Crucify (song)

{{Short description|1992 single by Tori Amos}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox song | name = Crucify | cover = US_Crucify_single_Tori_Amos.jpg | alt = | type = single | artist = [[Tori Amos]] | album = [[Little Earthquakes]] | B-side = * "[[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]]" * "[[Angie (song)|Angie]]" * "[[Smells Like Teen Spirit]]" * "[[Thank You (Led Zeppelin song)|Thank You]]" * "Here. In My Head" * "[[Mary (Tori Amos song)|Mary]]" | released = {{start date|1992|5|12}} | recorded = | studio = [[Capitol Studios]] ([[Los Angeles]])<ref>{{cite web | title=Tori Amos – Crucify | url=https://genius.com/Tori-amos-crucify-lyrics }}</ref> | venue = | length = 4:58 | genre = * [[Alternative pop]] * [[alternative rock]] | label = * [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] (US, Canada) * [[East West Records|EastWest]] (international) | writer = Tori Amos | producer = * [[Ian Stanley]] * [[Davitt Sigerson]] | prev_title = [[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]] | prev_year = 1992 | next_title = [[Cornflake Girl]] | next_year = 1994 | misc = {{Extra chronology | artist = [[Tori Amos]] [[Extended play|EP]] | type = ep | title = Crucify | year = 1992 | next_title = [[Hey Jupiter]] | next_year = 1996 }}}} {{Album ratings | rev1 = [[AllMusic]] | rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}{{r|Allmusic.com review}} | rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]] | rev2score = {{rating-Christgau|dud}}{{r|Christgau}} | rev3 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]'' | rev3score = {{rating|4|5}}{{r|Rolling Stone}} }} "'''Crucify'''" is a song by American singer-songwriter and pianist [[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 [[East West Records|EastWest Records]] in the UK. In Australia, it was released on July 20, 1992.

==Background== The song served as the fifth single from the album ''[[Little Earthquakes]]''. It was released as an [[Extended play|EP]] in the US and as a single in Europe and Australia.

The EP version of the same name includes a single remix, famous cover versions, and "[[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]]", which was released earlier as a single from the album. It sold 450,000 copies in the US according to Soundscan as of 2005, coming close to a Gold certification. Although the EP sold extremely well, it failed to chart on the Billboard 200. The length of this EP is 20:50.

The UK CD single includes the songs "Here. In My Head" and "[[Mary (Tori Amos song)|Mary]]", which are B-sides of "Crucify". The UK limited-edition EP includes live versions of "Crucify", "Little Earthquakes", "Mother", and "Precious Things".

==Legacy== The song has been covered by [[Sharon den Adel]], vocalist of [[Within Temptation]], and [[Nolwenn Leroy]], French singer.

==Track listings== ===U.S. release (May 1992)=== {{Track listing | headline = Cassette single – Atlantic 4-87463 | title1 = Crucify (Remix) | length1 = 4:18 | title2 = [[Me and a Gun]] | length2 = 3:42 | total_length = }} {{Track listing | headline = CD EP – Atlantic 7 82399-2 / Cassette EP – Atlantic 7 82399-4 | title1 = Crucify (Remix) | length1 = 4:18 | title2 = [[Winter (Tori Amos song)|Winter]] | length2 = 5:41 | title3 = [[Angie (song)|Angie]] | length3 = 4:25 | writer3 = [[Mick Jagger]], [[Keith Richards]] | title4 = [[Smells Like Teen Spirit]] | writer4 = [[Kurt Cobain]], [[Krist Novoselic]], [[Dave Grohl]] | length4 = 3:17 | title5 = [[Thank You (Led Zeppelin song)|Thank You]] | writer5 = [[Robert Plant]], [[Jimmy Page]] | length5 = 3:49 | total_length = }} ===U.K. release (June 1992)=== {{Track listing | headline = 7-inch single – EastWest A7479 / Cassette single – EastWest A7479C | title1 = Crucify (Remix) | length1 = 4:18 | title2 = Here. In My Head | length2 = 3:53 | total_length = }} {{Track listing | headline = CD single 1 – EastWest A7479CD | title1 = Crucify (Remix) | length1 = 4:18 | title2 = Here. In My Head | length2 = 3:53 | title3 = [[Mary (Tori Amos song)|Mary]] | length3 = 4:27 | title4 = Crucify (Alternate mix) | length4 = 4:58 | note4 = misprinted as "LP version" | total_length = }} {{Track listing | headline = CD single 2 (Limited Edition) – EastWest A7479CDX | title1 = Little Earthquakes (Live) | length1 = 6:58 | title2 = Crucify (Live) | length2 = 5:19 | title3 = Precious Things (Live) | length3 = 5:03 | title4 = Mother (Live) | length4 = 6:37 | total_length = }} Live tracks recorded at the [[Cambridge Corn Exchange]], 5th April 1992.

