Epic is a song by the rock band Faith No More, released on January 29, 1990 as the second single from their third album, The Real Thing (1989). The song was the band’s breakthrough hit, peaking at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100, number 7 on the US Cash Box Top 100, number two in New Zealand, and number one in Australia for three weeks. It is among the band’s most popular songs and a staple in their concerts.
Bassist Billy Gould said:
“It was conceived naturally as a riff in the studio between Roddy, myself and Mike Bordin during rehearsal that later got fleshed out into an entire song.”
He also said that, after the disappointing performance of the album’s first single (From Out of Nowhere), the record label had low expectations and let the band pick whatever song they wanted as the next music video (and thus, the next single). “So we picked ‘Epic’ because it just felt the most natural at the time. We had very little expectations of it becoming a commercial hit,” said Gould.
Directed by South African Ralph Ziman, the music video for “Epic” features surreal images, which are combined with performance footage of the band soaked by an artificial rainstorm on a sound stage. The final shot is of keyboardist Roddy Bottum playing the piano outro on an upright model, which explodes in slow motion after he finishes and walks away from it.
Guitarist Jim Martin was a schoolmate, close friend and fan of the late Metallica bassist Cliff Burton. In the video, he can be seen wearing a T-shirt with a photo of Cliff with the words “A Tribute to Cliff Burton”. In addition, Mike Patton can be seen wearing a Mr. Bungle shirt that reads “There’s A Tractor In My Balls Again”.
Tracklist:
SIDE A
- Epic
- Falling To Pieces (Mixed Wallace)
SIDE B
- Epic
- As The Worm Turns
Credits
Faith No More
Mike Patton: lead and backing vocals
James Martin: guitar
Roddy Bottum: E-mu Emax synthesizer, piano
Billy Gould: bass, E-mu Emax synthesizer
Mike Bordin: drums
