Epic (Faith No More song)

Last updated

"Epic"
Epic by Faith No More US commercial cassette single.png
Artwork for North American commercial cassette single; the US CD single was the promo-only release
Single by Faith No More
from the album The Real Thing
ReleasedJanuary 29, 1990 (1990-01-29)
Studio Studio D (Sausalito, California)
Genre
Length4:54
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Matt Wallace
Faith No More singles chronology
"From Out of Nowhere"
(1989)
"Epic"
(1990)
"Falling to Pieces"
(1990)

"Epic" is a song by American rock band Faith No More. It was released as the second single from their third album, The Real Thing (1989), in 1990 in United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe. The song was the band's breakthrough hit, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number two in New Zealand, and number one in Australia for three weeks. It is among the band's most popular songs and a staple in their concerts.

Contents

"Epic" was ranked number 30 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs. [1] In 2009, it was ranked the 54th best hard rock song of all time by VH1 and appeared at number 46 on the Triple J Hottest 100 of All Time, an Australian music poll. [2] [3]

Composition and musical style

Bassist Billy Gould said, "It was conceived naturally as a riff in the studio between Roddy, myself and Mike Bordin during rehearsal that later got fleshed out into an entire song." He also said that, after the disappointing performance of the album's first single ("From Out of Nowhere"), the record label had low expectations and let the band pick whatever song they wanted as the next music video (and thus, the next single). "So we picked 'Epic' because it just felt the most natural at the time. We had very little expectations of it becoming a commercial hit," said Gould. [4]

The song has been labeled rap metal, [5] [6] [7] [8] rap rock, [9] [10] [11] funk metal, [12] [13] [14] alternative metal, [15] and hard rock. [16]

Music video

Directed by Ralph Ziman, the music video for "Epic" features surreal images, which are combined with performance footage of the band soaked by an artificial rainstorm on a sound stage. The final shot is of keyboardist Roddy Bottum playing the piano outro on an upright model, which explodes in slow motion after he finishes and walks away from it.

Guitarist Jim Martin was a schoolmate, close friend and fan of the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. In the video, he can be seen wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Cliff with the words "A Tribute to Cliff Burton". In addition, Mike Patton can be seen wearing a Mr. Bungle shirt [17] that reads "There's A Tractor In My Balls Again". [18]

Controversy

The video gained controversy due to a scene at the end where a fish is out of water and appears to be dying on camera.[ citation needed ]

During an interview, the band joked that the fish seen flopping around in the music video belonged to Icelandic singer Björk, who at the time was the singer for the band The Sugarcubes, and they claimed to have stolen it from her at a party. There are also stories of Björk giving the fish to Bottum after a poetry reading in San Francisco. [19] This was confirmed by the singer who defended the group, saying that "I know those guys, I know they wouldn't do anything to harm [him]. But I know, if I had gone home with MY fish, which was given to ME, none of this would have ever happened." [20]

Director, Ralph Ziman, confirmed in 2010, that several fish were used during the filming of the video and none were out of water for very long. The fish were released following the completion of the video. [21]

Reception

"Epic" was the band's most successful single in the US and was generally well received. According to Rolling Stone , it set a standard that Faith No More did not match with its later albums. [22] Both the Philadelphia Daily News and Los Angeles Times praised the song, citing the song as "radio-ready" and "radical", respectively. [23] [24] However, The New York Times also cited Faith No More as "style-crunching," using "Epic" as their example. [25] The Village Voice's Pazz & Jop annual year-end critics' poll ranked "Epic" at number five on their poll of the best singles of 1990, tying with Lisa Stansfield 's "All Around the World". [26] Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers would later accuse Patton of stealing his style in the form of this video and numerous performances.[ citation needed ]

Legacy

In 2020, Kerrang! ranked it as the fourth best Faith No More song. [27]

This song has been covered by the Welsh rock band The Automatic, the Swedish indie pop band Love Is All and the Californian metal band Atreyu, who included it on the bonus edition of their 2007 album Lead Sails Paper Anchor . [28] In a 2009 MTV interview, American pop singer Lady Gaga said she was a fan of the song, and used it as entrance music when she worked as a burlesque dancer. [29]

