Only Tongue Can Tell Explained

Only Tongue Can Tell
Cover:	The Trash Can Sinatras Only Tongue Can Tell 1990 single cover.jpg
Type:	single
Artist:	The Trash Can Sinatras
Album:	Cake
B-Side:	Useless
Released:	16 April 1990^[1]
Length:	3:45
Label:	Go! Discs
Producer:	The Trash Can Sinatras
Prev Title:	Obscurity Knocks
Prev Year:	1990
Next Title:	Circling the Circumference
Next Year:	1990

"Only Tongue Can Tell" is a song by Scottish band The Trash Can Sinatras, which was released in 1990 as the second single from their debut studio album Cake. The song was written and produced by all five band members. "Only Tongue Can Tell" reached No. 77 in the UK Singles Chart and No. 8 in the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.^{[2] [3]}

Music video

The song's music video was directed by Mike Bell and produced by Grace Wells.^[4] It achieved breakout rotation on MTV.^[5]

Critical reception

On its release, Penny Kiley of the Liverpool Echo considered the song a "fine follow up" to "Obscurity Knocks". She praised the "good songwriting", "catchy guitars", "attractive harmonies" and "son-of-Morrissey vocals".^[6] David Quantick of New Musical Express commented, "A jolly jangle commences under a sweet voice and a folkie sort of pop tune. Vocals and melody a tad Roddy Frame but this is an enthusiastic bright pop affair and the Duane Eddy solo sucks your stomach out through your nose."^[7] Chris Roberts of Melody Maker wrote, "Oh boy, another Housemartins, another Aztec Camera, another bespectacled anally retentive piece of wacky buffoonery from the least gutsy label in the cosmos."^[8] In a review of Cake, Brent Ainsworth of the Santa Cruz Sentinel described "Only Tongue Can Tell" as a "playful romp through a green pasture of tinny guitar on a fresh-air keyboard backdrop".^[9]

Track listing

7-inch and cassette single^{[10] [11]}

1. "Only Tongue Can Tell" – 3:45
2. "Useless" – 4:32

12-inch and CD single^{[12] [13]}

1. "Only Tongue Can Tell" – 3:45
2. "Useless" – 4:32
3. "Tonight You Belong to Me" – 2:38

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the UK CD single liner notes and the Cake booklet.^{[13] [14]}

The Trash Can Sinatras

• Frank Reader – vocals
• Paul Livingston – lead guitar
• John Douglas – rhythm guitar
• George McDaid – bass
• Stephen Douglas – drums

Additional musicians

• Clark Sorley – keyboards on "Only Tongue Can Tell"

Production

• The Trash Can Sinatras – producers of "Only Tongue Can Tell" and "Tonight You Belong to Me"
• Roger Béchirian – producer of "Useless"
• Tony Harris – mixing on "Only Tongue Can Tell" and "Tonight You Belong to Me"
• John Leckie – mixing on "Useless"

Notes and References

1. News: Russell . Ian . 30 March 1990 . Trash Cans all over the place . . 7.
2. Web site: TRASH CAN SINATRAS | full Official Chart History . . 15 October 2021.
3. 22 December 1990. Modern Rock Tracks. Billboard. 24. World Radio History. 15 October 2021.
4. 15 December 1990. Music Video: New Videoclips. Billboard. 55. World Radio History. 15 October 2021.
5. 15 December 1990. Music Video: The Clip List. Billboard. 55. World Radio History. 15 October 2021.
6. News: Kiley. Penny. 9 June 1990. Alive and kicking!. Liverpool Echo. 7.
7. Quantick . David . 12 May 1990 . Singles . . 11.
8. Roberts . Chris . Singles . . 12 May 1990 . 32.
9. News: Ainsworth. Brent. 3 May 1991. Recordings: Having their Cake and eating it, too. Santa Cruz Sentinel. 14.
10. Only Tongue Can Tell. The Trash Can Sinatras. 1990. UK 7-inch single sleeve. Go! Discs. GOD 41, 886-992-7.
11. Only Tongue Can Tell. The Trash Can Sinatras. 1990. UK cassette single sleeve. Go! Discs. GODMC 41, 886-992-4.
12. Only Tongue Can Tell. The Trash Can Sinatras. 1990. UK 12-inch single sleeve. Go! Discs. GODX 41, 886 993-1.
13. Only Tongue Can Tell. The Trash Can Sinatras. 1990. UK CD single sleeve. Go! Discs. GODCD 41, 886-993-2.
14. Cake. Cake (album). The Trash Can Sinatras. 1990. UK vinyl LP sleeve notes. Go! Discs. 828 201-1.