AboutNancy Expertise I can answer almost all Tori inquires. I have followed her closly for the 10 years. I enjoy answering questions from my fellow Toriphiles and would love to help anyone in need! If I do not know the answer, I could sure get it for you by refrencing a book or web site. I am always searching too :)
Experience I found Tori through a friend 10 years ago. We went to a show and I was in awe at the energy and passion she poured into the crowd. I have seen her over 20 times and every show has been unique and special in thier own way. I own more CDs than I can count and quite a few books. I am quite a happy EWF!!
Question I'm from the UK and am researching into the deep dark underworld of hard drugs for a book I'm writing on the subject. I noticed a lot of references in Tori's songs. Some I find of interest due to their obscurity, and some because of their sharp observation in terms of drug-induced sensation.
Firstly I wondered if you have any inside info on the term 'lip gloss boost', used in 'iieee'. From the sketchmap in the inside cover of the choirgirls album cover I noticed a 'cocaine lip gloss sale stand' marked which brought me to the conclusion that perhaps cocaine is sold either on various market stalls in America disguised as lip gloss, or there is a particular stand Tori is referring to that did/does this. I was wondering if it is some cult US thing that I'm missing out on. Do people walk around snorting their coke from lip gloss tubes?
A few sections of lyrics from her moer recent 'Carbon' also caught my eye:
'Behind crystalline irises loons can dive where the world bleeds white', 'shred in ribbons of lithium, blow by blow her mind cut in sheets deep layers now unraveling', 'blade to ice and it's double diamond time'.
This vivid explanation of such a feeling quite astounded me. I wondered if Tori had spoken to some drug-users on the subject in order to be inspired, or had maybe experimented with the substance herself. Or could it just be her amazing ability to use words to create impeccable textures of words in her lyrics that is shinin through here. The image she creates with these words is screaming 'Cold, icy, sharp. Destructive and yet defiantly beautiful'; do you think this could be a reference not only to the feelings taking the drug evokes but of the actual appearance of lithium (when in its pure state - small silver lumps that are highly reactive)?
One more thing on 'Carbon' (fairly obvious, but I'm just checking), does crystalline irises relate to the glazed look that a user may have while under the influence of the drug.
Lastly, not drug related, but of personal interest to me:
The line: 'It seems in vogue to be a closet misogynist homophobe'.
Is this just a Tori observation, or has it been an actual fashion (if a subtle one) to be a woman-hating man who also dislikes gays? In essence - someone distanced from sex?
Thankyou for reading this. If you have any Tori quotes or information that would help me, then please reply. Personal opinions also welcome - I love discussing Tori lyrics. Aren't they just so DEEP?!
Katy, UK.
Answer Hi Katy,
You gave me a lot to think about here! I myself am in recovery for drug addiction - so I happen to have some personal experience with these things that you are questioning. Funny that you picked me...
1. Tori has been known for her love of lip gloss and wine.
Tori had this to say about the 5 1/2 weeks tour with Alanis:
"Bringing two visions together to make one show can be tricky, so obviously, it takes a lot of mutual respect and a load of gear. With that in mind, Alanis and I are bringing two trucks just for ourselves: one filled with wine, the other filled with lip gloss."
I always heard lip gloss boost as being just that - a boost of lip gloss. In Amercia, I am not sure about about cocaine being sold as lipgloss. I know people that are heavy users will put it in a descret container so they can carry it with them and snort a pinch or two convieniently. I never thought she was reffering to the drugs in such a detailed way. But hey, you never know right? I've checked around and found no articles discussing this particular subject. Most people say these are non sense lyrics.
2. The Carbon Lyrics: I think everything your saying is right on. Tori has openly discussed expereimenting with drugs. She talked a lot about that in the Boys for Pele era when asked about Mr. Lucifer. Here is a blurb from a web site I found that I wanted to share with you:
tori amos and drugs
"The first drug I took was pot. I was 12. I guess that seems young, but this was a different time. We're talking 1974-74. Led Zeppelin were kicking! It was a different tiem! When I was 12, I was smoking weed at a friend's house and my father came to pick me up early. And we'd smoked so much. I'm like reeking. I lied my ass off. I told him my friend and her brother had been doing stuff. But not me. Then we had to go out to dinner with someone from the local church and his son. Halfway through, the son, who was about 18, took me to one side and said, 'You are *sooo* stoned'. Still, I got away with it. The drug which had a big effect on me was ayahuasca. It comes from a vine in the Amazon and you ingest it. You know that stuff they take in "The Emerald Forest"? It's like that . I was hanging around with some medicine women and they suggested I try it. I was very lucid, but felt like I was walking around *Fantasia*, having a conversation with myself. It isn't like acid. It's more emotional, more mental. But it can grab you by the balls and just shove you up against the wall. I've been in a room with a woman who was literally trying to bite her own arm off. And this lasted for 15 hours. I wasn't scared--just scared that I'd make a fool of myself. The funny thing was, I kept laughing and laughing, rather than sitting in the corner being intense. Then every so often, I'd say, I'm in a really rough patch. And one of the medicine women would come over and reassure me that everythng was going to be alright. But it would keep on getting deeper. In the end, though, it was an educational experience. I learnt a lot about myself. I haven't taken it in a couple of years now. You can only really do it once in a blue moon. But the wild thing is that sometimes I only have to smell something and I'm right back there again, high as a kite. It just happens. I'm really ito moderation. Too much of anythin will harm you in the end. Too much sugar. Too much pasta. I'm into drugs as a teaching tool, which is why I only take hallucinogenics. I mean, it's not like I've never done cocaine, but, on the whole, if I can't see dancing elephants then I'm not interested."
When you really listen to Carbon, this girl is on the verge of suicide, they can't take their eyes off her. I think she has gone over the edge and Scarlet is trying to be there for her. Drawing from my own experience, this is not far fetched. Life can spin completely out of control - and you just can't get a grip.
3. I agree with you regarding the crystalline iris statement. Again, I looked for some discussion on this in other websites, Tori articles - I found nothing.
4. This statement is totally a Tori observation. I remember reading a bit about the album before it was released. She talked about how she felt our culture was full of people that hate woman and hate gays - not always in the same person - but she is right, its everywhere. Pancake is probably my favorite song as she really states a good case againest those that are like a poison to the good and the free.
I love discussing lyrics too! Its always so interesting how we hear the songs, differently or the same. I hope I have been of some help to you. Write again if you want to chat more!