Track listings

American release

This version was released in the US as a "Slash sticker" labelled 7-inch and as a cassette with a "Burning Splash" sleeve. [30]

No.TitleLength
1."Epic" (Radio remix)3:59
2."Edge of the World"4:09

Australian release

The 7-inch and cassette versions of this release only had tracks 1 and 2, unlike the 12-inch which featured all 3. [30]

No.TitleLength
1."Epic"4:51
2."The Morning After"3:44
3."We Care a Lot" (Live at Brixton)3:50

UK and international release

The initial release of "Epic", released in the UK, Germany, Japan and internationally. The 7-inch editions only had tracks one, two, and occasionally three. Track five was exclusive to Japanese issues. [30]

No.TitleLength
1."Epic"4:54
2."War Pigs" (Live in Berlin on November 9, 1989)8:02
3."Surprise! You're Dead!" (Live at Octagon Center, Sheffield, UK, January 1, 1990)2:52
4."Chinese Arithmetic" [A] " ((Live at Sheffield))4:16
5."Epic" ((Live) [B] (Japanese bonus track))4:28

UK and international reissue

Reissue version of the single "Epic". The 7-inch vinyl and cassette versions only had the first two tracks. [30]

No.TitleLength
1."Epic"4:51
2."Falling to Pieces" (Live at Brixton)4:45
3."Epic" (Live at Brixton)4:55
4."As the Worm Turns" (Live at Brixton)2:46

Personnel

Personnel are sourced from Mix. [31]

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [45] Platinum70,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ) [46] Gold5,000*
United Kingdom (BPI) [47] Silver200,000
United States (RIAA) [48] Gold500,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref(s).
United KingdomJanuary 29, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
[49] [50] [51]
United Kingdom (re-release)August 28, 1990
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
[52]
JapanNovember 10, 1990CD [53]

Covers

"Epic" has been covered both in concerts and on the Kerrang! Higher Voltage CD, a compilation of artists covering other songs. Such artists include the Welsh rock band The Automatic; the CD was released on June 20, 2007. [54] The metalcore band Atreyu also covered the song on their album Lead Sails Paper Anchor , [55] and the Swedish indie pop band Love Is All covered the song on the B-side to their What's Your Rupture? 7-inch "Wishing Well." [56] Just D and Clawfinger did a cover in Swedish. It was released on a limited edition promo CD in 1992 and on CD maxi single in 1993. [57] On the first release the song was titled (Du vill ha) Allt (Men kan’te få d) and on the later release shortened to Vill ha allt. An arrangement by Mateo Messina was featured in the 2011 film Young Adult . Additionally, Canadian band The Veer Union released a cover of "Epic" in late October 2017. In 2023, The Lucid along with Violent J (Insane Clown Posse) released a re-imagining of "Epic" titled "Sweet Toof"; keeping the music unchanged but re-writing all lyrics and vocal melodies except for a callback to the original chorus during the outro. [58]

Notes

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Faith No More</span> American rock band

Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed in 1979. Before September 1983, the band performed under the names Sharp Young Men and later Faith No Man. Bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist/rhythm guitarist Roddy Bottum and drummer Mike Bordin are the longest-remaining members of the band, having been involved since its inception. The band underwent several early lineup changes, and some major changes later. The lineup of Faith No More consists of Gould, Bordin, Bottum, lead guitarist Jon Hudson, and vocalist/lyricist Mike Patton.

<i>The Real Thing</i> (Faith No More album) 1989 studio album by Faith No More

The Real Thing is the third studio album by American rock band Faith No More, released on June 20, 1989, by Slash and Reprise Records. It is the first album to feature singer Mike Patton, following the dismissal of previous vocalist Chuck Mosley. On this album, Faith No More continued to advance their sound range, combining alternative metal, funk metal, and rap metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Welcome to the Jungle</span> 1987 single by Guns N Roses

"Welcome to the Jungle" is a song by American rock band Guns N' Roses, featured as the opening track on their debut album, Appetite for Destruction (1987). It was released as the album's second single initially in the UK in September 1987 then again in October 1988 this time including the US, where it reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 24 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freak on a Leash</span> 1999 Single by Korn

"Freak on a Leash" is a song by the American nu metal band Korn, featured on the group's 1998 studio album, Follow the Leader. After Follow the Leader's release, the song was released as a single on February 25, 1999, and since then, it has been re-released over ten times. The song uses dissonance, distortion, various guitar effects, and a heavy, aggressive style.

