The single version, titled "The Tornado Mix", is remixed by BT, who went on to work with Amos on "Blue Skies", and includes a minor dance beat. In the UK, "Talula (The Tornado Mix)" replaced the original version of the song on later pressings of the album and eventual re-pressings in the US and Australia. BT also remixed an extended mix called the "Synesthasia Mix" which appeared on copies of the single.
The song is about the concept of ideal woman and the fear of losing someone.[2] The lyrics includes references to queens like Marie Antoinette and Anne Boleyn.
The B-side "Sister Named Desire" is a reference to Delirium's sister/brother Desire of Sandman, created by Amos' friend Neil Gaiman. The character of Delirium is frequently inspired by Tori, although Delirium was created before Gaiman met her. "Desire" was later remastered for the compilation Where's Neil When You Need Him?, which featured tracks inspired by Gaiman's work. This is not the first nor last time Tori has mentioned Neil Gaiman; he is referenced in her songs: "Tear in Your Hand", "Space Dog", "Horses", "Hotel", "Carbon", and "Not Dying Today".
Critical reception
Larry Flick from Billboard wrote, "Typically beady and tough to penetrate on a lyrical level, this is a roller coaster of musical sounds, rapidly swerving from sweeping acoustic strumming to electro-hip funk beats."[3] Kevin Courtney from Irish Times felt that tracks like "Talula" "creep over you like the smell of home cooking, but don't get too comfortable although Missy Amos can rustic up some very palatable fare, she has a rather irritating tendency to overturn the dinner table."[4]
^Talula (UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1996. A8512CD1, 7567-88512-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Talula (UK CD2 liner notes). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1996. A8512CD2, 7567-88511-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Talula (UK cassette single sleeve). Tori Amos. EastWest Records. 1996. A8512C.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
^Boys for Pele (US CD album booklet). Tori Amos. Atlantic Records. 1996. 82862-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
