Silent All These Years
Encyclopedia
"Silent All These Years" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos
. It was released as the second single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes
. It was originally released in November 1991 in the UK by EastWest Records
. It was released in North America in April 1992 by Atlantic Records
and was used promote awareness of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN
). In the UK the single was re-released on August 10, 1992.
. According to her narrative during VH1 Storytellers
, she originally wrote this song with Al Stewart
in mind to sing it, and Eric Rosse
, who was producing some other songs Amos had composed, heard it and told her, "You're out of your mind. That's your life story." So she kept it.
In the Little Earthquakes songbook, Amos reveals that writing the song was a slow, evolving process and that the light piano riff during the verses came first. This "bumble bee piano tinkle," as she calls it, is one of the more emblematic and recognizable parts of the song.
Lyrically, Amos was inspired by reading Hans Christian Andersen
's Little Mermaid story to her little niece, Cody.
VHS
and Tori Amos: Complete Videos 1991–1998, was the first of Amos's solo career. It was shot by Cindy Palmano over the course of two days.
Palmano, who had been a stills photographer until this project, came up with the idea of Amos rolling inside a box, the image which is most often associated with the video. Other clips include impersonal shots of objects such as false breasts on a clothes hanger and flowing honey, which Palmano describes as having "a modern look, very clean." The video approaches a climax with shots of Amos twirling against an uneven surface, created by using a corner of a room painted such a crisp white that it's hard to tell that the wall is even there at all. For the final seconds, Amos's face fills the frame as she simply sings to the camera.
The video for "Silent All These Years" was well-noted by the mass media. MTV, in March 1992, used "Silent All These Years" as a "Buzz clip". Additionally, the video was nominated for Breakthrough Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards
in 1992. Rolling Stone
magazine lists this video at #98 of the 100 greatest videos of all time.
". The decision to release "Silent All These Years" came after UK station Radio One named it "Song of the Week".
In the United Kingdom
, it was released as the second single from Little Earthquakes
in November 1991. Formats included a 12" and CD maxi single with the B-sides "Upside Down", "Me and a Gun
" and "Thoughts" and a 7" backed with "Me and a Gun". It was re-released in August 1992 as the 6th and final single. The re-release included a CD maxi single Part 1 with the original track-listing and a "Limited Edition" Part 2 containing "Ode to the Banana King (Part One)", "Song for Eric", and a live version of "Happy Phantom". Part two was quite a limited edition release and is now a rare find at used record stores. The reissued 7" and cassette single replaced the original B-side with a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
".
In the United States
, "Silent All These Years" was released on cassette
as the first single, post-Y Kant Tori Read
, April 1992. Its lone B-side was "Upside Down". It was re-released March 4, 1997 as a promotional single for RAINN
backed with a live version from "The Concert for RAINN" recorded January 23, 1997.
1997 saw the rerelease of "Silent All These Years" in the United States as a CD single as a fundraiser for RAINN. The original album version is included along with a live version, significantly longer, recorded during the Concert for RAINN that was aired on Lifetime Television
.
In 1998, the song was included on the compilation Atlantic Records: 50 Years—The Gold Anniversary. Another compilation, titled Respect: A Century of Women in Music and released in 1999 by Rhino Records, included this song on the last of its 5-disc set; the disc was labelled "Hip-Hop, Pop, and Passion". "Silent All These Years" appears between songs by Sinéad O'Connor
and k.d. lang
.
"Silent All These Years" is also included in a few compilations released by radio stations, such as kCRW Rare on Air, Star Lounge 99 released by KYSR, and Live at the World Cafe released by WXPN.
This song was one of sixteen to get a remastering treatment for inclusion on Tales of a Librarian
, Amos's 2003 collection.
Asian diva Faye Wong
covered the song in both Cantonese and Mandarin. Her version is called "Cold War" (冷戰). Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun
also covered the original English version. Hong Kong singer-songwriter Chet Lam
covered this song featuring Kay Tse
in his 2006 concert album CAMPiNG iN Hong Kong
.
