State of Mind (Fish single)
Encyclopedia
"State of Mind" was the first solo single by Fish
, released about a year after his departure from Marillion
and preceding the release of his first solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
. It is also the first-ever record Fish did outside Marillion except for his 1986 collaboration with Tony Banks
on the single "Shortcut to Somewhere
" from the Banks album Soundtracks.
The a-side track is a slow to mid-tempo rock song with strong bass and percussion elements and some Celtic folk
elements. Lyrically, the song articulates the general political discontent in the late Thatcher
years. In terms of music, lyrics and general mood, it is perhaps closest to the Marillion song "Sugar Mice
" (1987). The b-side "The Voyeur (I Like To Watch)" is a harder, although mainly keyboard-based rock song, somewhat similar to Peter Gabriel
's "Shock the Monkey
"; the lyrics criticise "TV voyeurism
". "The Voyeur" was also included as a bonus track
on the CD version of Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors. Fish co-wrote both tracks with keyboardist Mickey Simmonds
, the dominant musical composer on his debut solo album. Guitarist Hal Lindes
has additional credits on "State of Mind".
, who had created all of Marillion's artwork until Fish's departure, and has continued to work with Fish since then. The cover shows close-ups of the faces of the couple that also features on the cover of Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors with an hourglass between them. The back-cover features an illustration of an atomic explosion inside the hourglass. The single was also the first to feature the circular "Fish" logo designed by Wilkinson, which has been used on all solo releases since then (except for the 1997 album Sunsets on Empire
and the singles from it.)
Side 2:
Total Time 15:19
Fish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
, released about a year after his departure from Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
and preceding the release of his first solo album Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors
Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors was the first solo album that rock singer Fish released after he departed Marillion in 1988. Although the recordings for this album finished as early as June 1989, EMI Records decided to delay the release until early 1990, to avoid collision with Marillion's album...
. It is also the first-ever record Fish did outside Marillion except for his 1986 collaboration with Tony Banks
Tony Banks (musician)
This article is about the musician. For other people named Tony Banks, see Tony BanksAnthony George "Tony" Banks is a British composer, and multi-instrumentalist, who performs as a keyboardist and a guitarist...
on the single "Shortcut to Somewhere
Shortcut to Somewhere
Shortcut to Somewhare was the second single released from Genesis keyboard player Tony Banks's 1986 album Soundtracks. The A-side, which had been part of the soundtrack for the film Quicksilver, featured Fish on vocals, his only commercial recording outside Marillion before his departure from the...
" from the Banks album Soundtracks.
The a-side track is a slow to mid-tempo rock song with strong bass and percussion elements and some Celtic folk
Celtic music
Celtic music is a term utilised by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic people of Western Europe...
elements. Lyrically, the song articulates the general political discontent in the late Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
years. In terms of music, lyrics and general mood, it is perhaps closest to the Marillion song "Sugar Mice
Sugar Mice
Sugar Mice is the second single from Marillion's fourth studio album, Clutching at Straws. Released on 13 July 1987, it peaked at number 22 in the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's 8th top-thirty hit in a row. Outside the UK, it was released in France, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, West...
" (1987). The b-side "The Voyeur (I Like To Watch)" is a harder, although mainly keyboard-based rock song, somewhat similar to Peter Gabriel
Peter Gabriel
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer, musician, and songwriter who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and flautist of the progressive rock group Genesis. After leaving Genesis, Gabriel went on to a successful solo career...
's "Shock the Monkey
Shock the Monkey
"Shock the Monkey" is a 1982 song by Peter Gabriel. It was released as a single and peaked at number 29 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 1 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. The song was Gabriel's first Top 40 hit in the US. In the UK, the song charted at number 58. It was included on...
"; the lyrics criticise "TV voyeurism
Voyeurism
In clinical psychology, voyeurism is the sexual interest in or practice of spying on people engaged in intimate behaviors, such as undressing, sexual activity, or other activity usually considered to be of a private nature....
". "The Voyeur" was also included as a bonus track
Bonus track
In terms of recorded music, a bonus track is a piece of music which has been included on specific releases or reissues of an album. This is most often done as a promotional device, either as an incentive to customers to purchase albums they might otherwise not, or to repurchase albums they already...
on the CD version of Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors. Fish co-wrote both tracks with keyboardist Mickey Simmonds
Mickey Simmonds
Mickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish...
