Winter (Tori Amos song)

Last updated

"Winter"
Tori Amos - Winter.jpg
US CD maxi-single
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Little Earthquakes
B-side
ReleasedMarch 9, 1992 (1992-03-09)
Length5:40
Label
Songwriter(s) Tori Amos
Producer(s) Davitt Sigerson
Tori Amos singles chronology
"China"
(1992)
"Winter"
(1992)
"Crucify"
(1992)

"Winter" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released as a single in March 1992. "Winter" was Amos' first single to reach the top 40 in any country, peaking at number 25 in the United Kingdom two weeks after its release.

Contents

Release

"Winter" was the fourth single released from Amos' debut studio album, Little Earthquakes . It was released through EastWest Records on March 9, 1992, in the United Kingdom and on May 18, 1992, in Australia. [1] [2] In North America, it was issued through Atlantic Records the same year. The song also appears on Amos' 2003 compilation, Tales of a Librarian . The music video can be seen on the video collections Tori Amos: Complete Videos 1991–1998 and Fade to Red .

The single was released globally in a variety of formats with slightly differing artwork and track listings. The most commonly available version is the United States release, which is labeled as a "limited edition" release. That version comes in a digipak case with a compartment in which a "handwritten lyrics" insert is contained. The far more rare UK limited edition release features three cover versions that would later appear on the US Crucify EP.

Reception

"Winter" is widely regarded as one of Amos's best songs. In 2014, Stereogum ranked the song number two on their list of the 10 greatest Tori Amos songs, [3] and in 2023, The Guardian ranked the song number four on their list of the 20 greatest Tori Amos songs. [4] The song has placed on the Dutch Top 2000 songs of all time countdown every year since 2015, peaking at No. 765 in 2017. [5]

Professional wrestler Mick Foley penned an essay for Slate about how the song "changed his life"; he listened to it before a bout with Terry Funk on the IWA Japan tour in Tokyo to relieve his stress. [6]

Track listings

UK CD single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "The Pool" – 2:51
  3. "Take to the Sky" – 4:20
  4. "Sweet Dreams" – 3:27

UK and German limited edition CD single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "Angie" (Mick Jagger, Keith Richards) – 4:25
  3. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl) – 3:17
  4. "Thank You" (Robert Plant, Jimmy Page) – 3:52

German CD single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "The Pool" – 2:51
  3. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – 3:15

Australian CD single and cassette single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – 3:15
  3. "Angie" – 4:22

UK 7-inch and cassette single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "The Pool" – 2:50

US CD single

  1. "Winter" – 5:44
  2. "The Pool" – 2:50
  3. "Take to the Sky" – 4:20
  4. "Sweet Dreams" – 3:27
  5. "Upside Down" – 4:22

US 7-inch and cassette single

  1. "Winter" (edit) – 4:38
  2. "The Pool" – 2:50

Charts

Chart (1992)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [7] 49
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100) [8] 76
UK Singles (OCC) [9] 25

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United KingdomMarch 9, 1992
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette
EastWest [1]
AustraliaMay 18, 1992
  • CD
  • cassette
[2]

Cover versions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smells Like Teen Spirit</span> 1991 single by Nirvana

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success of the song propelled Nevermind to the top of several albums charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point when grunge entered the mainstream. It was Nirvana's biggest hit, charting high on music industry charts around the world in 1991 and 1992, and was number one on the charts in Belgium, France, New Zealand and Spain. It was met with wide critical acclaim, and described as an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X. Although Nirvana grew uncomfortable with the mainstream and commercial attention the song brought to them, listeners and critics continue to praise "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as one of the greatest songs of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional Widow</span> 1996 single by Tori Amos

"Professional Widow" is a song written by the American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released on her third album, Boys for Pele (1996). It is a harpsichord-driven rock song and its lyrics are rumored to have been inspired by the American songwriter Courtney Love. The song was released on July 2, 1996 by Atlantic and EastWest, as the third single from the Boys for Pele album in the US, containing remixes by the house music producers Armand van Helden and MK. The single reached number one on the US Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart. In Italy, the original version peaked at number two in October 1996. An edited version of the Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' Mix of "Professional Widow" was originally released as a double A-side single with "Hey Jupiter" in Europe and Australia.