", released October, 1991.
UK CD single and 12" single (Nov 1991)
UK CD single Part 1 (Aug 1992)
UK 7" single (Nov 1991)
US Cassette Single (April 1992)
UK CD Single Part 2 (Limited Edition) (Aug 1992)
UK 7" Single and Cassette Single (Aug 1992)
US RAINN Benefit CD Promo single (Atlantic PRCD 6986) (March 1997)
US RAINN Benefit CD single (March 1997)
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
. It was released as the second single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes
Little Earthquakes
-B-sides:The album is also known for its collection of B-sides. The four songs recorded with Davitt Sigerson that did not make it to the final version of the album were included on the singles released from Little Earthquakes....
. It was originally released in November 1991 in the UK by EastWest Records
East West Records
East West Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, and operates under WMG's Independent Label Group.-History:...
. It was released in North America in April 1992 by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
and was used promote awareness of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN
RAINN
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.RAINN...
). In the UK the single was re-released on August 10, 1992.
Origins
"Silent All These Years" was written during Amos' search for self (and solo album material) after the failure of Y Kant Tori ReadY Kant Tori Read
Y Kant Tori Read was a 1980s synthpop band, fronted by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. The band released one album, also called Y Kant Tori Read, which was largely unsuccessful, perhaps in part because Atlantic Records abandoned promoting the record completely after only two months of release...
. According to her narrative during VH1 Storytellers
VH1 Storytellers
Storytellers is a television music series produced by the VH1 network.In each episode artists perform in front of a live audience, and tell stories about their music, writing experiences and memories, somewhat similar to MTV Unplugged...
, she originally wrote this song with Al Stewart
Al Stewart
Al Stewart is a Scottish singer-songwriter and folk-rock musician.Stewart came to stardom as part of the British folk revival in the 1960s and 1970s, and developed his own unique style of combining folk-rock songs with delicately woven tales of the great characters and events from history.He is...
in mind to sing it, and Eric Rosse
Eric Rosse
Eric Rosse is a record producer. He is best known for his work with singer Tori Amos, particularly production of her albums Little Earthquakes and Grammy nominated Under the Pink. He also produced Anna Nalick's album Wreck of the Day and Lisa Marie Presley's debut album To Whom It May Concern...
, who was producing some other songs Amos had composed, heard it and told her, "You're out of your mind. That's your life story." So she kept it.
In the Little Earthquakes songbook, Amos reveals that writing the song was a slow, evolving process and that the light piano riff during the verses came first. This "bumble bee piano tinkle," as she calls it, is one of the more emblematic and recognizable parts of the song.
Lyrically, Amos was inspired by reading Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen
Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author, fairy tale writer, and poet noted for his children's stories. These include "The Steadfast Tin Soldier," "The Snow Queen," "The Little Mermaid," "Thumbelina," "The Little Match Girl," and "The Ugly Duckling."...
's Little Mermaid story to her little niece, Cody.
Video
The video for "Silent All These Years", which is now available on the Little EarthquakesLittle Earthquakes (video)
Little Earthquakes is a VHS video released by singer/songwriter Tori Amos in 1992, which serves as Amos' first video release. The release contains all four music videos released in conjunction with Amos' debut solo album of the same name interspersed...
VHS
VHS
The Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
and Tori Amos: Complete Videos 1991–1998, was the first of Amos's solo career. It was shot by Cindy Palmano over the course of two days.
Palmano, who had been a stills photographer until this project, came up with the idea of Amos rolling inside a box, the image which is most often associated with the video. Other clips include impersonal shots of objects such as false breasts on a clothes hanger and flowing honey, which Palmano describes as having "a modern look, very clean." The video approaches a climax with shots of Amos twirling against an uneven surface, created by using a corner of a room painted such a crisp white that it's hard to tell that the wall is even there at all. For the final seconds, Amos's face fills the frame as she simply sings to the camera.
