How Many People Are You

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Originally Performed By	Mike Gordon
Appears On
Music/Lyrics	Gordon/Murawski
Vocals	Mike
Historian	Phillip Zerbo (pzerbo)
Last Update	2015-09-25

History

Posing a curious existential question, the rollicking “How Many People Are You” by Mike Gordon and his songwriting partner Scott Murawski was first introduced by Mike’s “other” band on 6/5/15 in Charleston, SC. “How Many People Are You” was one of four new Gordon/Murawski originals – along with “Here Today,” Take It As It Comes” and “The Last Step” – debuted on that June 2015 tour. The lyrics contain philosophical explorations on the nature of self, personal and political sub-dramas, and a curious reference to the repetitive nighttime song of the Eastern Whip-poor-will.

Mike Gordon, “How Many People Are You” – 6/19/15, Albany, NY (at 4:50)

“How Many People Are You” debuted coinciding with the first new lineup of Mike’s band since 2008, with Mike, Scott Murawski on guitar, Craig Myers on percussion, and newcomers to the ensemble John Kimock on drums and Robert Walter on keyboards. “How Many People Are You” leverages the presence of Robert Walter, with prominent keys swirling over the frenetic tempo and powerful vocal delivery. The song was obviously a band favorite, as it was the most frequently played song on that June 2015 tour.

“How Many People Are You” entered the Phish rotation soon thereafter, on 7/22/15, the 2015 summer tour’s second show in the cozy confines of the Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend, OR. The song made only two other appearances on the tour – both excellent gigs, on 7/31/15 in Atlanta and on 8/22/15 at Magnaball – each about seven minutes in length, all appearing in the first set, and despite a mixed reception by fans, infusing a feverish, borderline hyperactive energy to the mix.

Phish, “How Many People Are You” – 8/22/15, Watkins Glen, NY. Video by LazyLightning55a

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