Hush (Tool song) explained
| Hush |
| Type: | song |
| Artist: | Tool |
| Ep: | Opiate |
| Released: | 1992 |
| Recorded: | 1991 |
| Studio: | Sound City, Van Nuys |
| Length: | 2:48 |
| Label: | Zoo |
| Producer: |
|
"Hush" is a song by American rock band Tool from their 1992 debut EP Opiate, recorded by producer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios.
Background
It was the first song that helped establish the band's reputation.[1] The lyrics protest Tipper Gore and censorship, which is a recurring theme in Tool songs.[2] [3]
The song was first recorded on a self-titled demo tape variously known as Toolshed and 72826, recorded in mid-1991. This demo version is not the same as the studio recording that appears on Opiate.
Music video
The music video for "Hush" was Tool's first ever music video. The video is shown in black-and-white-style, the band members appear nude in a white room, with black tape over their mouths. Toward the end of the video the band members are seen to be foaming at the mouth through the tape and eventually remove the tape itself. Signs shown over their genitalia read "Parental Advisory: Explicit Parts", a parody of the "Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics" sticker.
The Canadian music channel MuchMusic played it regularly.[4]
There is a misconception that Ken Andrews was the director,[5] [6] but the concept was entirely provided by vocalist Maynard James Keenan.[7] It is the only Tool music video other than "Sober" in which the band members appear, and the only one in which they appear in a prominent fashion.
The music video was released in 2000 as a bonus on the DVD,[8] [9] but not the VHS,[10] of the Salival box set.
Personnel
Further reading
- Web site: The Tool FAQ. Kabir Akhtar. The Tool Page. 2001-07-16. 2007-05-13.
Notes and References
- Encyclopedia: Tool Biography. Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Muze. 2007-02-01. 2007-05-13. excerpt; fee required. ..."Hush" helping establish a buzz for the band; the accompanying video graphically displayed the song's anti-censorship slant... as the band appeared naked with their mouths taped shut..
- Web site: Tool. Craig Joyce. Rough Guides. 1999-10-01. 2007-05-13. The first release from OPIATE, “Hush”, was a condemnation of censorship, something the band have repeatedly run into.. 2007-10-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20071013184138/http://www.mywire.com/pubs/RoughGuidesMusic/1999/10/01/284720?extID=10051. dead.
- News: Author's 'Taboo Tunes' hits a timely note. D. Parvaz. Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 2004-05-07. 2007-05-13.
- Tool interview with Theresa Roncon. Spotlight. MuchMusic. Toronto. February 1997. http://toolshed.down.net/articles/index.php?action=view-article&id=February_1997--Muchmusic.html. Transcribed by Rory Mitchell and archived at the Tool Page. “Theresa: We played it all the time on MuchMusic.”
- Tool: Stepping Out From the Shadows. Roman Sokal. Exclaim!. February 2000. 2007-05-13. The video for "Hush," directed by Failure’s Ken Andrews, portrays the band naked walking across a white room with Parental Advisory signs over their buttocks.. https://web.archive.org/web/20111029154503/http://exclaim.ca/Features/Timeline/tool-stepping_out_from_shadows. 2011-10-29.
- The Tool FAQ, D2.
- Web site: Tool. David Jenison. HYPNO, transcribed by K[elly] and archived at the Tool Page. December 1994. 37. 2007-05-13. The idea for the video, which was completely thought up by Maynard....
- Tool: Salival : Music Reviews. https://web.archive.org/web/20071114194314/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/tool/albums/album/193454/review/6068299. dead. November 14, 2007. Greg Kot. Rolling Stone. 2001-02-15. 2007-05-13. As a hidden bonus, there's "Hush," ...accompanied by an early, grainy black-and-white film of the guys in the band, nude, with parental-advisory stickers over their crotches and asses.. Greg Kot.
- News: CD/DVD set gives a look inside mind of Tool vocalist. Andrew Parks. University Wire, archived by HighBeam Research. 2001-03-06. 2007-05-13. membership required. ...viewers can even unlock the hidden gem, "Hush," ....
- The Tool FAQ, D3 and H7.
