Schism (song)

"Schism" is a song by American rock band Tool. It was the first single and music video from their third full-length album, Lateralus. In 2002, Tool won the Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for the song.[1] "Schism" was released as a DVD single on December 20, 2005. The DVD contains the music video, audio commentary by David Yow, and a remix by Lustmord.

For other uses, see Schism (disambiguation).

"Schism"
Single by Tool
from the album Lateralus
ReleasedJanuary 15, 2001
Recorded2000
GenreProgressive metal
Length6:46
LabelVolcano
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)David Bottrill
Tool singles chronology
"Forty Six & 2"
(1998)		 "Schism"
(2001)		 "Parabola"
(2002)
Promotional cover
Cover for the promotional single of "Schism".

Background

Most of the songs on Lateralus use math and science as metaphors for human issues. Singer Maynard James Keenan says, "They're all about relationships. Learning how to integrate communication back into a relationship. How are we as lovers, as artists, as brothers - how are we going to reconstruct this beautiful temple that we've built and that's tumbled down? It's universal relationship stuff." As for the trademark hook, bassist Justin Chancellor said, "The twiddly 'Schism' riff came from fooling around. I just play as much as possible, and I don't write stuff down - so when I get a good idea, I play it until I can't forget it."[2]

Overview

"Schism" is known as a prime example of Tool's use of complex rhythms and changing meters. It is also well known for its distinctive bass line throughout. An extended version of the song is performed live.[3] "Schism" was Tool's only entry on the Billboard Hot 100 until "Fear Inoculum" in 2019, peaking at number 67 and staying on the charts for 20 weeks.[4] It also hit number two on both the Alternative Songs and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. It almost reached number one on both charts, but was blocked behind Staind's "It's Been Awhile".[5][6]

The song is featured in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour.

Time signature
Further information: Time signature § Other variants

"Schism" is renowned for its use of uncommon time signatures and the frequency of its meter changes. In one analysis of the song, the song alters meter 47 times.[7] The song begins with two bars of 5
4, followed by one bar of 4
4, followed by bars of alternating 5
8 and 7
8, until the first interlude, which consists of alternating bars of 6
8 and 7
8.

The following verse exhibits a similar pattern to the first, alternating bars of 5
8 and 7
8. The next section is four bars of 6
4 followed by one bar of 11
8. This takes the song back into alternating 5
8 and 7
8. Another 6
8 and 7
8 section follows, and after this the song goes into repeating bars of 5
8 and 9
8. The section ends with the music hanging suspended over a bar of 9
8.

The middle section is subsequently introduced at 3:29, maintaining a group of three bars of 6
8 then one of 9
8 until 5:02. Then a series of 8
4, 10
4, 8
4, 8
4, then 9
8 heading into "Between supposed lovers..." which is a three bar group of 9
8, 10
8 and 9
8, played twice.

It breaks down with a measure of 13
8 then 9
8. 5
8 then 9
8 repeats 3 times then 5
8 and 6
8 once. The signature riff takes over again, 5
8 then 7
8. The final riff is 8
8.

The band has referred to the time signature as ​6 1⁄2
8.[8]

Track listing
Promotional single
No.TitleLength
1."Schism"6:46
DVD
No.TitleLength
1."Schism" (music video)7:29
2."Schism" (music video commentary)7:29
3."Schism" (Lustmord remix)20:13

Credits and personnel

Tool

Production

Chart performance
Chart (2001) Peak
position
US Billboard Hot 100[9] 67
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] 2
US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[11] 2

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[12] Silver 200,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References
  1. "Grammy Award Winners". The Recording Academy. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
  2. "The Story Behind 'Schism' by Tool". Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
  3. Rothman, Robin (August 14, 2002). "Tool Take Radio City". Rolling Stone. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  4. Billboard.com Retrieved 2009-09-18
  5. "Mainstream Rock Songs Chart for the week of June 2, 2001". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  6. "Alternative Songs Chart for the week of August 11, 2001". Billboard. Eldridge Industries. Retrieved April 7, 2020.
  7. August 2001 issue of Guitar One magazine, transcribed by Adam Perlmutter
  8. Wagner, Jeff (2010). Mean Deviation. Bazillion Points. pp. 312–313. ISBN 978-0-9796163-3-4.
  9. "Tool Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  10. "Tool Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  11. "Tool Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
  12. "British single certifications – Tool – Schism". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved November 15, 2019. Select singles in the Format field. Select Silver in the Certification field. Type Schism in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
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