Since the launch of SiriusXM‘s limited-run Phish Radio station, listeners have been buzzing about “Ask Trey”, the channel’s centerpiece segment in which guitarist Trey Anastasio fields questions from fans in a conversation with program host Ari Fink. Today, SiriusXM has shared a video clip from their “Ask Trey” session about the origins of quintessential Phish composition “You Enjoy Myself”, often referred to by its initials, YEM.
As Trey explains, “We went to Europe to play street music, we were nineteen… The whole summer we were buskers, me and [Jon Fishman] when he still had that crazy long hair.” When asked what the setlist for their street performances was like, Trey responded: “It was parts, bits and pieces of what became ‘You Enjoy Myself’ and ‘Harry Hood’.” The story unfolds as Trey recalls crafting the various musical segments which eventually became the composed parts of YEM.
He also sheds some light on the inspiration for the song’s light-hearted title. “There was this guy we were hanging with, we just met him on the street and would just hang out for hours. He was Italian and barely spoke English at all, but we were laughing. One day we were walking around right near the Uffizi Museum, and he had one arm around me and one around Fishman, and he says, [in a thick Italian accent], “You know, when I am with you, you enjoy myself!” Watch Trey discuss the origins of “You Enjoy Myself” below:
Trey Anastasio on the Origins of “You Enjoy Myself” – Ask Trey
[Video: SiriusXM]
You can also watch last week’s video release, featuring Trey Anastasio’s story about the first time he met Jon Fishman in which explains that it was “love at first sight.”
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Phish Radio is playing now on SiriusXM’s channel 29. On August 16th, the channel will turn into The Bunny, the exclusive broadcaster of the band’s sold-out 11th festival, Curveball. The Bunny will run on channel 29 through the end of the festival on Sunday, August 19th, before converting back to Jam On on Monday, August 20th.
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