2001 single by A Perfect Circle
"
3 Libras
" is a song by
alternative rock
band
A Perfect Circle
. The song was the second single from their debut album
Mer de Noms
. The song was well received both critically and commercially, with it peaking at number 12 on both the US
Billboard
Modern Rock
and
Mainstream Rock
charts in 2000.
Background
[
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]
As with all of the
Mer de Noms
album, "3 Libras'" music was written by guitarist
Billy Howerdel
, while the lyrics were written by vocalist
Maynard James Keenan
.
[1]
The two originally envisioned the track to be the first single of their debut album prior to being talked into going with the
hard rock
track "
Judith
" by record label executives, who felt the track was a better lead off single due to it being less of a departure from Keenan's other band,
Tool
.
[2]
Two official remixed versions of the song have been made; the "Feel My Ice Dub Mix" by band member
Danny Lohner
, and the "All Main Courses Mix" by
Robert "3D" Del Naja
of
Massive Attack
. They were compiled in 2004 on the band's remix album
Amotion
.
Composition
[
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]
While much of
Mer de Noms
'
sound is identified with a conventional
hard rock
aesthetic, "3 Libras" sound is primarily driven by acoustic guitar and violin.
[3]
Majority of the song consists of melodic, clean guitar tones, and a violin melody played over, composed by band
bassist
and violinist
Paz Lenchantin
.
[3]
[4]
Drummer
Josh Freese
plays the rim of the drum kit on every eighth note, with the song being performed in 6/8.
[4]
The song finishes with a full-band performance and
distorted
electric guitars in the song's
outro
, ending on a dark
guitar chord
.
[4]
Several alternate versions the song have very different compositions. The "Feel My Ice Dub Mix" featured a greatly slowed down tempo and added electronic beats and effects, giving it a more
trance
-like sound, where the "All Main Courses Mix" made extensive use of radio
static
and
noise
sound effects.
[5]
When performed live, in absence of a dedicated violinist, the band would commonly play an alternate version of the song, with Howerdel playing clean electric guitar tones through the song, with the full band backing him with their respective instruments.
[6]
Reception
[
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]
The song was generally well received, commercially and critically. The song received significant radio airplay, charting at number 12 on both the US
Billboard
Modern Rock
and
Mainstream Rock
charts.
[7]
Critics praised the song.
Sputnikmusic
referred to the song as "one of the most beautiful songs APC ever released" and "one of the most emotional releases of the album".
[4]
Artistdirect
editor in chief Rick Florino named the track one of the "Top 20 Maynard James Keenan Songs", calling it "...a tender moment of longing encased in a beautiful, blissful melody...'3 Libras' illuminates the singer's massive vocal range and ability."
[8]
Florino separately praised the band's live composition of the song as well, stating that he felt it reached "heavenly heights" when performed by the band in their reunion tours in 2010.
[9]
Track listing
[
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]
All music composed by
Billy Howerdel
, all lyrics composed by
Maynard James Keenan
.
CD1
- "3 Libras"
- "Magdalena" (live)
- "3 Libras" (Feel My Ice dub mix)
- "Judith" (live)
- "3 Libras" (live)
CD2
- "3 Libras" (live in Phoenix)
- "3 Libras" (All Main Courses mix)
- "Sleeping Beauty" (live in Phoenix)
- Interactive picture gallery (CD-ROM)
Charts
[
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]
References
[
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]
- ^
"Mer de Noms - A Perfect Circle | Songs, Reviews, Credits"
.
AllMusic
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
"Interview with Billy Howerdel of Ashes Divide"
. Archived from
the original
on 2013-12-13
. Retrieved
2013-07-22
.
- ^
a
b
"Interview with Paz Lenchantin -"
.
louisvillemusicnews.net
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
"A Perfect Circle - Mer de Noms (album review 11)"
.
Sputnikmusic
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
"A Perfect Circle - aMOTION (album review ) | Sputnikmusic"
.
sputnikmusic.com
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
"A Perfect Circle: Local-eyzed"
. Mar 24, 2004
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
"A PERFECT CIRCLE's 'Thirteenth Step' Enters BILLBOARD Chart At No. 2!"
.
Blabbermouth.net
. Sep 24, 2003
. Retrieved
Feb 12,
2019
.
- ^
"News"
.
- ^
"Reviews"
.
- ^
"Official Singles Chart Top 100"
.
Official Charts Company
. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^
"A Perfect Circle Chart History (Alternative Airplay)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
- ^
"A Perfect Circle Chart History (Mainstream Rock)"
.
Billboard
. Retrieved August 7, 2017.
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