Imagine you're sat at a party feet up on the sofa maybe a joint in one hand, beer in the other. You're 'people watching' as one familiar character after another rolls into the smoky room.
First there's Johnny, he always loves a party. He’s followed by Vinnie, who's feeling kinda skinny, he says "Hey Anne I'm starved what you got to eat", she says "Vinnie you're always starving man, get away from that fridge!” Here comes Lucy she's feeling really sexy, she's followed by her boyfriend, who'd better not turn around this time, or he's bound to lose her. And here comes Jamilla, who's got the cream soda...
I think you know where I'm going with this by now!
Ok if you weren't aware ANNE'S SONG is Faith No More's least successful single, it unfortunately failed to chart in any country! And yeah, I know what you're thinking 'it's been bugging you since the day I was born.' (Sorry couldn't resist!)
Released in theUK April 18th 1988 , exactly three months after We Care A lot, it was the second and last single the band released with Chuck Mosley singing. It was released on 12" and 7" with a gorgeous yellow vinyl sleeve sporting a cool picture of the band, and on 7" picture disc (a very tasty little collector's item.)
Anne’s Song is fun, funky and full of great rhythms and melodies. Bill Gould's poppy bass groove, like so many otherFNM songs takes the lead, laying down a riff we can hum and bounce up and down to.
Roddy Bottum's keys are fantastic in this tune, his piano melody is graceful and enchanting and it highlights his classical training.
The drum track is not dissimilar from We Care A Lot, Mike Bordin accenting the rhythm of Bill's bass riff with that great sharp sound tweaked by Matt Wallace's immaculate production.
Jim Martin shows off his skill with an elaborately layered solo, it's so extravagant he needs three hands to play it in the video!First there's Johnny, he always loves a party. He’s followed by Vinnie, who's feeling kinda skinny, he says "Hey Anne I'm starved what you got to eat", she says "Vinnie you're always starving man, get away from that fridge!” Here comes Lucy she's feeling really sexy, she's followed by her boyfriend, who'd better not turn around this time, or he's bound to lose her. And here comes Jamilla, who's got the cream soda...
I think you know where I'm going with this by now!
Ok if you weren't aware ANNE'S SONG is Faith No More's least successful single, it unfortunately failed to chart in any country! And yeah, I know what you're thinking 'it's been bugging you since the day I was born.' (Sorry couldn't resist!)
Released in the
Anne’s Song is fun, funky and full of great rhythms and melodies. Bill Gould's poppy bass groove, like so many other
Roddy Bottum's keys are fantastic in this tune, his piano melody is graceful and enchanting and it highlights his classical training.
The drum track is not dissimilar from We Care A Lot, Mike Bordin accenting the rhythm of Bill's bass riff with that great sharp sound tweaked by Matt Wallace's immaculate production.
Chuck Mosley's punk-like tones and spoken word perfectly narrate the story that unfolds.
The song fades out with a marching beat and a strong melody that sticks in your head. Is it just me or do you blast into the verse of Introduce yourself regardless too?
I used a lot positive adjectives in that description which would suggest there is no reason why the single failed in its musical structure. In fact it is extremely original and unique amongst the tracks on the album, not really adhering to a traditional ‘verse, chorus’ format. And like so many FNM songs ahead of it’s time.
The lyrics in Anne's Song stand out on Introduce Yourself, written by Chuck and Roddy they tell the story of Anne. They describe her as having a cheerful disposition and a positive outlook on life, someone to turn to for advice, a friend. They go on to describe a party presumably hosted by Anne herself. Brought to life by colourful description and poetic phrases these lyrics are witty and engaging.
So the question is…..Anne who? We asked Roddy.....
'Ann was a friend of Chuck's who lives in the lower east side in NYC. All of the people referenced in that song were part of her 'crew' and are all featured in the black and white sections of the Anne's Song video' - Roddy Bottum 2013.
And Chuck himself explains why he told her particular story.
'Anne's song was quite simply, a pep talk that i got from my friend Anne, when I was down in the dumps about not getting along, or seeing eye to eye with my band mates at the time. It's also an introduction to all of our friends and family in
If you didn't already know, Chuck is working on an autobiography. So leaving us on cliff hanger there we will have to wait that story then Chuck!
The Video for Anne's Song was directed and produced by Tamra Davis and was her second music video. She went on to direct for NWA, Sonic Youth and....erm....Hanson! She also directed the movie Billy Madison starring Adam Sandler, Crossroads starring Britney Spears and various American TV shows. Despite this less than attractive dossier the video for Anne’s Song is ok. The guys look a little uncomfortable, but then again it was only their second go at it too, and they have always said filming is not something they really enjoy. As we have already found out the footage is of Chuck's actual friends no actors were employed. I think it would have benefited from more shots of the band in action, a little less of the dodgy smoke effects and maybe only one Jim during the solo! I do however like the way Roddy and Chuck look in the video, they are much more charismatic and confident in their parts.
But hey, we can't blame the poor performance of the single on a cheap video.....look at Everything's Ruined!
Anne's Song was a permanent fixture within FNM ’s live set during Chuck's time in their ranks only to be dropped when Mike Patton took the job of front man.
What follows is a section from a gig review from published in 1988.
'The highlight of the gig was a raucous rendition of We Care A lot. The band's most popular song by far and their first single from recent album Introduce Yourself. The crowd leaped around the room like they were possessed. A great cover of Black Sabbath's macabre War Pigs was followed by Anne's Song the next single scheduled for release over here in May, Mosley took pleasure in taunting the front row as they tried to burst through the roof to what maybe the song that takes this cult band to the next level' -LU Music Press 1988.
Despite critical acclaim from publications like NME and Kerrang Faith No More's status remained cult until the release of The Real Thing. After Chuck's departure and the success they found due to the MTV generation, a new group of fans (myself included) discovered their earlier albums and Anne's Song finally got the respect it deserved.
My love of
I will finish by saying that this song is ‘that track’ on the album that hints at a something more than metal, rap metal, rock or however the media have to label Faith No More’s music. Like Edge Of The World on The Real Thing or RV on Angel Dust, Anne’s Song shows that the band are different, and unable to be pigeonholed by the music press……although they do try!
Thanks to Chuck, Roddy, and Doug for your help, and thanks to you guys for reading.
Jim
Thanks to Chuck, Roddy, and Doug for your help, and thanks to you guys for reading.
Jim