Silent All These Years is the second single from Tori Amos' debut solo album, Little Earthquakes. The single was released in 1991 in the UK (1992 in the US) and then re-released in 1997 as a fundraiser for RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, a nation-wide anti-sexual assault organization that Amos helped found. It reached number 65 on the US BillBoard Hot 100 after its original US release and remains one of her more popular singles.
In Silent All These Years, Amos describes her sense of losing her identity after feeling forced to restrain her true thoughts and feelings for so long. Amos said in an interview in the December 18, 2009 issue of Rolling Stone that some of the lyrical imagery emerged after reading Hans Christian Anderson's The Little Mermaid to her niece, and watching her reaction to the idea of a young woman giving up her essence and power.
Notes for Parents: Like all of Amos' work, the lyrics of this song are very poetic and metaphorical. As well, there are references in the song to menstruation and to viewing a family member as "the anti-Christ in the kitchen." For those reasons, this song is best suited to girls 13 and up. The music video, Amos' first, is artistic and beautiful, but it does include some revealing wardrobe. That said, it is a remarkable video which Rolling Stone magazine listed as number 98 of the 100 greatest videos of all time, and well worth watching.
Lyrical Notes: None Video Notes: Suggestive Imagery/Wardrobe
Album | Little Earthquakes |
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Artist | Tori Amos |
Duration | 4:15 |
Release Date | Jan 5, 2011 |
Genre | Pop / Rock |
Music Themes | Individuality/ Independence, Life Struggles, Self Worth / Confidence |
Label | Atlantic Records |
Recommended Age | 13 and up |