your Head Up16 nights, of 22 ever

1992122 shows↑ Top

A night
20 songs
In rotation
121 songs
Median song
2 years old
Moves that recur
30%

Most played

Cold as Ice84Sparkle66Llama65Cavern63Maze56

Sounded like

Cold as Ice39%All Things Reconsidered34%Sparkle54%Llama52%Sweet Adeline35%

Only in 1992

Blue Bayou2Diamond Girl1Lively Up Yourself1Lullaby of Birdland1

Ran together

Cold as Ice→Cracklin’ Rosie20 nights, of 20 ever

1991128 shows↑ Top

A night
24 songs
In rotation
118 songs
Median song
2 years old
Moves that recur
31%

Running order known for 123 of these 128 nights; the figures above are what those 123 hold.

Most played

The Landlady95Hold Your Head Up91My Sweet One89Cavern88Llama83

Sounded like

The Landlady77%My Sweet One72%Llama67%The Squirming Coil66%Cavern72%

Only in 1991

Let’s Go11Bitchin’ Again1Moose the Mooche1Pusherman1T.V. Show1

Ran together

The Landlady→Destiny Unbound17 nights, of 19 ever

1990146 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
113 songs
Median song
2 years old
Moves that recur
28%

Running order known for 125 of these 146 nights; the figures above are what those 125 hold.

Most played

Bouncing Around the Room91Possum87You Enjoy Myself84Mike’s Song82I Am Hydrogen82

Sounded like

The Oh Kee Pa Ceremony62%The Asse Festival18%I Am Hydrogen66%Bouncing Around the Room73%Dinner and a Movie39%

Only in 1990

Communication Breakdown7Don’t Get Me Wrong3Goin’ Down Slow3Minute by Minute3No Good Trying3and 7 more

Ran together

Dinner and a Movie→Bouncing Around the Room33 nights, of 50 ever

1989123 shows↑ Top

A night
17 songs
In rotation
119 songs
Median song
2 years old
Moves that recur
29%

Running order known for 82 of these 123 nights; the figures above are what those 82 hold.

Most played

You Enjoy Myself60AC/DC Bag53Alumni Blues50Possum50Weekapaug Groove45

Sounded like

AC/DC Bag65%Alumni Blues33%I Am Hydrogen54%You Enjoy Myself72%The Lizards49%

Only in 1989

In a Hole8Undun5The Fishin’ Hole2The Price of Love2American Woman1and 17 more

Ran together

McGrupp and the Watchful Hosemasters→Who Do? We Do!9 nights, of 11 ever

198895 shows↑ Top

A night
19 songs
In rotation
100 songs
Median song
2 years old
Moves that recur
23%

Running order known for 52 of these 95 nights; the figures above are what those 52 hold.

Most played

Alumni Blues50You Enjoy Myself33The Lizards33Golgi Apparatus32Fluffhead31

Sounded like

Take the ’A’ Train54%Alumni Blues50%Letter to Jimmy Page46%Whipping Post33%Peaches en Regalia40%

Only in 1988

Phase Dance4Blue Bossa2Andy’s Chest1Maiden Voyage1St. Thomas1and 3 more

Ran together

Alumni Blues→Letter to Jimmy Page24 nights, of 94 ever

198744 shows↑ Top

A night
20 songs
In rotation
86 songs
Median song
1 year old
Moves that recur
24%

Running order known for 21 of these 44 nights; the figures above are what those 21 hold.

Most played

Alumni Blues23Fluffhead15Possum14Golgi Apparatus13Letter to Jimmy Page12

Sounded like

Lushington33%Clod33%Letter to Jimmy Page57%Alumni Blues57%Peaches en Regalia52%

Only in 1987

Why Don’t You Love Me?2Come On (Part One)1Freeworld1Punch Me in the Eye1Stir It Up1and 1 more

Ran together

I Am Hydrogen→Who Do? We Do!4 nights, of 4 ever

198622 shows↑ Top

A night
15 songs
In rotation
55 songs
Median song
1 year old
Moves that recur
—

Running order known for 9 of these 22 nights; the figures above are what those 9 hold.

Most played

Alumni Blues8Slave to the Traffic Light6Halley’s Comet6You Enjoy Myself5AC/DC Bag5

Sounded like

Back Porch Boogie Blues44%Have Mercy44%Prep School Hippie33%Swing Low, Sweet Chariot33%Skin It Back33%

Only in 1986

The Pendulum2Babylon is Burning1Exiled Shadows1Help on the Way1Not Fade Away1and 2 more

Ran together

Halley’s Comet→Back Porch Boogie Blues3 nights, of 3 ever

198522 shows↑ Top

A night
9 songs
In rotation
44 songs
Median song
new
Moves that recur
—

Running order known for 11 of these 22 nights; the figures above are what those 11 hold.

Most played

Alumni Blues9Anarchy6Mike’s Song6Slave to the Traffic Light5Dave’s Energy Guide5

Sounded like

Anarchy45%Dave’s Energy Guide45%Skippy the Wondermouse27%Wild Child27%Big Leg Emma27%

Only in 1985

Revolution4I Wish2T.V. Theme2Bring It On Home1Fire Up the Ganja1and 4 more

Ran together

Mike’s Song→Dave’s Energy Guide4 nights, of 5 ever

19843 shows↑ Top

A night
9 songs
In rotation
19 songs
Median song
new
Moves that recur
—

Most played

Can’t You Hear Me Knocking3Makisupa Policeman2In the Midnight Hour2Wild Child2Bertha2

Only in 1984

Spanish Flea1St. Stephen1

19832 shows↑ Top

A night
8 songs
In rotation
8 songs
Median song
new
Moves that recur
—

Running order known for 1 of these 2 nights; the figures above are what those 1 hold.

Most played

Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress1Proud Mary1In the Midnight Hour1Squeeze Box1Roadhouse Blues1

Only in 1983

Roadhouse Blues1Squeeze Box1