<i>Album of the Year</i> (Faith No More album) 1997 studio album by Faith No More

Album of the Year is the sixth studio album by American rock band Faith No More, released on June 3, 1997, by Slash and Reprise Records. It is the first album to feature the band's current guitarist Jon Hudson, and was their last studio album before their eleven-year hiatus from 1998 to 2009. Album of the Year has been described by AllMusic as being "more straightforward musically than past releases." It experienced success in some foreign countries, including Australia, where it topped the charts and went Platinum. However, in the United States it continued the band's declining critical and commercial response. Three singles were released from the album: "Ashes to Ashes", "Last Cup of Sorrow", and "Stripsearch", all of which had accompanying music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Run to the Hills</span> 1982 single by Iron Maiden

"Run to the Hills" is a song by the English heavy metal band Iron Maiden. It was released as their sixth single and the first from the band's third studio album, The Number of the Beast (1982). It is their first single with Bruce Dickinson as vocalist. Credited solely to the band's bassist, Steve Harris, Dickinson contributed to the song but could not be credited due to a contractual agreement with his former band Samson. "Run to the Hills" remains one of the band's most popular songs, with VH1 ranking it No. 27 on their list of the 40 Greatest Metal Songs, No. 14 on their list of the Greatest Hard Rock Songs, and Rolling Stone ranking it No. 10 on their list of the 100 greatest heavy metal songs

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Digging the Grave</span> 1995 single by Faith No More

"Digging the Grave" is a 1995 single by Faith No More, from their fifth studio album, King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime. Produced by Andy Wallace in the Bearsville Studios, the song was born out of a period of transition for the group, as they were dealing with the absence of keyboard player Roddy Bottum—who was grieving the deaths of his father and of friend Kurt Cobain—and had recently fired their previous guitar player Jim Martin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falling to Pieces</span> 1990 single by Faith No More

"Falling to Pieces" is the third single on Faith No More's first studio album with Mike Patton on vocals, The Real Thing. The song was released as a single on July 2, 1990. The song peaked at number 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 40 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. The song has rarely been performed live due to the band's disdain for it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Midlife Crisis</span> 1992 single by Faith No More

"Midlife Crisis" is a song by American rock band Faith No More. It was released on May 25, 1992, as the first single from their fourth album, Angel Dust. It became their only number-one hit on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wait and Bleed</span> 1999 single by Slipknot

"Wait and Bleed" is a 1999 song by American heavy metal band Slipknot, released as the their debut and lead single from their 1999 self-titled debut album. After being remixed to replace the screamed vocals in the verses with more melodic singing, it was released as the lead single from the album in July 1999, and peaked at number 34 on the US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in February 2000. It remains one of the band's most popular songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Round and Round (Ratt song)</span> 1984 single by Ratt

"Round and Round" is a song by American heavy metal band Ratt from their 1984 album Out of the Cellar. It was released as a single in 1984 on Atlantic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">My Sacrifice</span> 2001 single by Creed

"My Sacrifice" is a song by American rock band Creed. It was released on October 16, 2001, as the lead single from their third studio album, Weathered. The song peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of February 9, 2002, and reached number one on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for nine consecutive weeks, beginning in December 2001. Worldwide, the song was a top-20 hit in Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2003 at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">From Out of Nowhere (song)</span> 1989 single by Faith No More

"From Out of Nowhere" is the first track on Faith No More's third studio album, The Real Thing (1989). It was also the first single to be released from it and to feature Mike Patton on vocals. It was first released in the United Kingdom on October 30, 1989, but did not appear on the UK Singles Chart. It was re-released on April 2, 1990, after the success of "Epic", and it reached number 23 on the UK chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">We're an American Band (song)</span> 1973 single by Grand Funk Railroad

"We're an American Band" is a No. 1 single by American rock band Grand Funk Railroad. Released on July 2, 1973, from the band's album of the same name, it became the band's first single to top the Billboard charts. Written by Don Brewer and produced by Todd Rundgren, its huge chart success broadened Grand Funk's appeal. In a 2023 interview, Brewer said the song, which stiches together snippets of events from the band's touring life, was written in an effort to garner the band more hits as FM radio stations were transitioning into singles-oriented formats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Body Murdered</span> 1993 single by Faith No More and Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.

