Fast Enough For You

FEFY-

Ok. Before I figured out the whole concept behind the album "Rift", I
may
have come away with a different reading of this song. But knowing what
I do
about the concept, there is only one thing that I take away from this
song.... frustration. A lot of people see this song as a Tom Marshall
love
tune, and in a way it is. But this isn't a love song celebrating the
joys of
love and a relationship, but a song declaring that it's the love that's
causing the narrator so much pain. 
"If time were only part of the equation, then you could draw the
boundaries
of our cage. I wouldn't pile another stone upon you, and I'd be happy
just
to watch you age." Here the narrator (we'll just call him the male,) is
saying that if there were no obligations in life, (obligations that take
away from the "time" the two had for each other,) then he would be
happy to
let her control and dominate the relationship. Marshall's reference to
the
"cage" leads me to believe that the narrator is somewhat "trapped" in
this
relationship where she expects more from him then he can give.  Since
the
narrator has a life of his own, he cannot give up all that he does in
order
to give her all that she wants from him. Basically he is saying "If I
didn't
have my own life to lead, then I would love to spend every hour with
you,
but that's just not the way that it is." He adds to this by saying that
he
wouldn't "pile another stone upon you," (he wouldn't give her anything
to
worry/fuss about,) and he would be happy to just sit back and "watch her
age." Despite the feeling that this line has the narrator wishing that
he
could give everything up to please her, I think that it is more of a
cynical, "well, if this was the case then here's what I'd do,... but it
just
can't be that way." It is obvious (to me,) that the narrator is in a
relationship in which his partner doesn't understand that he too has a
life.
(Seeing this type of thing happen in my own personal life adds to my
understanding of the song.) Anyways...  on to the next part.
"But everything is in it's own dominion. And wading in the shallows as
I do,
appeases me as water slowly trickles out, which isn't nearly fast
enough for
you." Ok... here we see another of Tom's beloved water refrences (think
about how many of his songs have water or some mention of H20 in
them...there are a lot.) Anyways... in this case I see him using the
water
to represent the relationship of the "lovers." I believe that "But
everything is in it's own dominion," refers to the fact that the
narrator's
life and his role in the relationship are two seperate things (in thier
own
dominions,) and need to co-exist with each other in harmony, (which is
what
"she" is preventing with her selfish demands.) And now on to the
water....
The narrator is not ready to commit to the "full-time" relationship
that she
is demanding... he is not ready to "dive" deep into the relationship,
and is
happy to simply wade in the "shallows" where he can be with her and
live his
own life at the same time. He would rather have the "water", or the
relationship, slowly develop into something more (the word trickle a
perfect
description,) but this "trickle" isn't "fast enough" for her. (In other
words, she doesn't want to take things slowly at all, she wants it all
right
now.) He is not ready to give up his life for her yet, and therein lies
the
problem.  
Chorus: " It isn't nearly fast enough for you..." "It's what I was
afraid
of, I stumbled into view. But it isn't nearly fast enough for you." 
Here is where the narrator repeats the fact that what he is ready to
give
isn't good enough for her. It seems like the narrator is in love with
this
girl, but he can't deal with all that she demands from him. Finally he
says
that it's this type of thing that he feared; knowing what he can give,
and
realizing that it's not enough for her. The "stumbling into view,"
tells how
the narrator finally realized that this issue has been causing some
problems
in the relationship, but since he "stumbled" he was unable to prevent
the
fight that ensued between the two, (again, he wasn't "fast enough," to
stop
the fight.)
This song makes a lot more sense in the context of the whole album's
concept,... which is something that I would love to write about, but
it's
too late now...  Maybe some other time. Anyways.. if it helps at all, I
have
heard that Marshall wrote this song as a depiction of the band's and his
personal relationships and the rigors and problems that touring the
country
brought to them.
All in all, this whole concept of explaining one's personal
interpretation
of Phish songs is really cool and I hope that a lot more people
participate.
Thanks!
If you have any comments or anything E-Mail me at apappas@wam.umd.edu,
(not
the address from which this was sent.) Peace.
-Andrew

This is one of Tom's most potent love songs.  With it's crisp and
consice lyrics.  A true gem in their writing.  "If time were only part
of the equation and you could draw the boundaries of our cage.  I
wouldn't pile another stone upon you and i'd be happy just to watch you
age."  Pretty powerful opening line, saying that if i could be with you
i'd do anything just to have you for the rest of my life.
    The next section is just as powerful, "But everything is in it's own
dominon.  And waiting in the shallowes as i do, appeases me as what it
slowely trickels out.  Which isn't nearly fast enough for you."  This is
a mixed message here.  The first line seems to give a sense that the two
people (hypothetically speaking), are already together.  But the second
line, seems to show that lets say, the male wants this female.  He is
waiting for her, he doesn't seem to mind to wait, the thing he minds the
most is that she pays no attention to him..  And what he does, doesn't
seem to work well enough becuase it isn't mearly fast enough for her.
But it could also mean, that he is waiting for the right time to ask
her.  And he doens't mind to wait.
    "It isn't nearly fast enough for you, that's what i was afraid of.
I stumbled into view."  This part almost makes the song seem like the
girl would be giving up part of another relationship to go with the
guy.  He isn't moving fast enough for her, thats what he doens't like.
The fact the fact that he "stumbled," into view too late.  It might also
have to do with the fact that she is leaving, moving on and now since he
didn't move fast enough for her.  It's all gone.