Phish | 12.29.11 | Roses Are Free

From Madison Square Garden in New York, NY. Encoded at 1080p30. For best results watch in HD and view my playlists for more videos from this show.

[@kevinp23231]

Mickey “Dean Ween” Melchiondo- "When we re-recorded it for Chocolate and Cheese we filled up 24 tracks with parts. We never played it live, it had never even occurred to us until Phish started playing it out. Now it’s one of my favorite songs to perform live, as the whole band is playing the entire time. Usually it’s our finale of finales, the last song of the last encore. Phish, by covering it, made it one of our popular and most crowd pleasing tunes. For that we owe Trey forever because it opened up so many people’s ears to the music of Ween and introduced us to a whole new audience within the jam band scene, which never would have happened otherwise."

[@Empty_Eeyore]

I thought this was a phish song for the longest time hahaha

[@Empty_Eeyore]

When did dean say that though? Because ween has been playing this song live for quite some time…

[@TheDude0fLife]

I saw Ween and Gener introduced it by joking, "This is a Phish song." I think Phish covering it was a great tip of the hat to Ween.

[@ozenozmedia]

Kick mf ass!

[@joebo1041]

But the phish version is terrible tho.

[@helpfoolsouls]

When an artist or a band covers someone else's music, it's their way of showing that the band they are covering has made an impact on them and they want to show respect towards what they have done. That's all there is to it. They aren't trying to compete with them. Imitation is the highest form of flattery.

[@skaterdudeprodutions]

Scott Douglas Gotta agree here. Although I just found both bands, don't see why there always has to be a competition on who's better. Also, this version really isn't as bad as people are saying, just lacks some enthusiasm.

[@DylanKarbo]

Moot It’s because ween fans hate Phish fans for how they act at concerts, and they don’t like Ween being called a jam band. I don’t like his version or Phish really either, but the hate is uncalled for. The Phish fans are biting the bait as well, making it worse.

[@euphegenia]

Scott Douglas amazing that this even needs to be explained to some people....

[@nealzo007]

True, but it also did a disservice to Ween because Ween is not a jam band.

[@nealzo007]

And I love trey, but I love ween more

[@TheBuzzsawlenny]

A+ to the girl in the front throwing out the rose petals at the first chorus

[@breatheinthepinkair]

How did she know

[@Jimmieadamsp]

Ween brought me here

[@alextorres7655]

id imagine they did

[@billbossinger321]

And you were very dissatisfied

[@Collinmcspirit]

Bill B this is an excellent rendition of the song. Idk what you’re talking about.

[@duncansmith69]

And phish made you want to leave again?

[@kindadecent9754]

@@Collinmcspirit lol a lot of Ween fans dislike Phish and a lot of Phish fans think Ween is alright. Ween fans can be a bit cynical. I think this is a chill cover though

[@helpfoolsouls]

I wouldn't know who Ween was if it weren't for Phish. Thanks fellows. 2 great bands to pay attention to now.

[@TheNotthead]

Cool..I love Ween..

[@mojo.adventures]

Top playlist, so much juice!! One of the best jam vehicles👏👏👏 I love how Ween credited Phish with turning their song into a live version, saying they never really considered it themselves because of the crazy number of tracks on the studio verson😎

[@joshuaserber3855]

Wonderful song!

[@bartmcfarling]

Id like to hear them cover Oceanman

[@I_do.not_fearyou]

Oh fuck yeah

[@weemme]

WeeN are the greatest

[@mikek1451]

Always...love this...Ween.. The boys... this and Robert Palmer's, Sneaking Sally Through the Alley.. cherished covers by me..

[@doublea5589]

Went to Lockn to see Phish... Left a Ween fan lol.... Team Earth!!!

[@Blackeyedbeaver]

Whomever is directing Phish's light show? They need a raise.

[@pango-y8j]

Epileptics beware Tucson Arizona Sonoran Desert Hot Sun Thorn snakes Cactus lizards Rastafari Trey Amazing Grace yes I

[@Harry-bv6xf]

you need to see their updated rig..

[@quasima]

Holy shit yes you are very correct.

[@andrewthorsten3809]

BOOGNISH!!!

[@rosskleiner3613]

Still one of my favorite CK5s

[@kabooby0]

What's with all the in-fighting? Jeez, it's good music. Forget about who's better and just enjoy what you enjoy. Don't believe the florist when he tell you that the roses are free.

