# Professional Widow

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1996 single by Tori Amos

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"Professional Widow" Single by Tori Amos from the album Boys for Pele Released July 2, 1996 (1996-07-02) Studio A church (Delgany, Ireland) A Georgian house (County Cork, Ireland) Length 4:31 (album version) 8:08 (remix) Label Atlantic EastWest Songwriter Tori Amos Producer Tori Amos Tori Amos singles chronology "Talula" (1996) "Professional Widow" (1996) "Hey Jupiter" (1996)

"**Professional Widow**" is a song by the American singer-songwriter and pianist [Tori Amos](/source/Tori_Amos), released on her third album, *[Boys for Pele](/source/Boys_for_Pele)* (1996). It is a [harpsichord](/source/Harpsichord)-driven rock song with lyrics rumored to have been inspired by the American songwriter [Courtney Love](/source/Courtney_Love).

"Professional Widow" was released as the album's third single on July 2, 1996, by [Atlantic](/source/Atlantic_Records) and [EastWest](/source/East_West_Records), with [remixes](/source/Remix) by the [house](/source/House_music) producers [Armand van Helden](/source/Armand_van_Helden) and [MK](/source/Marc_Kinchen). It reached number one on the US *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* [Dance Club Play](/source/Dance_Club_Songs) 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 released as a [double A-side](/source/A-side_and_B-side#Double_A-side) single with "[Hey Jupiter](/source/Hey_Jupiter)" in Europe and Australia.

On December 30, 1996, van Helden's remix was released as a single in the UK as "**Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)**". It topped the [UK singles chart](/source/UK_singles_chart) in January 1997 and reached the top 20 in Finland, Iceland, Ireland and Norway. In 2022, *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia_Awards)* named the remix the 109th-greatest dance song.

## Lyrics

"Professional Widow" was rumored to be a [diss track](/source/Diss_track) about the American songwriter [Courtney Love](/source/Courtney_Love), the widow of the [Nirvana](/source/Nirvana_(band)) songwriter [Kurt Cobain](/source/Kurt_Cobain).[1][2] Love said she had never determined if she was the "professional widow" of the title.[1] In 1996, Amos said she had never met Love and that the song was about her own experience and "the part of myself that's [Lady Macbeth](/source/Lady_Macbeth)". In a 2003 television interview, when the host said the song was inspired by Love, Amos interrupted with "allegedly" and smiled.[1]

In 2026, Amos said "Professional Widow" was about her complicated relationship with her father, a [Methodist](/source/Methodist) priest, who was also her first manager. Amos referenced Love in her song "Shush" from the 2026 album *[In Times of Dragons](/source/In_Times_of_Dragons)*.[3]

## Remix

"Professional Widow" was remixed by the American DJ [Armand van Helden](/source/Armand_van_Helden). In Europe, the remix became more widely known than the original song.[4]

Van Helden said that Amos was contractually entitled to approve all remixes, and called to thank him when his became popular in Europe.[5] In a 1998 interview with *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*, Amos said: "It did kick my ass a bit [...] I know what van Helden took and what he did and I think he did some very clever things [...] I loved the fact that he didn't try and retain that at all, he went completely to the other pole."[6]

