Although Phish loves to surprise, and a song can pop up virtually anywhere ("Rocky Top" as an opener in Camden), songs do tend to gravitate towards a spot where they comfortable. Some seem to work better early on in the first set or mid-second set, or second set opener....whatever. While sometimes an unexpected placement can lead to pleasing results ("Makisupa Policeman" as an encore), other times, placements can be kind of jarring. Such as the case when "Alaska" dropped mid-second set inMerriweather on Sunday. Not a bad song but certainly one that is looking for the right spot. Performed 19 times since its debut on 2009-06-09 in Asheville, almost evenly split between first set and second set (9 times and 10 times respectively). It has never been an encore, a set opener, or a set closer nor has it followed or preceded another tune more than twice. So where's the best spot for "Alaska"? First set early? Show opener? After a ripping 20 minute "Type II" jam fest? As the lyrics say, "Digging down deep, I don't understand it, but I ain't losing sleep."

While the graphic is certainly tounge in cheek, what are your thoughts on "Alaska"?

EDIT: I suck at Venn Diagrams. Of course it makes no sense. Was trying to show slightly more Set II Alaskas and a very tiny proportion of totality that didn't ruin flow of set. I think this would have been easier to understand:

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