[Muhabsssa]

So, I was supposed to do this song of the week, but I broke my arm pretty severely last week (basically in half at the upper arm bone), so I've been busy with hospital visits and trying to catch up with work while also trying to figure out how to use a voice recognition software instead of typing. Anyway, I wanted to come in and say that this is probably my favorite Tori Amos song on my favorite Tori Amos album. I bought this album when it came out when I was 17 years old, and this is the first song that immediately connected to and loved, and it's still one of my favorites today. I love the imagery of flowing and changing throughout the song. I see a theme of death running through this: things moving and changing and disappearing and dissolving and still being able to hold onto all of that change and accept it. It has one my favorite lines from a Tori Amos song, too, with "a lilac mess in your prom dress", which connects to the sexual imagery in this song (I think sex and death are the two main parts of the song for me): I think of the liquid diamonds as being sexual fluids. I adore the ending, with the whole stream of consciousness freak out, and how the whole song seems to flow in change and fade in and out. Such a beautiful song. sorry if any of this seems garbled: I'm still trying to figure out the software.

[Tuqofiw]

Definitely one of her most perfect studio performances. The song is incredible from start to finish and it is perfectly realized on the album. I love the play between dry and reverb on her vocals. Fantastic.

[bF8CCmmr]

lettyt couldn't post this week's SOTW.

So here it is for you. Spread some love and your thoughts on Liquid Diamonds.

With band / 1998



Solo / 2005

[johnstylet]

"Liquid Diamonds" is one of Tori's most absolutely singable songs...partially because of the gorgeous melody, but also for me because it's in such a low register of her voice, so it sits right in the middle of my voice. I love it.

Plus, the imagery is so dark and murky and awesome. And the drum loop is spooky.

[Teomaderm]

I thought this song was a big bore at first, then after a few months listened to it and love it. I've no idea what the lyrics mean but it sounds great. :P

[aLZ9zKsO]

This is one of my absolutely favourite versions of this song. It was this video during this tour that left me dumbfounded about where this woman was in the studio. "Matty, bring me those beats."

I always used to hate Liquid Diamonds - and I always hated the title, but once I sank into it, i never got out. I love how it washes over itself, and her vocal is so clear and dry at the same time. It's a cunty sneer of a song, and it does things to sadness that she had never done before. The babbling poetry is superb and on top of the list when it comes to evocative lyrics. I also love the way it fades in and out (her only song to technically fade out) with those boat-through-the-cavern echoes. It's also a stellar jazz piano performance. Sultry without being neutered. The only other song where I feel she really gives this kind of performance is Do It Again, and you can totally hear how they informed one another.

[anfuckinggs]

If I were to name one Tori song that showcases her vocals the best it would be Liquid Diamonds. Such a superb song from the Choirgirl era. I love everything about it, and I hope to one day witness it Live. I really love the intro's she did for back in 2005. I'm interested in hearing everyone's interpretations of the song. Just the title sounds like the song is about intangible valuables. Not being able to hold onto something that you value very highly. I love the jazzy atmosphere that it provokes. I agree with andy that it sits next to Do It Again very comfortably along with another b-side-- Bachelorette.

[Yinekol]

Andy I took that video, woot woot!

Liquid Diamonds is one of my absolute favorites... I could listen to it on repeat.

I love the Matty line too.

[Nurfzerne]

One of her best ever songs on so many levels.

[provigil]

I adore Liquid Diamonds, it's one of my favourite songs from Choirgirl and I finally had the pleasure of hearing it live in Groningen in 2009.

One of my favourite performances is from the Melbourne L&B with the "you're a diamond to me" improv at the start. It is stunningly beautiful.

[zCLadw3R]

I love love love the You're a Diamond version. I especially love how she kept it going through the intro of the actual song. Memory might be failing me, but I can't recall her ever incorporating an improv into a song before. Usually the improv ends and the song begins, and that's that.

[bF8CCmmr]

^ She did that when she prefaced Carbon with the Little Green intro and then added those lines again in the song when it was performed on the Radio Uno show in Italy, 2002.

[7UENf0w7]

The production on Liquid Diamonds is fucking brilliant - She really nailed it on this one!

[Yinekol]

Little Green into Carbon???? I've got to find this!

[JeremyBalll]

I've never heard another song like this. It is one of the best songs ever made. period.

[vNQmO2BF]

Any ideas on what the song is about? "Must be flowing liquid diamonds" Tears? Menstrual blood? The miscarried baby?

[russianstallian]

I'm pretty sure "liquid diamonds" is a Sandman reference, right?

[Yinekol]

I always thought it was the miscarriage.

[Unamannuato]

Amazing song but what's with the fade-in intro?! I guess she had a blank moment.

[welihiedginly]

Amazing song but what's with the fade-in intro?! I guess she had a blank moment.

the fade-in at the beginning and the fade-out at the end always reminded/reminds me of the ocean tide coming in and going out.