Format CD, 12 | Recorded 1997 | |
B-side "Never Seen Blue" "Beulah Land" Released September 15, 1998 (US)February 23, 1999 (Remixes) Genre Baroque popalternative rockpiano rock | ||
"Jackie's Strength" is a song by Tori Amos, released as the second single from her 1998 album From the Choirgirl Hotel. It reached #54 on the U.S. Hot 100 chart. The remix single, released the following year, reached number one on the Hot Dance Club Play chart in the U.S. The lyrics refer to Jackie Onassis, there is also a brief reference to the Kennedy assassination ("Shots rang out, the police came"), though Amos herself explained that the song also concerns her own personal doubts about marriage. Amos reiterated this in an interview with columnist Steven Daly in Rolling Stone Magazine (Issue #789; June 25, 1998).
Contents
Music video
The music video, which is in black and white, portrays Amos as a bride on her wedding day. She travels in a taxi cab, hiding from her wedding party as the taxi passes by the church where she is to be married. The video includes imagery of realistic situations such as teen pregnancy, pre-marital sex, interracial relationships and use of medication by elderly persons. The video can be interpreted as a commentary on life-changing decisions. It was directed by James Brown.
US Enhanced CD single
Includes videos of "Jackie's Strength" and "Raspberry Swirl"
- "Jackie's Strength" - 4:17
- "Never Seen Blue" - 3:41
- "Beulah Land" - 2:56
US CD remix single
- "Jackie's Strength (Wedding Cake Edit)" - 4:03
- "Father Lucifer (Sylkscreen Remix)" - 4:30
- "Jackie's Strength (Wedding Cake Club Mix)" - 8:40
- "Jackie's Strength (One Rascal Dub #1)" - 6:24
- "Father Lucifer (Sylkscreen Remix Instrumental)" - 4:26
- "Jackie's Strength (Wedding Cake Meltdown Mix)" - 8:19
- "Jackie's Strength (One Rascal Dub #2)" - 5:02
- "Jackie's Strength (Bonus Beats)" - 2:41
Reception
More than 10,000 units of the single have been sold as of October 3, 1998. It also peaked at number 33 in Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales.