Father Lucifer
father lucifer
you never looked so sane
you always did prefer the drizzle to the rain
tell me that you’re still in love with that milkmaid
how’s the lizzies
how’s your jesus christ been hanging
nothing gonna stop me from floating
nothing gonna stop me from floating
he says he reckons i’m a watercolour stain
he says i run and then i run from him
and then i run
he didn’t see me watching
from the aeroplane
he wiped a tear
and then he threw away our appleseed
nothing gonna stop me from floating
everyday’s my wedding day
though baby’s still in his comatose state
i’ll die my own easter eggs
don’t go yet
and beenie lost the sunset but that’s but that’s ok
does joe bring flowers to marilyn’s grave
and girls that eat pizza but never gain weight
father lucifer you never looked so sane
| Improvs
(bridge –)
and if you want, i’ll take you
you will see through it all
the lies are all behind me now
and if you want, something from her, well
steve mcqueen, i do believe he keeps listening
and if you come, i’ll take you
you will see through it all
when you were a young boy
and if you want, something from her, well
i can’t be her, but i can take you, take you through her door
Musicians
written by Tori Amos
bosendorfer and vocals: Tori Amos
bass: George Porter Jr.
guitar: Steve Caton
trumpet: James Watson
Featured On
Boys For Pele
US Jackie’s Strength Remix single
Remixes
Sylkscreen Remix
Sylkscreen Instrumental
Video
n/a
Quotes
The US Jackie’s Strength Remix single features two remixed versions of Father Lucifer, produced by King Britt (of Digable Planets and SYLK 130) and John Wicks.
“To visit Father Lucifer, to have a moment to dance… to go down in the dark, to visit with the dude! Not these Little prince of darkness wannabes…some of them are cute, but to visit the real energy force that has held the darkness: you go there with honor. And that takes a very big heart to hold the place of shadow. When I went to Lucifer I learned many things. But that whole thing of, he didn’t see me watching from the airplane, he wiped a tear and threw away our appleseed…there’s so much religious reference and metaphor coming back full circle from the myths. A part of her loved Lucifer, a part of her tried to find him in so many men that couldn’t carry his energy.”
– Tori; B Side, 05/96
“So, um, when I came home I guess it was at Thanksgiving because I remember a bird and forks going down at the table, when my father said to me, ‘Tori Ellen, I can’t believe you wrote this song about me.’ And I said, ‘I write everything about you, what are you surprised about?’ And he said, ‘No, but I’m really hurt about this one.’ And I said, ‘Well which one is it?” And he said, “well, you called me Satan.” And I said, “No! I was taking drugs with a South American shaman and I really did visit the Devil and I had a journey.” And he went, ‘Oh, Praise Jesus!’”
– Tori; VH1 Storytellers
“Father Lucifer is really about going to have a cup of tea with Lucifer, which I had to do. Now, when I say Lucifer, I’m talking about the feelings that we hide from ourselves [not something that's twisted and evil, like during the Inquisition when they used Christianity to torture people. That's Satanism.] I had to go in this record when I was trying to find parts of myself that I had not let scream and dance and have a tear. I went to go visit Lucifer to get my talisman, which means my little magic key that took me to the places that I hadn’t let myself go. That’s really about having a little tango, a little dance, with Lucifer. The idea that Dark is not a scary thing if you go in there understanding there is a purity in Darkness. There’s also a lot of distortion in Darkness. It’s a choice where you want to go, and I wanted to get to the truth, not to the drama and to keeping me from the truth.”
“I remember at the dinner table one night, my father said, ‘I heard Father Lucifer, and it really kind of hurt me. I never saw myself as Father Lucifer.’ I said, ‘No, no, no! I wasn’t talking about you! I was on an Ecstasy trip, Dad, and I had an affair with Lucifer and Jesus — so don’t worry about it.’ He felt much better.”
– Tori; Blender Magazine, Nov 2002
Tori:
This marked my 9th show and I must say this set list was expertly crafted and executed! She switched from playful vocals to breathy poignancy on a dime. It really brought moodiness like no other. It was magical. I like to think that it became more magical than even Tori herself could have anticipated.
It was clear; the thread of a “Shattered Relationship” ran throughout the entire setlist. Within that main theme, other themes emerged: The pull of Lightness and Darkness, The passage of time, age and aging, rebirth/endlessness/reformation. I felt as if she were exercising little demons through the songs. Burdens were lifted and understood. Memories were revisited with fondness. It was a very sacred space and time to be able to share with her.
I felt like Star Whisperer was the climax of the show. It really showcased the musicianship between everyone on stage. I kept having cute visions of a Tori version of Schroeder (Peanuts Gang) at his piano, the way she really concentrated during this song. I loved every bit of it. It was equally exciting to see the quartet ferociously strumming and bowing; hair flying in near Tori fashion. She seemed to really bloom during songs like: Bachelorette, Here. In my Head, Leather, Father Lucifer and Big Wheel. Personal favorites would include: Cloud on my Tongue, Cruel and Lust.
She was more animated than ever, at least from my experiences anyway. I loved how she cutely scuttled across the stage in her 5 inch fire red heels. To be a part of a crowd that made Tori so pleased that she would jump up and down like a school girl, feels pretty amazing. I also appreciated the little song she went into about taking us to the west coast. Even from the balcony, I could make out an ear to ear grin.
I don’t think I’d ever be happy with just “one more song” but I do wish I could have heard “Carry” and perhaps “A Silent Night With You”. Overall, this was my favorite Tori Amos concert of all time. I felt really connected to her, the crowd and the songs.
Also, it was a pleasure to meet some new EWFs! I met two sisters, Heather and Holly. We bonded over having never been to a meet and greet after all these years. As that was happening, tickets were being upgraded in the alley behind us. We didn’t have the guts to get involved until it was too late. We did get to see a small girl, maybe 5? Get her copy of Night of Hunters taken for Tori to sign. That was really sweet. I also sat next to Clint, a chatty guy from Champagne, IL. Between the sets we shared some good laughs. Being that I always attend Tori shows alone, I live for these brief but great connections.
Thank you Chicago and THANK YOU TORI for a concert to remember for a lifetime!
‘Lucifer’ is a Latin word that means ‘bright shining one’ and is used in the Bible to either describe the literal “morning star” (which is sometimes the “evening star,” and is actually a planet. Venus, in fact.) OR the figurative morning star, who is Jesus Christ (Rev. 22:16). It is never used to describe the Devil, nor is it ever used as his name. Beezulbub was the ruler of the demons (Mark 3:22,23).
There was that one time that Jesus called Peter “Satan,” but I digress… anyhoo.
I always think of this song whenever I see Venus in the sky. And then, I think about your dad. Hah. <3