## Critical reception

*[Aberdeen Press and Journal](/source/Aberdeen_Press_and_Journal)* said "Professional Widow" as "excellent".[7] Justin Chadwick from Albumism wrote in his retrospective review of *[Boys for Pele](/source/Boys_for_Pele)*, "Though much of the world is more familiar with the propulsive, dancefloor-filling Armand Van Helden remix of 'Professional Widow', its original incarnation featured here is noteworthy for its much-debated allusions to none other than [Courtney Love](/source/Courtney_Love)."[8] Neil Z. Yeung from [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic) described it as a "powerful dose of industrial-piano ferocity that holds nothing back in its demands for peace, love, and a little something extra."[9] Paul Verna from *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))* named it a "highlight" of the album, viewing it as "searing" and "groove-heavy".[10] The Daily Vault's Sean McCarthy felt it's one of the most "straightforward" songs of the album.[11] Kevin Courtney from *[Irish Times](/source/Irish_Times)* declared it as "a mad [maelstrom](/source/Whirlpool) of beats and harpsichord arpeggia, a sort of [Portishead](/source/Portishead_(band)) for the beaten generation".[12] In a separate review of the remix, Courtney wrote, "Older fans of Tori's introspective balladeering will be bemused that their heroine now sounds like [Stretch & Vern](/source/Stretch_%26_Vern). Calling this a Tori Amos single is like describing "[Money for Nothing](/source/Money_for_Nothing_(song))" as a [Sting](/source/Sting_(musician)) song, and the lady's sampled voice is just incidental to the handbag-heaving beat and bassline."[13]

Alan Jones from *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)* deemed the remix a "brilliant reworking"[14] that was "as different from the rest of the album as chalk is from cheese".[15] Tim Jeffery from *[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)*'s Dance Update gave it five out of five, writing: "Needless to say, any lyrical subtlety has gone out of the window on this remixed package but that's not the point really. MK and Armand Van Helden pick and choose which of Tori's lines to chop up into bits and loop over their own music — Helden's is by far the most inventive with loads of strange synth sounds over a [Bucketheads](/source/Bucketheads)-style groove and a terrific atmospheric drop in the middle. A big club hit for sure but it'll be radio that decides this record's success or otherwise."[16] Cynthia Joyce from *[Salon](/source/Salon_(website))* noted that Amos' "penchant for abrupt endings and ad nauseam repetition; still surfaces on more experimental songs" like "Professional Widow".[17] Kevin Newman from *[Smash Hits](/source/Smash_Hits)* named it the best track of the album with "[Caught a Lite Sneeze](/source/Caught_a_Lite_Sneeze)", describing it as "more-[Björk](/source/Bj%C3%B6rk)-than-Björk".[18] In 2014, *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)* ranked the song number 10 on their list of the 10 greatest Tori Amos songs,[19] *[Mixmag](/source/Mixmag)* featured it in their list of the best basslines in dance music in 2020,[20] and in 2023, *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)* ranked the song number five on their list of the 20 greatest Tori Amos songs.[21] In 2022, *[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone_Australia_Awards)* named the "Professional Widow" remix the 109th-greatest dance song.

## Music video

A music video was made for the "Star Trunk Funkin' Mix", comprising clips from other Amos videos edited together. It is the only video from between 1991 and 1998 that does not appear on *[Tori Amos: Complete Videos 1991–1998](/source/Tori_Amos%3A_Complete_Videos_1991%E2%80%931998)*.[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

## Track listings

US "Professional Widow" single Maxi-CD[22] "Professional Widow" (LP mix) – 4:31 "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:08 "Professional Widow" (MK mix) – 7:20 "Professional Widow" (Just da Funk dub) – 3:44 "Professional Widow" (MK Vampire dub) – 6:56 "Professional Widow" (Armand's instrumental) – 5:35 "Professional Widow" (bonus beats) – 4:31 12-inch single[23] A1. "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:08 A2. "Professional Widow" (Just da Funk dub) – 3:44 B1. "Professional Widow" (MK mix) – 7:20 B2. "Professional Widow" (MK Vampire dub) – 6:56 "Hey Jupiter" / "Professional Widow" UK and Australian CD single[24] "Hey Jupiter" (The Dakota version) – 6:03 "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix radio edit) – 3:45 "Sugar" (live) – 5:43 "Honey" (live) – 4:19 UK 12-inch single[25] A1. "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:08 B1. "Hey Jupiter" (The Dakota version) (radio edit) – 4:14 B2. "Talula" (BT's Synethasia mix) – 11:27 UK cassette single[26] "Hey Jupiter" (The Dakota version) – 6:03 "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix radio edit) – 3:45 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" UK CD single[27] "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix radio edit) – 3:45 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Mr Roy's 7-inch edit) – 3:47 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:06 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Mr Roy's Cosmic Cottage mix) – 7:55 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Just da Funk dub) – 3:31 UK 12-inch single[28] A1. "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Mr Roy's Cosmic Cottage mix) – 7:55 A2. "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Mr Roy's 7-inch edit) – 3:47 B1. "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:06 B2. "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Just da Funk dub) – 3:31 UK cassette single[29] "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Mr Roy's 7-inch edit) – 3:47 "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" (Armands Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:06 European maxi-CD single[30] "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix radio edit) – 3:45 "Professional Widow" (Armand's Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:08 "Professional Widow" (MK mix) – 7:20 "Professional Widow" (MK Vampire dub) – 6:56 French maxi-CD single[31] "Professional Widow" (Mr Roy's 7-inch edit) – 3:47 "Professional Widow" (Mr Roy's Cosmic Cottage mix) – 7:55 "Professional Widow" (Armands Star Trunk Funkin' mix) – 8:06 "In the Springtime of His Voodoo" (Hasbrouck Heights club mix) – 10:00

