Me and a Gun
Encyclopedia
"Me and a Gun" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos
. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes
. It was released on October 21, 1991 by Atlantic Records
in North America and EastWest Records
in the UK.
that occurred in LA when Amos was 21. After she performed at a bar, a patron asked her if he could have a ride home. She obliged, and he raped her at knifepoint (many journalists mistakenly state she was raped at gunpoint, possibly due to the song's title). She escaped. Years later, in London, Amos saw the film Thelma and Louise
and was stirred. On the way to a show, she wrote the song in her head. That night, she performed the song a cappella
.
Tori Amos explains the experience:
This song did not take off very well as a single, possibly given its serious subject matter; in fact, the track was not the A-side to its own single. "Silent All These Years
", another song from Little Earthquakes, was the first track on this single, with "Gun" appearing third (or as the B-side on the 7" release). "Silent" was a more accessible song, and radio stations began to play that instead. Ultimately the single was re-released with nearly identical packaging but retitled as Silent All These Years.
Amos made a habit of singing this song during live appearances. In 1994, the DC Rape Crisis Center awarded Amos a Visionary award for the song and the co-creation of RAINN
. Ultimately Amos stopped singing the song live in December 2001 and did not sing it live again until September 2007 (with the exception of one performance in Istanbul in August 2005).
Tracks 1 & 3 are from the album. Track 2 also appeared on the single for "Winter
". Track 4 is otherwise unavailable.
7" single
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
. It was released as the first single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes
Little Earthquakes
-B-sides:The album is also known for its collection of B-sides. The four songs recorded with Davitt Sigerson that did not make it to the final version of the album were included on the singles released from Little Earthquakes....
. It was released on October 21, 1991 by Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
in North America and EastWest Records
East West Records
East West Records is an American record label, owned by Warner Music Group, and operates under WMG's Independent Label Group.-History:...
in the UK.
Background
The song is three minutes and forty-four seconds long. It was inspired by a rapeRape
Rape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
that occurred in LA when Amos was 21. After she performed at a bar, a patron asked her if he could have a ride home. She obliged, and he raped her at knifepoint (many journalists mistakenly state she was raped at gunpoint, possibly due to the song's title). She escaped. Years later, in London, Amos saw the film Thelma and Louise
Thelma and Louise
Thelma & Louise is a 1991 film co-produced and directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri, the film's plot revolves around Thelma and Louise's escape from their troubled and caged lives. It stars Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, and co-stars Harvey Keitel as a...
and was stirred. On the way to a show, she wrote the song in her head. That night, she performed the song a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
.
Tori Amos explains the experience:
"I'll never talk about it at this level again but let me ask you. Why have I survived that kind of night, when other women didn't", she says.
"How am I alive to tell you this tale when he was ready to slice me up? In the song I say it was 'Me and a Gun' but it wasn't a gun. It was a knife he had. And the idea was to take me to his friends and cut me up, and he kept telling me that, for hours. And if he hadn't needed more drugs I would have been just one more news report, where you see the parents grieving for their daughter.
"And I was singing hymns, as I say in the song, because he told me to. I sang to stay alive. Yet I survived that torture, which left me urinating all over myself and left me paralysed for years. That's what that night was all about, mutilation, more than violation through sex.
"I really do feel as though I was psychologically mutilated that night and that now I'm trying to put the pieces back together again. Through love, not hatred. And through my music. My strength has been to open again, to life, and my victory is the fact that, despite it all, I kept alive my vulnerability".
This song did not take off very well as a single, possibly given its serious subject matter; in fact, the track was not the A-side to its own single. "Silent All These Years
Silent All These Years
"Silent All These Years" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the second single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes. It was originally released in November 1991 in the UK by EastWest Records...
", another song from Little Earthquakes, was the first track on this single, with "Gun" appearing third (or as the B-side on the 7" release). "Silent" was a more accessible song, and radio stations began to play that instead. Ultimately the single was re-released with nearly identical packaging but retitled as Silent All These Years.
Amos made a habit of singing this song during live appearances. In 1994, the DC Rape Crisis Center awarded Amos a Visionary award for the song and the co-creation of RAINN
RAINN
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is an American anti-sexual assault organization, the largest in the United States. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline and carries out programs to prevent sexual assault, help victims, and to ensure that rapists are brought to justice.RAINN...
