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Phish — Birds of a Feather
Album: The Story of the Ghost
Avg rating:
5.4

Your rating:
Total ratings: 705









Released: 1994
Length: 4:03
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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It's easy sometimes when you just coast along
But like it or not something always seems to go wrong
Sometimes people build you up just so they can knock you down
Sometimes they will have you there 'cause they need someone around

Perhaps you'll receive invitations for tea
Perhaps you'll laugh and make them all smile
Or maybe you'll join them 'cause it had to be
Perhaps you'll forget you forgot for awhile

Birds of a feather are flocking outside(x4)
Like whippets they dance in a curly-queue dance
Of pulses and ringing and campfire chants
Of ritual drumming although at first glance
You thought you could run but you won't take a chance

It's not an experience if they can't bring someone along
They hang on emotions they bottle inside
They peck at the ground
And strut out of stride.
Birds of a feather are flocking outside(x4)

Birds of a feather are flocking outside(x4)
Comments (179)add comment
 Slick wrote:

Sorry, this is awful to these ears, thanks for the PSD button...



I agree, Slick.  Their music sounds too cluttered and pushed to the limit, too much tapping on the brain, and then it abruptly changes to something totally different that doesn't mesh somehow.  It's almost like an exercise in trying out new riffs and doodling around with them, showing off their musical skills and then slapping the parts together and calling it a song.  I do not begrudge those who are attracted to Phish music.  Not my cup of tea.  Having said that, let me contradict myself.   I was a huge fan of Steve Morse (still am) and his brilliant guitar work with The Dixie Dregs (later morphed into The Dregs).   Their studio albums were competent but they were great live, much like Phish fans like to tout about Phish.  Maybe I'll see Phish live someday and change my opinion.  
Posted 2 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
Had to PSD this as I was being laughed at for being square.

 
Well, you could be pear-shaped. {#Roflol} 
Posted 8 years ago by LowPhreak    [ Reply ]
automated acceleration of antiquated aphorism
Posted 8 years ago by ericdaryl    [ Reply ]
Had to PSD this as I was being laughed at for being square.
Posted 8 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
Promising start but quickly becomes tiresome...
Posted 9 years ago by MinMan    [ Reply ]
As always, go see a show. Their studio stuff just isn't as good
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
Everybody in my homeless camps be flocking outside...  we be dancing like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  love this song...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
Posted 9 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
What really makes me cringe are the mixed metaphors.
Posted 9 years ago by DearDM    [ Reply ]
I absolutely LOVE Phish, but I cannot give this more than a 6. The reason? It's not live. They are a completely different (and in my opinion, a vastly better) band live. 
Posted 9 years ago by stalfnzo    [ Reply ]
Can't think of a band I detest more than Phish. Gag!
Posted 10 years ago by anyalein    [ Reply ]
 birdiestobehad wrote:


And many of us don't go to concerts to hear morons around us sing............................................Just my opinion..........

 
I went to a Phish concert. Almost everyone was dancing like the kids used to dance in "Charlie Brown's Christmas"--heads slumped into chest and nodding up and down, shoulders slumped forward, arms dangling at side. Birds of a feather? Yeah it was that: everyone was parroting everyone else. 

This isn't a bad song, as Phish songs go.  
Posted 10 years ago by kcar    [ Reply ]
 HonduranRed wrote:
I will see u boys tomorrow night in Colorful Colorado!!!!!
...I sure wish RP would play some live phish—-studio stuff is fine, but we don't go to the concerts to hear the studio versions.... 

 

And many of us don't go to concerts to hear morons around us sing............................................Just my opinion..........
Posted 10 years ago by birdiestobehad    [ Reply ]

marvelous...  love this song...  we be flocking...
 
Posted 10 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
Sorry, this is awful to these ears, thanks for the PSD button...
Posted 11 years ago by Slick    [ Reply ]

Ohhhh yessss...  everybody in my church be dancing...  love this song...

Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]

Everybody in my church loves this song soooo much!!!!

Posted 11 years ago by Lazarus    [ Reply ]
I agree!  Would love some lives stuff.  

