God (Tori Amos song)

"God"
US CD maxi-single
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Under the Pink
B-side
  • "Home on the Range" (Cherokee edition)
  • Piano Suite: "All the Girls Hate Her" / "Over It"
  • "Sister Janet"
Released February 3, 1994
Length 3:58
Label
Songwriter(s) Tori Amos
Producer(s)
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Cornflake Girl"
(1994)
"God"
(1994)
"Pretty Good Year"
(1994)

"God" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos, released as a single from her second studio album, Under the Pink (1994). It was issued as the album's lead single in the United States on February 3, 1994, as the second single in Australia on May 2, and as the fourth single in the United Kingdom on October 3. The song reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart as well as number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It became Amos's first single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 72.

Releases

The B-sides to the American release include Tori Amos' reworking of "Home on the Range" with new lyrics as well as a two-song instrumental piano suite. An American cassette single includes the B-side "Sister Janet". A different single was released in Europe on CD, 12-inch vinyl, 7-inch vinyl, and cassette. The 7-inch single is a glossy, dual-sided picture disc. The various formats include ambient and jungle house remixes of the track by CJ Bolland, Carl Craig, and the Joy.

Reception

Stereogum and The Guardian both named "God" as Amos's third-greatest song.

Music video

The accompanying music video for "God" directed by Melodie McDaniel features Amos in a variety of religiously-themed situations, such as a scene visually comparing a tefillin used by a rabbi with a basketball player using a belt while injecting drugs. The video is often remembered for scenes of Amos singing in front of a lit candle, dancing with a plethora of brown rats (possibly at the Rat temple); this was commented on in an episode of the television show Beavis and Butt-head, and parodying a snake cult.

Track listings

Charts

Chart (1994) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) 65
Canada Top Singles (RPM) 87
Scotland (OCC) 41
UK Singles (OCC) 44
UK Club Chart (Music Week) 43
US Billboard Hot 100 72
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard) 1

Release history

Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States January 10–11, 1994 Atlantic
February 3, 1994
  • CD
  • cassette
Australia May 2, 1994 EastWest
United Kingdom October 3, 1994
  • 12-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • cassette