. Ultimately Amos stopped singing the song live in December 2001 and did not sing it live again until September 2007 (with the exception of one performance in Istanbul in August 2005).
Later appearances of the song
- Trance pioneers Salt TankSalt TankSalt Tank are two English record producers, David Gates and Malcolm Stanners, plus percussionist Andy Rose, from Surrey. Their music ranges from laid-back trance, such as their hit single "Eugina" to tougher sounds.-Biography:The trio recorded several singles, before signing a recording contract...
sampled the line "Do you know Carolina, where the biscuits are soft and sweet" on their 1996 release "Eugina". - A VHSVHSThe Video Home System is a consumer-level analog recording videocassette standard developed by Victor Company of Japan ....
video of music videos and live performances was released in 1992; it was also called Little EarthquakesLittle Earthquakes (video)Little Earthquakes is a VHS video released by singer/songwriter Tori Amos in 1992, which serves as Amos' first video release. The release contains all four music videos released in conjunction with Amos' debut solo album of the same name interspersed...
. Amos sings "Me and a Gun" in an appearance on MTVMTVMTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
Asia. - Amos performs "Me and a Gun" on the video Tori Amos: Live from New YorkTori Amos: Live from New YorkTori Amos: Live from New York is a benefit concert performed by American singer and song-writer Tori Amos on January 23, 1997. The concert was performed at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York to launch "Unlock the Silence", a year-long promotional and fund-raising campaign sponsored by cK...
, a recording of the 1997 RAINN benefit concertBenefit concertA benefit concert or charity concert is a concert, show or gala featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate humanitarian crisis. Such events raise both funds and public awareness to address the cause at...
. - During 1997, a CD called Tori Amos the benefit for RAINN [sic] (Atlantic #PRCD 6995-2) was given out during several promotions in order to raise money for RAINN. An audio version of the above live concert version was released on this two-track CD. (The other track was the album version of "Putting the Damage OnPutting the Damage On"Putting The Damage On" is a ballad by American singer and songwriter Tori Amos, and is featured as the 17th track on her 1996 album, Boys For Pele...
".) - In 1999, the song was featured on an MTV compilation called Fight for Your Rights: Take a Stand Against Violence.
- "Me and a Gun" is also included on A Tori Amos Collection: Tales of a LibrarianTales of a Librarian-Live:-Others:-Charts:...
. - While performed for her stint on MTV UnpluggedMTV UnpluggedMTV Unplugged is a TV series showcasing many popular musical artists usually playing acoustic instruments. The show has received the George Foster Peabody Award and 3 Primetime Emmy nominations among many accolades.-Unplugged:...
, "Me and a Gun" was cut from the final airing of the show. Clips of this performance surfaced on the MTV special Hips, Lips and Genderbenders: MTV's History of Sex but has otherwise remained unreleased. - On November 6, 2007 during a Chicago show of her ADP tour, Amos performed "Me and a Gun" as Pip with her backing band, using a knife and gun as props. This marked the first time she sang the song with instrumentation.
Covers and remixes
- Fan remixes of this track exist; however, no official club or house remix exists. It was remastered for the album Tales of a LibrarianTales of a Librarian-Live:-Others:-Charts:...
. - Rock band Stabbing WestwardStabbing WestwardStabbing Westward was an American industrial rock and alternative rock band. They formed in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois and began recording in the 1990s. The band announced a dissolution in 2002.- Early years :...
covered the song in 1996 during a live concert.
Track listing
CD single and 12" single- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Upside Down" – 4:22
- "Me and a Gun" – 3:42
- "Thoughts" – 2:36
Tracks 1 & 3 are from the album. Track 2 also appeared on the single for "Winter
Winter (Tori Amos song)
"Winter" is a song by American singer-songwriter and musician Tori Amos. It was released as the fourth single from her debut studio album Little Earthquakes. It was released on March 9, 1992 by EastWest Records in the UK and Atlantic Records on November 24 in North America.-Background:The song also...
". Track 4 is otherwise unavailable.
7" single
- "Silent All These Years" – 4:11
- "Me and a Gun" – 3:42