Trey Anastasio Reveals Taylor Swift Song Phish Almost Covered

Ever wondered what Taylor Swift song guitarist Trey Anastasio thinks would be best for Phish to cover? How about the inspiration behind the lyrics to “Fluffhead,” the Phish song Trey thinks could have been a hit or the weirdest place he’s heard the band’s music?

Those questions and many others are answered in an insightful new interview published by Vulture. Anastasio was peppered with inquiries about the band’s past, present and future, touching on a wide range of topics.

Not only did Anastasio reveal “Welcome to New York” was the Taylor Swift song mostly likely to make a Phish setlist, but he explained the band went so far as to learn the song ahead of their 2023 seven-night run at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The guitarist ultimately made the decision to scrap the cover, which he said was to the disappointment of bassist Mike Gordon.

Anastasio was posed questions specifically about Gordon and the other members of the band, keyboardist Page McConnell and drummer Jon Fishman. Trey was asked what is the best Mike Gordon and Page Mcconnell solo songs to play as Phish, the song that proves Jon Fishman’s drumming prowess, McConnell’s best synthesisers and the song that explains what only Gordon can do.

Additional topics Anastasio touched on include lyrics fans think are inspired by drugs but actually aren’t (“Fluffhead”), the song Trey thinks could have been more popular (“Backwards Down The Number Line”), the weirdest place he’s heard Phish’s music (the MSG organist at New York Rangers NHL games) and more. Here are the other Phish-related things the interview covered:

• Song to get a noob into Phish
• Song most inspired by Genesis
• Song you’d want to see Phish perform if you could be in the audience
• Most challenging song on the new album
• Old lyrics you can’t believe you’re still singing
• Most requested song you don’t always want to play
• Show where the fans guided the setlist
• Songs that reminds you of Tony Markellis

Hoffman also asked Trey if the guitarist ever gets “annoyed when the audience cheers for so long in that pause in ‘Divided Sky.’” Fans will have the chance to see Phish when the band sets out on their Summer Tour 2024 on July 19. Phish’s new studio album, Evolve, will be released on July 12.

Visit Vulture for the full interview with Phish frontman Trey Anastasio.