"Opiate" | |
---|---|
Song by Tool | |
from the album Opiate | |
Released | March 10, 1992 |
Recorded | December 1991 – January 1992 |
Length | 5:20 |
Label | Zoo |
Songwriter(s) | |
Producer(s) |
"Opiate" is a song by Tool and the title track from their debut EP recorded by producer Sylvia Massy at Sound City Studios in 1991. While never released as an official single, it is one of the best known songs among their early work. "Opiate" serves as the final track of the Opiate EP and contains the hidden track, "The Gaping Lotus Experience".
The song's title and lyrics apparently elaborate on the Marxist concept that "religion is the opium of the masses". Keenan's lyrics liken organized religion to rape and abuse by a person or group of people to another person or group of people. The lyric "deaf and blind and dumb and born to follow, what you need is someone strong to guide you" supports this notion.
Live performances
"Opiate" has held a regular position on Tool's concert setlist since 1992. In 1994, it was often played back-to-back with "Flood", transitioning smoothly between songs and skipping the lengthy "Flood" intro. By 1996, "Opiate" would often serve as the penultimate song of concerts, preceding "Ænema". Maynard James Keenan has dedicated the song to psychologist and author Timothy Leary on multiple occasions and to former Tool bassist Paul D'Amour on others, referring to him as "Paul of Love".[1] Sometimes when played live, Keenan sings "...what you need is someone strong to use you".
Various musicians have collaborated with Tool in performing "Opiate" live. Examples include Layne Staley in 1993 and '94,[2] Tricky in 2001,[3] and Heitham Al-Sayed in 2006.[4] Nu metal band Limp Bizkit has also been known to have covered the song live.[5]
Opiate2
"Opiate" was re-recorded and released as "Opiate2" or "Opiate Squared" on March 1, 2022. It is almost four minutes longer than the original and includes the same lyrics as the live version, plus the extended instrumental midsection. A Blu-ray short film directed by Dominic Hailstone was released on March 18 to commemorate the EP's 30th anniversary. The commentary is provided by BenDeLaCreme and Jinkx Monsoon of RuPaul's Drag Race.[6]
Charts
Chart (2022) | Peak position |
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New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[7] | 34 |
Personnel
Tool
- Maynard James Keenan – vocals
- Adam Jones – guitar, synthesizer (Opiate2)
- Paul D'Amour – bass guitar
- Danny Carey – drums
- Justin Chancellor – bass guitar (Opiate2)
Technical personnel
- Sylvia Massy – production
- Steve Hansgen – production
- Tool - production (Opiate2)
- Toshi Kasai - engineering (Opiate2)
- "Evil" Joe Barresi – mixing (Opiate2)
- Bob Ludwig - mastering (Opiate2)
References
- ^ TOOL-Opiate 11.1.2001 Audio w/Tricky on YouTube. Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ Metal News - Tool's Keenan 'Near Perfect' For Alice In Chains ( Metal Underground . com )
- ^ The Tool Page: Tour Reviews
- ^ Heitham Al-Sayed with Tool
- ^ Limp Bizkit Opiate Cover on YouTube (March 16, 2006). Retrieved on August 9, 2008.
- ^ "Hear Tool's "Opiate2": New Studio Version of Extended "Opiate"". Revolver. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. March 7, 2022. Retrieved March 5, 2022.