Stinkfist

About this song

Stinkfist is the first track on Tool's 1996 album Ænima. Radio and TV stations were not allowed to say the song's title on the air, so they called it "Track #1" instead. MTV VJ Matt Pinfield would sometimes signal to fans by waving his fist in front of his nose when introducing it.

What it's about

The song uses fisting as a metaphor for people taking things to the extreme in pursuit of pleasure.

Fun facts

• Sampled in 1 other song, like “The Dream Grips Me Into Purple Abyss by Tarbelo”.
• Covered 5 times, including “Stinkfist by 8-Bit Arcade”.
• Written by Paul D’Amour, Danny Carey, Adam Jones and Maynard James Keenan.
• Produced by Tool and David Bottrill.
• Recorded at Ocean Way (Hollywood.