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Tori Amos — Cruel
Album: from the choirgirl hotel
Avg rating:
5.9

Your rating:
Total ratings: 531









Released: 1998
Length: 4:04
Plays (last 30 days): 0
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So don't give me respect
Don't give me a piece of your preciousness
Flaunt all she's got in our old neighborhood
I'm sure she'll make a few friends

Even the rain bows down
Let us pray as you cock, cock, cock your mane
No cigarettes only, peeled havanas for you

I can be cruel, I don't know why
Why can't my bal-loo-loon stay up in a perfectly windy sky?
I can be cruel, I don't know why
I don't know why

Dance with the Sufis
Celebrate your top ten in the charts of pain
Ah, lover, brother, bogenvillia
My vine twists around your need

Even the rain is sharp like today
As you sh- sh- shock me sane
No cigarettes only, peeled havanas for you

I can be cruel, I don't know why
Why can't my bal-loo-loon stay up in a perfectly windy sky?
I can be cruel, I don't know why
I don't know why

''Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah
Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah, ah''

I can be cruel, I don't know why
Why can't my bal-loo-loon stay up in a perfectly windy sky?
I can be cruel, I don't know why
I don't know why, why, why
Comments (40)add comment
Everything from 90's Tori starts at 8 for me. Saw her on this tour with Alanis Morisette and was blown away by both of them. Tori's energy is incredibly sexual and passionate. One of the most brilliant artist to come from the last decade of the 20th century. 
Posted 2 years ago by DanielHLloyd    [ Reply ]
 deniseperry wrote:

Like the scanned image.


I bought the album as it first came out and was caught by the scans looked like someone trapped under ice.  

Posted 2 years ago by pcicatar    [ Reply ]
There is so much TA on RP! I like it.

Thanks B&R
Posted 3 years ago by TheKing2    [ Reply ]
Like the scanned image.
Posted 3 years ago by deniseperry    [ Reply ]
 mig7 wrote:
GordianKnot wrote: Just another misguided "guy" statement from someone most likely raised on Def Leppard who now considers themselves progressive or alt. Tori Amos is one of several important female pioneers to break the mold at the turn of the century.


We can agree on the importance of Tori historically. She's had quite a run.  However, let's not confuse the artist with their individual works.  Everyone... musician or not, cannot maintain the high quality level of "important pioneer" in everything they do.  We all pinch a loaf occasionally. Otherwise, the world would be a very boring place...
Posted 3 years ago by jayhamiljr    [ Reply ]
Whoa, Stone's Heaven to Tori's Cruel and the vibes are way out there
Posted 3 years ago by ExploitingChaos    [ Reply ]
This is the song that enabled me to accept Tori.  I think I saw her perform this on a PBS program, Austin City Limits, perhaps, and it really left an impression and I bought this cd.  But I didn't really care for much of the album.  Then good ol Bill on RP plays a few choice tracks which nudged me along a bit more.  Now, I own a few of her albums, and even the songs that used to really grate on me are listenable.
Posted 3 years ago by billybob123    [ Reply ]
Sorry, that's just annoying.
Posted 3 years ago by nmcvaugh    [ Reply ]
 aspicer wrote:
You can really dislike Tori - but to me this is totally different than most of her stuff, has an edgy, ominous vibe that is compelling, and as always, the musicianship is great. For audiophiles in the group this album (and most Tori albums) are exceptional recordings. Love this album overall!
Tori usually irks me but this is the first track that didn't grate. Re the audiophile comment, I do wish that production values didn't accentuate in-breathing, though. It's the output that is the more tuneful bit (usually)!

Posted 4 years ago by kbs    [ Reply ]
You can really dislike Tori - but to me this is totally different than most of her stuff, has an edgy, ominous vibe that is compelling, and as always, the musicianship is great. For audiophiles in the group this album (and most Tori albums) are exceptional recordings. Love this album overall!
Posted 4 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
From the perfection of the Stones to THIS  abomination ?!

for the love of god, WHY?!
Posted 4 years ago by ckcotton    [ Reply ]
Always loved her voice... even though she's never written a song that makes any sense since the Little Earthquakes album (which is amazing). 
Posted 4 years ago by rushfan    [ Reply ]
 DaidyBoy wrote:
I can't usually take Ms Amos, but, blimey, this is good stuff.  I've never heard it before and won't mind hearing it again.
 
This album is my absolute favorite from her and if you like this you will like the album - check it out.  It is unique from her other albums.  I keep wishing she would get back to this more "alternative" musicianship.

Posted 5 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
I can't usually take Ms Amos, but, blimey, this is good stuff.  I've never heard it before and won't mind hearing it again.
Posted 5 years ago by DaidyBoy    [ Reply ]
 suesblues wrote:
her flagrant imitation of ... the Inimitable
 
I dunno, that seems like quite a talent all by itself.
Posted 5 years ago by dwhayslett    [ Reply ]
Tori Amos has always annoyed me due to her flagrant imitation of Kate Bush.  I always rate her in relation to the Inimitable and Superlative Kate..

however, this isnt a bad song - is she singing in French?  Haven't heard this version before...
Posted 10 years ago by suesblues    [ Reply ]
Wow, comments on this go back 11 years. Very thankful, this listener is, for the continued stream of awesomeness from Paradise.
Posted 11 years ago by stevendejong    [ Reply ]
Bjork gets bad ratings because her voice is so grating.

