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Tori Amos — Past The Mission
Album: Under The Pink
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1718









Released: 1994
Length: 4:00
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I don't believe I went too far
I said I was willing, willing, willing
She said she knew what my books did not
I thought she knew what's up

Past the mission, behind the prison tower
Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl
Past the mission, they're closing every hour
Past the mission, I smell the roses

She said they all think they know him well
She knew him better, better, better
Everyone wanted something from him
Well, I did too but I shut my mouth
He just gave me a smile

Past the mission, behind the prison tower
Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl
Past the mission, they're closing every hour
Past the mission, I smell the roses
Past the mission, I smell the roses

Hey, they found a body
Not sure it was his, still they're using his name
And she gave him shelter
And somewhere I know she knows
(She whispers again)
Somewhere I know she knows
(She whispers again)
Some things only she knows

Past the mission, behind the prison tower
Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl
Past the mission, they're closing every hour
Past the mission, I smell the roses

Past the mission, behind the prison tower
Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl
Past the mission, they're closing every hour
Past the mission, I smell the roses
Past the mission, I smell the roses
Past the mission, I smell the roses
Comments (174)add comment
I despise about half of what she does and love the other half. No half way. This one is excellent.
Bill, Rebecca...gotta say the last hour's (1:15p-2:15) playlist has been perfect for a Petaluma day of 4/20/22. At least for this old Paradise listener. Hope you are getting the love you deserve for the coolest eclectic stream. At least for me. It's a craft.
 phlattop wrote:

ouch. rough transition from Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments



hehehe... hard to segue from Even in the Quietest Moments.
ouch. rough transition from Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments
 timmus wrote:

Some reds and oranges bubbling up on the left side of that ratings graph.  Looks like this is another "love it or hate it" song.



I definitely have one of those reactions.
Some reds and oranges bubbling up on the left side of that ratings graph.  Looks like this is another "love it or hate it" song.
Zounds! Love her!
Queue wrote:
Was about to say the same.   Bill is normally an artist at transitions and segues, but this one did not work for me either.

With open ears, and letting it sink in, the lyrics and harmonies, it can't be all that bad for a perfect segue... imo.

Past the mission, I smell the roses...
Good woman...good causes...good tunes!
This is a great album and the tune is quite good. Went to see her perform did not enjoy this as much as I'd hoped - perhaps I was  tired, or her playlist was not as lively, but I would recommend this album in its entirety.
Does anyone else think of The Name of the Rose (the 1986 film) when they listen to this?
I contribute quarterly to this entity, and I don’t know if we’re in the same groove, or what, Bill and Rebecca, but this amount of Tori is just fine...considering what she’s been through and decided to educate us with. Listen, learn, put in practice...
 phlattop wrote:
ouch-hard transition from Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments
 
Was about to say the same.   Bill is normally an artist at transitions and segues, but this one did not work for me either.
ouch-hard transition from Supertramp's Even in the Quietest Moments
 radioparadise9 wrote:


Total plays this month (main channel): 40

Indicative # of total plays at, say, 4 minutes each per month
(30 (days)* 24 (hours)*60 (minutes))/4 = 10800

Thus, % of plays = (40/10800)% = 0.370370370370370%

Maths is HARD, especially if you are of limited intelligence
 
Your math tells me that Tori is played more than 1 out of every 300 songs. Given the large variety on here, that seems like a lot to me.

I like Tori just fine. It's not a complaint, but your math doesn't convince me that she's not played a lot. By comparison Neil Young was played about the same amount this month. It's obviously a matter of taste, but I feel like Neil deserves to be played more than Tori. Whether he deserves more play or she deserves less play....
 opv wrote:
Painfully repetitive, and overly dramatic.  Classic TA
PSD.
 

This is most excellent!
Great inclusion for RP playlist.
 neelsg wrote:
You can never play too much Tori Amos!
 
Disagree.. I like Tori, but I'm finding the saturation point on RP a bit high...
You can never play too much Tori Amos!
Trent Reznor at the backing vocals. <3
 radioparadise9 wrote:


Total plays this month (main channel): 40

Indicative # of total plays at, say, 4 minutes each per month
(30 (days)* 24 (hours)*60 (minutes))/4 = 10800

Thus, % of plays = (40/10800)% = 0.370370370370370%

Maths is HARD, especially if you are of limited intelligence
 
Learn how to spell
 gtfodero wrote:
Does Amos work at RP?  There are too many other great artists out there to have to be subjected to her music with such regularity. 
 

