"Divine Hammer" is a song by American alternative rock band the Breeders, released as the second single from their second album, Last Splash (1993), in October 1993.
| "Divine Hammer" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by the Breeders | ||||
| from the album Last Splash | ||||
| B-side |
| |||
| Released | October 25, 1993[1] | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) | Kim Deal | |||
| Producer(s) |
| |||
| The Breeders singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Meaning
editLead vocalist Kim Deal said: "It's about existential angst, really. I'm just looking for some divinity to come down and, you know what, I don't think there is anything. I don't use syringe drugs, but you could use drugs to find your divine, your divinity. Christian songs, they use all of these things... if you go around the mountain, and if you work hard with the hammer, and you meet a carpenter called Jesus Christ, and you travel miles and miles... all these stupid symbolisms that Christian folk groups will use."[2]
Track listing
edit| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Divine Hammer" (single version) | Kim Deal | 2:42 |
| 2. | "Hoverin'" | Deal/Murphy | 2:53 |
| 3. | "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)" | Hank Williams | 2:32 |
| 4. | "Do You Love Me Now Jr?" | Kim Deal, Kelley Deal[a 1] | 3:00 |
"Divine Hammer" is a different version than the LP version, and "Do You Love Me Now Jr?" is an alternate version of the LP version featuring J Mascis on backing vocals.
Music video
editThe music video for Divine Hammer was directed by Spike Jonze, Kim Gordon, and Richard Kern.[3]
Charts
edit| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| UK Singles (OCC)[4] | 59 |
| US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[5] | 28 |
Notes
edit- ^ The "Divine Hammer" single liner notes list only Kim Deal as songwriter of "Do You Love Me Now Jr?" while the "Safari" single liner notes give both Kim and Kelley Deal songwriting credit for "Do You Love Me Now?"
References
edit- ^ "Single Releases". Music Week. October 23, 1993. p. 21.
- ^ "7 highlights from Kim Deal's amazing 1993 triple j interview". Double J. June 10, 2021.
- ^ Now Playing: "Divine Hammer"
- ^ "Breeders: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
- ^ "The Breeders Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
- Aaron, Charles (March 1, 1994). "Ordinary People". Spin. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- "Breeders Top 75 Releases". Theofficialcharts.com. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- "Divine Hammer" (CD booklet). The Breeders. London: 4AD. 1993.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Last Splash Awards". Allmusic. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- Last Splash (CD booklet). The Breeders. London: 4AD. 1993.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - Maginnis, Tom. "Divine Hammer Review". Allmusic. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
- "Now Playing: 'Divine Hammer'". 4AD. Retrieved April 20, 2013.
- Rabid, Jack. "Divine Hammer Review". Allmusic. Retrieved May 4, 2013.
- "Safari" (CD booklet). The Breeders. London: 4AD. 1992.
{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link) - "Song Stories: "Divine Hammer"". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 26, 2012. Retrieved April 21, 2013.