God (Tori Amos song)

"God"
US CD maxi-single
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Under the Pink
B-side
  • "Home on the Range" (Cherokee edition)
  • Piano Suite: "All the Girls Hate Her" / "Over It"
  • "Sister Janet"
ReleasedFebruary 3, 1994 (1994-02-03)
StudioThe Fishhouse (New Mexico, US)
GenrePop[1]
Length3:58
Label
Songwriter(s)Tori Amos
Producer(s)
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Cornflake Girl"
(1994) 		"God"
(1994) 		"Pretty Good Year"
(1994)

"God" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos, released as a single from her second studio album, Under the Pink (1994). It was issued as the album's lead single in the United States on February 3, 1994, as the second single in Australia on May 2, and as the fourth single in the United Kingdom on October 3. The song reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart as well as number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It became Amos's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 72.

Releases

The B-sides to the American release include Tori Amos' reworking of "Home on the Range" with new lyrics as well as a two-song instrumental piano suite. An American cassette single includes the B-side "Sister Janet". A different single was released in Europe on CD, 12 in (300 mm) vinyl, 7 in (180 mm) vinyl, and cassette. The 7 in (180 mm) single is a glossy, dual-sided picture disc. The various formats include ambient and jungle house remixes of the track by CJ Bolland, Carl Craig, and the Joy.

Reception

Stereogum and The Guardian both named "God" as Amos's third-greatest song.[2][3]

Music video

The accompanying music video for "God" directed by Melodie McDaniel[citation needed] features Amos in a variety of religiously-themed situations, such as a scene visually comparing a tefillin used by a rabbi with a basketball player using a belt while injecting drugs. The video is often remembered for scenes of Amos singing in front of a lit candle, dancing with a plethora of brown rats (possibly at the Rat temple); this was commented on in an episode of the television show Beavis and Butt-head, and parodying a snake cult.

Track listings

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Under the Pink album booklet.[12]

Studios

Personnel

  • Tori Amos – writing, vocals, piano, production
  • Steve Caton – guitars
  • George Porter Jr. – bass
  • Carlo Nuccio – drums
  • Paulinho da Costa – percussion
  • Eric Rosse – production, recording (guitars, other instruments), programming
  • John Beverly Jones – recording (vocals, piano, percussion)
  • Paul McKenna – recording (bass, drums)
  • Kevin Killen – mixing
  • Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13][14] 65
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[15] 87
Scotland (OCC)[16] 41
UK Singles (OCC)[17] 44
UK Club Chart (Music Week)[18] 43
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 72
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[20] 1

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States January 10–11, 1994
Atlantic [21][22]
February 3, 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
 [citation needed]
Australia May 2, 1994 EastWest [23]
United Kingdom October 3, 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
 [24]

References

  1. ^ Christensen, Thor (1998). "Tori Amos". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 26.
  2. ^ Dick, Jonathan (June 18, 2014). "The 10 Best Tori Amos Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Petridis, Alexis (August 17, 2023). "Tori Amos's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  4. ^ God (US maxi-CD single liner notes). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 85687-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  5. ^ God (Australian CD single liner notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. 7567856872.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ^ God (Australian cassette single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. 756785687-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. ^ God (US cassette single sleeve). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 4-87250.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. ^ God (UK & European CD single disc notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7251CD, 7567-85637-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. ^ God (UK 12-inch single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7251T, 7567-856338-0.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  10. ^ God (UK 7-inch picture disc single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7251-P, 7567-87251-7.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ God (UK cassette single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7251C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  12. ^ Under the Pink (US CD album booklet). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 82567-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  13. ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 19 Jun 1994". ARIA. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  14. ^ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010. Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing.
  15. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2498." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  16. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  18. ^ "The RM Club Chart" (PDF). Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert). October 1, 1994. p. 6. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  19. ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  20. ^ "Tori Amos Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  21. ^ Flick, Larry (December 4, 1993). "Label Tickled 'Pink' Over New Tori Amos Set". Billboard. Vol. 105, no. 49. p. 78. The label will begin going for radio adds on the first single, 'God,' at alternative, college, and album alternative formats on Jan. 10.
  22. ^ Flick, Larry (January 8, 1994). "Jodeci, NKOTB Step to Plate in January". Billboard. Vol. 106, no. 2. p. 10. The first emphasis track, 'God,' goes to alternative, AC, and pop formats Jan. 11.
  23. ^ "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 02/05/1994 > Singles (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 220 – Week Ending 1st May 1994)". ARIA. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  24. ^ "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. October 1, 1994. p. 27. Retrieved June 24, 2021.