Total plays this month (main channel): 40

Indicative # of total plays at, say, 4 minutes each per month
(30 (days)* 24 (hours)*60 (minutes))/4 = 10800

Thus, % of plays = (40/10800)% = 0.370370370370370%

Maths is HARD, especially if you are of limited intelligence
 Hoosfoos wrote:
Daily obligatory vomit.
 

Hoosfoos = a real class act

 gtfodero wrote:
Does Amos work at RP?  There are too many other great artists out there to have to be subjected to her music with such regularity. 
 
Shocking that some people have the audacity to have tastes different than yours, isn't it?  It's almost as if you're not king.
Does Amos work at RP?  There are too many other great artists out there to have to be subjected to her music with such regularity. 
This is a hard one to rate for me.  First, I'm just not a Tori Amos fan so I think its hard for me to be objective.  Second, I can't stand the squeaking.  The chorus is lovely though.
why won't PSD work?
Terrible...terrible {#Frustrated}
PSD ASAP
 lbaltz wrote:
I like most of her stuff.  I think Scarlet's Walk is my favorite record. I've been listening since "Tiny Earthquakes"...

  Same Here,   my second fav to Boys for Pele.
Fantastic. When I was younger I despised her. Now at 37 I return to that stellar time (1994) and discover gems after gems.
I wince when it comes on.
 JasondotG wrote:
That's Trent Reznor lending his chops to the backup vocals.

 
Yeah thanks I didn't realize that until Bill mentioned it in a recent intro
Bill I had no idea Trent Reznor sang on this.

The glory days of piano chick rock...Fiona Apple....Sarah McLachlan...Vanessa Carlton...
Painfully repetitive, and overly dramatic.  Classic TA
PSD.
I like most of her stuff.  I think Scarlet's Walk is my favorite record. I've been listening since "Tiny Earthquakes"...
Never been a fan.
A bit shrill.
 Ginetta wrote:
Great voice and wonderful music ☺
 
Her voice is insanely beautiful....
 
Great voice and wonderful music ☺
Female, piano-playing Cat Stevens
Pass the lyric book for some non-repetitive ones to sing
That's Trent Reznor lending his chops to the backup vocals.
Daily obligatory vomit.
Her voice is like velvet gently caressing my ears
 Lazarus wrote:

This song is good for the ears...


 
Agreed. 

Certain originality too.  Or is that an originality certain? 
 pamyoder wrote:
Her voice is like nails on a blackboard :(

 
??
really?
you have very delicate hearing 
I love vintage Tori.
Her voice is like nails on a blackboard :(
Liking this
 kcar wrote:
Tori can write some great songs and I'm sure some of her interviews are quite interesting, but I have to wonder if she occasionally loses touch with reality. Completely loses touch. 
 

 DavidS_UK wrote:
After Air and Supertramp I am afraid she just sounds a bit screechy and shallow.  Any other time I might like it but right now, in my post-Supertramp euphoria it's just annoying, so a 2 for Tori
 
...I'll second that too...

This song is good for the ears...

After Air and Supertramp I am afraid she just sounds a bit screechy and shallow.  Any other time I might like it but right now, in my post-Supertramp euphoria it's just annoying, so a 2 for Tori
 shellbella wrote:
Mute
 

Love Tori! Love this song 
Nice piano laying.
Mute
I don't get all the Tori Amos hype. She's ok, but too poppy for me.
Painful.
 hippiechick wrote:
Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl!
 
Hot like stranded in the desert with no water hot? or hot like lace and wicked with a whip hot ?  (not fair posting that you know. the mind automatically wanders into the danger zone)

A favorite song off my favorite Tori album.

 Cynaera wrote:
Hey - I have a great idea. Let's just bypass Tori Amos and go straight to Kate Bush.{#Mrgreen}
 

Let's have Tori Amos AND Kate Bush. And Florence + the Machine. The more the merrier!
I forgot how much I liked this song. Thanks BIll!
 Mandible wrote:
"With Past the Mission, there's hope. Past the mission, I smell the roses, and Trent sings on it. I wanted him to sing on it because of his energy. I love Trent's work. Past the Mission wanted him to sing on it. Past the Mission is a love story. It's kind of a strange one in that it's me again, still trying to find pieces that I've left other places. It kind of breaks my heart when I hear him sing with me, I once knew a hot girl. Where is she now? She can come back again. It's that same thing, where in Pretty Good Year and Past the Mission and Space Dog, where everything is reclaimable. ...there's also a bit of the Mary Magdalene/Jesus relationship in Past the Mission, because I was reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail at the time. It has a lot of thoughts. It's a very long book about a historical viewpoint on everything, with the Cathars and all that happened in the Pyrenees, and the Merevindian dynasty and the whole nine yards. It's an interesting read. It opened my mind up a bit. More than anything, it was the sexual relations, even if it's just with yourself, surrounding the oppression of the church, and that's where Past the Mission again — it's really freeing to me, that song. I've always kind of — there's no resolve, either."
— Tori; The Baltimore Sun, '94