The video for "Silent All These Years" was well-noted by the mass media. MTV, in March 1992, used "Silent All These Years" as a "Buzz clip". Additionally, the video was nominated for Breakthrough Video, Best Cinematography, and Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards
MTV Video Music Awards
An MTV Video Music Award , is an award presented by the cable channel MTV to honor the best in music videos...
in 1992. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
magazine lists this video at #98 of the 100 greatest videos of all time.
Releases
"Silent All These Years" was initially a B-side of the first single, "Me and a GunMe and a Gun
"Me and a Gun" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes. It was released on October 21, 1991 by Atlantic Records in North America and EastWest Records in the UK.-Background:The song is three...
". The decision to release "Silent All These Years" came after UK station Radio One named it "Song of the Week".
In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it was released as the second single from Little Earthquakes
Little Earthquakes
-B-sides:The album is also known for its collection of B-sides. The four songs recorded with Davitt Sigerson that did not make it to the final version of the album were included on the singles released from Little Earthquakes....
in November 1991. Formats included a 12" and CD maxi single with the B-sides "Upside Down", "Me and a Gun
Me and a Gun
"Me and a Gun" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes. It was released on October 21, 1991 by Atlantic Records in North America and EastWest Records in the UK.-Background:The song is three...
" and "Thoughts" and a 7" backed with "Me and a Gun". It was re-released in August 1992 as the 6th and final single. The re-release included a CD maxi single Part 1 with the original track-listing and a "Limited Edition" Part 2 containing "Ode to the Banana King (Part One)", "Song for Eric", and a live version of "Happy Phantom". Part two was quite a limited edition release and is now a rare find at used record stores. The reissued 7" and cassette single replaced the original B-side with a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
".
In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, "Silent All These Years" was released on cassette
Compact Cassette
The Compact Cassette, often referred to as audio cassette, cassette tape, cassette, or simply tape, is a magnetic tape sound recording format. It was designed originally for dictation, but improvements in fidelity led the Compact Cassette to supplant the Stereo 8-track cartridge and reel-to-reel...
as the first single, post-Y Kant Tori Read
Y Kant Tori Read
Y Kant Tori Read was a 1980s synthpop band, fronted by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. The band released one album, also called Y Kant Tori Read, which was largely unsuccessful, perhaps in part because Atlantic Records abandoned promoting the record completely after only two months of release...
, April 1992. Its lone B-side was "Upside Down". It was re-released March 4, 1997 as a promotional single for RAINN
RAINN
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.RAINN...
backed with a live version from "The Concert for RAINN" recorded January 23, 1997.
Rerelease and later coverage
Lifetime Television
Lifetime Television, often referred to as Lifetime TV, or most commonly, Lifetime, is an American cable television specialty channel devoted to movies, sitcoms and dramas, all of which are either geared toward women or feature women in lead roles. The cable network is owned by A&E Television Networks...
.
In 1998, the song was included on the compilation Atlantic Records: 50 Years—The Gold Anniversary. Another compilation, titled Respect: A Century of Women in Music and released in 1999 by Rhino Records, included this song on the last of its 5-disc set; the disc was labelled "Hip-Hop, Pop, and Passion". "Silent All These Years" appears between songs by Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad O'Connor
Sinéad Marie Bernadette O'Connor is an Irish singer-songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 1980s with her debut album The Lion and the Cobra and achieved worldwide success in 1990 with a cover of the song "Nothing Compares 2 U"....
and k.d. lang
K.D. Lang
Kathryn Dawn Lang, OC , known by her stage name k.d. lang, is a Canadian pop and country singer-songwriter and occasional actress...
.
"Silent All These Years" is also included in a few compilations released by radio stations, such as kCRW Rare on Air, Star Lounge 99 released by KYSR, and Live at the World Cafe released by WXPN.
This song was one of sixteen to get a remastering treatment for inclusion on Tales of a Librarian
Tales of a Librarian
-Live:-Others:-Charts:...
, Amos's 2003 collection.