<i>Under the Pink</i> 1994 studio album by Tori Amos

Under the Pink is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. Upon its release in January 1994, the album debuted atop the UK Albums Chart on the back of the hit single "Cornflake Girl", and peaked at number 12 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crucify (song)</span> 1992 single by Tori Amos

"Crucify" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the fifth single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes, on May 12, 1992, by Atlantic Records in North America and on June 8 by EastWest Records in the UK. In Australia, it was released on July 20, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dreams (Fleetwood Mac song)</span> 1977 single by Fleetwood Mac

"Dreams" is a song by British-American rock band Fleetwood Mac, written by singer Stevie Nicks for the band's eleventh studio album, Rumours (1977). In the United States, "Dreams" was released as the second single from Rumours in March 1977, while in the United Kingdom, the song was released as the third single in June 1977. A stage performance of "Dreams" was used as the promotional music video.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silent All These Years</span> 1991 single by Tori Amos

"Silent All These Years" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos, released as the second single from her debut studio album, Little Earthquakes (1992). It was originally released in the United Kingdom in November 1991 via EastWest Records. It was released in North America in 1992 by Atlantic Records and was later used to promote awareness of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN). In the UK, the single was re-released on August 10, 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Sorta Fairytale</span> 2002 single by Tori Amos

"A Sorta Fairytale" is a song written and performed by singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It was released as the first single from her 2002 album Scarlet's Walk. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart, and number two on the Triple A chart. The song has since been featured in episodes of the television shows Nip/Tuck and The L Word. There are three commercially released versions of the song: the album version (5:30), the 101 Mix (4:00) and the original single version (4:01). It was released as a CD single (UK/Canada) with "Operation Peter Pan" as the B-side, and as a DVD single (US) with the music video, co-starring Adrien Brody.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cornflake Girl</span> 1994 single by Tori Amos

"Cornflake Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It was released on January 10, 1994, as the first single from her second studio album, Under the Pink (1994), by EastWest Records in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it served as the album's second single, after "God". Singer Merry Clayton provided backing vocals and sings the "man with the golden gun" bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">True Colors (Cyndi Lauper song)</span> 1986 single by Cyndi Lauper

"True Colors" is a song written by American songwriters Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was both the title track and the first single released from American singer Cyndi Lauper's second studio album of the same name (1986). Released in mid-1986, the song would become a hit for Lauper, spending two weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming her last single to occupy the top of the chart. It received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China (Tori Amos song)</span> 1992 single by Tori Amos

"China" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos, released as the third single from her debut studio album, Little Earthquakes. It was issued on January 20, 1992, by EastWest Records in the United Kingdom. It was the first song written for Little Earthquakes and was originally titled "Distance"; a recurring lyric and theme in the song. It was originally submitted to the Library of Congress in 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebel Yell (song)</span> 1983 song by Billy Idol

"Rebel Yell" is a song by English-American rock musician Billy Idol. It is the title track of his 1983 album of the same name, and was released as the album's lead single in October 1983. Although it charted outside the UK Top 40, a 1985 re-issue peaked at no. 6, and it reached no. 46 in the US. The song received wide critical acclaim and in 2009 was named the 79th best hard rock song of all time by VH1 based on a public vote.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God (Tori Amos song)</span> 1994 single by Tori Amos

"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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tori Amos discography</span>

Tori Amos is an American pianist and singer-songwriter whose musical career began in 1980, at the age of seventeen, when she and her brother co-wrote the song "Baltimore". The song was selected as the winning song in a contest for the Baltimore Orioles and was recorded and pressed locally as a 7" single. From 1984 to 1989, Amos fronted the synth-pop band Y Kant Tori Read, which released one self-titled album with Atlantic Records in 1988 before breaking up. Shortly thereafter, Amos began writing and recording material that would serve as the debut of her solo career. Still signed with Atlantic, and its UK counterpart East West, Amos' initial solo material was rejected by the label in 1990. Under the guidance of co-producers Eric Rosse, Davitt Sigerson and Ian Stanley, a second version of the album was created and accepted by the label the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caught a Lite Sneeze</span> 1996 single by Tori Amos

