Human Nature History

Human Nature

Originally Performed By	Phish
Appears On
Music/Lyrics	Gordon/Murawski
Vocals	Mike (lead); Page, Trey (backing)
Phish Debut	2024-07-20
Last Played	2024-08-11
Current Gap	69
Historian	John Boyd (blackfang04)
Last Update	2026-02-01

History

The essence of our lives can seem Sisyphean, cursed to continue weathering storm after storm, always pushing forward but never getting closer to the finish line. Paddling upstream, climbing over rocks, and doing whatever it takes to grow knowing that the journey will never be over. Faced with such challenges, what’s more human than swallowing your pride, steeling yourself, looking for the light that shines brightly in the thickest of forests, and pressing onward, not breaking stride?

Understanding that we are flawed but possess the desire to perfect ourselves slowly, bit by bit, is a testament to the indelible human spirit and our tenacious nature. It’s in these struggles, confronting the obstacles that we inevitably must grow over and through, that we find true contentment; transcendence in conquering what once could bring us to our knees.

These are the existential truths Mike muses over in “Human Nature,” with a humor and levity that we’ve come to expect from him and that he’s so very good at conveying. The tribulation Mike is dealing with seems to be one of love, with his undiscouraged mentality and emotional resilience leading to a euphoric shared awakening.

Musically, there’s no mistaking that “Human Nature” is a Mike Gordon song – groovy, jagged, full of squishy bass à la “Boogie On Reggae Woman” or “Down With Disease,” and beautiful harmonized vocals that fit nicely in style and feel on Evolve. The song culminates in a slowed, discordant, slightly unsettling breakdown that is in stark contrast to the sunny, airy atmosphere it opens with.

Video by Devin Creisler Studios

“Human Nature” was first played at a Mike solo show on 6/13/24, a full month before Evolve came out. Mike even commented on how it’s normally his solo songs that get the Phish treatment first, as opposed to “Human Nature” being a Phish song getting a solo debut. The song went on to make an appearance at every show of Mike’s summer ’24 stint opening for Vampire Weekend.

It wouldn’t take Phish long to take the song for a spin, appearing late in Set 1 on 7/20/24. An extended outro jam occurs after the performance of the song proper, similar to the performances from Mike’s solo shows. The song was again brought out on 8/11/24, with an even longer jam that seemed to hint at true jam-chart worthy potential and good things to come for it. Sadly, “Human Nature” wasn’t played for the rest of 2024 and didn’t make a single appearance in 2025, by Phish or Mike himself.

Video by Steve’s Concert Corner

Perhaps, there’s a bright future in store for “Human Nature,” and we’ll get to see it jammed out… or played at all. What better storyline for a song about overcoming adversity with assured confidence than for “Human Nature” to hit its stride and become a live staple.

Last significant update: 1/13/26