HonduranRed wrote:
I will see u boys tomorrow night in Colorful Colorado!!!!!
...I sure wish RP would play some live phish—-studio stuff is fine, but we don't go to the concerts to hear the studio versions.... 
 


Posted 11 years ago by rlr511    [ Reply ]
10CC, kinda
Posted 11 years ago by 1wolfy    [ Reply ]
I will see u boys tomorrow night in Colorful Colorado!!!!!
...I sure wish RP would play some live phish—-studio stuff is fine, but we don't go to the concerts to hear the studio versions.... 
Posted 11 years ago by HonduranRed    [ Reply ]
nice segue:
Little Feat 'Down on the farm' -> Phish 'Birds of a Feather'

btw: this is cool!

{#Bananasplit}{#Dancingbanana_2}{#Dancingbanana}
Posted 11 years ago by marmelock    [ Reply ]
Such a simple and silly song - cant stand it! Just had to get that off my chest!
Posted 12 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
Love Phish, but this is one of my least favorite of their songs 
Posted 12 years ago by thatslongformud    [ Reply ]

More Phish please!!!!!


Posted 12 years ago by meuks    [ Reply ]
 S-curvy wrote:
That is remarkable.  I was just thinking that I don't recall hearing much Phish on RP and I wish Bill would spin some more....
 
I'm with you !
Posted 12 years ago by cohifi    [ Reply ]

Definition of OVERRATED

transitive verb
: to rate, value, or estimate too highly <overrates his importance to the team>
: Phish 

Posted 12 years ago by CanuckMakem    [ Reply ]
Yooo Hoooo

10+

Posted 12 years ago by marmelock    [ Reply ]
Not many bands write songs about their fanbase. 
Posted 12 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Hear Hear...
Posted 12 years ago by Foot    [ Reply ]
Are the birds of a feather
flocking outside ? I'm not
quite sure - I didn't catch that the first FIFTEEN HUNDRED
times they sang that. Please shoot me. Or better yet, them.
Posted 12 years ago by planet3one9    [ Reply ]
Very good
Posted 12 years ago by Sabata    [ Reply ]
This gets on my nerves. EEEEEE!
Posted 12 years ago by superfido    [ Reply ]
Not a phan, but I like this one.
Posted 12 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
The studio production work on this is incredible.......

Posted 12 years ago by repeat108    [ Reply ]
That is remarkable.  I was just thinking that I don't recall hearing much Phish on RP and I wish Bill would spin some more....
Posted 12 years ago by S-curvy    [ Reply ]
Reminds me of another local band called 'Umphrey's McGee'. I'm sure they were influenced by Phish. This is cool...but a bit too repetitive for my tastes. 
Posted 13 years ago by ziakut    [ Reply ]
 Webfoot wrote:
What are the birds doing outside??
 
They're flocking together.  ("Birds of a feather ...")
Posted 13 years ago by unclehud    [ Reply ]
What are the birds doing outside??
Posted 13 years ago by Webfoot    [ Reply ]
i've grown into liking Phish after years of constant bullying by my friends, but I was actually happy with RP being a pretty much Phish free zone.....
Posted 13 years ago by raerae333    [ Reply ]
 handyrae wrote:
This is exceedingly annoying.
 
. . .your use of the adverb "exceedingly" was quite generous; I would have used, "f***ing" in its place, but maybe that's just me. . .

{#Silenced}


Posted 13 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
This is exceedingly annoying.
Posted 13 years ago by handyrae    [ Reply ]
 huebdoo wrote:
Never got the Hype of Phish or the Greatful Dead - sorry just dont get it ...
 
That is quite sad actually....keep trying!