[@calebchurch3548]

Dude its not ween, but its a fuckin jam. Seen it live a lot and it just gets the scene hype as shit. I love it

[@joebo1041]

This version sucks

[@afroscal]

Cool version

[@joebo1041]

Lol, it's terrible.

[@Bing42]

Nice one Harpua!

[@ohoto3896]

this is great. it;'s obvious the two bands have mutual respect. an aside i wish trey woulda jammed on deaners solo, but man shit is brown. hail boognish abdu

[@heatherelizabeth27]

STILL ❤❤❤❤

[@sigalfamily4771]

Nice cover, different vibe, more precise and stately. Deaner's "we're not a jam band" is a bit of "they doth protest too much." Ween has absolutely adopted the jam band ethos, stretching out some of their songs to 20+ minutes. And the festival circuit has given them a lifeline, let's be honest. I personally think there's more personality in Gener's right pinky than in all of Phish, but you could say that about most bands. (FYI, Ween did an amazing country tribute to Jerry as an outtake to 12 Golden Country Greats, and I'd bet that the boys are big Dead fans. And Ween's longtime bassist Dave Dreiwitz plays with JRAD).

[@TheRealForrestGeorge]

Take a piece of tinsel and put it on the tree Cut a slab of melon and pretend that you still love me Carve out a pumpkin and rely on your destiny Get in your car and cruise the land of the brave and free But don't forget to understand exactly what you put on the tree Don't believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free Take a wrinkled raisin, and do with it what you will Push it into third if you know you're gonna climb that hill Eat plenty of lasagna 'til you know that you've had your fill Resist all the urges that make you wanna go out and kill But don't forget to understand exactly what you put on the tree Don't believe the florist when he tells you that the roses are free Throw that pumpkin at the tree Unless you think that pumpkin holds your destiny Cast it off into the sea Bake that pie and eat it with me Throw that pumpkin at the tree Unless you think that pumpkin holds your destiny Cast it off into the sea Bake that pie and eat it with me

[@wangson]

Nice to see another Deadhead enjoying Ween! Good taste, brother/sister!

[@chadking4528]

You all got eyes like a DEAD bass 😂 ❤

[@moheganson]

Sick

[@benringenberg6265]

Heard a few people rip on this version of this song. Ween is awesome, but this is a legit version that does the original justice. I dont give a fuck what people say, this is a rocker and I love it.

[@joebo1041]

Lol, this version is lame AF.

[@Dwightpower88]

I'm not a fan of phish (I do recognize that they are great musicians, just not my cup of tea) but they did a great justice by introducing some of their fans to ween.

[@ARareAndDifferentTune1313]

I feel the exact same way. Tho I do enjoy catching them live bc the vibes are cool and it’s fun to dance

[@benringenberg2394]

I hear a lot of people dissing this cover, and I think its bs, may not be as strong as original, but I think it's a damn fine cover. Peace.

[@pango-y8j]

Please more songs about floral gratuities Praises Tucson Arizona Sonoran Desert Hot Sun Thorns snakes lizards cactus Rastafari Trey Amazing Grace

[@sixfootben4892]

Phish threw them a bone. And it worked. Alot more ween fans . Hate phish or not they helped ween out huge just like les claypool. Music is music.

[@skullduggery3377]

this was tailor made for them, yo.

[@jongray8105]

I’m far past my phish phase, but they still bop

[@jcosta413]

well I hope I sparked it.. I wanted them to make a comeback

[@maryringenberg1]

I love both bands. Ween's version is better, as it should be, but phish does it justice. Fuck all the haters.

[@joebo1041]

Phish is awful

[@johnwilsonjr.4680]

Diamonds.

[@gabrielgriffin9230]

Phish brought me here

[@360PoundCannon]

who wrote this song ween or them, btw ween version is way better

[@nataliekraft4055]

ween.

[@PatsPacks]

Ween.

[@layoramirez4993]

FUCKIN WEEN!!!

[@alextorres7655]

wow this is a fantastic rendition of this song

[@matthewlawton9241]

Well yeah. Phish plays the song...you know...good...

[@chrishickman7059]

Why are the instruments playing blue balloon

[@Gadzooki]

Lol yes. Why indeed.

