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Perhaps a window into the feelings that come with the fame Phish has found, “Albuquerque” reflects on the time-honored notion of escape that permeates many musical genres: rock, blues, soul, even pop: “I’ve been starving to be alone / and independent from the scene / that I’ve known" and "I’ll find somewhere where / they don’t care who I am.”

“Albuquerque” debuted in Dallas on 7/26/98. Despite three guest appearances by Neil Young with Phish that year (Farm Aid on 10/3/98, and Neil Young’s own Bridge School Benefit at Shoreline on 10/17 & 10/18/98), Phish hasn't performed the tune with its original artist. In 1998 the song was performed acoustic on four occasions: Farm Aid, Bridge School, 10/20/98 for Sessions at West 54th and the “mini acoustic set” 12/28/98 at MSG. Trey also performed the song solo, acoustic, sitting in at Salt Lake City’s Dead Goat Saloon for an open mic night on 11/1/98 – on the night between performances of Velvet Underground’s Loaded and Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. 

Watch Albuquerque on YouTube Phish, "Albuquerque" – 10/20/98, Sessions at West 54th, New York, NY

Shelved for over a year, it was revived at about three in the morning during The Show at Big Cypress. This version included a key lyric change that belies the tenor of the song, but was so appropriate for the event: “So I’ll stop when I can, find some cheesecake and country ham.”

After Big Cypress “Albuquerque” has been performed only a handful of times, including 9/14/00 at Darien Lake (Live Phish 03), 11/21/09 in Cincinnati after a 115-show absence, and 12/28/10 in Worcester.

Watch Albuquerque on YouTube Phish, "Albuquerque" – 12/28/98, New York, NY

(Young)
© Silver Fiddle Music c/o Wixen Music Publishing (ASCAP)

Well, they say
that Santa Fe
Is less than ninety miles away,
And I got time to roll a number
and rent a car.
Oh, Albuquerque.

I've been flyin'
down the road,
And I've been starvin' to be alone,
And independent from the scene
that I've known.
Albuquerque.

So I'll stop when I can,
Find some fried eggs
and country ham.
I'll find somewhere where
they don't care who I am.
Oh, Albuquerque,
Albuquerque.