"Twist in My Sobriety" is a song written and recorded by Tanita Tikaram. Released as a single in 1988 from her debut album, Ancient Heart, it was Tikaram's biggest international success, achieving top 10 placings in several European countries.
Background
The first line of the song, "All God's children need traveling shoes", is the title of a book by writer/poet Maya Angelou. Speaking about the somewhat obscure and enigmatic lyrics, Tikaram has offered different views on their meaning, but said it's mostly about the particular relationship with the world one feels when entering adulthood. "The song is really about not understanding - when you're 18, you've got a very particular emotional relationship with the world, you feel very isolated, and everybody else is so distant and cold. And I think I was singing about not feeling anything or not being moved by things around. I think this is a strong feeling when you're just after adolescence." Malcolm Messiter plays the oboe on the song, which is featured prominently on the song's chorus, as well as being used on instrumental solos throughout the song. A rarity on pop songs, the use of the oboe was favourably remarked by several reviewers, citing that it made the song unique and distinct from other charts hits of the time. In 2001, the song appeared on the soundtrack of the film Bandits.
Release and reception
Released as the second single from her debut album Ancient Heart, the song was edited for its single release, eliminating the last verse of the song. Despite heavy promotion, including two performances of the song on the BBC's Top of the Pops, the single was surprisingly only a moderate hit in the UK, peaking at #22, and to date it is Tikaram's last top 40 hit in her home country. The song was a bigger success when released in Europe, and was a top 10 hit in several countries, including Ireland, France, Norway, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. It mostly charted within the top 40 in other European countries and was a big airplay hit all around Europe in 1988-89. The single was Tikaram's only chart hit in the USA charts, peaking at #25 on the Modern Rock charts, and was a hit oncollege radio stations. The song featured prominently during the 1988 Miami Vice episode "The Lost Madonna".
Remixes
In 1996, a new remixed house version by Ramp with a much faster tempo was included on the compilation The Best of Tanita Tikaram and was released as a single to promote the album. The single peaked at #82 in the UK. In 1998, Tikaram issued a new version of the song as a b-side to her single "Stop Listening". This version, with re-recorded vocals, has an ambient house/downtempo sound. A new acoustic version was released on the special edition of Tikaram's 2012 album Can't Go Back.
Music video
The sepia-colored music video was directed by Gerard de Thame and premiered in the autumn of 1988. Shot on location on the Altiplano Plateau in Bolivia, the video shows various residents of a destitute village interacting with each other amidst their daily struggles. Interspersed throughout these scenes are shots of Tanita Tikaram singing in a darkened room with only one light shining on her face.
In 2008, a Czech version of Tikaram's song was recorded by Slovakchanteuse Szidi Tobias under title "Závoj tkaný touhami". Featuring alternate lyrics by Michal Horáček, the composition was released on his Anděl Awards-winning album Ohrožený druh, being classified as the highest selling album of a music band in the Czech Republic in 2008. Credits and personnel
In 1999, the Chinese singer Chyi Yu covered the song for her album C'est la vie.
In 2002, the Gothic metal band Darkwell covered the song for their album Conflict of Interest.
In 2006, the Italian singer Gennaro Cosmo Parlato covered the song for his album Remainders.
In 2006, the Finnish singer Anneli Mattila covered the song for her album Laulun lahjan sain. The Finnish title of the song was Rakkauden muistomerkki.