"Caught a Lite Sneeze" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released by Atlantic and EastWest as the first single from her third studio album, Boys for Pele (1996), on January 1, 1996. The song is about wanting to do anything to keep a relationship going, knowing that it is over. It references Nine Inch Nails's album Pretty Hate Machine in the lyrics "Caught a lite sneeze / Dreamed a little dream / Made my own pretty hate machine." On December 11, 1995, Atlantic made the song available for streaming on their website, one of the earliest examples of a major label implementing such a feature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talula</span> 1996 single by Tori Amos

"Talula" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, released by Atlantic and EastWest as the second single from her third studio album, Boys for Pele (1996). The song reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart and appeared in the Jan de Bont film Twister.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey Jupiter</span> 1996 song by Tori Amos

"Hey Jupiter" is a song written and performed by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It was released as the fourth single from her third studio album, Boys for Pele (1996), and was her first extended play (EP) since Crucify in 1992. The US EP Hey Jupiter features a re-recorded version of "Hey Jupiter" followed by four live tracks recorded during her Dew Drop Inn Tour of 1996. The song is also featured on the double A-side CD singles released in the UK and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1000 Oceans</span> Song

"1000 Oceans" is a song by Tori Amos, released as the second single from her 1999 album To Venus and Back. It reached number 22 on the Hot 100 Singles Sales, though it did not chart on the Hot 100. The song deals with issues of love and loss, and is based on the singer's personal experiences. It was released on September 7, 1999, and was generally well received by critics.

<i>Little Earthquakes</i> 1992 studio album by Tori Amos

Little Earthquakes is the debut solo album by the American singer-songwriter Tori Amos, featuring the singles "Silent All These Years", "China", "Winter" and "Crucify". After Atlantic Records rejected the first version of the album, Amos began working on a second version with her then-boyfriend Eric Rosse. The album was first released in the UK on January 6, 1992, where it peaked at number 14 in the charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Past the Mission</span> 1994 single by Tori Amos

"Past the Mission" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the third single from her second studio album, Under the Pink, in Europe, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. "Past the Mission" was issued in May 1994 by EastWest Records in the UK, in July 1994 in Australia, and in September 1994 by Atlantic Records in the US. Two different CD singles containing live B-sides were released in the UK, and the second of these was released in continental Europe and Australia. In the US, the single was only released commercially on cassette, although a promotional CD single was produced.

<i>Little Earthquakes – The B-Sides</i> 2023 compilation album by Tori Amos

Little Earthquakes – The B-Sides is a compilation album by American musician Tori Amos. Originally included as a bonus picture disc as part of Little Earthquakes – The Graphic Album, it received a standalone release on vinyl on April 22, 2023, for Record Store Day through Atlantic Records. The album collects B-sides from the singles taken from Amos's debut Little Earthquakes (1992), and was limited to 10,000 copies. The songs were produced by Ian Stanley and Davitt Sigerson, both of whom also contributed to Little Earthquakes.

References

  1. 1 2 "New Releases: Singles". Music Week . March 7, 1992. p. 17.
  2. 1 2 "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 18/05/92 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 120 – Week Ending 17 May 1992)". ARIA . Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  3. Dick, Jonathan (June 18, 2014). "The 10 Best Tori Amos Songs". Stereogum . Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  4. Petridis, Alexis (August 17, 2023). "Tori Amos's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian . Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  5. "Winter van Tori Amos uit 1992 in Top 2000". www.top2000nl.com (in Dutch). December 14, 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  6. Foley, Mick (September 28, 2010). "The Wrestler and the Cornflake Girl". Slate. ISSN   1091-2339 . Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  7. "Tori Amos – Winter". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  8. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media . Vol. 9, no. 15. April 11, 1992. p. 22.
  9. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  10. Ling, Dave (March 1995). "Review: Dream Theater". RAW Magazine . Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  11. "CDBaby".