I wrote this song in 2002. I was driving in Seekonk MA and saw a sea food restaurant named “Phoebe’s” and got inspired. I wanted something very kitschy and commercial-sounding, as if the song was a jingle to be played on the radio advertising for this restaurant. A friend of mine is also named Phoebe, so in the end, as I wrote the lyrics, it became more about her and the restaurant jingle idea died.

Only Phoebe and a few others will “get” some of the lyrics, but that’s Ok. It’s a song about her, so tough!

The acoustic part in the beginning was taken from a recording I made on my Panasonic “Slim Line” tape deck shortly after writing the song (fall, 2002). Later that winter, I introduced the song to the band (The Wheel). What follows the 30 second intro is a full take of the song at band practice (starting at about :45):

Tod: “What are we playin’?”
Shu: “Umm, Phoebe’s”
Fernando: “Jimmie Hendrix. Foxy Lady.” (we had just butchered “Foxy Lady”)
Tod: “Bomp bomp, and back into the verse.”
Fernando: “Bomp bomp, and back into the verse. Don’t forget that. One.. Two..”

Listen here:
Phoebe’s

After the song, I included a short impromptu “disco” version of the chorus. Brendan wasn’t at practice yet that day, so what you hear is just bass, piano, and drums. I think you might be hearing some dying cats too, but that could just be Shu.

I think we played the song live a couple of times, but I have no recordings (that I can find).