The sixth studio album of the rock band Faith No More was coolly received by critics, which the musicians self-confidently called Album of the Year. Rolling Stone rated it 1.5 out of five, and Pitchfork’s review said, “You definitely don’t want to have this in your CD player.”
Mike Patton later said that the band disbanded after this release as they “started making bad music” and their next record would be “a piece of shit”.
Perhaps the only really successful track in the album can be considered the composition Ashes to Ashes. The article is devoted to the history of creation and the meaning of the rock ballad.
Ashes to Ashes – Faith No More Song Story
Billy Gould talked about how the band members worked on the track:
The bulk of the song was written during the first week. We arranged it here and then sent Patton a tape. He was in Italy, but immediately came up with the words and the vocal part. It was one of those songs that just hit the spot, one of those songs that we record naturally. This is our sound.
Keyboard Magazine, 1997
Years later, Billy claimed to still like the song:
It’s like when you eat something and all the ingredients fit together. You can’t really say why you like it, but you just know what you like. To me, a song has a format, scope, melody and impact. She gives me everything I need to feel good.
2016
The meaning of the song Ashes to Ashes
I don’t want to start talking about the main idea of the track and try to explain what the Ashes to Ashes song is about. Rather, remember how Mike Patton described a typical creative process:
I feel like too many people think too much about my lyrics. I am one of those people who work much more with the sound of a word than with its meaning. Often I choose words only for rhythm, not for meaning.
Fans of Faith No More were divided as they tried to figure out the main idea behind Ashes to Ashes. Some people think it’s about drugs. Others believe that the composition tells about a maniac. Still others are sure that a person with suicidal tendencies is meant. There were also versions about biblical overtones, broken love, seeking forgiveness, and so on.
Release and achievements
The song became the seventh track on the album Album of the Year. The single Ashes to Ashes was released by Faith No More on May 19, 1997. It was re-published in January 1998.
The ballad topped the UK Rock and Metal charts. It peaked at number fifteen on the main singles chart. In the US, the song reached number twenty-three on the Billboard Mainstream Rock.
Ashes to Ashes – Faith No More Video
The music video for the song was directed by Tim Royes. Let’s see the clip.
Ashes to Ashes Lyrics by Faith No More
I want them to know, it’s me
It’s on my head
I’ll point the finger at me
It’s on my head
Give it all to you, then I’ll be closer
Smiling with the mouth of the ocean
And I’ll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
I’ll see you
I will let you shout no more
It’s on my head
I’ll pick you up from the floor
It’s on my head
I’ll let you even the score
It’s on my head
Give it all to you, then I’ll be closer
Smiling with the mouth of the ocean
And I’ll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
I’ll see you
Give the same to me, then I’ll be closer, closer
Give the same to me, then I’ll be closer, closer
Smiling with the mouth of the ocean
And I’ll wave to you with the arms of the mountain
Give the same to me, then I’ll be closer, closer
Give the same to me, then I’ll be closer, closer
Bill Gould / Jon David Hudson / Michael Allen Patton / Michael Andrew Bordin / Roddy Christopher Bottum
© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Ashes to Ashes Lyrics Alternative
I want them to know it’s me
All responsibility is on me.
I’ll point my finger at myself
All responsibility is on me.
I’ll give you everything, then I’ll be closer.
Smiling at the mouth of the ocean,
I will wave my arms to you.
I’ll see you,
I won’t let you scream anymore
All responsibility is on me.
I’ll pick you up from the floor
All responsibility is on me.
I’ll let you even the score
All responsibility is on me.
Smiling at the mouth of the ocean,
I will wave my arms to you.
I’ll see you
Give me the same, then I’ll be closer, closer
Give me the same, then I’ll be closer, closer.
Smiling at the mouth of the ocean,
I will wave my arms to you.
I’ll see you
Give me the same, then I’ll be closer, closer
Give me the same, then I’ll be closer, closer.
