Faith No More “Epic” released

Epic Faith No More

Writer(s): Mike Patton, Billy Gould, Jim Martin, Roddy Bottum, Mike Bordin (see lyrics here) Released: January 29, 1990 First Charted: January 30, 1990 Peak: 9 US, 7 CB, 21 RR, 25 AR, 25 UK, 19 CN, 13 AU, 1 DF (Click for codes to singles charts.) Sales (in millions): 0.5 US, 0.2 UK Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, 42.07 video, 160.74 streaming

Awards: Click on award for more details.

About the Song: The rock band Faith No More formed in 1979 in San Francisco, California, although they didn’t settle on that name until 1983. The group underwent several lineup changes early on, but bassist Billy Gould, drummer Mike Bordin, and keyboardist and rhythm guitarist Roddy Bottum remained constants since 1983. Singer Chuck Mosley appeared on two albums before replacing him with Mike Patton, who has been with the group ever since. Patton’s first album with the group, 1989’s The Real Thing, was a major breakthrough, giving the group its first charting album (#11 on the Billboard album chart) and a platinum seller. The single “Epic” was the first chart entry for Faith No More in the United States, reaching #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The first single, “From Out of Nowhere,” was such a disappointment to the label that they allowed the group to pick whatever song they wanted for the next single and video. WK The lyrically-enigmatic song, which never uses the word “epic,” is “about sexual frustration,” according to Patton. SF The video was filled with surreal images inspired by Salvador Dali SF combined with performance footage of the band. The video generated controversy because of a shot with a fish out of water that appears to be dying. WK The Philadelphia Daily News hailed the song as “radio-ready” WK while the Los Angeles Times called it “radical,” WK probably for its blend of genres, including funk, rap, heavy metal, and even classical. SF It has been credited as a cornerstone in the formation of nu metal. SF The song has been ranked on VH1’s top 100 lists of the greatest metal songs and best hard-rock songs. Resources: DMDB encyclopedia entry for Faith No More SF Songfacts WK Wikipedia Related Links: First posted 10/1/2022.