==Personnel== * Tori Amos – acoustic [[piano]], [[singing|vocals]] * Jef Scott – [[Bass guitar|bass]] * Ed Greene – [[Drum kit|drums]] * [[Paulinho Da Costa]] – [[Percussion instrument|percussion]] * John Chamberlin – [[mandolin]] * Eric Williams – [[ukulele]] * [[Nancy Shanks]] (Beene), Tina Gullickson – backgrounds * John Beverly Jones – [[sound recording]] * Leslie Ann Jones – assistance * Paul McKenna – [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|mixing]] * Davitt Sigerson – [[Record producer|producer]] * Ian Stanley – [[Record producer|producer]]

==Charts== {|class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center" !Chart (1992–1993) !Peak position |- !scope="row"|Australia ([[ARIA Charts|ARIA]]){{r|Ryan (2011)}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/h34eAIB.png|title=The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart – Week Ending 06 Sep 1992 (61–100)|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association|ARIA]]|via=[[Imgur]]|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref> | 83 |- {{single chart|Canadatopsingles|74|chartid=2006|rowheader=true|access-date=May 20, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Canadaadultcontemporary|33|chartid=1995|rowheader=true|access-date=May 20, 2020}} |- !scope="row"|Europe ([[European Hot 100 Singles|Eurochart Hot 100]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-07-18.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|volume=9|issue=29|page=17|date=July 18, 1992|access-date=September 1, 2020}}</ref> | 41 |- {{single chart|France|17|artist=Tori Amos|song=Crucify|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Germany|84|artist=Tori Amos|song=Crucify|songid=30003|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Ireland2|25|song=Crucify|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Dutch100|79|artist=Tori Amos|song=Crucify|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|New Zealand|17|artist=Tori Amos|song=Crucify|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|Sweden|16|artist=Tori Amos|song=Crucify|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- {{single chart|UKsinglesbyname|15|artist=Tori Amos|artistid=27268|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- !scope="row"|UK Airplay (''[[Music Week]]'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-06-27.pdf|title=Top 50 Airplay Chart|magazine=[[Music Week]]|date=June 27, 1992|page=16|access-date=November 2, 2025}}</ref> | 50 |- {{single chart|Billboardalternativesongs|22|artist=Tori Amos|rowheader=true|access-date=September 1, 2020}} |- !scope="row"| US [[Cash Box Top 100 Pop Singles|''Cash Box'' Top 100]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Cash-Box/90s/1992/CB-1992-09-05.pdf|title=Cash Box|website=Worldradiohistory.com|date=1992-09-05|access-date=October 30, 2024}}</ref> | 52 |}

==Release history== {|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" !scope="col"|Region !scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Format(s) !scope="col"|Label(s) !scope="col"|{{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- !scope="row"|United States |May 12, 1992 |{{n/a}} |[[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]] |{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} |- !scope="row"|United Kingdom |June 8, 1992 |{{hlist|7-inch vinyl|CD}} |rowspan="3"|[[East West Records|EastWest]] |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-06-06.pdf|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=[[Music Week]]|page=17|date=June 6, 1992|access-date=June 24, 2021}}</ref> |- !scope="row" rowspan="2"|Australia |July 20, 1992 |CD |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://i.imgur.com/JqpCzKk.png|title=New Release Summary – Product Available from: 20/07/92 (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 129)|via=[[Imgur]]|access-date=May 10, 2016}}</ref> |- |July 27, 1992 |Cassette |<ref>{{cite magazine|title=New Release Summary – Product Available from : 27/07/92: Singles|magazine=[[The ARIA Report]]|issue=130|page=6|date=July 26, 1992}}</ref> |}

