Tori Amos - Silent All These Years

Tori Amos is a soulmate of PJ Harvey and Bjork - driven, uncompromising, distinctive, idiosyncratic, even eccentric. Her albums may be a difficult listen, especially at first, but reward perseverance, giving up their previous gifts gradually. Her fifteen studio albums have been a beautiful and intriguing journey.

It began with "Little Earthquakes" in 1992, as she sought to forge her own identity, following the synth-pop group Y Kant Tori Read.  She succeeded with frank often autobiographical discourses on feminism, religion, love, failed relationships and rape. 

"Silent All These Years" was the first Amos song I heard, an appealing piano-driven ballad, dealing with women's subservience in relationships. Bizarrely she disclosed that she wrote it for Al Stewart, but her boyfriend convince her to keep it for herself.

Her starting point was the captivating piano phrase, that she described as a "bumble bee piano tinkle". The lyrics were inspired by the mute Little Mermaid from Hans Christian Andersen that she read to her niece.

It seems to be a addressed to a  verbose lover, while she is taciturn, but not by choice ("I got something to say, you know, but nothing comes"). There are hints at a pregnancy scare ("Boy you best pray that I bleed real soon"),  colourful details (the mother's "nasty dress") and one of my favourite put-downs for a rival ("What's so amazing about really deep thoughts").

Tori's vocals are soft, accompanied just by her acoustic piano and delicate orchestration. Until the bridge explodes with a stronger voice, enhanced  by her own counter backing vocals. She worries about being alone ("Years go by, will I still be waiting for somebody else to understand"),  but there is also some hope that she is finally finding her strength ("I hear my voice"). Maybe my analysis is not correct, but it always felt that its purpose was to help you find your own truth.

"Silent All These Years" was never a hit in the USA, and only 26 in the UK at the second attempt, but it managed to spread her message, and let people discover a powerful album. Subsequently female artists like Alanis Morisette definitely heard and understood.

A sublime early highlight in a distinguished career.

Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSYr0etDzRM

Hear Next -  "Little Earthquakes" is the entry point for a great exploration.



** The book of "Song from a Quarantine" is now available  on all Amazon sites in paperback and ebook formats.