Cornflake Girl

"Cornflake Girl"
Standard US artwork (CD edition pictured)
Single by Tori Amos
from the album Under the Pink
B-side	"Sister Janet" "Daisy Dead Petals" "Honey" "A Case of You" "If 6 Was 9" "Strange Fruit" "All the Girls Hate Her/Over It (Piano Suite)"
Released	January 10, 1994 (1994-01-10)
Studio	The Fishhouse (New Mexico, US)
Genre	Pop[1]
Length	5:06 (album version) 3:54 (edit)
Label	Atlantic EastWest
Songwriter(s)	Tori Amos
Producer(s)	Tori Amos Eric Rosse
Tori Amos singles chronology
"Crucify" (1992) "Cornflake Girl" (1994) "God" (1994)
Music video
US version on YouTube
UK version on YouTube

"Cornflake Girl" is a song by American singer-songwriter Tori Amos. It was released on January 10, 1994, as the first single from her second studio album, Under the Pink (1994), by EastWest Records in the United Kingdom. In the United States, it served as the album's second single, after "God". Singer Merry Clayton provided backing vocals and sings the "man with the golden gun" bridge.^[2]

Peaking at number seven on the US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100, "Cornflake Girl" also experienced commercial success worldwide. It reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, number nine on the Irish Singles Chart, and number two in Iceland. In Australia, Belgium, Canada and the Netherlands, it reached the top 40.

Inspiration and meaning

The inspiration for "Cornflake Girl" came from a conversation Tori Amos was having with a longtime friend about female genital mutilation in Africa, specifically how a close female family member would betray the victim by performing the procedure. Amos has said that growing up, the name they gave to girls who would hurt you despite close friendship was cornflake girls.^[3]

Release

Two separate "Cornflake Girl" CD singles were released in the UK. The first, released on January 10, 1994, contains three original b-sides: "Sister Janet", "All the Girls Hate Her" and "Over It"; the latter two being part of a Piano Suite. The second, released on January 17, 1994, was a limited edition picture CD housed in a digipak, containing cover versions of the songs "A Case of You" by Joni Mitchell, "If 6 Was 9" by Jimi Hendrix and "Strange Fruit" by Billie Holiday. The first CD single was replicated for the German and Australasian release, and its b-sides were re-used for the US "God" and "Cornflake Girl" releases. Other than "A Case of You" appearing on a US promotional CD compilation and a limited 2-CD Australian tour edition of "Under the Pink", the three cover versions on the limited UK "Cornflake Girl" CD single have not been released on any other title to date, and are not available to purchase through digital retailers. As such, this CD remains a collectible item.

Reception

Ned Raggett from AllMusic described the song as "a waltz-paced number with an unnerving whistle and stuttering vocal hook."^[4] Larry Flick from Billboard noted it as a "bouncy, piano-driven single". He added, "As always, Amos weaves lyrics that push you to think as well as hum" and "this could be the big hit Amos has been waiting for."^[5] Troy J. Augusto from Cash Box wrote, "More painful confessional from Amos, a gifted singer-songwriter with a knack for making childhood pain perfect top-40 fodder. Reminiscent of early Kate Bush, this track will look to alternative and college radio for acceptance first, with rock outlets hopefully responding as well. Thematically, a bit depressing for hits stations, but an affecting, important release nonetheless."^[6] Peter Paphides from Melody Maker said, "'Cornflake Girl' is a seductive mordant piano and guitar duel that resolves itself only when everything stops and Tori does this really scary Kate Bush-like squeal on the chorus."^[7] Another editor, Chris Roberts, remarked the "sedulous swing" of the song.^[8]

A reviewer from Music & Media stated, "Amos is no musical Tory; she's as progressive and challenging as can be. But then again, this cornflake girl wouldn't have been what she is without having eaten from Kate Bush's cereal."^[9] John Kilgo from The Network Forty called it "trademark Tori Amos from the lyrics to the grassroots cadence."^[10] Mark Frith from Smash Hits gave it two out of five, describing it as a "melancholy tune that doesn't go anywhere."^[11] Keeley Bolger commented in the 2010 book, 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die, that it "could sound depressing in the wrong hands, but Amos's charm conjures up a song that is as otherworldly as its subject. The piano cascades, soft percussion, and ghostly chorus set it apart from the plod of Britpop and post-grunge dominating transatlantic charts at the time."^[12] In 2014, Stereogum ranked the song number one on their list of the 10 greatest Tori Amos songs,^[13] and in 2023, The Guardian ranked the song number seven on their list of the 20 greatest Tori Amos songs.^[14]

The song reached number four on the UK Singles Chart and was Amos' most successful international hit at the time. The single peaked within the top 10 in Ireland^[15] and Iceland,^[16] and within the top 20 in Australia.^[17] It was placed at number 35 on the Australian radio station Triple J's 1994 Hottest 100 poll,^[18] and ranked in Blender magazine's The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born at number 433.^[19]

Music video

There were produced two different music videos for "Cornflake Girl". The UK version was directed by Big TV!, two directors from the UK. Amos said that is based on The Wizard of Oz, except that Dorothy goes to Hell instead. Amos stated that she wanted there to be "two different visual expressions" of the song.^[20] The US video features Amos driving a truck full of women around a typical American desert.