"Another Body Murdered" is a 1993 single by Faith No More and Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., taken from the soundtrack album for the film Judgment Night. The brainchild of Cypress Hill's manager, Happy Walters, the soundtrack paired rock and hip-hop acts on each of its songs; Faith No More sought out the American-Samoan Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. after becoming interested in Samoan a capella singing. Charting in several countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, "Another Body Murdered" has received mixed reactions from music critics, with some seeing it as a harbinger of later acts such as Korn or Limp Bizkit, and others comparing it unfavourably to Public Enemy and Anthrax's earlier crossover single "Bring the Noise".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ricochet (Faith No More song)</span> Song by Faith No More

"Ricochet" is a 1995 single by Faith No More, taken from their fifth studio album King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime. Produced by Andy Wallace in the Bearsville Studios, the song was borne out of a period of transition for the group, who had recently fired their previous guitar player Jim Martin, and were dealing with the absence of keyboard player Roddy Bottum, who was grieving the death of his friend Kurt Cobain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Evidence (Faith No More song)</span> 1995 single by Faith No More

"Evidence" is a 1995 single by "Faith No More", taken from their fifth studio album, King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime. Recorded in Bearsville Studios and produced by Andy Wallace, the song was born out of a period of transition for the group, who had recently fired their previous guitar player Jim Martin and were dealing with the absence of keyboard player Roddy Bottum, who was grieving several recent deaths.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashes to Ashes (Faith No More song)</span> 1997 single by Faith No More

"Ashes to Ashes" is the seventh track on Faith No More's sixth studio album Album of the Year. It was the album's first single and was released on May 19, 1997. It was reissued on January 8, 1998.

<i>You Fat Bastards: Live at the Brixton Academy</i> 1990 video by Faith No More

You Fat Bastards: Live at the Brixton Academy is the only officially released live album by Faith No More. It was recorded by William Shapland on April 28, 1990, in the Brixton Academy, London during the tour supporting their third studio album The Real Thing. The album takes its title from a line from an English football chant which was sung by the crowd at the show.

<i>King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime</i> 1995 studio album by Faith No More

King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime is the fifth studio album by American rock band Faith No More, released on March 13, 1995, by Slash and Reprise Records. It was their first album recorded without longtime guitarist Jim Martin. The album showcased a variety of musical genres, with Rolling Stone calling the result a "genre shuffle". King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime spawned three singles: "Digging the Grave", "Ricochet" and "Evidence".