Posted 13 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
Indeed
......More PHISH !  {#Dancingbanana_2}
Posted 13 years ago by jules44    [ Reply ]
YAYYYY!!!!  
Posted 13 years ago by rosedraws    [ Reply ]
Very cool bird flying animation from the twin cities person.
Posted 13 years ago by 88    [ Reply ]

Posted 13 years ago by Inamorato    [ Reply ]
Never got the Hype of Phish or the Greatful Dead - sorry just dont get it ...
Posted 13 years ago by huebdoo    [ Reply ]
Friday Night, June 11, 2010
Toyota Park
71st & Harlem Avenue
Chicago, IL, United States
Set One

1.  Down With Disease
2.  Wolfman's Brother
3.  Possum
4.  Boogie On Reggae Woman
5.  Reba
6.  Jesus Just Left Chicago
7.  The Divided Sky
8.  Golgi Apparatus
9.  David Bowie

Set Two

1.  Light
2.  Maze
3.  Ghost
4.  Limb By Limb
5.  Prince Caspian
6.  Horse
7.  Silent in the Morning
8.  Run Like An Antelope
9.  Show of Life (debut)

Encore
1.  Cavern
2.  Julius


Posted 13 years ago by CamLwalk    [ Reply ]
Not even close to their best, but i'll take... NICU
Posted 14 years ago by ddbz    [ Reply ]
 Baby_M wrote:

Paging Tippi Hendren.  Miss Hendren to the white courtesy phone please.

 
{#Lol}

Posted 14 years ago by lophrequa    [ Reply ]
Sounds Phishy to me {#Mrgreen}
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
 Mack wrote:
We love our fans and our fans love us, but which ones are the fans?


 
For those of you glued to RP 24/7 and may have missed it, that's Congressman John Hall in the middle there. I have mixed feelings about this. Really liked his activism (M.U.S.E.), but I think he's gone over to the dark side. First rule of politics: learn how to lie with a straight face.

Posted 14 years ago by WonderLizard    [ Reply ]
 derekd wrote:
Gotta go...Birds of a feather flocking outside apparently.
 
Paging Tippi Hendren.  Miss Hendren to the white courtesy phone please.

Posted 14 years ago by Baby_M    [ Reply ]
I have tried hard (really) but could not get to like Phish at all ... too much of anything to be something, I'd say. And the Dead comparison does not hold: the music could not be more different.

Weird.
Posted 14 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
Station Changer
Posted 14 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
This is really irritating. 
Posted 14 years ago by MsFine    [ Reply ]
Nasty cover of this song....
Posted 14 years ago by DaveInSaoMiguel    [ Reply ]
Not the best Phish song. I would love to hear more of their music on RP!!
Posted 14 years ago by voicers    [ Reply ]
Gotta go...Birds of a feather flocking outside apparently.
Posted 14 years ago by derekd    [ Reply ]
Really don't like Phish much (or jam bands in general), but I love this one!
Posted 14 years ago by maryte    [ Reply ]
 Quixmundi wrote:
And people followed this group all over just to hear concert after concert of this predictable goo?
 

drugs are bad, mmmmmkay?
Posted 14 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
Goin to the show at Fenway on Sunday!  Can't wait, happy they're back - this song's rating is too low...
Posted 14 years ago by TobalMoreno    [ Reply ]
This really is horrible.

Why does a 5 get repeated airplay? 

Just horrible.

I mean, this is like, " Cake," bad. 
Posted 14 years ago by jhorton    [ Reply ]
{#Stop}
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 . . . nexxxt
Posted 15 years ago by wenatchee    [ Reply ]
So there are birds? A bunch of them, outside? Putting that white stuff on Christmas trees?

Posted 15 years ago by cayenne    [ Reply ]
I kind of like some Phish, but this song makes me wonder why.
Posted 15 years ago by bindi    [ Reply ]
I was excited to hear some Phish on RP, but this one is definitely not one of my favourites... I still get chills when I think of seeing "Harry Hood" performed live
Posted 15 years ago by katherinenz    [ Reply ]
 Mack wrote:
It's all outa tune - makes my teeth go on edge.
 

Is this true or is this the note bending of "biiiiirds"?  I don't hear "out of tune".  No opinion of the song, but was thinking either this is wrong or my ears are broken.

Posted 15 years ago by greyfin10    [ Reply ]
Phish fan here...this is just awful.
Posted 15 years ago by denbear    [ Reply ]
And people followed this group all over just to hear concert after concert of this predictable goo?
Posted 15 years ago by Quixmundi    [ Reply ]
haha ... if you don't get it by now, you probably never will.

i'm groovin on it :)
Posted 15 years ago by chocodog    [ Reply ]
It's all outa tune - makes my teeth go on edge.