, the dominant musical composer on his debut solo album. Guitarist Hal Lindes
Hal Lindes
Hal Andrew Lindes is an English-American guitarist and film score composer.In 1980 he began recording a solo album with producer Al Kooper, along with Herbie Flowers on bass and John Bradbury on drums...
has additional credits on "State of Mind".
Cover art
The cover was designed by Mark WilkinsonMark Wilkinson
Mark Wilkinson is best known for his detailed cover art that he created for a number of British bands, most prominently the progressive rock band, Marillion...
, who had created all of Marillion's artwork until Fish's departure, and has continued to work with Fish since then. The cover shows close-ups of the faces of the couple that also features on the cover of Vigil in a Wilderness of Mirrors with an hourglass between them. The back-cover features an illustration of an atomic explosion inside the hourglass. The single was also the first to feature the circular "Fish" logo designed by Wilkinson, which has been used on all solo releases since then (except for the 1997 album Sunsets on Empire
Sunsets on Empire
Sunsets on Empire is a studio album by Fish, the fourth with original material since he left Marillion in 1988. It was mostly written together with Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree, who co-composed six of ten tracks on the original version and also produced the album...
and the singles from it.)
7" Single, Cassette Single
- State Of Mind (Edited Version) (DickFish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
/SimmondsMickey SimmondsMickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish...
/LindesHal LindesHal Andrew Lindes is an English-American guitarist and film score composer.In 1980 he began recording a solo album with producer Al Kooper, along with Herbie Flowers on bass and John Bradbury on drums...
) – 04:12 - The Voyeur (I Like to Watch) (Dick/Simmonds) – 04:42
12" Single, 12" Picture Disc
Side 1:- State Of Mind (Presidential mix) (Dick/Simmonds/Lindes) – 05:48
Side 2:
- State Of Mind (Edited Version) (Dick/Simmonds/Lindes) – 04:12
- The Voyeur (I Like to Watch) (Dick/Simmonds) – 04:42
5" CD Single, 3" CD Single
- State Of Mind (Album version) (Dick/Simmonds/Lindes) – 04:45
- The Voyeur (I Like to Watch) (Dick/Simmonds) – 04:42
- State Of Mind (Presidential mix)(Dick/Simmonds/Lindes) – 05:48
Total Time 15:19
Chart positions
"State of Mind" was the first of five UK top 40 singles by Fish. On 28 October 1989, the it entered the UK singles charts at position 32, which would remain its highest position. The following week, it dropped to 36; in the third and final week, it was at 58. In terms of peak chart position, this was Fish's third most successful single.Personnel
- Fish (Derek W. Dick)Fish (singer)Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
- Vocals - Frank UsherFrank UsherFrank Usher is an English guitarist best known for his work in Fish's band. Usher lives and operates a guitar-manufacturing business in Innerleithen, Scotland...
- Guitars - Hal LindesHal LindesHal Andrew Lindes is an English-American guitarist and film score composer.In 1980 he began recording a solo album with producer Al Kooper, along with Herbie Flowers on bass and John Bradbury on drums...
- Guitars ("State of Mind" only) - John GiblinJohn GiblinJohn Giblin is an internationally renowned session bassist who has worked with the following artists:*Eric Clapton, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Phil Collins * Peter Gabriel...
- Bass Guitars - Mickey SimmondsMickey SimmondsMickey Simmonds is an English session keyboardist, arranger and composer. He is best known for his work with progressive rock acts, Mike Oldfield, Renaissance, Camel and Fish...
- Keyboards - John KeebleJohn KeebleJohn Keeble is a British pop musician, who is the drummer with the 1980s band, Spandau Ballet.Spandau Ballet disbanded in 1990, after their final studio album, Heart Like a Sky, failed to live up to the critical and commercial success of their earlier albums, such as True and Parade.In 1999, John...
- Drums - Luis JardimLuís JardimLuís Alberto Figueira Gonçalves Jardim is a Portuguese percussionist, born in the Madeira Island, best known for his work with producer Trevor Horn.-Family:Jardim is a cousin of Alberto João Jardim...
- Percussion ("State of Mind" only) - Carol KenyonCarol KenyonCarol Kenyon , is a British singer. She was born c. 1959.Although primarily known as a session vocalist on many albums and singles by a variety of prominent artists, as well as in many concerts, Kenyon has also released several singles as a solo artist...
- Backing Vocals ("State of Mind" only)
External links
- Discography entry on Fish's official site
- Music video on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....