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Phish has played some unlikely covers over the years.  Songs like “Rhinoceros” (8/3/98), “Mirror in the Bathroom” (11/27/98), “Gold Soundz” (7/7/00) and "In the Aeroplane Over the Sea" (6/26/10) all fall outside the band’s general comfort zone of classic rock, jazz and bluegrass covers (of, course, there have been even stranger covers, but those were usually inspired by the presence of a guest, a particular occasion or just general silliness).  On 11/27/09, TV on the Radio’s “Golden Age” took its place among that group. 

Unlike those other covers, however, the band really seemed to hit on something with “Golden Age” (and, in turn, “Golden Age” seemed to light a fire under the band).  Coming as it did roughly halfway through a fall tour some were criticizing as stale,  “Golden Age” (complete with an extended Trey solo) set the stage for one of the stronger sets of the tour and really seemed to act as a turning point for the tour as a whole.  Nearly all of the highlights of the 2009 Fall Tour both from a jamming perspective (“Ghost” > “-7” on 11/28 and “Light” on 12/2) and song selection perspective (“Crimes” on 11/29, “Peaches” on 12/2 and “Glide” and “Scents” on 12/4) would come after “Golden Age.”

Appearing on TV on the Radio's critically acclaimed album, Dear Science, (named best album of 2008 by Rolling Stone and Spin, among others), “Golden Age" is an unabashedly optimistic song on a mostly pessimistic album (the title of the album comes from a note band member, Dave Sitek, left in the studio stating, “Dear Science, please start solving problems and curing diseases or shut the fuck up.”). Anchored by a catchy bass line and bolstered by the addition of the Antibalas horns and a soaring string section, the original version creates a wall of sound that would be a challenge for any four-piece band to match.

Watch Golden Age on YouTube TV on the Radio "Golden Age"

Luckily Phish proves up to the challenge.  For nearly a year, it seemed like "Golden Age" was destined to be a one-timer. Thankfully, though, on 10/11/10 in Broomfield, CO, "Golden Age" made a second appearance, taking its place among similarly unlikely covers like “Roses Are Free” and “Sabotage” that were so well-received that they made subsequent appearances. 

“Golden Age has since made the transformation from "rare treat" to a regular part of the rotation. Standout versions were played on 6/8/11 (where it was also teased later that show during both "Weekapaug" and "2001”); 7/2/11 (at Super Ball IX, where Phish began exploring the Type-II potential the song has oozed ever since its debut); 7/3/12 (beautiful ambient jamming from Jones Beach); 10/20/13 Hampton (17+ minutes, on the heels of an epic “Tweezer”); 10/27/13 (poly-rhythmic bliss from Hartford in one of the best shows from one of the band’s best tours, yet still somehow underrated); 7/18/14 Chicago (Fish demonstrating his MVP credentials); 9/4/15 Dick’s (peakless, but persistently awesome); and 10/28/16 Vegas (at 25+ min, the undisputed heavyweight champion… just relentless and not merely a top version of Golden Age, but one of the finest jams of the 3.0 era). 

Watch Golden Age on YouTube "Golden Age" 11/27/09 Albany, NY

(Malone/Sitek)
© Stunzeed Music (ASCAP)

Heart beat soundin'.
Ricocheting in their cage.
Thought I'd lose my balance.
With the grounds bounce and sway.
And all this violence.
And all this goes away.
And the vibes that rise like.
Fireflies illuminate our play.

Some light being.
Pulled you up from night's party.
Said clap your hands.
If you think your soul is free.
And the silence was astounding.
'Cept some "Oh Lord!! Mercy Me's".
And oh you can't stop what's comin' up.
You're never gonna stop gonna live it up.
And oh it's gonna drop gonna fill your cup.
And oh it's gonna drop gonna fill your cup!

The age of miracles.
The age of sound.
Well there's a Golden Age.
Comin' round, comin' round, comin' round!

Give it up.
'Stead of grabbin' for decay.
What we viewed as gold.
I believe pollutes this space.
And its grace ascending.
Like a snake up your tree.
Up your happy ending understanding.
All your s'pposed to be.

Let it move right in.
Let it kiss your face.
Let it sow your skin.
In perpetual embrace.
Like I said "Love's Light is Laughter".
Like the sun spittin' happiness into the hereafter.
Oh here it comes like a natural disaster.
Ah blowin' up like a ghetto blaster.
Ah here it comes, bring it faster!
Ah here it comes, bring it faster!

The age of miracles.
The age of sound.
Well there's a Golden Age.
Comin' round, comin' round, comin' round!!

Love, don't you falter.
Burnin' hearts.
Dragged behind.
The horses dancing on the altar.
Hooves breakin' Gods.
To diamond dust and stars.
And there you are...

Now we're all allowed to breathe.
Walls dissolve.
With the hunger and the greed.
Move your body.
You've got all you need.
And your arms in the air stir a sea of stars.
And oh here it comes and it's not so far.

All light beings.
Come on now make haste..
Clap your hands.
If you think you're in the right place
Thunder all surroundin'.
Aw feel it quake with the joy resounding.
Palm to the palm you can feel it poundin'.
Never give it up you can feel it mountin'.
Oh its gonna drop gonna fill your cup and.
Oh its gonna drop gonna fill your cup!!!

The age of miracles.
The age of sound.
Well there's a Golden Age.
Comin' round, comin' round, comin' round!!!!

The age of miracles.
The age of sound.
Well there's a Golden Age.
Comin' round, comin' round, comin' round!!!!