Julius (song)

"Julius"
Song

"Julius" is a 1994 song by the American band Phish. It is the first track from their 1994 album Hoist and was released as their seventh promotional single by Elektra Records. The song is a blues rock song written by Phish guitarist and lead vocalist Trey Anastasio and lyricist Tom Marshall. The song features backing vocals by Rose Stone, Jean McClain and the Rickey Grundy Chorale and horn instruments by the Tower of Power Horn Section.

While the lyrics of “Julius” – “Danger! I’ve been told to expect it” – are based on Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, Tom Marshall has admitted that the chorus is nonsensical. It was made up at the last minute on the way into a recording session simply to have something to sing, and has no relation to the play. The upbeat tempo and exultant chorus certainly belie the dark and foreboding tone of the play, and “Julius” has become a favorite of many fans. It is one of the few Phish tunes where many fans consider the album version to be as good as it is live.

Track listing

1. "Julius" (Edit) (Trey Anastasio, Tom Marshall) - 3:43

Personnel

Musicians

Trey Anastasio – guitars, vocals

Page McConnell – keyboards, vocals

Mike Gordon – bass guitar, vocals

Jon Fishman – drums, vocals

Also appears on

• Live Phish Volume 13 (2002)
• It (DVD) (2004)
• Live In Brooklyn (CD/DVD) (2006)
• Vegas 96 (2007)
• The Clifford Ball (DVD) (2009)
• Coral Sky (DVD) (2010)
• Hampton/Winston-Salem '97 (2011)
• Chicago '94 (2012)
• Star Lake 98 (DVD) (2012)
• Niagara Falls (2013)