References

  1. "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", May 1–4, 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com Archived June 15, 2013, at the Wayback Machine ; last accessed September 10, 2006.
  2. "Spreadit.org". Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 7, 2009.
  3. "The Hottest 100 Archive: 2009 (All-time)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation . Retrieved February 4, 2023.Select 2009 (All-time) from the Year drop-down box.
  4. Grant, Jess (November 29, 2012). "Billy Gould of Faith No More : Songwriter Interviews". Songfacts. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
  5. "The Story Behind the Song: Faith No More's Epic". June 7, 2021.
  6. Considine, J.D. (September 14, 1990). "Faith No More's eclectic sound". The Baltimore Sun . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  7. Hart, Ron (June 20, 2019). "Faith No More's 'The Real Thing' at 30: How They Switched Singers & Delivered a Classic". Billboard. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  8. Weingarten, Christopher (May 12, 2015). "Faith No More: How Rock's Most Contrarian Band Made Up and Came Back". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  9. "Top 10 Essential Rap-Rock Songs". About.com . Retrieved November 1, 2019.
  10. Walters, Barry (April 13, 2010). "Faith No More Return to the U.S. With Powerhouse San Fran Show". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  11. "Faith No More: The Complete Guide". Clash. February 7, 2014. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  12. https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-philadelphia-inquirer/101258705/?locale=en-AU
  13. Terich, Jeff (August 26, 2019). "Shadow of the Horns: The Best Metal Albums of 1989". Treble. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  14. Haire, Chris (August 12, 2009). "Psychostick returns funk metal to its silly roots". Charleston City Paper. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  15. Ramirez, AJ (August 3, 2011). "The 10 Best Alternative Metal Singles of the 1990s". PopMatters . Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  16. "VH1's 100 Greatest Hard Rock Songs". Stereogum . January 5, 2009. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
  17. Cee, Gary (November 30, 1990). "Faith No More: Inside the insatiable Mike Patton". Circus Magazine. No. #369. pp. 62–64. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  18. "Faith No More music video". YouTube.[ dead YouTube link ]
  19. "Epic by Faith No More Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  20. "about: Linear Soul Child". bjork.com. Note: user has to select 'about : Björk about other people' from the drop down menu and select 'Linear Soul Child' on the menu. Archived from the original on June 20, 2011. Retrieved April 8, 2013.
  21. Kennedy, William (February 22, 2022). "The Truth About The Fish In Faith No More's 'Epic' Video". Grunge. Retrieved May 26, 2024.
  22. Weisel, Al (June 1, 1995). "Faith No More: King For a Day/Fool for a Lifetime". Rolling Stone. RealNetworks, Inc. Archived from the original on January 15, 2009. Retrieved September 20, 2008.
  23. Takiff, Jonathan (September 14, 1990). "Whaddya Get When Ya Rap on Metal? Faith No More Crosses Over & Under". Philadelphia Daily News . p. 40.
  24. Hilburn, Robert (December 31, 1990). "Counting Out Most of the Year's Top Records Pop music: no more than four of 1990's No. 1 songs will be considered significant a decade from now. Here are some that might". Los Angeles Times. p. 12.
  25. Pareles, Jon (December 30, 1990). "The Best Show? In the Court, not the Concert Hall". The New York Times.
  26. "Pazz & Jop critics' poll—1990". Robert Christgau. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  27. https://www.kerrang.com/the-20-greatest-faith-no-more-songs-ranked
  28. https://www.songfacts.com/facts/faith-no-more/epic
  29. https://www.fnmfollowers.com/post/lady-gaga-is-a-faith-no-more-fan
  30. 1 2 3 4 The Faith No More Discography
  31. "Classic Tracks: Faith No More's 'Epic'". mixonline.com. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
  32. "Faith No More – Epic". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  33. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 1286." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  34. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 7, no. 39. September 29, 1990. p. V. Retrieved September 4, 2020.
  35. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Faith No More". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  36. "Faith No More – Epic" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  37. "Faith No More – Epic". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  38. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  39. "Faith No More Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  40. "Faith No More Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  41. "U.S. Cash Box Charts" (PDF). popmusichistory. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  42. "ARIA Top 50 Singles for 1990". ARIA . Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  43. "End of Year Charts 1990". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  44. "Billboard Top 100 – 1990". Archived from the original on July 6, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  45. "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1990 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved August 8, 2022.
  46. "New Zealand single certifications – Faith No More – Epic". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  47. "British single certifications – Faith No More – Epic". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved July 29, 2022.
  48. "American single certifications – Faith No More – Epic". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved July 28, 2019.
  49. Chirazi, Steffan (1994). The Real Story. London: Castle Publications. pp. 138–142. ISBN   9781898141150.
  50. Sounds Magazine. January 20, 1990. p. 48.{{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  51. "New Singles". Music Week . January 27, 1990. p. 47.
  52. "New Singles". Music Week. August 25, 1990. p. 23.
  53. "エピック | フェイス・ノー・モア" [Epic | Faith No More] (in Japanese). Oricon . Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  54. Kerrang! issue 1164 June 20, 2007
  55. "Smartpunk.com". Archived from the original on January 30, 2009. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  56. "Love Is All Cover Faith No More, Add Dates". Archived from the original on September 18, 2008. Retrieved June 10, 2017.
  57. "Just D & Klåfinger – Klåfinger". Discogs. Zink Media LLC. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  58. Metal Hammer (January 20, 2023). "Ex-Megadeth man David Ellefson has hooked up with Insane Clown Posse's Violent J to cover Faith No More and... wait, it's not April 1 already, is it?". loudersound. Retrieved January 24, 2023.