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“When the only tool you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” This simple lyric, the central tenet of “Bittersweet Motel,” is a heavy truism applicable to both our travels down the road of life and the inherent frustrations that can manifest during life on the road. The little disasters can strike even when we are traveling alone. It is not surprising that the song is the title track for a film documenting life on the road with Phish. A flat tire, a wrong turn, a traffic jam, a lost ticket, a missing friend, a bent tent stake, an over-adoring fan; it could be anything, usually something simple, but it puts us through a personal hell of frustration just the same. Frustration becomes anger. Anger is a blunt indiscriminate hammer. Too often we lash out with this hammer at the unsuspecting nails (friends, lovers, tour buddies) that surround us. “Bittersweet Motel” is a brief reminder, as well as an opportunity during a Phish show, to stop and catch a breath. A chance to try to develop different tools to deal with the nuts, loose screws, and the pressure of vices we all must face. 

A hauntingly sparse simple electric arrangement of “Bittersweet Motel” debuted on 7/21/98, swirling out of the “Ring of Fire” ambiance between “Simple” and “Weekapaug.” Since then it has appeared sporadically, often as part of a multiple song encore (e.g. 7/29/98, 8/2/98, 12/16/99). 

One of the more interesting versions of “Bittersweet Motel” was the acoustic rendition at the ‘E’ Center (11/2/98). This performance included a closing “Free Bird” jam and was dedicated to the people at the Dead Goat Saloon. Apparently, the previous evening, Trey and Mike had played an open mic night at a small Salt Lake City bar. After playing a couple of songs Trey said they began inviting the other patrons and staff of the saloon to sit in with them. This free-for-all culminated with the only other acoustic version of “Bittersweet Motel” to date. However, unlike the ‘E’ Center version, everyone in the room at the Dead Goat was up on stage jamming along. 

Watch Bittersweet Motel on YouTube "Bittersweet Motel" – 12/31/99, Big Cypress, FL

Barring the discovery of recordings from the Dead Goat, the absolutely must hear at all cost version of “Bittersweet Motel” can be found nestled between “Silent in the Morning” and “Piper” late in The Show at Big Cypress (12/31/99). Appropriately enough Trey dedicated the song to the Pittsburgh crew. In keeping with this dedication, the first post-hiatus performance of “Bittersweet Motel” was wedged into the second set “Harpua” narration at Star Lake (7/29/03), which lies just to the west of Pittsburgh in Burgettstown, PA. Apparently the tune was inspired by Jimmy’s sadness resulting from his inability to find “IT” while on the road with Poster Nutbag and Harpua. 

In contrast Trey mirthfully dedicated the song to his daughter Bella before playing it at Red Rocks (8/2/09). According to Trey she had been requesting it all tour. Bella in turn wanted the "Bittersweet Motel" dedicated to Matt and urged him to "keep his hair straight." Following this performance, Fishman jokingly expressed his sadness at being alone again and asked if he could have the other drummer (Bill Kreutzmann) back.

Watch Bittersweet Motel on YouTube "Bittersweet Motel" – 8/2/09, Morrison, CO

(Anastasio, Fishman, Gordon, McConnell)
© Who Is She? Music, Inc (BMI)

When the only tool you have is a hammer
Everything looks like a nail
And your living at the Bittersweet Motel

When the only tool you have is a hammer
Everything looks like a nail
And your living at the Bittersweet Motel

Halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh
You're putting me through hell
On the highway to the Bittersweet Motel

Halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh
You're putting me through hell
On the highway to the Bittersweet Motel

When the only tool you have is a hammer
Everything looks like a nail
And your living at the Bittersweet Motel