Epic (song)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ""Epic"" | ||
|---|---|---|
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| Single by Faith No More | ||
| from the album 'The Real Thing' | ||
| Released | 1990 | |
| Format | CD, Cassette, Vinyl |
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| Recorded | December 1988 at the Studio D in Sausalito, California | |
| Genre | Alternative Metal | |
| Length | 4:51 | |
| Label | Slash Records | |
| Producer(s) | Matt Wallace | |
| Chart positions | ||
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| Faith No More singles chronology | ||
| "From Out Of Nowhere" (1990) |
"Epic" (1990) |
"Falling to Pieces" (1990) |
Epic was a breakthrough hit single by the alternative metal band Faith No More. It was released in 1990 and featured on their third album The Real Thing.
This song combines heavy metal with hip hop, which was extremely innovative at the time, paving the way for rap metal and funk metal. Some rap and hip-hop artists have cited this song as a major influence in how they shout and syncopate their lyrics. The vocals on Epic and most of The Real Thing have a more nasal and manufactured 80's sound than Mike Patton's subsequent work. The video for Epic was subject to controversy because of the perceived treatment of the fish, which appears to be dying--it was in fact slow motion footage; the fish was returned to its tank alive.
It ranked #30 on VH1's 40 Greatest Metal Songs [1].
[edit] Theories
Although it was commercially very successful it is still a very complex, and strange song by the standards of 1989/1990. Some perceive the lyrics as a reference to masturbation. The lyrics also possess themes of rape.
There is also the possibility that Epic 's pervasive 'it' is a variable for whatever is the 'it' in modern culture. Various senses are tantalised throughout the song to give it a broader appeal. Any pop culture trend that disappears as quickly as it appears seems to fit as 'it'.
[edit] Trivia
- Guitarist Jim Martin was a schoolmate, close friend and fan of the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. In the video for Epic he can be seen wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Cliff with the words 'A Tribute to Cliff Burton'.
- During an interview, the band joked that the fish seen flopping around in the music video belonged to Icelandic singer Björk, which they claimed to have stolen from her at a party.
[edit] Notes
- ^ "VH1 40 Greatest Metal Songs", 1-4 May 2006, VH1 Channel, reported by VH1.com; last accessed September 10, 2006.
| Faith No More |
| Roddy Bottum | Billy Gould | Mike Bordin | Mike Patton | Jon Hudson |
| Chuck Mosely | "Big" Jim Martin | Dean Menta | Trey Spruance | Mark Bowen | Courtney Love | Wade Worthington |
| Discography |
|---|
| Studio albums: We Care a Lot | Introduce Yourself | The Real Thing | Angel Dust | King for a Day... Fool for a Lifetime | Album of the Year |
| Lives and compilations: Live at the Brixton Academy | Who Cares a Lot? | This Is It: The Best of Faith No More | Epic And Other Hits | The Platinum Collection |
| Singles: We Care a Lot | Anne's Song | From Out Of Nowhere | Epic | Falling to Pieces | Midlife Crisis | A Small Victory | Everything's Ruined | Easy (Songs to Make Love To) | Another Body Murdered | Digging the Grave | Ricochet | Evidence | Ashes To Ashes | Last Cup Of Sorrow | Stripsearch | I Started a Joke |
| Related articles |
| Imperial Teen | Mr. Bungle | Faith No Man | Brujeria | Peeping Tom | Coma | Tomahawk | Fantômas |
| Categories: Faith No More albums | Faith No More songs |