"Directions were always interesting...'o.k. honey what you gotta do is you know the Wal-Mart? well keep going soon you'll see a road across from the chevron take a left and follow that road till you see a bright turquoisey painted bird house it's right after the creek at the bird house it's not the first dirt road but the second go on down past the mission and you wanna take a right and you can't miss it'"
— Tori; Under The Pink Songbook
 
Mandible, you quoted another part of that Baltimore Sun interview here

https://www.radioparadise.com/content.php?name=songinfo&song_id=34094

...and this bit isn't much better. 

Tori can write some great songs and I'm sure some of her interviews are quite interesting, but I have to wonder if she occasionally loses touch with reality. Completely loses touch. 
Great song from one of the greatest albums in the history of mankind.
{#Puke}
Hey - I have a great idea. Let's just bypass Tori Amos and go straight to Kate Bush.{#Mrgreen}
Saw her do this live twice - loved it {#Music}

Bliss by =NivaSimon
©2007-2010 =NivaSimon

https://www.pbase.com/nivasimon

Tori Amos in Israel




Past the mission, I once knew a hot girl!
 Jelani wrote:

Does anyone but you care?
I know I don't. 
 
I would think any Tori Amos fan who liked this song might be interested.  Thus this is an ideal place for those quotes from the artist about the song's lyrics.

Whether you or I care?  Hardly relevant.

But congratulations on a passable display of internet asshattery.  I hear it's even a marketable job skill these days! 
A favorite song on my favorite Tori album.
 Mandible wrote:
"With Past the Mission, there's hope. Past the mission, I smell the roses, and Trent sings on it. I wanted him to sing on it because of his energy. I love Trent's work. Past the Mission wanted him to sing on it. Past the Mission is a love story. It's kind of a strange one in that it's me again, still trying to find pieces that I've left other places. It kind of breaks my heart when I hear him sing with me, I once knew a hot girl. Where is she now? She can come back again. It's that same thing, where in Pretty Good Year and Past the Mission and Space Dog, where everything is reclaimable. ...there's also a bit of the Mary Magdalene/Jesus relationship in Past the Mission, because I was reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail at the time. It has a lot of thoughts. It's a very long book about a historical viewpoint on everything, with the Cathars and all that happened in the Pyrenees, and the Merevindian dynasty and the whole nine yards. It's an interesting read. It opened my mind up a bit. More than anything, it was the sexual relations, even if it's just with yourself, surrounding the oppression of the church, and that's where Past the Mission again — it's really freeing to me, that song. I've always kind of — there's no resolve, either."
— Tori; The Baltimore Sun, '94

"Directions were always interesting...'o.k. honey what you gotta do is you know the Wal-Mart? well keep going soon you'll see a road across from the chevron take a left and follow that road till you see a bright turquoisey painted bird house it's right after the creek at the bird house it's not the first dirt road but the second go on down past the mission and you wanna take a right and you can't miss it'"
— Tori; Under The Pink Songbook
 
Does anyone but you care?
I know I don't. 
Why are the beautiful ones always insane?
"With Past the Mission, there's hope. Past the mission, I smell the roses, and Trent sings on it. I wanted him to sing on it because of his energy. I love Trent's work. Past the Mission wanted him to sing on it. Past the Mission is a love story. It's kind of a strange one in that it's me again, still trying to find pieces that I've left other places. It kind of breaks my heart when I hear him sing with me, I once knew a hot girl. Where is she now? She can come back again. It's that same thing, where in Pretty Good Year and Past the Mission and Space Dog, where everything is reclaimable. ...there's also a bit of the Mary Magdalene/Jesus relationship in Past the Mission, because I was reading Holy Blood, Holy Grail at the time. It has a lot of thoughts. It's a very long book about a historical viewpoint on everything, with the Cathars and all that happened in the Pyrenees, and the Merevindian dynasty and the whole nine yards. It's an interesting read. It opened my mind up a bit. More than anything, it was the sexual relations, even if it's just with yourself, surrounding the oppression of the church, and that's where Past the Mission again — it's really freeing to me, that song. I've always kind of — there's no resolve, either."
— Tori; The Baltimore Sun, '94