## Credits and personnel

Credits are lifted from the *Boys for Pele* album booklet. The album version includes the cry of a bull, which is credited as "bull" in the booklet.[32]

**Recording and production**

- Recorded at a church ([Delgany](/source/Delgany), Ireland) and "a wonderfully damp Georgian house" ([County Cork](/source/County_Cork), Ireland)

- Additionally recorded at The Egyptian Room and Dinosaur Studios (New Orleans, Louisiana)

- Mixed at Jacobs Studios ([Surrey](/source/Surrey), England), [Mix This!](/source/Mix_This!), and [Record One](/source/Record_One) (Los Angeles)

- Mastered at Gateway Mastering ([Portland, Maine](/source/Portland%2C_Maine))

**Personnel**

- Tori Amos – writing, vocals, [harpsichord](/source/Harpsichord), [Bösendorfer](/source/B%C3%B6sendorfer), production

- Alan Friedman – drum programming

- [George Porter Jr.](/source/George_Porter_Jr.) – bass guitar

- [Manu Katche](/source/Manu_Katche) – drums

- [Steve Caton](/source/Steve_Caton) – guitar

- Bull – bull

- Mark Hawley – recording, mixing (coda)

- Marcel van Limbeek – recording, mixing (coda)

- Rob van Tuin – recording assistant

- [Bob Clearmountain](/source/Bob_Clearmountain) – mixing

- [Ryan Freeland](/source/Ryan_Freeland) – mixing assistant

- [Bob Ludwig](/source/Bob_Ludwig) – mastering

## Charts

Weekly charts Chart (1996–1997) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[33] with "Hey Jupiter" 17 Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[34] 23 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[35] with "Hey Jupiter" 22 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[36] with "Hey Jupiter" 22 Canada Dance/Urban (RPM)[37] 11 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[38] 11 Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[39] 16 France (SNEP)[40] 35 Germany (GfK)[41] 38 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[42] 6 Ireland (IRMA)[43] 2 Italy (Musica e dischi)[44] 2 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[45] 29 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[46] 33 Norway (VG-lista)[47] 17 Scotland Singles (OCC)[48] 2 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[49] 40 Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[50] 22 UK Singles (OCC)[51] 1 UK Dance (OCC)[52] 1 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[53] 8 US Dance Club Songs (Billboard)[54] 1 US Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)[55] 14 Year-end charts Chart (1996) Position UK Club Chart (Music Week)[56] 83 US Dance Club Play (Billboard)[57] 34 Chart (1997) Position Australia (ARIA)[58] 65 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[59] 84 UK Singles (OCC)[60] 47

## Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales Australia (ARIA)[61] "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" Gold 35,000^ United Kingdom (BPI)[62] "Professional Widow" Silver 200,000‡ United Kingdom (BPI)[63] "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" Silver 200,000^ ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. ‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

## Release history

Region Version Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. United States "Professional Widow" July 2, 1996 CD Atlantic [64] United Kingdom "Hey Jupiter" / "Professional Widow" July 22, 1996 12-inch vinyl CD cassette EastWest [65] "Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)" December 30, 1996 [66]

## See also

- [List of number-one dance singles of 1996 (U.S.)](/source/List_of_number-one_dance_singles_of_1996_(U.S.))