[@220friend]

Ween wrote it..their version is best

[@thevarietybros2486]

Personally, I prefer the Ween version, it’s a lot weirder and not as straightforward as Phish’s version. But this isn’t as bad as other Ween fans are saying. I’m not a Phish fan (I don’t hate them, however) and they did fine.

[@wangson]

Totally agreed on all points.

[@refrigerator4659]

Ween!

[@sagegoodwin1]

Scortcher!!!

[@afxmnstr]

To the people who hate Phish : I do not understand you - dont you have anything better to do ? To the people who love Phish : I do not understand you, dont feed the trolls that come here to belittle your band. your heroes are mighty fine.

[@EddieDingle76]

Ween is better.

[@benringenberg2367]

Amen brother. I think phish tears this shit up, like the always do. Also hell fuckin yeah, our band is sick as shit, and I don't care who agrees, because I fucking love them. Peace.

[@joebo1041]

To the people who like Phish, you're lame.

[@LetterUnderscoreNumber]

I came to see how they covered this song. And in my opinion, boringly. Their music is boring to me. That is my opinion. I'm not hating on Phish and I'm happy you guys enjoy this.

[@terryatpi]

Picture the Ween face

[@robertmorley4506]

Who's Ween?

[@RobGauthierChanneler]

Ween is superior, but I do like Phish

[@wangson]

Exactly my sentiments, Rob.

[@304bobgnarly]

Fucking kidding me. Shit was party I'd be getting down

[@alarakoknar5591]

ça chauffe

[@wesanderson4521]

Have never heard of these guys, but they sure do have good taste in music. Why didn't they just spell their name Fish, or Fysh. or Fyche.

[@Solargarlicc]

potato potato

[@wesanderson4521]

+Steve Lair yes, act like you have one iota of who I am based on a KZbin comment for some shitty band.

[@SuLu_B]

@@wesanderson4521 how about superficial because you have a playlist dedicated to anti aging shit

[@punpunpunyama9271]

@@SuLu_B a little late but you've got the spirit

[@headphish1]

0:13

[@querecep]

yo

[@secreticelandprod]

@@querecep hi

[@guymoredudethanman]

Stripped the personality out of the song, good lord

[@jaredkelly5729]

Right? What bland, vanilla audio. Zero emotion from the 4 statues on stage too. Boring!

[@BenedictHarris]

You dumbed down the guitar solo, and Ween didn't have this many brown notes in nine albums.

[@djC653]

1st time hearing Phishes version, nice lil Dead flavor they got there.

[@danielalloway3598]

say what you will, your trip is short. Trey OWNS this solo.

[@moonboot.]

I try not to be an annoying "FUCK PHISH" Ween fan but this version just seems completely devoid of energy to me. Very lacking imo. If you like it, cool, but I think the Ween original is more fun and lively.

[@cactaceous]

It's the drummer, man, surrounded by a huge kit he can't even work his way around. Incredibly average and boring percussion playing.

[@tgproductions97]

cactaceous I'm fairly certain it's because Fishman is singing and playing at the same time, usually is more impressive than this.

[@fluffhead7105]

Jesus christ i fucking hate ween fans

[@wallyosmond9204]

It's not really Ween fans. This is just a terrible cover. It sounds similar but removes 90% of the feeling. They didn't really make it their own. They didn't really ace the original. It's just filler.

[@brooklynwilbury4446]

Apparently, you turned off the video before Trey's solo!

[@JackFromBeatStrings]

I guess the lighting guy really is the fifth member. Checking this out cuz Harris W. would've wanted me too. I'm a Ween fan, still don't like Phish. This is OK.

[@JackFromBeatStrings]

JackFromBeatStrings Oh shit! This is the first show him and Scott A. went to!

[@donovanmatthews9837]

Umphreys Mcgeee lighting is better. Phish lighting is great but he doesn't utilize it well enoigh

[@DCMoney96]

Long live Harris!!!

[@wangson]

I like Phish....they're not too bad. However, I fucking LOVE WEEN!!!

[@andrewlazar4804]

This just lacks the energy that Ween has. It's really in the drummer I think

[@wangson]

The drummer, eh? I think Dean Ween's guitar playing is far more "rock out with your cock out" than Trey's playing is.

[@floepiejane]

@@wangson both

[@rundlet1658]

To anyone who says that Phish doesn't do this song justice, 4/3/98

[@r0ckbass]

ween.