"Directions were always interesting...'o.k. honey what you gotta do is you know the Wal-Mart? well keep going soon you'll see a road across from the chevron take a left and follow that road till you see a bright turquoisey painted bird house it's right after the creek at the bird house it's not the first dirt road but the second go on down past the mission and you wanna take a right and you can't miss it'"
— Tori; Under The Pink Songbook
This was my first and favorite Tori album - bought the CD for 1.99 at a local music store - memories!
Shut up, shut up, shut up!!!!!!!!!!!!
{#Daisy}
I love Tori. I'm inclined to think she doesn't give a fuck one way or the other. {#War}
where's that icepick for my ears when I need it?
A favorite song from my favorite Tori album.
ICK
 TJS wrote:
I understand that some people don't like Tori, but I don't really understand. I can't really say that this is one of her strongest tracks, even with Trent Reznor doing backup vocals. But still, she's a very gifted pianist, a very talented singer, a great performer, and has always on the cutting edge.

I wouldn't put her anywhere near Kate Bush, and to call her a KB wannabe is just ignorant.

For those that don't appreciate her music, well, I'm really sorry. You're missing out more than you know.
 
You don't understand why some people don't like her because you like her and we don't. What? By the way, this really does sound kind of like some KB wannabe. This is just awful for me and I'm not missing out on anything at all by not liking it. Interestingly tho, there seem to be many other artists we mutually like!

i like it because of trent reznor's back-up vocals...he actually sounds, dare i say it, pretty!
I met this woman in person. She is beautiful: inside and out. I LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER LOVE HER!!!!!!!!!!!
I give this a 7, but the album Under the Pink a 10.


One of my favourites by her.
Such a simple song, with such simple lyrics, but so beautiful, so powerful, and so evocative.  I can hear the mission bell.  I can smell the roses.  I can feel the sun.  I can hear the humming birds (even though I'm in New Jersey, with snow falling).

