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The title track to the 2003 release from Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke, “Clone” tells the story of Dolly the Sheep gone awry, a mystical journey through the self-reflective imagination of our beloved Mike, times two. The bluesy syncopation and interlocking grooves that permeate this album as a whole are on the title track further fused with the infectious, persistent Gordon head-bob beat, off-kilter mumblings, and dingy percussive vignettes. 

Watch Clone on YouTube Leo Kotke/Mike Gordon “Clone” 

The result screams: “Mike!” The mirror imagery in the album’s cover and liner notes also perhaps suggest its co-authors may well have found kindred spirits in this pairing, both in musical rhythms and quirky dispositions. “Clone” was a regular feature of the Gordon & Kottke live performances beginning in November 2002. Mike only played the song once with his band as the encore on 12/9/11.

“Clone” made its Phish debut on 2/26/03 in Worcester, emerging from the show-opening “YEM.” The “YEM” vocal jam featured Trey singing the “Clone” lines, and then the band launched into the tune in full, this time with Mike singing the lines that he penned. This combo led off a themed first set that included a tune from the solo project of each band member (“Drifting” from Trey, “Final Flight” from Page and “Blue Skies” from Fishman). This performance has yet to propagate and remains the single offering by Phish to date.

(Gordon)
© Who Is She? Music, Inc. (BMI)

There was a ringing in my ear, so I went to get the phone
Too late, someone had picked it up; it must have been my clone
I used to make you laugh 'til you were shaking in the knee
I know I make you feel so good, but not as good as he
I felt much closer when we used to stay at home
Instead of sitting in this diner with you talking at my clone
Some stuff about a baby you could not have had alone
Was it him or me? He'll fill me in, 'cause I've been in a zone
Clone, clone clone, clone, clone clone

You told me I was ugly; I didn't like your tone,
So I went out drinking, left you lying with my clone
He's not just a mirage, a reflection, or an elf
He makes it so I can live vicariously through myself
My clone is hard of hearing, so he taught me how to sign
And in silence I could see your eyes and know that you were mine
Lying in my bed, I thought I heard you moan
Is this a sign of something going on between my clone?
Clone, clone clone, clone, clone clone

What's the sound of one hand clapping? What's a clone alone?
He says that I'm the slider, but that he's the whole trombone
I punched him in the eye, for to fighting I am prone
I was tired of him saying he was me and I'm the clone
Sometimes I left thinking, wondering if I'm real
Or just some guy my clone dreamed up to sometimes take the wheel
So I went down to the graveyard; I was looking at my stone
The guy said, "Are you dead yet?" "No, but dig one for my clone"
Clone, clone clone, clone, clone clone