[@danielmyers5897]

Ween chocolate

[@Johndoe-gd4tb]

ween fans care SO much about phish its hilarious. i've been banned from several Ween fan groups for even mentioning how much I love phish.......look how many came here just to say it sucks? jesus christ lol so insecure

[@oldchannel6178]

i might be the only ween fan who thinks that phish does roses are free better

[@formerlyskidsinmyute]

Damn thats kinda toxic. You can like ween and phish

[@burnfornever9292]

@@oldchannel6178 Nah I like Ween more than I like Phish but I like this better than Weens version

[@daydreamcon6343]

@@oldchannel6178both are in my top 10 bands of all time, but one only needs to hear 4/3/98 or 12/31/99 once to know tbis song was practically made for phish. All love to Ween, who I absolutely adore and this song is brilliant but to me personally phish does this song even better. Just preference though, never knew until now how toxic some ween fans are. Sweaty drugged out hippies fighting other sweaty drugged out hippies on fucking KZbin comment sections lol

[@michaelduterte6239]

You’re apart of several ween fan groups??? Lmao

[@mero40k]

ween trolls, lul

[@caydensunkle7520]

WEEN

[@matthewhelander9800]

Isn't death the bonus programming ?

[@matthewhelander9800]

The roses are not even a thing theses days? Got to question everything

[@matthewhelander9800]

I got gardener thumb once on the back of my calf

[@maxeypad]

Kinda brown

[@DylanKarbo]

Slightly brown.

[@donovanmatthews9837]

DIDNT KNOW WEEN HAD A FAN BASE THIS DEDICATED. THEY FEEL THREATENED 😉😊😂😭

[@DylanKarbo]

They don’t feel threatened, they’re mad because Phish Phans are kind of ruining Ween concerts by acting like retards, and calling Ween a jam band.

[@dingbatt7314]

OK I came here after seeing comments on the Ween version. I honestly havent listened to this song by ween for like 10+ years, so I know their version, but haven't heard it for a long time. Having just listened to their version (live) then this version straight after, I would say this phish version, the vocals definitely sound flatter, and musically also flat. This is my honest opinion before even reading all the controversy about the two bands.

[@binklesworthington]

lol this is terrible. like an 8th grade talent show performance. i miss ween EDIT: THEYRE BAAAACKKKKK

[@RichoRosai]

This is a beautiful way of putting it Drew. Fortunately Ween is back for good

[@zedpenguin]

nice b8 m8

[@brooklynwilbury4446]

You know what I hear? I hear 18,000 people in Madison Square Garden disagreeing with you, Binkley.

[@charlie.something]

i'm with drew. phish blows. ween rules.

[@EddieDingle76]

I watched a phish phan listen to this song from the source at ween’s latest run at Red Rocks. He even admitted Ween does it best. Trey ain’t got nothing on Deaner.

[@skydog07sb]

Had no problem with this cover. Definitely prefer listening to Ween but the comment section is pretty sad, insecure Ween fans and Phish fans that are making it hard for anyone to want to get into their stuff.

[@joebo1041]

I'm not an insecure Ween fan. Phish is just terrible.

[@charlieguy6872]

this is probably the most tragic flaccid solo ive ever heard sorry

[@adampensel4276]

I like how this version doesn't have the annoying shitty oscillating run up and down the major chord in the dead space that Ween versions have. Much better bass line here, too.

[@joebo1041]

Lol, this version sucks.

[@adampensel4276]

@@joebo1041 I hope ween sees this bro 🤞🏻

[@billbossinger321]

Holy shit. Phish is very boring. Hail boognish.

[@markmattson7317]

stop staring at the stage and dance

[@MarceauDavid]

If Phishheads liked pumpkin pie and WeenRs liked apple pie Phishheads would be like, "I really really love pumpkin pie but once in a while it's nice to have a slice of apple pie for a change." WeenRs would be like, "F You Phishheads! Pumpkins taste NOTHING like apples! Your pie is flavorless and your baker lacks energy! And it's 'slab' not 'slice!'"

