Raspberry Swirl
| "Raspberry Swirl" | |
|---|---|
| Song |
"Raspberry Swirl" is a song by Tori Amos, released as the third and final single from her 1998 album From the Choirgirl Hotel.
About
Raspberry Swirl is about Amos' past relationship with a female friend and was written in response to the men in her relationships.
"In some of my relationship with a few of my women friends, I play a certain role. Heh, this is really getting in...i know, I hope my father's not watching this. He just doesn't know what to do. The straight-jacket's coming. But you know I always told my dad - you know, gays, lesbians, he just has to get used to it. One of the neices and nephews is gonna be one, he's just gotta get ready. So what I said was ah to Beenie, who's the love of my life. My husband understands this, that we're married. We're absolutely married. And I adore her with all my heart. And she's dated some idiots. And I hope you're watching. I want you to know what I think of you and in another life, I'll absolutely kick your ass. And I'm going to kick it right now actually, because this is for her and I'm in love with her. So everybody, off your asses!"[1]
Music Video
The video for Raspberry Swirl was directed by Barnaby & Scott and filmed in August of 1998. The video opens with a red velvet curtain being pulled open as if on a stage. A little boy runs into a room filled with strange old toys, followed by Tori in a black dress. She does a Jacob's Ladder effect with her head to the beat of the song and starts off after the boy. She takes an elevator and crawls through a vent out through a painting and into a club full of dancing teens. An extremely gaunt, scary man is in the room who seemingly controls the teens, and also now has the boy at his side. Tori dances through the club and whispers something into the man's ear, reminiscent of Twin Peaks. Finally, she follows the boy into a room with a long dining table full of food. Tori's eyes light up at the expanse of food and sits down on one end like an Alice In Wonderland tea party. The boy is seated on the other end of the table and there are little girls seated along the sides stuffing their faces and throwing food. Suddenly, the girls all turn into piglets and the boy smiles and walks down the surface of the table toward Tori and she helps him onto her lap. They bow and the curtain closes, finishing the video.
"I will tell you this. Kids and Pigs mixed together with their gorging of sweets and excited kiddie poo vomit and literally piggy poo and cake puddingie ickie oogie sugarie pukie all messied together sitting there rotting under the lights take after take and you wonder why I carry an Oxygen machine -- card holder since 94. Raspberry was one of the longer days of my life... Karen pulled in these younger directors: Barnaby & Scott. I liked the idea their visual sense and their openness to Karen's mad visions. She was inspired by an Urban Alice and Wonderland feel if I recall the treatment correctly. Kids with Red wings -- red wigs little Toris she said. This Boy leading me into a world where Karen truly lives. Every movie every make, Karen can give her version -- 'A road ain't NO ONE EVER EVVA thought of pushing,' a long by magical day."[2]
Track Listing
Raspberry Swirl was released in the United States and Canada as "Cruel/Raspberry Swirl", but the album is titled "Cruel".
US CD Single
- Cruel (Shady Feline Mix) (3:51)
- Raspberry Swirl (Lip Gloss Version) (3:41)
- Ambient Raspberry Swirl (Scarlet Spectrum Feels) (8:10)
- Mainline Cherry (Ambient Spark) (5:11)
7" Vinyl Single
- Raspberry Swirl (Lip Gloss Version) (3:41)
- Cruel (Shady Feline Mix) (3:51)
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Billboard Hot 100 Single Sales (US) | 38[3] |
| 1998 | Top Canadian Singles | 20 |
References
- ^ http://www.hereinmyhead.com/collect/choir/choir4.html - hereinmyhead.com
- ^ http://www.hereinmyhead.com/videos/rasp.html -- hereinmyhead.com
- ^ http://thedent.com/choirchart.html - thedent.com