Asian diva Faye Wong
Faye Wong
Faye Wong is a highly successful and influential Chinese singer-songwriter and actress who is usually referred to as a diva . Early in her career she briefly used the stage name Shirley Wong . Born in Beijing, she moved to Hong Kong in 1987 and rose to stardom in the early 1990s by singing...
covered the song in both Cantonese and Mandarin. Her version is called "Cold War" (冷戰). Singaporean singer Stefanie Sun
Stefanie Sun
Stefanie Sun was born Sng Ee Tze on 23 July 1978, and known to fans as 13姐 , is a Singaporean singer-songwriter. She has sold over 30 million copies of her albums during the span of her career thus far. She does the majority of her recording, and conducts most of her publicity events, in Taiwan,...
also covered the original English version. Hong Kong singer-songwriter Chet Lam
Chet Lam
Chet Lam is a Hong Kong based independent singer-songwriter whose style has been described by many as "city-folk". He is the elder brother of singer Eman Lam.-Biography:...
covered this song featuring Kay Tse
Kay Tse
Kay Tse is a Hong Kong Cantopop songwriter, recording-artist, entertainer and one of the premier Cantonese singers.Raised In Hong Kong, China. Tse made her debut to the music industry and was signed with Ban Ban Music in 2005 and released her debut album. She became a prominent figure in the...
in his 2006 concert album CAMPiNG iN Hong Kong
CAMPiNG iN Hong Kong
Camping in Hong Kong is the eighth album and the second English language album from the Hong Kong English pop/Cantopop singer-songwriter Chet Lam, released in 2006 under record label of LYFE Productions, and distributed by Warner Music Hong Kong....
.
Track listings
The November, 1991 CD, 12", and 7" are identical except for title to the same singles for "Me and a GunMe and a Gun
"Me and a Gun" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes. It was released on October 21, 1991 by Atlantic Records in North America and EastWest Records in the UK.-Background:The song is three...
", released October, 1991.
UK CD single and 12" single (Nov 1991)
UK CD single Part 1 (Aug 1992)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Upside Down" – 4:22
- "Me and a Gun" – 3:42
- "Thoughts" – 2:36
UK 7" single (Nov 1991)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Me and a Gun" – 3:42
US Cassette Single (April 1992)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Upside Down" – 4:22
UK CD Single Part 2 (Limited Edition) (Aug 1992)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Ode to the Banana King (Part One)" – 4:06
- "Song for Eric" – 1:50
- "Happy Phantom" (Live) – 3:33
- Recorded at Cambridge Corn ExchangeCambridge Corn ExchangeThe Cambridge Corn Exchange is a concert venue in Cambridge, England. It is also used as an examination hall for students at Cambridge University.-Building the venue:...
, April 5, 1992
- Recorded at Cambridge Corn Exchange
UK 7" Single and Cassette Single (Aug 1992)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Smells Like Teen SpiritSmells Like Teen Spirit"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" – 3:15
US RAINN Benefit CD Promo single (Atlantic PRCD 6986) (March 1997)
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
US RAINN Benefit CD single (March 1997)
- "Silent All These Years" (LP Version) – 4:11
- "Silent All These Years" (Live Version) – 5:28
- Recorded at Madison Square GardenMadison Square GardenMadison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, January 23, 1997 (The Concert For RAINN)
- Recorded at Madison Square Garden
Charts
| Chart (1992) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 65 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Airplay Hot 100 Airplay The Hot 100 Airplay chart is a chart released weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States. It measures radio airplay, and is one of the three component charts, along with the Hot Singles Sales and the Hot Digital Songs charts, that determine the chart positions of singles on the Billboard... |
66 |
| U.S. Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks Adult Top 40 is a variation on the United States Billboard charts... |
26 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Modern Rock Tracks | 27 |
| UK Singles Chart | 21 |
External links
- Lyrics - HereInMyHead.com's lyrics page for Silent All These Years, also including interview quotes and song credits.