[@jamesfalconi8533]

Love Ween and Phish, but anyone commenting here knocking Phish's musicianship must be in pure denial. The Vermont boys could play laps on laps around Ween (besides Dave, he rips) and if you yourself have any slight comprehension of musical ability it's easy to see that. Not to come across as a butthurt Phish phan (way too many of those) but Gener and Deaner are self proclaimed "brown", their raw style is what makes them but Deaner couldn't play half of Phish's catalog. I've always thought the Phish vs. Ween thing was similar to a Yankees Sox rivalry, as much as I hate the Yankees you have to appreciate the talent they've had on their rosters over the years... who really could hate Jeter? Same with Trey, the dude's the most disarming, kind ginger you could ask for who sings pretty flat. But, if you deny that he absolutely shreds like a dude who sold his soul then you're just a tone deaf curmudgeon (and to the dude knocking Fishman's drumming, try playing any live/studio Phish original and see how it sounds bud, poly-rhythm city).

[@thrashtrash512]

Claude could out drum him anyday don't play yourself.

[@billbossinger321]

I think it comes down to song writing, phish is pretty boring. Seen them twice. From what I could tell it was only entertaining to the people popping E.

[@yaboi2500]

Ween writes better songs. They make sounding bad sound good. Phish wish they could write the kind of shit they do and still make it sound fantastic.

[@skydog07sb]

Has Phish tried make music?

[@medifx]

ITS RIGGED

[@octangula7914]

boo

[@MidwestDips]

weenie

[@dondre3000]

nice try...i guess.

[@casualbanter6939]

All respect to Phish fans but this cover is so boring.

[@casualbanter6939]

I understand phish now I'm sorry

[@Lightningph]

@@casualbanter6939 wait really!? :)

[@matthewguillory5374]

It is boring

[@Lightningph]

@@matthewguillory5374 no it's not. You are

[@kylemccallie5864]

No one is as fun as ween I don't think it's possible

[@BoognishDisciple]

Terrible version. Doesn't do Ween justice at all. Hail Boognish though :)

[@thomyorke8509]

exactly

[@erick440]

Horrible I personally think, and I love this song, no personality...

[@charlie.something]

ween will destroy phish. eventually.

[@PatsPacks]

Brown af

[@jcosta413]

go to a ween show then go to a phish show.. then tell me who's better. ( oh forgot.. you cant see ween cuz dean and gean are still crying ) and not this song. ween wrote it so their version is better but phish is the way better band and one of the best live shows of all time.

[@benringenberg2367]

Well put my friend. I agree one hundred percent

[@DylanKarbo]

Funny, because even during the posting of this comment ween were playing. And also, don't disrespect ween because of trolls. They took a hiatus because they needed to get sober, and that is perfectly reasonable. Feeding the trolls is making you look worse than the trolls themselves.

[@PatsPacks]

Lmao ween are still playing, they just recently played here a few months ago

[@billbossinger321]

Seen them both. Phish was painfully boring both times I saw them. Seemed like the only people who enjoyed the 25 minute song endings were the people popping rolls.

[@kittyvalium6517]

Ween is better

[@MaryLennon]

kittyvalium who cares

[@oldschoolbacah1036]

Geez this terrible, ween is better. Seems to me they covered weens song then they take credit for it cause they're more popular

[@JohnnyRyall420]

OldSchoolBacah Try harder troll. Lol

[@ManuelGonzalez-rx9qf]

How is this guy a troll? This is a valid opinion that I agree with. Ween's original had much more energy to it, and Phish IS more fucking popular so they DO get all the credit!

[@JohnnyRyall420]

+Manuel Gonzalez because it was a blanket statement to entice anger and not discussion. How do they "get credit"? Like the secretly collect a check every time they play it. Just absurd. Lastly Ween loves Phish a lot and love the covers so chill the fuck out.

[@slimbodynomite5701]

God ..Phish have good taste, only problem - they just stink.

[@coolgamer936132]

Gross.

[@goo_90]

This is probably the most boring cover I’ve seen of this song. I don’t hate it, I can only tolerate it.

[@juniper2155]

this sucks really bad. this is NOT an AWESOME SOUND.

[@MrBongobongbongo]

wow, this sucks

[@c0r4y]

This sux

[@mero40k]

u sux

[@mero40k]

fat cox

[@LetterUnderscoreNumber]

Phish Sucks

[@1drosemvp]

phish has 10x more talent than ween. no comparison.

[@pnbproductions6008]

LOL, you're kidding, right?

[@fluffhead7105]

Trash Can lol fuck ween

[@Isaac.Garcia666]

cannagrow fourtwozero Fuck you

[@EddieDingle76]

That’s why your favorite band covers their songs. You’re a special kind of stupid aren’t you?

[@yaboi2500]

Ween has objectively better songwriting and stage presence.