Judith (song)

"Judith"
Single by A Perfect Circle
from the album Mer de Noms
Released	August 8, 2000
Format	CD single(1 track, US), CD single (4-track AUS), 7" vinyl (4-track, AUS)
Genre	Alternative metal
Length	4:07
Label	Virgin
Writer(s)	Billy Howerdel, Maynard James Keenan
Producer(s)	Billy Howerdel, Alan Moulder
A Perfect Circle singles chronology
"Judith" (2000) "The Hollow" (2000)

"Judith" is a song by American rock band A Perfect Circle. It was released as the first single from their debut album Mer de Noms. The single was released as a 1-track Compact Disc single in North America, and a 4-track single on both disc and vinyl format in Australia.

Structure

During an interview on A Perfect Circle's officially released Interview Disc, guitarist Billy Howerdel noted that "Judith" was "a truly unique song, in that it was done - from start to finish - in just one sitting". According to Howerdel, he had parts of Judith already completed prior to meeting vocalist Maynard James Keenan. After Keenan joined, the song became heavier, and is one of the heaviest on Mer de Noms.

Concept

Maynard James Keenan explains on the Amotion DVD how the song is about his mother Judith Marie Keenan, who suffered a stroke and was restricted to a wheelchair for the rest of her life, yet still believed in Christianity.

Since the conception of A Perfect Circle, the band had been associated closely with Keenan's main band, Tool. "Judith" brought with it distinct connections between the two bands, both attracting Tool fans and listeners of alternative rock. Subsequent songs returned their unique sound.

Video

The music video for Judith was directed by David Fincher, director of Fight Club, Se7en, and The Social Network. The video consists of the band performing in a large, empty studio with many of Fincher's signature cinematic tricks employed (dark smoky lighting, obscuring of faces, extensive film scratching and frame manipulation). All original members are depicted in the video (along with bassist Paz seen putting her hair in a pony tail between the end of the first chorus and beginning of the second verse in which the bass drops out for a drum and lead guitar-only section. However, she could not do it fast enough in real time during the filming and consequently the section was slightly sped up for the filmed action to fit the space within the song). In an interview with Sook-Yin Lee, a former MuchMusic VJ, Billy Howerdel revealed that the band originally intended for a video that consisted of a storyline but, due to time restraints, were unable to do so.

The music video for Judith can be found on the Amotion DVD, along with individual commentary from both Maynard James Keenan and Billy Howerdel.

Remix

"Judith" was one of several songs created/remixed by Danny Lohner for the soundtrack to the movie Underworld. The remix, entitled "Judith (Renholder Remix)" is a darker, more industrial-based version which features the use of drum machines and synthesizers.

Track listing

1. "Judith" - 4:03
2. "Magdalena" (Live) - 4:15
3. "Breña" (Live) - 4:04
4. "Orestes" (Demo) - 3:24

Charts