Middle of the Road

• Performances
• History
• Lyrics
• Artist
  • Phish
  • Fish
  • Mike
  • Page
  • Trey
  • All

Originally Performed By	Mike Gordon and Leo Kottke
Original Album	Clone (2002)
Appears On
Music/Lyrics	Kottke
Vocals	Mike (lead); Page, Trey (backing)
Historian	Elayne Best
Last Update	2023-11-29

History

strong class='credit'Leo" style="text-decoration:none">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcsugfCFTgY[/youtube][credit]Leo Kotke/Mike Gordon – “Middle of the Road”

There were infinite reasons to be elated about the reunion of Phish. One of these reasons is being able to see some of the solo project material adapted by the band, and the songs of the Leo Kotke/Mike Gordon duo were full of potential. It took seven years for "Middle of the Road" to find itself into Phish's rotation, and it held promise to be a great new addition. With Mike leading the vocals, and Page tickling the ivories, the twangy "Middle of the Road" has a renewed energy and the harmonious chorus is ridiculously catchy. 

Phish “Middle of the Road” – 8/14/09, Hartford, CT. Video by HarpuaFSB.

Two versions were performed by Phish, the debut on 8/8/09, and a more polished follow up at the Hartford show on 8/14/09. Unfortunately, those two performances seem to be the only two Phish will play, but the song became a regular in Mike's solo band's setlists for a couple years after '09. "Middle of the Road" was also a staple on Mike and Leo Kottke's 2002 tour in support of Clone.

Mike Gordon  “Middle of the Road” – 11/13/10, Boulder, CO. Video by Bradley Carver.

Last significant update: 11/29/23

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