Posted 15 years ago by Mack    [ Reply ]
someone please email me when this song is done so i can listen again
Posted 15 years ago by wrangler    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:
Sorry. I want to appreciate this band, but there never seems to be very much substance there. If their best work is in live jams, I have listened to some of those, and they simply cannot be seen as in the same class as the Dead. The song writing is rather weak and the music just does not offer me much. Oh well...
 

This is not there best. It is a bit different sound on this CD than others. In addition there are better tunes on this CD. Give Billy Breathes or Farm House a try. IMO those are ther two best CD's.
Posted 15 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
I usually don't like to trash songs on this forum, but this one is soooo annoying
Posted 15 years ago by ord_mike    [ Reply ]

Posted 15 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
 bam23 wrote:

Sorry. I want to appreciate this band, but there never seems to be very much substance there. If their best work is in live jams, I have listened to some of those, and they simply cannot be seen as in the same class as the Dead. The song writing is rather weak and the music just does not offer me much. Oh well...


 

Sorry bam23, but I must disagree with your "they simply cannot be seen as in the same class as the Dead" statement.  On any given day, Phish could suck as badly as Gerry and the Dead.

Posted 15 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
This song is horrible. Phish really let themselves down doing this one.
Posted 15 years ago by renegade_X    [ Reply ]
Sorry. I want to appreciate this band, but there never seems to be very much substance there. If their best work is in live jams, I have listened to some of those, and they simply cannot be seen as in the same class as the Dead. The song writing is rather weak and the music just does not offer me much. Oh well...
Posted 15 years ago by bam23    [ Reply ]
It is really hard to believe that this band is not together anymore. (sarcasm)
Posted 15 years ago by Ulises    [ Reply ]
oy, sounds like a bad Steve Miller impersonation. as if he wasn't bad enough.
Posted 15 years ago by thewiseking    [ Reply ]
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!!!!!! PHISH HEAD, TO THE END!
Posted 15 years ago by esweazey73    [ Reply ]
Looks like a bunch of hairy naked boys hanging out and having fun musikalia wrote:
Huh? I missed that one.
Posted 15 years ago by drews    [ Reply ]
I'm doing the seat dance, and I like it!
Posted 15 years ago by mamerjamer    [ Reply ]
hear that phunk.
Posted 16 years ago by buckeyes    [ Reply ]
wandersahn wrote:
tough news about Trey getting busted. I used to LOVE this band, until I watched Bittersweet Motel where they acted like total tools and completely dissed their fans.
Likewise, after seeing what an arrogant a**hole Trey is in that film (and the arrogance was always apparent at the shows as well), my first reaction to his bust was glee. Sorry, but it serves him right.
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Mack wrote:
We love our fans and our fans love us, but which ones are the fans?
Huh? I missed that one.
Posted 16 years ago by musikalia    [ Reply ]
Am I hearing Steve Miller here - grovy track man!
Posted 16 years ago by mgkiwi    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by gfloyd    [ Reply ]
I've been hitting the mute button a few times today...
Posted 16 years ago by Krow_Pie    [ Reply ]
Always wondered at the fanaticism of Phish fans. After hearing this dreck, I don't care anymore.
Posted 16 years ago by chyk5    [ Reply ]
Interesting....
Posted 16 years ago by prickelpit96    [ Reply ]
I don't know my phish, but I like this groove! Great rhythm section!!
Posted 16 years ago by felix_the_man    [ Reply ]
Posted 16 years ago by Nabla    [ Reply ]
Groovin
Posted 16 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
We love our fans and our fans love us, but which ones are the fans?
Posted 16 years ago by Mack    [ Reply ]
The harmonies and the chorus of this song somehow remind me of a 70's band called Quantum Leap. They made a great album, but I can't think of the name right now. Anybody remember them?
Posted 16 years ago by MM13    [ Reply ]
wandersahn wrote:
yeah, gotta agree w SpaceCase. tough news about Trey getting busted. I used to LOVE this band, until I watched Bittersweet Motel where they acted like total tools and completely dissed their fans. /quote> eh? more details, please (I have not seen the movie) cannot stand phish, and I especially found their "we love our fans and our fans love us" attitude particularly grating. If it turned out they actually despise their fans, now that would be sweet ...
Posted 17 years ago by federico    [ Reply ]
MORE PHISH!!
Posted 17 years ago by buddy0407    [ Reply ]
I can smell the wookies
Posted 17 years ago by biggeorge    [ Reply ]
there's a killer rendition of this on a phish bluegrass tribute album... better than the original
Posted 17 years ago by C57BL6    [ Reply ]
yeah, gotta agree w SpaceCase. tough news about Trey getting busted. I used to LOVE this band, until I watched Bittersweet Motel where they acted like total tools and completely dissed their fans. the music is still good though. love the guitar solo.
Posted 17 years ago by wandersahn    [ Reply ]
Would have enjoyed it more if the lyrics were less audible.
Posted 17 years ago by mattc296    [ Reply ]
I'm loving this....but also figuring Bill is playing this (and Waste on Friday) because Trey (their guitarist/singer) got busted early Friday morning with a bunch a pills.... Opening line "Its easy sometimes when you just coast along...But like it or not something always seems to go wrong" I love how RP makes the music go witht he current events...I can't think of any other station that does that!!!
Posted 17 years ago by SpaceCase    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by vandal    [ Reply ]
musically good, lyrically - ok. overall this is ok. really tailed off towards the end.
Posted 17 years ago by toddschmutz    [ Reply ]
jgeyer wrote:
Amazing! What an original idea! (Dr. Evil voice) I think I will call it the "Counter Culture."
Thanks for that. I needed to have this shirt dry-cleaned anyway. :)
Posted 17 years ago by ibcoleman    [ Reply ]
Saw these guys in 1989 in the basement of the U of Colorado UMC. Wasn't hugely impressed at the time (though the lead singer played a vacuum-cleaner hose...so that was fun). For the life of me, I can't understand how these guys have gotten so overrated. Picking up the Deadheads on the rebound I guess. They have improved since '89, though.
Posted 17 years ago by ibcoleman    [ Reply ]
Always one of my favorites at their shows in later years.
Posted 17 years ago by Dylan76    [ Reply ]
I only like a few phish songs per album. They can sound good if they don't go into 67 minute repetitive jams. Their lyrics just suck though. I mean writting lyrics while shrooming is something for only a few people can do. However, most people just sound like a retarded 4th grader wrote the lyrics.
Posted 17 years ago by milehighYinzer    [ Reply ]
There's better tracks than this on this CD but Bird's is OK.
Posted 17 years ago by parrothead    [ Reply ]
I'm not a phan of Phish, but this one ain't bad.
Posted 17 years ago by Art_Carnage    [ Reply ]
Posted 17 years ago by glassjawgrlxxx    [ Reply ]
Since this is Phish I'm trying hard to dislike it but it does have a nice little groove going on. 7 for now, unless it goes on too long.
Posted 18 years ago by sccaflagger74    [ Reply ]
very singable. i dig these guys.
Posted 18 years ago by PattonFever    [ Reply ]
JoJopugs wrote:
JAMMIN live tune I miss PHISH shows so freakin much!!!! This song is about the common masses of faces without personalities....the product of mass produced americans trying to keep up with the Jones and living like what they see on Mtv or in Victorias Secret!
Amazing! What an original idea! (Dr. Evil voice) I think I will call it the "Counter Culture."
Posted 18 years ago by jgeyer    [ Reply ]
I was about to agree with everyone and add my condolences to Phish for putting out this piece of garbage until the guitars at the end and then it sounded quite interesting. But what the hell, the mood has passed - I'll give it a 4.
Posted 18 years ago by pinto    [ Reply ]
macz wrote:
Yeah, big fan of intelligent music, not so much on the hippie stuff.
What is hippie about this song?
Posted 18 years ago by ArbiterOfGoodTaste    [ Reply ]
ChardRemains wrote:
Yes. It stinks.
Yeah, big fan of intelligent music, not so much on the hippie stuff.
Posted 18 years ago by macz    [ Reply ]
This some skanky Phish, biotch.
Posted 18 years ago by AphidA    [ Reply ]