Bliss (Tori Amos song)

"Bliss" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It is the lead track from Amos' fifth studio album, To Venus and Back. "Bliss" went to alternative stations on August 6, 1999, and was released commercially in the U.S. on August 24, 1999. The song was not released as a single in the UK, but peaked at # 91 in the US.

"Bliss"
Single by Tori Amos
from the album To Venus and Back
Released	August 24, 1999
Recorded	January 1999
Studio	Martian Engineering (Cornwall)[1]
Genre	Alternative rock trip hop electronica piano rock
Length	3:35
Label	Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Tori Amos (lyricist and composer)
Producer(s)	Tori Amos
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Raspberry Swirl" (1998) "Bliss" (1999) "1000 Oceans" (1999)

Atlantic released "Bliss" in CD, cassette, 7" vinyl and a CD5 maxi single. The CD single contains the non-LP live version of "Hey Jupiter", while the CD5 maxi also includes the non-LP version of "Upside Down". Both of the live tracks do not appear on the album To Venus and Back. The regular CD single cardboard packaging does not include the extra photo with the "Bliss" lyrics that was part of the CD maxi single. The "Bliss" video premiered on MTV 120 Minutes on August 15, 1999. The video uses footage that was filmed during the final two shows of the Plugged '98 tour in Michigan.^[2]

Meaning and interpretation

Sometimes, when you express thought to people, you leave it open for somebody to tromp in there and start tearing it down. I sing, Father I killed my monkey, to lead off the song, which explains that sometimes you even destroy your own so they can't excavate it. When I was growing up, I started becoming very secretive about my thoughts and the sensory world I would go to, because there's a lot of mind control that goes on constantly, people wanting access: 'What are you thinking?' So sometimes I'd have my own defense going, which would be to look them straight in the eye and make them think I've killed my imagination. But it's like, I'll take control.^[3]

Track listings

CD single (Atlantic 2-84532) / Cassette single (Atlantic 4-84532) / 7-inch single (Atlantic 7-84532)

1. "Bliss" – 3:40
2. "Hey Jupiter" (Live) – 4:31

CD maxi-single (Atlantic 2-84533)

1. "Bliss" – 3:40
2. "Hey Jupiter" (Live) – 4:31
3. "Upside Down" (Live) – 5:47

Charts

Chart (1999)	Position
Hot Canadian Digital Singles	7
U.S. Hot Singles Sales	16
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	91