- [List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. dance chart](/source/List_of_artists_who_reached_number_one_on_the_U.S._dance_chart)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_1-2) ["11 diss tracks that are probably about Courtney Love"](https://www.avclub.com/11-diss-tracks-that-are-probably-about-courtney-love-1798245734). *[The A.V. Club](/source/The_A.V._Club)*. March 21, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Breihan, Tom (April 30, 2025). ["The Alternative Number Ones: Tori Amos' 'God'"](https://stereogum.com/2305743/the-alternative-number-ones-tori-amos-god/columns). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. Retrieved May 8, 2026. *Boys For Pele* also had 'Professional Widow,' a song that's widely rumored to be a Courtney Love diss track.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Mitchell, Matt (April 27, 2026). ["Tori Amos vs. the Lizard Demons"](https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/tori-amos/cover-story-tori-amos-in-times-of-dragons). *[Paste](/source/Paste_(magazine))*. Retrieved May 5, 2026.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_4-0)** [Petridis, Alexis](/source/Alexis_Petridis) (August 17, 2023). ["Tori Amos's 20 greatest songs – ranked!"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/aug/17/tori-amos-20-greatest-songs-ranked). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0261-3077](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0261-3077). Retrieved August 17, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["The Remix Hits of 1996"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-12-14.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. December 14, 1996. p. 36. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-12-14.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Stratton, Sally (March 28, 1998). "Amos Adds Rhythm to Her Blues". *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 15, no. 13. p. 12.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** *[Aberdeen Press and Journal](/source/Aberdeen_Press_and_Journal)*. December 26, 1996. p. 8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Chadwick, Justin (January 18, 2021). ["Tori Amos' 'Boys for Pele' Turns 25 — Anniversary Retrospective"](https://www.albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-25-years-of-tori-amos-boys-for-pele). Albumism. Retrieved February 3, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** Yeung, Neil Z. ["Tori Amos – *Boys for Pele*"](https://www.allmusic.com/album/boys-for-pele-mw0000179033). [AllMusic](/source/AllMusic). Retrieved November 10, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Verna, Paul (January 27, 1996). ["Reviews & Previews: Albums"](https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-01-27.pdf) (PDF). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. p. 105. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210121005851/https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-01-27.pdf) (PDF) from the original on January 21, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** McCarthy, Sean (February 18, 2005). ["*Boys For Pele* – Tori Amos"](https://dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=2770). The Daily Vault. Retrieved November 20, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Courtney, Kevin (January 26, 1996). "Rock". *[Irish Times](/source/Irish_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Courtney, Kevin (January 10, 1997). "U2 go disco-tech". *[Irish Times](/source/Irish_Times)*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Jones, Alan (December 28, 1996). ["Talking Music"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-12-28.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. p. 17. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-12-28.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Jones, Alan (February 8, 1997). ["Talking Music"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-02-08.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. p. 8. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-02-08.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 8, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Jeffery, Tim (June 15, 1996). ["Hot Vinyl"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-06-15.pdf) (PDF). *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week), in [Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror) (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)*. p. 9. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-06-15.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Joyce, Cynthia. ["AMOS 'N' RANDY"](https://web.archive.org/web/20000903024759/http://salon.com/05/reviews/tori.html). *[Salon](/source/Salon_(website))*. Archived from [the original](http://salon.com/05/reviews/tori.html) on September 3, 2000. Retrieved August 9, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Newman, Kevin (January 31, 1996). ["Albums: Best New Album"](https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/53175030571/in/album-72177720311069342/). *[Smash Hits](/source/Smash_Hits)*. p. 53. Retrieved November 29, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Dick, Jonathan (June 18, 2014). ["The 10 Best Tori Amos Songs"](https://www.stereogum.com/1686765/the-10-best-tori-amos-songs/lists/). *[Stereogum](/source/Stereogum)*. Retrieved September 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["The Best Basslines In Dance Music, According To You"](https://mixmag.net/feature/best-basslines-dance-music). *[Mixmag](/source/Mixmag)*. May 7, 2020. Retrieved October 16, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Petridis, Alexis (August 17, 2023). ["Tori Amos's 20 greatest songs – ranked!"](https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/aug/17/tori-amos-20-greatest-songs-ranked). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved September 1, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** *Professional Widow* (US maxi-CD single liner notes). [Atlantic Records](/source/Atlantic_Records). 1996. 2-85499.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** *Professional Widow* (US 12-inch single sleeve). Atlantic Records. 1996. 0-85499.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** *Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow* (UK & Australian CD single liner notes). [EastWest Records](/source/East_West_Records). 1996. A5494CD, 7567-85494-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** *Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow* (UK 12-inch single sleeve). EastWest Records. 1996. A5494T, 7567-85493-0.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** *Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow* (UK cassette single sleeve). EastWest Records. 1996. A5494C.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-27)** *Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)* (UK CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 1996. A5450CD, 7567-85450-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-28)** *Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)* (UK 12-inch single sleeve). EastWest Records. 1996. A5450T, 7567-85451-0.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-29)** *Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)* (UK cassette single sleeve). EastWest Records. 1996. A5450C, 7567-87038-4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-30)** *Professional Widow* (European maxi-CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 1996. 7567-85478-9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-31)** *Professional Widow* (French maxi-CD single liner notes). EastWest Records. 1996. 7567-85445-9.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-32)** [*Boys for Pele*](/source/Boys_for_Pele) (US CD album booklet). Atlantic Records. 1996. 82862-2.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Australia_Tori_Amos_33-0)** "[Tori Amos – Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow](https://australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Hey+Jupiter+/+Professional+Widow&cat=s)". [ARIA Top 50 Singles](/source/ARIA_Charts). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Austria_Tori_Amos_34-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)" (in German). [Ö3 Austria Top 40](/source/%C3%963_Austria_Top_40). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Flanders_Tori_Amos_35-0)** "[Tori Amos – Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow](https://www.ultratop.be/nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Hey+Jupiter+/+Professional+Widow&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Wallonia_Tori_Amos_36-0)** "[Tori Amos – Hey Jupiter / Professional Widow](https://www.ultratop.be/fr/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Hey+Jupiter+/+Professional+Widow&cat=s)" (in French). [Ultratop 50](/source/Ultratop). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Canadadance_37-0)** "[Top RPM Dance/Urban: Image 9726](https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.9726&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.9726.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.9726)". *[RPM](/source/RPM_(magazine))*. [Library and Archives Canada](/source/Library_and_Archives_Canada). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-38)** ["Eurochart Hot 100 Singles"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-01-25.pdf) (PDF). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 14, no. 4. January 25, 1997. p. 23. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1997/MM-1997-01-25.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Finland_Tori_Amos_Professional_Widow_(It's_Got_to_Be_Big)_39-0)** "[Tori Amos: Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://www.ifpi.fi/lista/artistit/tori-amos/kappale/professional-widow-its-got-to-be-big)" (in Finnish). [Musiikkituottajat](/source/Musiikkituottajat). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_France_Tori_Amos_40-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://lescharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)" (in French). [Le classement de singles](/source/SNEP). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Germany_Tori_Amos_41-0)** "[Offizielle Deutsche Charts](https://www.offiziellecharts.de/titel-details-3380)" (in German). [GfK Entertainment charts](/source/GfK_Entertainment_charts). To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-42)** ["Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 209 Vikuna 20.2. '97 – 26.2. '97)"](https://timarit.is/page/2951451#page/n1/mode/2up). *[Dagblaðið Vísir](/source/Dagbla%C3%B0i%C3%B0_V%C3%ADsir)* (in Icelandic). February 21, 1997. p. 16. Retrieved July 11, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Ireland2_43-0)** "[The Irish Charts – Search Results – Professional Widow](http://irishcharts.ie/search/placement?page=1&search_type=title&placement=Professional%20Widow)". [Irish Singles Chart](/source/Irish_Singles_Chart). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-44)** ["Top National Sellers"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-10-05.pdf) (PDF). *Music & Media*. Vol. 13, no. 40. October 5, 1996. p. 20. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-10-05.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Dutch40_45-0)** "[Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 1996](https://www.top40.nl/top40/1996/week-45)" (in Dutch). [Dutch Top 40](/source/Dutch_Top_40). Retrieved April 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Dutch100_Tori_Amos_46-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://dutchcharts.nl/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)" (in Dutch). [Single Top 100](/source/Dutch_Single_Top_100). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Norway_Tori_Amos_47-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)". [VG-lista](/source/VG-lista). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Scotland_48-0)** "[Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart on 11/1/1997 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19970111/41/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved April 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Sweden_Tori_Amos_49-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](https://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)". [Singles Top 100](/source/Sverigetopplistan). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Switzerland_Tori_Amos_50-0)** "[Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)](http://swisscharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Tori+Amos&titel=Professional+Widow+(It's+Got+to+Be+Big)&cat=s)". [Swiss Singles Chart](/source/Swiss_Hitparade). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UK_51-0)** "[Official Singles Chart on 18/1/1997 – Top 100](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19970118/7501/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_UKdance_52-0)** "[Official Dance Singles Chart on 11/1/1997 – Top 40](https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19970111/104/)". [Official Charts Company](/source/Official_Charts_Company). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboardbubbling100_Tori_Amos_53-0)** "[Tori Amos Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Tori-Amos/chart-history/HBU)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboarddanceclubplay_Tori_Amos_54-0)** "[Tori Amos Chart History (Dance Club Songs)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Tori-Amos/chart-history/DSI)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved April 17, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-sc_Billboarddancesales_Tori_Amos_55-0)** "[Tori Amos Chart History (Dance Singles Sales)](https://www.billboard.com/artist/Tori-Amos/chart-history/DSA)". *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved July 1, 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-56)** ["The *RM* Club Chart of the Year 96"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-01-11.pdf) (PDF). *[Record Mirror](/source/Record_Mirror)*. January 11, 1997. p. 8. [Archived](https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-01-11.pdf) (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via [Music Week](/source/Music_Week).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-57)** "The Year in Music: Hot Dance Music Club Play Singles". *Billboard*. Vol. 108, no. 52. December 28, 1996. p. YE-44.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-58)** ["ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1997"](https://www.aria.com.au/charts/1997/singles-chart). [ARIA](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). Retrieved March 11, 2016.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-60)** "Top 100 Singles 1997". *[Music Week](/source/Music_Week)*. January 17, 1998. p. 27.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-AustraliasingleCertRef_61-0)** ["ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles"](https://www.dropbox.com/sh/k9o2q7p7o4awhqx/AADZbLSei--9mqfOiTFRIASMa/1997%20Accreds.pdf) (PDF). [Australian Recording Industry Association](/source/Australian_Recording_Industry_Association). Retrieved February 23, 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bpioriginal_62-0)** ["British single certifications – Tori Amos – Professional Widow"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved December 10, 2021. *Select*singles*in the Formats field.* *Type*Professional Widow Tori Amos*in the "Search:" field.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bpiremix_63-0)** ["British single certifications – Tori Amos – Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big)"](https://www.bpi.co.uk/page/certified-awards). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved February 23, 2020. *Select*singles*in the Formats field.* *Type*Professional Widow (It's Got to Be Big) Tori Amos*in the "Search:" field.*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-64)** ["Professional Widow"](https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Widow-Tori-Amos/dp/B000002JIF). [Amazon](/source/Amazon_(company)). 1996. Retrieved July 1, 2021.