Track listings

US CD single[21] "Cornflake Girl" (edit) – 3:53 "Sister Janet" – 4:01 "Daisy Dead Petals" – 3:02 "Honey" – 3:47 US cassette single[22] "Cornflake Girl" (edit) – 3:53 "Honey" – 3:47 Canadian and Australian CD single, UK CD1[23][24] "Cornflake Girl" – 5:05 "Sister Janet" – 4:02 Piano Suite "All the Girls Hate Her" – 2:23 "Over It" – 2:11

UK CD2[25] "Cornflake Girl" – 5:05 "A Case of You" – 4:38 "If 6 Was 9" – 3:59 "Strange Fruit" – 4:00 UK 7-inch and cassette single[26][27] "Cornflake Girl" – 5:05 "Sister Janet" – 4:01

Credits and personnel

Credits are adapted from the Under the Pink album booklet.^[28]

Studios

• Recorded at The Fishhouse (New Mexico, US)
• Mixed at Olympic Studios (London, England)
• Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine, US)

Personnel

• Tori Amos – writing, vocals, piano, production
• Merry Clayton – guest vocals
• Steve Clayton – guitar, mandolin
• George Porter Jr. – bass
• Carlo Nuccio – drums
• Paulinho da Costa – percussion
• Eric Rosse – production, recording (guitars, other instruments), programming
• John Beverly Jones – recording (vocals, piano, percussion)
• Paul McKenna – recording (bass, drums)
• Kevin Killen – mixing
• Bob Ludwig – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Weekly chart performance for "Cornflake Girl" Chart (1994) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[17] 19 Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[29] 38 Canada Top Singles (RPM)[30] 30 Canada Adult Contemporary (RPM)[31] 24 Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[32] 16 Europe (European AC Radio)[33] 8 Germany (GfK)[34] 73 Iceland (Íslenski listinn Topp 40)[16] 2 Ireland (IRMA)[15] 9 Italy (Musica e dischi)[35] 13 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[36] 30 Netherlands (Single Top 100)[37] 26 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[38] 41 UK Singles (OCC)[39] 4 US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[40] 7 US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[41] 12 Finnish Singles (The Official Finnish Charts)[42] 18

Year-end charts Year-end chart performance for "Cornflake Girl" Chart (1994) Position Australia (ARIA)[43] 97 Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 40)[44] 65 UK Singles (Hit Music)[45] 101

Release history

Release dates and formats for "Cornflake Girl"

Region	Date	Format(s)	Label(s)	Ref.
United Kingdom	January 10, 1994	7-inch vinyl CD	Atlantic EastWest	[46]
Australia	February 14, 1994	CD cassette	EastWest	[47]

Cover versions and other uses

The song was covered by post-hardcore band Jawbox as a hidden track on their self-titled 1996 album,^[48] as well as by the band Tapping the Vein on the Tori Amos tribute album, Songs of a Goddess.^[49] In 2007, after Amos had to pull out of an appearance on the Australian comedy program The Sideshow, musical comedy trio Tripod performed the song in her place.^[50]

On March 25, 2010, British electronic musician Imogen Heap covered the song live in Australia. The performance was done per request by the winner of an online charity auction who paid about US$4000 to win the item "VIP Experience Meet Imogen Heap + A Song Just For You".^[51]

On September 19, 2018, the British band Florence + The Machine released their version of this song, exclusively for Spotify.

A cover version performed by Jeff Russo and Noah Hawley was used for the soundtrack to season 2 of the TV series Legion.

