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The Velvet Underground original is a fun, grating rock n’ roller featuring some unusual instrumental flourishes and bridges, some uncharacteristic double guitar work, and typically invigorating Reed vocals that level off somewhere around a dull roar.

For their 10/31/98 Loaded set, Phish covered the tune well – even faithfully – beginning with the song’s odd false-start vocal refrain. Though Trey’s voice doesn’t quite have Reed’s growly scouring-pad sound, he did an admirable job, capturing at least the slightly manic, half-drunk feeling found in the original. Phish’s version clocked in at a little over a minute longer than the original studio version owing to some extended slamming on the tune’s closing chorus. Altogether it was a fun, faithful performance that got a huge crowd reaction.

Phish’s 2012 summer tour was chock-full of bust-outs of cover tunes that had long been on the shelf, including ”La Grange,” “Blister in the Sun,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” and “Purple Rain.” “Head Held High” joined this group on 7/4/12 at Jones Beach, 356 shows removed from its 10/31/98 Phish debut, sandwiched between a set of sandwiches (“Alumni” > “LTJP” > “Alumni” and “TMWSIY” > “Avenu Malkenu” > “TMWSIY.”). Do the dog!

Watch Head Held High on YouTube Phish, “Head Held High” – 7/4/12, Wantagh, NY

(Reed)
© Oakfield Avenue Music LTD (BMI)

My mama told me, ever since I was seven
Hold your head up high
My parents told my ever since I was eleven
Hold your head up high
They said the answer was to become a dancer
Hold your head high
Oh, just like I figured, they're always disfigured
With their head up high

Now I'm older, I'm getting so much bolder
With my head up high
(Head held high)
Oh, as I figured, just like I figured
Since your head's up high, baby
(Head held high)
Oh, just like I figured
You know, they was disfigured
Hold your head up high
(Head held high)
You know, they says the answer was to become a dancer
Hold your head high, boy
(Head held high)

Ever since I was a baby on my mama's knee
Oh, just listened to what everybody told me
Oh yes I did
But still the answer was to become a dancer
And hold your head high
But, just like I figured, they're always disfigured
They hold their heads up high

Watch out!
Do the dog!
Oh, watch out!

And now I'm older, they say I'm so much bolder
Got your head up high
(Head held high)
Oh, and the answer was, hey, to become a dancer
Head up high
(Head held high)
Well, but just like I figured, they're always disfigured
They got their heads up high
(Head held high)
But the answer was, now, boy, become a dancer
With your head up high

Head up high!
Head up high!
Head up high!
Head up high!
Head up high!