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“18 Steps” is the third track from a bonus EP also titled 18 Steps included with purchase of Bar 17 from Trey's website. The EP contains nine songs recorded over the same time frame as Bar 17. The cover for 18 Steps featuring a long math formula – using 18 steps to turn the number (Bar) 17 into 18 – was developed by longtime Phish fan and mathematician David "@Zzyzx" Steinberg.

“18 Steps” is a slow-paced song, with the most engaging portion being the crescendo at the end that sees Trey soloing during the live performances. Unlike many TAB standards, this one has not been used as a jam vehicle. Rather, the song bears more of a similarity to the laid back introspective songs, complete with an upbeat rousing chorus (reminiscent of "Black" from Shine,). 

The studio version of the tune clocks in at 6:54, and the live versions don't stretch much past that and don't differ greatly from the studio version. The tune has only been played live four times to date, all within a six week period in late spring 2005. “18 Steps” debuted at the first ever show of the 70 Volt Parade incarnation of TAB at Higher Ground in South Burlington, VT on 4/1/05, along with five other original debuts and two cover debuts. The song was also performed on 4/26/05 in Richmond, 5/7/05 in Cincinnati, and the final performance to date, opening the show on 5/14/05 at the Hammerstein in New York.

(Anastasio)
© Seven Below Inc. (BMI)

Halloween elbow
Half-way crumbled
Elegant symbol
Acres green
All of this will end below
This artificial avalanche

Thin lines
Ever-sinking ship
Steel swings
Thin, cold stream
Enters this awful dream

You at the door
Always with a smile
And a wave of the hand
That you hold

For everyone must go up and down those 18 steps
Everyone must go up and down those 18 steps

Two times a day
But can't you see
What you have

For everyone must go up and down those 18 steps
To be...

Lost, empty
Languid, hollow
Still I end up rescued
Pissed, but free
Anna says to Indigo,
"All of this will have to pass."

Thin lines never seem to slip
Steel swings
Thin, cold streams
Ending this empty scene

You at the door
Always with a smile
And a wave of the hand
That you hold

For everyone must go up and down those 18 steps
Everyone must go up and down those 18 steps

Locusts and angels all go down those 18 steps
In a broken time
Beggars wait below those 18 steps
At the bottom of he chain that leads you down those 18 steps
Last among all equals you go down those 18 steps

Breathe
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe
Breathe