In 2023, the song was featured in the drama television series Yellowjackets (Season 2, Episode 1, "Friends, Romans, Countrymen")^[52][53] and the Netflix dramedy series Beef (Season 1, Episode 2, "The Rapture of Being Alive").^[54]

References

1. Christensen, Thor (1998). "Tori Amos". In Graff, Gary; Durchholz, Daniel (eds.). MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Detroit: Visible Ink Press. p. 26.
2. "The Unsung Stories of Merry Clayton & Darlene Love". GO Magazine. July 16, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
3. "Tori Amos' Real-Life Stint as a Cornflake Girl". Mental Floss. October 18, 2011. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
4. Raggett, Ned. "Tori Amos – Under the Pink". AllMusic. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
5. Flick, Larry (June 18, 1994). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 51. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
6. Augusto, Troy J. (June 18, 1994). "Pop Singles: Reviews" (PDF). Cash Box. p. 7. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
7. Paphides, Peter (January 15, 1993). "Singles". Melody Maker. p. 26. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
8. Roberts, Chris (January 29, 1994). "Albums". Melody Maker. p. 31. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
9. "New Releases: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. January 22, 1994. p. 9. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
10. Kilgo, John (June 10, 1994). "Mainstream: Music Meeting" (PDF). The Network Forty. p. 22. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
11. Frith, Mark (January 5, 1994). "New Singles". Smash Hits. p. 53. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
12. Dimery, Robert, ed. (2011) [2010]. "10,001 Songs You Must Hear…". 1001 Songs You Must Hear Before You Die. Octopus Publishing Group. ISBN 978-1-84403-684-4.
13. Dick, Jonathan (June 18, 2014). "The 10 Best Tori Amos Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
14. Petridis, Alexis (August 17, 2023). "Tori Amos's 20 greatest songs – ranked!". The Guardian. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
15. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Cornflake Girl". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
16. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (24.03.1994 – 30.03.1994)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). March 24, 1994. p. 20. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
17. "Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
18. "Hottest 100 > 1994". ABC. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
19. "Blender Magazine – 500 Greatest Songs From 1980–2005 (Music Database :: Dave Tompkins)". www.cs.ubc.ca. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
20. "NME > Tori Amos – The Story Behind 'Cornflake Girl – Classic Song". YouTube.com. October 16, 2012. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2019.
21. Cornflake Girl (US CD single liner notes). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 85655-2.
22. Cornflake Girl (US cassette single sleeve). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 4-87004.
23. Cornflake Girl (Canadian CD single disc notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. CD 85693.
24. Cornflake Girl (UK CD1 & Australian CD single disc notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7281CD, 7567-85695-2.
25. Cornflake Girl (UK CD2 disc notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1994. A7281CDX, 7567-85688-2.
26. Cornflake Girl (UK 7-inch single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records, Atlantic Records. 1994. A 7281, 7567-87281-7.
27. Cornflake Girl (UK cassette single cassette notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records, Atlantic Records. 1994. A7281C, 7565-87281-4.
28. Under the Pink (US CD album booklet). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1994. 82567-2.
29. "Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
30. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 2421." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
31. "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 2443." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
32. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 11, no. 6. February 5, 1994. p. 21. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
33. "Adult Contemporary Europe Top 25" (PDF). Music & Media. March 26, 1994. p. 26. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
34. "Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
35. "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved January 23, 2024. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Tori Amos" in the "Titolo" field and press "cerca".
36. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 9, 1994" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
37. "Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
38. "Tori Amos – Cornflake Girl". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
39. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
40. "Tori Amos Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
41. "Tori Amos Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
42. https://musiikkiarkisto.fi/oa/_tiedostot/julkaisut/sisaltaa-hitin.pdf ^{[bare URL PDF]}
43. "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles 1994". ARIA. Archived from the original on October 25, 2015. Retrieved October 25, 2015.
44. "Árslistinn 1994". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). January 2, 1995. p. 25. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
45. "1994 - Singles" (PDF). January 7, 1995. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
46. "Single Releases" (PDF). Music Week. January 8, 1994. p. 15. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
47. "New Release Summary – Product Available from: 14/2/1994 > Singles (from The ARIA Report Issue No. 209 – Week Ending 13th February 1994)". ARIA. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
48. Hajari, Nisid (July 26, 1996). "Music Capsule Review: Jawbox". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved March 12, 2008.
49. "A Tribute To Tori Amos – Songs Of A Goddess". Amazon.com.
50. The Sideshow, Episode 15. September 15, 2007.
51. "Broadcast Yourself". YouTube.com. 2010. Retrieved January 10, 2012.^{[dead YouTube link]}
52. Zuckerman, Esther (March 24, 2023). "'Yellowjackets' Season 2 Premiere Recap: Best Friends Forever". The New York Times.
53. Tangcay, Jazz (March 24, 2023). "'Yellowjackets' Music Supervisor on Why Tori Amos' 'Cornflake Girl' Was Perfect for Season 2 Premiere: 'It Deals With Betrayals Between Women'". Variety.
54. Bitran, Tara (April 7, 2023). "Rock Out to the Angsty '90s Songs in the 'BEEF' Soundtrack. Music supervisor Tiffany Anders threw all her rules "out the window" for Lee Sung Jin's new series". Netflix.