Talula

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The song is about the concept of ideal woman and the fear of losing someone.[http://www.yessaid.com/int/1996-05_Vox.html Quotes from interviews with Tori Amos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115180825/http://www.yessaid.com/int/1996-05_Vox.html |date=January 15, 2020 }} 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".

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."{{cite magazine|first=Larry|last=Flick|title=Reviews & Previews: Singles|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/90s/1996/BB-1996-05-04.pdf|magazine=Billboard|date=May 4, 1996|page=43|accessdate=November 27, 2022|author-link=Larry Flick}} 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."Courtney, Kevin (January 26, 1996). "Rock". Irish Times.

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• US maxi-CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Talula|others=Tori Amos|year=1996|type=US maxi-CD single liner notes|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=CD5 2-85504}}

1. "Talula" (Tornado album version) – 3:43
2. "Samurai" – 3:03
3. "Frog on My Toe" – 3:40
4. "London Girls" (Chas & Dave cover) – 3:20
5. "Talula" (BT's Synethasia mix) – 11:27

• UK CD1 and Australian CD single{{cite AV media notes|title=Talula|others=Tori Amos|year=1996|type=UK CD1 & Australian CD single liner notes|publisher=EastWest Records|id=A8512CD1, 7567-88512-2}}

1. "Talula" (the Tornado mix) – 3:43
2. "Talula" (BT's Synethasia mix) – 11:27
3. "Amazing Grace / Til the Chicken" – 6:48

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• UK CD2{{cite AV media notes|title=Talula|others=Tori Amos|year=1996|type=UK CD2 liner notes|publisher=EastWest Records|id=A8512CD2, 7567-88511-2}}

1. "Talula" (the Tornado mix) – 3:43
2. "Frog on My Toe" – 3:40
3. "Sister Named Desire" – 5:29
4. "Alamo" – 5:11

• UK cassette single{{cite AV media notes|title=Talula|others=Tori Amos|year=1996|type=UK cassette single sleeve|publisher=EastWest Records|id=A8512C}}

1. "Talula" (the Tornado mix) – 3:43
2. "Sister Named Desire" – 5:29

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Credits are lifted from the Boys for Pele album booklet.{{cite AV media notes|title=Boys for Pele|title-link=Boys for Pele|others=Tori Amos|year=1996|type=US CD album booklet|publisher=Atlantic Records|id=82862-2}}

Recording and production

• Recorded at a church (Delgany, Ireland) and "a wonderfully damp Georgian house" (County Cork, Ireland)
• Additionally recorded at The Egyptian Room and Dinosaur Studios (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Mixed at Jacobs Studios (Surrey, England), Mix This!, and Record One (Los Angeles)
• Tornado mix mixed on Euphonix at The Strongroom (London, England)
• Mastered at Gateway Mastering (Portland, Maine)

Personnel

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• Tori Amos – writing, vocals, harpsichord, production
• George Porter Jr. – bass
• Manu Katche – drums
• Mino Cinelu – percussion
• Steve Caton – mandolins, all guitars
• Alan Friedman – drum programming
• Tracy Griffin – flugelhorn
• Brian Graber – flugelhorn
• Clarence J. Johnson III – tenor saxophone
• Mark Mullins – trombone, horn arrangement
• Craig Klein – sousaphone
• Mark Hawley – recording
• Marcel van Limbeek – recording
• Rob van Tuin – recording assistance
• Bob Clearmountain – mixing
• Ryan Freeland – mixing assistance
• Brian Transeau – Tornado mix reworking
• Tim Weidner – Tornado mix engineering and Sound Tools
• Bob Ludwig – mastering

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Category:Tori Amos songs

Category:1996 singles

Category:1996 songs

Category:Atlantic Records singles

Category:East West Records singles

Category:Music videos directed by Mike Lipscombe