==Appearances of the song on television== ===Live performances=== Tori Amos performed "Crucify" on ''[[Late Night with David Letterman]]'' in May, 1992, and on ''[[CBS This Morning]]'' on September 9, 1992. She also played it on ''[[The Tonight Show with Jay Leno]]'' on January 13, 1993, along with the song "Winter." Additionally, she played "Crucify" live on [[MTV]] in 1992, as well as on ''[[Top of the Pops]]''.{{r|Compilamos}}

===Music video=== The "Crucify" video, directed by Cindy Palmano (photographer and video director) and [[Atlantic Records]], was released in 1992 as well. It was shot using the [[radio edit]] of "Crucify" that can be found on the ''Crucify'' EP and single release, but the version used on Tori's 2006 ''Fade to Red'' 2DVD set is an edited version of the remastered track that is found on the compilation ''[[Tales of a Librarian]]''. It includes images of Tori at the piano shot using overhead cameras, twin Toris who sing together at a counter, clothing "reminiscent of Anne Boleyn,"{{r|Videography}} and shots of Tori climbing into a bathtub fully dressed, then dancing in the wet dress.

Cindy Palmano has said that Atlantic Records finished the video because "I took it to a certain stage and then the record company wanted to edit it in a different way." Yet she approves of the bathtub sequence: "I like when she steps into the bath and comes out of the bath. It all looks really Hitchcock, I love it."{{r|Videography}} (Palmano also directed the videos "Silent All These Years," "Winter," "China" and "Pretty Good Year," this last one from Amos' second album, ''[[Under the Pink]]''.)

The music video can be found on ''[[Little Earthquakes (video)|Little Earthquakes]]'', ''[[Tori Amos: Complete Videos 1991-1998]]'' and ''[[Fade to Red]]: Video Collection''.

==Later appearances of "Crucify"== In 2003, Tori Amos released the compilation album ''[[Tales of a Librarian]]'', which included remastered versions of many of her most popular songs. The original LP version of "Crucify" was one of them.

Amos has performed "Crucify" differently live in recent years, with the verses being performed slower and with some degree of repetition. One example of how she plays it now can be found on the ''[[Welcome to Sunny Florida]]'' [[DVD]].

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name="Allmusic.com review"> {{cite web | title = Tori Amos—Crucify (EP) | website = Allmusic.com | url = http://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000612308 | access-date = January 20, 2016 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160121040953/http://www.allmusic.com/album/mw0000612308 | archive-date = January 21, 2016 | url-status = live }} </ref> <ref name="Christgau"> {{cite web | title = Tori Amos | author = Robert Christgau | website = Robert Christgau Consumer Guide | access-date = January 20, 2016 | url = http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=tori+amos }} </ref> <ref name="Compilamos"> {{cite web | title = Tori Amos: Compilamos | website = HereInMyHead.com | url = http://www.hereinmyhead.com/collect/videos/compli.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020621004000/http://www.hereinmyhead.com/collect/videos/compli.html | archive-date = June 21, 2002 | url-status = dead }} </ref> <ref name="Rolling Stone"> {{cite web | title = Tori Amos | website = Rolling Stone Album Guide | url = https://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/tori-amos/albumguide | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130713084801/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/artists/tori-amos/albumguide | archive-date = July 13, 2013 | url-status = dead }} </ref> <ref name="Ryan (2011)"> {{cite book | last = Ryan | first = Gavin | title = Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010 | year = 2011 | publisher = Moonlight Publishing | location = Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia }} </ref> <ref name="Videography"> {{cite web | title = Videography: Crucify | website = HereInMyHead.com | url = http://www.hereinmyhead.com/videos/cru.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20020817001326/http://hereinmyhead.com/videos/CRU.HTML | archive-date = August 17, 2002 | url-status = dead }} </ref> }}

==External links== * [https://www.discogs.com/Tori-Amos-Crucify/release/840009 Crucify]

[[Category:1992 singles]] [[Category:1992 songs]] [[Category:Atlantic Records singles]] [[Category:East West Records singles]] [[Category:Songs written by Tori Amos]] [[Category:Tori Amos songs]]