Talula

"Talula"
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Boys For Pele
B-side	"Amazing Grace/Til’ the Chicken" "Frog On My Toe" "Sister Named Desire" "Alamo" "Samurai" "London Girls"
Released	March 11, 1996 (UK) April 22, 1996 (Aus) May 21, 1996 (US)
Format	CD, Cassette
Genre	Alternative rock, baroque pop, electronica
Label	Atlantic
Producer(s)	Tori Amos
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Caught a Lite Sneeze" (1996) "Talula" (1996) "Professional Widow" (1996)

"Talula" is a song by Tori Amos, released as the second single from her 1996 album Boys For Pele. It reached #22 on the UK Singles Chart^[1] and appears in the Jan de Bont film Twister.

The single version, titled "The Tornado Mix", is remixed by BT, who went on to work with Amos on "Blue Skies", and includes a minor dance beat. In the UK, "Talula (The Tornado Mix)" replaced the original version of the song on the album and eventual re-pressings in the US and Australia.

BT also remixed an extended mix called the "Synesthaesia Mix" which appeared on copies of the single.

Meaning

The song is about the concept of ideal woman and the fear of losing someone.^[2] The lyrics includes references to queens like Marie Antoinette and Anne Boleyn.

The B-side "Sister Named Desire" is a reference to Delirium's sister/brother Desire of Sandman, created by Amos' friend Neil Gaiman. The character of Delirium is frequently inspired by Tori, although Delirium was created before Gaiman met her. "Desire" was later remastered for the compilation Where's Neil When You Need Him?, which featured tracks inspired by Gaiman's work. This is not the first nor last time Tori has mentioned Neil Gaiman; he is referenced in her songs: "Tear In Your Hand", "Space Dog", "Horses", "Hotel", "Carbon", and "Not Dying Today".

Personnel

• Tori Amos - Harpsichord and vocals
• George Porter Jr. - Bass
• Manu Katche - drums
• Mino Cinelu - percussion
• Steve Caton - mandolins and guitars
• Alan Friedman - Drum Programming
• Tracy Griffin and Brian Graber - Flugelhorn
• Clarence J. Johnson III - tenor saxophone
• Mark Mullins - Trombone and horns arrangement and
• Craig Klein - Sousaphone, (both of Bonerama)

Track listing

UK CD Version 1

1. "Talula (The Tornado Mix)" - 3:43
2. "Talula (BT’s Synethasia Mix)" - 11:27
3. "Amazing Grace/Til’ the Chicken" - 6:48

UK CD Version 2

1. "Talula (The Tornado Mix)" - 3:43
2. "Frog On My Toe" - 3:40
3. "Sister Named Desire" - 5:29
4. "Alamo" - 5:11

US Maxi-Single

1. "Talula (Tornado Album Version)" - 3:43
2. "Samurai" (Tori Amos/George Porter Jr.)- 3:03
3. "Frog On My Toe" - 3:40
4. "London Girls" (Chas & Dave cover) - 3:20
5. "Talula (BT's Synethasia Mix)" - 11:27

US Promo Single *PRCD 6736-2*

1. "Talula (Tornado Mix Edit)"
2. "Talula (Tornado Album Version)
3. "Samurai" (Tori Amos/George Porter Jr.)
4. "Frog On My Toe"
5. "London Girls" (Chas & Dave cover)
6. "Talula (BT's Synethasia Mix)"

Charts

References