Expert: Nancy - 11/29/2005

Question
Hey,

I've just started listening to Tori's music in the past few months. Songs such as Cornflake Girl, Hey Jupiter, her covers, Crucify, Leather and Precious Things. My favourites of those would be Precious Things, and Crucify. Would you be able to reccommend any cool Tori tunes for an early listener?

Also, I have been captivated by the song Precious Things. Would you be able to tell me the meaning of the lyrics?

AND, last but not least, I have a few of Tori's live videos. There is one show, Tori is wearing blue pants and shirt, and her bright red, bushy hair. I have the clips of Smells Like Teen Spirit, Crucify, and Precious Things. I was wondering if you could tell me what show this is (if you need more details about the clips that's cool), the setlist, and what videos are available. Oh, and out of interest, (presuming you do know the show that I mean) was Tori using drugs during this period? Because her eyes look extreeemely glassy in these clips.

Any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time!

Jenna

Answer
Hi Jenna!

Welcome to the wonderful world of all that is Tori :)

I'd recommend getting her early CDs and working your way up. Here they are in chronological order:

* Little Earthquakes
* Under The Pink
* Boys for Pele
* The Choirgirl Hotel
* To Venus and Back 2 CDs - one of live music from all eras
* Strange Little Girls - covers of songs written and sung by men
* Scarlet's Walk
* Tales of a Librarian - a Tori collection of goodies
* The Beekeeper

Song interpretation for Tori's music has become a great pass time of the fans since she uses so many metaphors and layers in her songs. It's always been helpful to me to read some of the articles and quotes Tori has said about each album during their release. It helps to expose the undertone of the music when she shares what she's been thinking and going through while recording.  

Here is one of my favorite Tori websites.  It's my favorite site for accessing Tori quotes relating to the songs.  It lists out all songs of all her albums including - quotes by Tori, lyrics and B-sides. There are also some great downloads, pictures, news and timelines.
You'll enjoy it....http://www.yessaid.com/toriamos.html

PRECIOUS THINGS -
As for the meaning of the lyrics of Precious Things ~ Tori always wants that to be up to the listener. I just went to yessaid.com to see if I could offer you any Tori quotes on this song and the site isn't working!! This has happened before ~ never fear ~ the site will return! In the meantime here is another site for you to check out: http://www.hereinmyhead.com/sitemap.html
Lots of great stuff here too! This link will take you to the site map. Check out diagnosed sounds for some AWESOME live MP3's. She really changes the songs in live performance.

For me Precious Things has always been about leaving the not so happy memories behind - letting them bleed and wash away. Feeling awkward as a kid, boys not liking you, girls being mean ~ the whole adolescent thing. That seems to be mostly what she focuses on in the song...the past. And you know what, sometimes when I'm singing along.....I feel them leave me to and become more empowered and embrace who I am today! Adolescence can be such a cruel place!

Tori has said in the past that Little Earthquakes was like sharing her diary with the world.

VIDEO-
Off the top of my head I'm not sure which video you are referring to. I've not known of one show she did where she sat and played those songs. Was this a bootleg concert or TV performance? If you check out hereinmyhead.com, go to the site map and check out the videos and have been officially and non-officially released. Maybe something will ring a bell. A lot of tapes go around that have various performances on them. Let me know if you have more information on the video you have.   

Thanks for asking!

~ Nancy