Tori Amos forcefully insisted that a whistle be used in the song "Cornflake Girl," despite the mixer's initial dislike for it. Even suggesting pairing a mandolin with the whistle as a compromise before demanding its inclusion in the final mix.
In the world of music, Tori Amos's "Cornflake Girl" stands out as a poignant and powerful anthem. Released as the first single from her 1994 album Under the Pink, this song was a testament to Amos's creative and commercial prowess.
Born in 1963 in the genteel Georgetown neighbourhood of Washington DC, Amos's musical journey began at an early age. She was a prodigy, winning a full scholarship to the Peabody Institute at John Hopkins University at just five years old, making her the youngest person ever admitted. However, her stay at the Institute was cut short due to "musical insubordination" by the age of 11.
The inspiration for "Cornflake Girl" came from Alice Walker’s book Possessing the Secret of Joy, which deals with female genital mutilation and betrayal by close female family members. Amos used the term "cornflake girls" to describe girls who betray their close friends, a theme that resonates throughout the song.
The song was written and recorded in a hacienda-come-studio in Taos, New Mexico. The piano riff for "Cornflake Girl" was inspired by live reggae music that Amos heard in London. The recording and development of the song featured a stellar lineup of musicians, including Paulinho da Costa on percussion, George Porter Jr on bass and big sleigh bells, and Merry Clayton on backing vocals.
One of the defining features of "Cornflake Girl" is the whistling, a feature that Amos fought hard to include. Sonically, the song is stirring, upbeat, and gloriously off-kilter, with Amos's ethereal voice complementing the swirling piano arrangement.
Despite some music journalists failing to grasp the emotional depth of Amos's work, with one review describing Little Earthquakes as "a sprawling, confusing journey through the gunk of a woman's soul", "Cornflake Girl" was a commercial success. It reached No.4 in the UK Singles Chart and established Amos as a real creative and commercial force.
In summary, "Cornflake Girl" emerged from Amos's deep concern with feminist issues and personal storytelling, crafted during the Under the Pink sessions with a more immediate studio-writing approach than before. It blends Amos’s classical training with her interest in social themes and innovative production, making it a standout track in her discography.
[1] "Tori Amos: The Biography" by Dave Thompson [4] "Tori Amos: Composing the Soul" by Ann Powers
Tori Amos's lifestyle, intertwined with her music, led to the creation of her powerful anthem "Cornflake Girl", showcasing her commercial success in the entertainment industry. The song's composition was influenced by her experiences with feminist issues and personal storytelling, resonating with listeners worldwide.