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1. **[^](#cite_ref-bpi_66-0)** ["BPI > Certified Awards > Tori Amos"](https://i.imgur.com/ztoE1GH.jpg). [British Phonographic Industry](/source/British_Phonographic_Industry). Retrieved March 11, 2016.

## External links

- [Professional Widow page at hereinmyhead.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20051119134202/http://hereinmyhead.com/collect/bfp/bfp5.html)

- [Misheard lyrics of Professional Widow at Am I Right](http://www.amiright.com/misheard/song/professionalwidow.shtml)

v t e Tori Amos Discography List of songs Studio albums Little Earthquakes Under the Pink Boys for Pele From the Choirgirl Hotel To Venus and Back Strange Little Girls Scarlet's Walk The Beekeeper American Doll Posse Abnormally Attracted to Sin Midwinter Graces Night of Hunters Gold Dust Unrepentant Geraldines Native Invader Ocean to Ocean The Music of Tori and the Muses In Times of Dragons Compilations Tales of a Librarian A Piano: The Collection Little Earthquakes – The B-Sides Live albums To Venus and Back The Original Bootlegs Legs and Boots Live at Montreux 1991/1992 From Russia with Love Diving Deep Live EPs Crucify Hey Jupiter Scarlet's Hidden Treasures Exclusive Session Flavor (Peter Rauhofer Mixes) Christmastide Singles "Baltimore" "Me and a Gun" "Silent All These Years" "China" "Winter" "Crucify" "Cornflake Girl" "God" "Pretty Good Year" "Past the Mission" "Caught a Lite Sneeze" "Talula" "Professional Widow" "Hey Jupiter" "In the Springtime of His Voodoo" "Spark" "Jackie's Strength" "Cruel"/"Raspberry Swirl" "Bliss" "1000 Oceans" "Glory of the 80's" "Concertina" "Strange Little Girl" "A Sorta Fairytale" "Taxi Ride" "Don't Make Me Come to Vegas" "Mary" "Sleeps with Butterflies" "Sweet the Sting" "Big Wheel" "Bouncing Off Clouds" "Welcome to England" "Maybe California" "A Silent Night with You" "Carry" "Flavor" "Trouble's Lament" "Cloud Riders" "Speaking with Trees" Other songs "Putting the Damage On" "Dātura" Videos Little Earthquakes Live from New York Complete Videos: 1991–1998 A Sorta Fairytale Welcome to Sunny Florida Fade to Red Live at Montreux 1991/1992 Tours 5 ½ Weeks Tour Night of Hunters Tour Gold Dust Orchestral Tour Unrepentant Geraldines Tour Native Invader Tour Related articles Piece by Piece Comic Book Tattoo Delirium Y Kant Tori Read Y Kant Tori Read "The Big Picture" "Cool on Your Island" "Blue Skies" RAINN The Light Princess Original Cast Recording

v t e Armand van Helden Discography Studio albums Sampleslaya: Enter the Meatmarket 2 Future 4 U Killing Puritans Gandhi Khan Nympho Ghettoblaster Compilation albums You Don't Know Me: The Best of Armand Van Helden Singles "The Funk Phenomena" "You Don't Know Me" "Flowerz" "Koochy" "Full Moon" "Why Can't You Free Some Time" "Hear My Name" "My My My" "Into Your Eyes" "When the Lights Go Down" "Sugar" "Touch Your Toes" "NYC Beat" "I Want Your Soul" "Je t'aime" "Bonkers" Other songs "Professional Widow (Armand Van Helden Remix)" "Spin Spin Sugar (Armand Van Helden Remix)" "You Can't Change Me" "Signs (Armand Van Helden Remix)" "Old Love / New Love (Armand Van Helden Remix)" "Digital (Armand Van Helden Remix)" Related articles Duck Sauce

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Professional Widow](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Widow) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_Widow?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.