Very nice to hear something infinitely non-Britneyesque...................
Lovely gal. too.
reason06 wrote:
Tori has some truly remarkable songs, I never hear them played. This one is okay, but not her best. (and I am not talking about cornflake girl)
. . . Winter, China, etc. Yes. But as others have said, sometimes, too much Tori is, too much. I'm finding myself clipping back my iTunes playlist, as many of her songs stumble into each other. Still, she's genius. Maybe in smaller doses.
Tori has some truly remarkable songs, I never hear them played. This one is okay, but not her best. (and I am not talking about cornflake girl)
I love it when things just come together. When this song started, strong evening sun was raking across my window view and during its course a huge, black, thunderous cloud moved in and exploded all around us. Somehow this song just seemed to fit the moment.
TJS wrote:
I understand that some people don't like Tori, but I don't really understand. I can't really say that this is one of her strongest tracks, even with Trent Reznor doing backup vocals. But still, she's a very gifted pianist, a very talented singer, a great performer, and has always on the cutting edge. I wouldn't put her anywhere near Kate Bush, and to call her a KB wannabe is just ignorant. For those that don't appreciate her music, well, I'm really sorry. You're missing out more than you know.
It's funny, because I'm a big fan of Tori's stuff, especially her early stuff, but I've never thought she sounded like Kate Bush. I hear that comparison all the time, but I don't really see it, personally. I'd agree that this is a sold track, but not her best. I do like Trent's backing vocals on this. Speaking of backing vocals, have you guys heard Maynard from Tool singing backup on the live version of "Mohammed My Friend"? It's amazing.
TJS wrote:
I understand that some people don't like Tori, but I don't really understand. I can't really say that this is one of her strongest tracks, even with Trent Reznor doing backup vocals. But still, she's a very gifted pianist, a very talented singer, a great performer, and has always on the cutting edge. I wouldn't put her anywhere near Kate Bush, and to call her a KB wannabe is just ignorant. For those that don't appreciate her music, well, I'm really sorry. You're missing out more than you know.
I second that!!
Definitely one her best among other great tunes from her.
TJS wrote:
I understand that some people don't like Tori, but I don't really understand. I can't really say that this is one of her strongest tracks, even with Trent Reznor doing backup vocals. But still, she's a very gifted pianist, a very talented singer, a great performer, and has always on the cutting edge. I wouldn't put her anywhere near Kate Bush, and to call her a KB wannabe is just ignorant. For those that don't appreciate her music, well, I'm really sorry. You're missing out more than you know.
Oh don't get me wrong, she's great but mad..in arty mad way
I understand that some people don't like Tori, but I don't really understand. I can't really say that this is one of her strongest tracks, even with Trent Reznor doing backup vocals. But still, she's a very gifted pianist, a very talented singer, a great performer, and has always on the cutting edge. I wouldn't put her anywhere near Kate Bush, and to call her a KB wannabe is just ignorant. For those that don't appreciate her music, well, I'm really sorry. You're missing out more than you know.
I'm a member of the "Don't want to like Tori, find her strangely compelling" club. This tune is a bit Kate Bush-y, but I like it anyway. 6.
Bless her....such a looney!
Uggggg. What a letdown after jammin and singin out loud to some awesome Supertramp.
A favorite song off my favorite Tori album Love you Tori!
Jillfly wrote:
All you haters... are you serious? Tori is one of the most innovative female artists of our time! Guess you don't get it...
To each his own, but I've always liked this particular tune of hers.
All you haters... are you serious? Tori is one of the most innovative female artists of our time! Guess you don't get it...
pixalman wrote:
Amos is among the very few contemporary artists who dare to question the hegemonic patriarchy which permeates our every cultural and interpersonal experience in the West. Granted, her songs mainly function on the level of esoteric myth, but whether or not one consciously understands them, they serve to challenge deeply held beliefs. Beliefs which serve as the foundation for many people's whole personae.
And that, in a nutshell, is the problem with Tori... when her most ardent defenders talk about everything but the actual music, you know there's a crucial element missing...
meydele wrote:
I'm a member of the "Never liked her, she makes me cringe" club.
Sign me up too
On_The_Beach wrote:
I guess we're the first 2 members of the "Should Like Tori But Don't" club! ; )
May I join? I like most of her peers, but can't stand her. Within two seconds of hearing this song come over the speakers, I said "ack, Tori", popped up a window, and gave it a Sucko-Barfo. Although, it's not her worst song ever, so I'm moving it up to a 2.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I guess we're the first 2 members of the "Should Like Tori But Don't" club! ; )
I'm a member of the "Never liked her, she makes me cringe" club.
kars wrote:
That's me in a nutshell! And I don't why I feel ever-so-slightly defensive to say so. I wince when she comes on. Is it the voice or the structure of her compositions/playing technique? Who knows. Ah well. Her cd's are now in that stack with other "should have liked" cd's that ultimately didn't and won't get loaded into the old ipod. You know, it is possible to be a hard-core feminist, veteran of several Lilith Fair go-rounds with young daughter in tow to experience woman-power :-), devoted mother of both child and dog, David Gilmour fanatic and still just not get Tori.
I guess we're the first 2 members of the "Should Like Tori But Don't" club! ; )
Love it.
On_The_Beach wrote:
I've tried to like Tori Amos . . . honest. I even own several of her CDs, but I have to finally accept that she just puts a hurt on my ear. I'll take Kate Bush anyday.
That's me in a nutshell! And I don't why I feel ever-so-slightly defensive to say so. I wince when she comes on. Is it the voice or the structure of her compositions/playing technique? Who knows. Ah well. Her cd's are now in that stack with other "should have liked" cd's that ultimately didn't and won't get loaded into the old ipod. You know, it is possible to be a hard-core feminist, veteran of several Lilith Fair go-rounds with young daughter in tow to experience woman-power :-), devoted mother of both child and dog, David Gilmour fanatic and still just not get Tori.
Tori is awesome. I just feel that my happiness odometer dropped a couple of points though now. I hope this is followed up by some Bertha by the dead or something to make it rebound.
hippiechick wrote:
Love this song on my fave Tori album Love you Tori!
SmilinJimmy wrote:
The cat is hungry - can someone please feed it?
This song bites. Next........
The cat is hungry - can someone please feed it?
... can't never blame a bod who'z given it that much of an effort, and honest to boot! gotta look after them ears, hear? I continue to luv her outa site On_The_Beach wrote:
I've tried to like Tori Amos . . . honest. I even own several of her CDs, but I have to finally accept that she just puts a hurt on my ear. I'll take Kate Bush anyday.
past the mission even, under the pink, wherever?!
I've tried to like Tori Amos . . . honest. I even own several of her CDs, but I have to finally accept that she just puts a hurt on my ear. I'll take Kate Bush anyday.
Kate Bush wannabee. Not a bad source to emmulate.
This song sounds too much (to me) like her cover of "smells like teen spirit"