Bull in the Heather
Encyclopedia
"Bull in the Heather" is a song by Sonic Youth
, released as the only single from their 1994 album Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star
.
The song was named after a racehorse. The horse was the winner of the 1993 Florida Derby. The horse was originally purchased by Arthur i. Klein as a yearling in 1991 at an auction held in Saratoga, New York. Bull in the Heather went on to race in the Kentucky Derby and went off as the local track odds-on favorite at Churchill Downs. The name of the horse was a combination of the names of its parents. Sired by Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand (the name of a famous bull) and champion broodmare HeatherRose, Klein chose to name the horse 'Bull in the Heather'. When asked for permission to lend the name of the horse to a Sonic Youth song, Klein consulted his sons because he had not heard of the band before. Upon hearing the band was artistically minded and avoided racial, ethnic or antisemitic lyrics, Klein agreed to allow the name to be used and waived any fees or royalties, much to the surprise of Sonic Youth and their management. Thurston and Kim originally found the name of the horse on a bumper sticker that Bob Nastanovich
of Pavement
had given them. In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Bull in the Heather" at number 48 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever. The song starts with a sound which is very recognizable in the music of Sonic Youth, by striking a tailed bridge guitar
, in this case a Fender Jazzmaster
, behind the bridge.
The song was covered by The Go! Team
in 2007.
fourth season 24 episode called "Mr. Anderson's Balls" and in the first season of Daria
in episode 9, "Too Cute."
The version of "Doctor's Orders" on this single is different from the album version, featuring Thurston Moore on vocals instead of Kim Gordon.
features former Bikini Kill
and Le Tigre
singer Kathleen Hanna
dancing, throwing Thurston Moore about by his guitar and kissing Kim Gordon, while wearing speedo
s over her tights. During filming, Hanna gave Thurston a bloodied lip. The video is directed by Tamra Davis
. The scenes of the guitarists jumping around on a bed were recreated from a photo Kim Gordon gave to Davis of Thurston when he was younger. In the video, Kim Gordon is five months pregnant.
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
, released as the only single from their 1994 album Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star
Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star
Experimental Jet Set, Trash and No Star is the eighth album by alternative rock band Sonic Youth. It was released in May 1994. The album includes one of the group's biggest hits, "Bull in the Heather"...
.
The song was named after a racehorse. The horse was the winner of the 1993 Florida Derby. The horse was originally purchased by Arthur i. Klein as a yearling in 1991 at an auction held in Saratoga, New York. Bull in the Heather went on to race in the Kentucky Derby and went off as the local track odds-on favorite at Churchill Downs. The name of the horse was a combination of the names of its parents. Sired by Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand (the name of a famous bull) and champion broodmare HeatherRose, Klein chose to name the horse 'Bull in the Heather'. When asked for permission to lend the name of the horse to a Sonic Youth song, Klein consulted his sons because he had not heard of the band before. Upon hearing the band was artistically minded and avoided racial, ethnic or antisemitic lyrics, Klein agreed to allow the name to be used and waived any fees or royalties, much to the surprise of Sonic Youth and their management. Thurston and Kim originally found the name of the horse on a bumper sticker that Bob Nastanovich
Bob Nastanovich
Robert "Bob" Nastanovich is a member of the indie rock band, Pavement, as well as former member of 1990s bands Ectoslavia, and Pale Horse Riders...
of Pavement
Pavement (band)
Pavement is an American alternative rock band that formed in Stockton, California in 1989. In their career, they achieved a significant cult following, and they were called the best band of the 1990s by prominent music critics Robert Christgau and Stephen Thomas Erlewine...
had given them. In May 2007, NME magazine placed "Bull in the Heather" at number 48 in its list of the 50 Greatest Indie Anthems Ever. The song starts with a sound which is very recognizable in the music of Sonic Youth, by striking a tailed bridge guitar
Tailed bridge guitar
Some electric guitars have an extended bridge for their tremolo system, named a tailed bridge guitar because of its shape. Most of these tailed bridge guitars were designed in the sixties and used in surf music....
, in this case a Fender Jazzmaster
Fender Jazzmaster
The Fender Jazzmaster is an electric guitar designed as an upmarket sibling to the Fender Stratocaster. First introduced at the 1958 NAMM Show, it was initially marketed at jazz guitarists, but found favor among surf rock guitarists in the early 1960s...
, behind the bridge.
The song was covered by The Go! Team
The Go! Team
The Go! Team are a six-piece band from Brighton, England. They combine indie rock and garage rock with a mixture of blaxploitation and Bollywood soundtracks, double dutch chants, old school hip hop and distorted guitars similar to the style of Sonic Youth. Their songs are a mix of live...
in 2007.
Media coverage
Song appears in Beavis and Butt-headBeavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated television series created by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge. After seeing the short, MTV signed Judge to develop the concept. Beavis and Butt-head originally aired from March 8, 1993 to November 28, 1997...
fourth season 24 episode called "Mr. Anderson's Balls" and in the first season of Daria
Daria
Daria is an American animated television series produced by Paramount Television, and created by Glenn Eichler and Susie Lewis Lynn for MTV. The series focuses on Daria Morgendorffer, a smart, acerbic, and somewhat misanthropic teenage girl who observes the world around her...
in episode 9, "Too Cute."
Tracklisting
- "Bull in the Heather" (LP Version) - 3:04
- "Razor Blade" - 1:06
- "Doctor's Orders" (T.-vox version) - 4:20
The version of "Doctor's Orders" on this single is different from the album version, featuring Thurston Moore on vocals instead of Kim Gordon.
Music video
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
features former Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill
Bikini Kill was an American punk rock band formed in Olympia, Washington in October 1990. The group consisted of vocalist and songwriter Kathleen Hanna, guitarist Billy Karren, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail. The band is widely considered to be the pioneer of the riot grrrl movement,...
and Le Tigre
Le Tigre
Le Tigre is an American electroclash band, formed by Kathleen Hanna and Johanna Fateman in 1998. It also featured Sadie Benning from 1998 until 2001, and JD Samson for the rest of the group's run...
singer Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna
Kathleen Hanna is an American musician, feminist activist, and punk zine writer. In the early- to mid-1990s she was the lead singer and songwriter of Bikini Kill, before fronting Le Tigre in the late 1990s and early 2000s...
dancing, throwing Thurston Moore about by his guitar and kissing Kim Gordon, while wearing speedo
Speedo
Speedo International Ltd. is a manufacturer and distributor of swimwear and swim-related accessories. Founded in Australia in 1914, the industry leading company is now a subsidiary of Pentland Group Plc. Today, the Speedo brand can be found on products ranging from swimsuits and goggles to wrist...
s over her tights. During filming, Hanna gave Thurston a bloodied lip. The video is directed by Tamra Davis
Tamra Davis
Tamra Davis is an American film, television and music video director.-Biography:She is known for directing films such as Billy Madison, CB4 and Half Baked and television shows such as My Name Is Earl and Everybody Hates Chris. She also directed the film Crossroads, starring Britney Spears.She...
. The scenes of the guitarists jumping around on a bed were recreated from a photo Kim Gordon gave to Davis of Thurston when he was younger. In the video, Kim Gordon is five months pregnant.
Singles chart
| Year | Single | Chart | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "Bull in the Heather" | Modern Rock Tracks | No. 13 |
| 1994 | "Bull in the Heather" | UK Singles Chart | No. 24 |