Ashes to Ashes (Faith No More song)


"Ashes to Ashes" is the seventh track on Faith No More's sixth studio album Album of the Year. It was the album's first single and was released on May 19, 1997. It was reissued on January 8, 1998.

Background

When asked about the song, Billy Gould replied:

Reception

In his June 1997 review for Album of the Year, Joshua Sindell of Phoenix New Times characterized the song as being a "Soundgarden stomp flirting with a New Romantic-like, arms-outstretched melody."
The Guardian ranked it as the tenth best Faith No More song in 2014. They wrote, "Album of the Year sounded unfinished and is barely listenable. But one track, 'Ashes to Ashes', stood out. It is a moody rocker, with a memorably anthemic chorus that soared thanks to one of the finest vocal performances of Patton’s career." When Consequence of Sound ranked all 126 Faith No More songs in 2015, they placed "Ashes to Ashes" at number ten. However, a July 1997 live version of the track from the "Stripsearch" single appeared towards the bottom of the list. Louder Sound listed it as the eighth best Faith No More song in 2018. The order of their list was chosen by English funk metal band The Final Clause of Tacitus.
Australian radio station Triple J ranked it 31st on their annual "Hottest 100" list for the year of 1997.

Track lists

Original

;"Gold on Maroon" cover
  1. "Ashes to Ashes"
  2. "The Big Kahuna"
  3. "Mouth to Mouth"
  4. "Ashes to Ashes "
;"Maroon on Gold" cover
  1. "Ashes to Ashes "
  2. "Light Up and Let Go"
  3. "Collision"
  4. "Ashes To Ashes "

    Reissue

;"Gold on Black" cover
  1. "Ashes to Ashes "
  2. "Ashes to Ashes "
  3. "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies"
  4. "Ashes to Ashes"
;"Black on Gold" cover
  1. "Ashes to Ashes"
  2. "Last Cup of Sorrow "
  3. "Last Cup of Sorrow "
  4. "The Gentle Art of Making Enemies"

Charts

Certifications

Footnotes


  1. ^ While only one of DJ Icey & Maestro's "Ashes to Ashes" remixes appear on the UK single set, two remixes were recorded and released:
    1. The version on the UK "Maroon on Gold" single as well as Album of the Year bonus disc. This remix is titled "Ashes To Ashes " and DJ Icey and Maestro are given credits in the linear notes.
    2. A completely different remix which appears on the European and Australian pressing and on the promotional UK and French pressings. This remix is titled "Ashes To Ashes ".
  2. ^ Live at the Phoenix Festival '97 on July 27, 1997.