you for a while

Music and Lyrics by: Tori Amos

Instrumentation: Vocal, Acoustic Piano

Brief Summary: The story in “Icicle” is told from the perspective of a little girl suppressed by religion and the “morals and values” she is supposed to strictly adhere to. The only release from this pressure this girl receives is through masturbation–which is ironic given the taboo of this practice as far as Christians are concerned. Taboo doesn’t stop this girl, though.

Tori’s Comments: (from the Under the Pink songbook) “Sakura sakura yayoi no sora wa miwatasu kagiri. I dreamed things were frozen in ice–songs and other dreams. And the ice can carry secret messages that warm a little girl’s heart.”

Fan Comments/Interpretations: The Icicle is easy to interpret as a phallic symbol, which falls in line with the rest of the masturbation motif. Fans agree with the “story,” but other interesting side-interps include: The “melting” of innocence, Tori’s struggle to reclaim her faith, and general sexual liberation.

China2Ny’s Comments: There is a version if Icicle, I don’t know which performance it was, that had a beautiful little improve in the beginning of the song…that is my favorite. Being pretty young when I started listening to Under the Pink, I didn’t get what the song was about for a while…I just thought it was a pretty little ditty about feeling religiously repressed. But when I got it I was like, “Tori…you are awesome” and listened to the song with newfound empowerment.