Faith No More – Epic: Lyrics and Music Video
Epic by Faith No More lyrics and music video. You can sing while listening to the song Epic performed by Faith No More. Hope you like the music video and song lyrics for Epic.
About the Song
[Faith No More - Epic]: Song Overview
Released in January 1990 as the lead single from their third album The Real Thing, Epic became Faith No More's breakthrough hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. This genre-defying fusion of funk metal, rap rock, and alternative music revolutionized heavy music's mainstream appeal, famously punctuated by its haunting piano outro and a flopping fish in its iconic music video.
Release and Chart Performance
- Release Date: January 22, 1990 (US)
- Peaked at No. 9 Billboard Hot 100, No. 1 on Billboard Alternative Airplay
- Topped charts in Australia (5 weeks) and New Zealand
- Certified Platinum (Australia), Gold (UK)
- Album The Real Thing certified 2× Platinum (US)
Musical Style and Themes
A groundbreaking mix of:
- Funky basslines (Billy Gould)
- Rap-style vocals (Mike Patton)
- Heavy metal guitar riffs (Jim Martin)
- Jazz-influenced piano outro (Roddy Bottum)
"You want it all but you can't have it... It's in your face but you can't grab it"
Meaning of the Song
The lyrics critique societal obsession with instant gratification:
- Frustration with unattainable desires
- Commentary on superficial success culture
- Surrealist imagery (music video's dying fish symbolizing fleeting fame)
"What is it? It's it!"
Legacy and Cultural Impact
- Over 250 million streams (combined platforms)
- 1990 ARIA Award winner (Best Single)
- Featured in Guitar Hero 5 (2009) and South Park (2014)
- Fish-flopping meme template (10M+ social media uses)
- VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 90s (No. 34)
Songwriting Credits
- Written by Faith No More (Gould, Patton, Martin, Bottum, Bordin)
- Produced by Matt Wallace
- Notable contributor: John Zorn (inspired avant-garde elements)
Summary
Epic redefined alternative metal's commercial potential, blending aggression with funk grooves and lyrical surrealism. Its chart success paved the way for 1990s rap-metal fusion (Rage Against the Machine, Limp Bizkit) while maintaining cult status for its unorthodox structure. The track's enduring "It's it!" catchphrase and fish imagery cement its status as a 90s alt-culture touchstone.
Keywords
- Faith No More Epic fish meaning
- 90s rap metal songs
- The Real Thing album tracks
- Best alternative metal songs
- Mike Patton vocal style
- 1990 Billboard alternative hits
- John Zorn music influence
Faith No More: Epic Lyrics
If you can’t, then it doesn’t matter anyway
You will never understand it cuz it happens too fast
And it feels so good, it’s like walking on glass
It’s so cool, it’s so hip, it’s alright
It’s so groovy, it’s outta sight
You can touch it, smell it, taste it so sweet
But it makes no difference cuz it knocks you off your feet
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s cryin’, bleedin’, lying on the floor
So you lay down on it and you do it some more
You’ve got to share it, so you dare it
Then you bare it and you tear it
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s in your face but you can’t grab it
It’s alive, afraid, a lie, a sin
It’s magic, it’s tragic, it’s a loss, it’s a win
It’s dark, it’s moist, it’s a bitter pain
It’s sad it happened and it’s a shame
You want it all but you can’t have it
It’s in your face but you can’t grab it
What is it?
It’s it
What is it?
It’s it
What is it?
It’s it
What is it?
It’s it