 MrKite wrote:






I agree - but have you seen the ratings on RP for Stina and Bjork? Also quite low. I guess the greats rarely please the masses :-)
 




Posted 11 years ago by HearsayDave    [ Reply ]
Great to hear. An excellent track from one of her top 2 albums IMHO. 
Posted 11 years ago by aspicer    [ Reply ]
 mig7 wrote:

Just another misguided "guy" statement from someone most likely raised on Def Leppard who now considers themselves progressive or alt. Tori Amos is one of several important female pioneers to break the mold at the turn of the century.

 
Oh, another blanket statement from another "chick" raised on Brittany and Madonna who thinks she knows what is "good" music is now. Please stop making generalizations . I'm sure your offended...ps..Kate Bush wrote the book well before the one and all holy Tori   check your HIS-TORI before you make foolish statements....ps. I like Madonna and love Kate..and yeah, I'm a "guy"
Posted 12 years ago by neuticle    [ Reply ]
MrKite wrote:
I agree - but have you seen the ratings on RP for Stina and Bjork? Also quite low. I guess the greats rarely please the masses :-)
I think it has more to do with people liking what is familiar and disliking what is new a/o different. I don't know who Stina is but I like Tori and Bjork because they are different. Not that I'm immune to desiring 'comfort music', I can enjoy a classic rock tune like anyone else. Pushing boundaries though is one of those pleasurable pains that a good artist is there for.
Posted 20 years ago by ksb    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
Just another misguided "guy" statement from someone most likely raised on Def Leppard who now considers themselves progressive or alt. Tori Amos is one of several important female pioneers to break the mold at the turn of the century.
Kate Bush broke this mold well before Miss Anus, and she didn't whine either. Take a listen some time.
Posted 20 years ago by indypaul    [ Reply ]
beetFreeQ wrote:
Hmm, I don't understand, why this song has such a bad rating... - must be all the listeners that rate songs when they heard it for the first time...Well, Tori's songs need to be listened to very often to explore the real beauty and genius in them... IMO She's the greatest female singer/songwriter besides Bj?and Stina Nordenstam...
I agree - but have you seen the ratings on RP for Stina and Bjork? Also quite low. I guess the greats rarely please the masses :-)
Posted 20 years ago by MrKite    [ Reply ]
mig7 wrote:
Just another misguided "guy" statement from someone most likely raised on Def Leppard who now considers themselves progressive or alt. Tori Amos is one of several important female pioneers to break the mold at the turn of the century.
you tell 'em! :) Plus, i don't hear any whining in this song at all!
Posted 20 years ago by Angloray    [ Reply ]
GordianKnot wrote:
Please, no more Torn Anus. I can't stand this whiney shrieking......worse than nails on a blackboard. Truly.
Just another misguided "guy" statement from someone most likely raised on Def Leppard who now considers themselves progressive or alt. Tori Amos is one of several important female pioneers to break the mold at the turn of the century.
Posted 20 years ago by mig7    [ Reply ]
mariamey28 wrote:
Great song. Love the singer.. I thought the wild horses was sung by the singer of Mazzy star.. am i wrong ?? :oops:
You're probably thinking of the Sundays
Posted 20 years ago by earthquake    [ Reply ]
Sucko-Barfo.
Posted 20 years ago by al9009    [ Reply ]
kevinc wrote:
I like this version, but most live versions are, IMO, infinitely better.
Well Tori is just fantastic live...she should really put out a concert DVD or something so more people can appreciate her stage presence...great song though, even off the album
Posted 20 years ago by BoFiS    [ Reply ]
God-awful dreck. Other than that, I have no strong opinion. Time to switch to the review channel for some Dan Reiser.
Posted 20 years ago by drH    [ Reply ]
Please, no more Torn Anus. I can't stand this whiney shrieking......worse than nails on a blackboard. Truly.
Posted 20 years ago by GordianKnot    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by Mack: no longer content being Kate Bush, Amos now attempts Bjork. She's a better Kate...
She's better Tori
Posted 21 years ago by ladyj    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by kevinc: Wow, I'd forgotten how the album version of this song is so...so....I don't know what it is, but it's extremely different from the live version, which is a rip the roof of the joint rocker. I like this version, but most live versions are, IMO, infinitely better.
True Kevin, but this version is pretty great. I listen to it cranked up on my car stereo while driving to work. It certainly gets me ready for my work day.
Posted 21 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]
no longer content being Kate Bush, Amos now attempts Bjork. She\'s a better Kate...
Posted 21 years ago by Mack    [ Reply ]
Wow, I\'d forgotten how the album version of this song is so...so....I don\'t know what it is, but it\'s extremely different from the live version, which is a rip the roof of the joint rocker. I like this version, but most live versions are, IMO, infinitely better.
Posted 22 years ago by kevinc    [ Reply ]
Originally Posted by gypsy222: She DRIVES ME INSANE!
Which doesn't mean you're crazy about her, I assume? ;-)
Posted 22 years ago by Johray63    [ Reply ]
Hmm, I don\'t understand, why this song has such a bad rating... - must be all the listeners that rate songs when they heard it for the first time...Well, Tori\'s songs need to be listened to very often to explore the real beauty and genius in them... IMO She\'s the greatest female singer/songwriter besides Björk and Stina Nordenstam...
Posted 22 years ago by beetFreeQ    [ Reply ]
One of my favorite Tori tunes. Very cool
Posted 22 years ago by Leslie    [ Reply ]