Although not the biggest hit from Version 2.0 worldwide, it became a huge mainstream hit in the United States, the band's home country. The song's success was marked by its two Grammy nominations - for 2000's Best Rock Song and for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group.
The song was accompanied by a critically acclaimed and boundary-pushing promotional video which featured Garbage battling it out in the skies above an unnamed alien world.
Song profile
"Special" was written and recorded at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin during the 1997 sessions for Version 2.0
"Special" contains an uncredited lyric sample from 1980s band The Pretenders' song “Talk Of The Town” which was written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde. After contacting her, Hynde sent a fax to the group stating that Garbage could "sample her voice, her music or, indeed, her very arse".
An early mix of "Special" also contained a sample of band member Duke Erikson on vocals. Shirley Manson thought it was a good idea beforehand, but admits that the results "were shocking to hear"!
Single release
"Special" was released as the third single from Version 2.0 throughout the United Kingdom and mainland Europe on October 5, 1998. The single had originally been planned to be released on September 21, 1998, following Garbage's high profile headlining shows at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom and at the Reading Festival at the end of August 1998. Due to the delay in the release of the single, the band were not in Europe to promote it as they had begun their North American tour. This was reflected by the single's chart positions, lower than those achieved by the preceding singles "Push It" and "I Think I'm Paranoid".
In the UK, it was issued by Mushroom Records on cassette, and 2x CD set. Across the formats contained new recording "13 x Forever", an acoustic version of album track "Medication" as well as a house remix of "Special" by production duo Brothers in Rhythm and a new dance remix of "Push It" by DJ Victor Calderone. "Special" charted at #15, breaking a run of four consecutive singles to make the UK Top Ten.
A week later, on October 13, 1998, Mushroom issued "Special" in a collectable 3-inch CD single in blister pack packaging. This release, which contained all of the single’s tracks on the single format, was issued a week after the initial formats were issued due to UK chart rules which would have forbidden copies of the 3" CD single to count towards a chart placing. This release was available in shops for one week before deletion.
In Europe, BMG issued a maxi CD and single CD format editions of the song. The slim-line maxi CD contained both UK B-sides as well as the "Special" remix, whilst the card-sleeved single CD was backed with only "13 x Forever". On October 26, 1998, Garbage's Australian label Festival Mushroom Records issued the single on a singular CD maxi containing all of the UK B-sides.
"Special" was added to US radio in the autumn of 1998, in support of the band's headline tour around the United States, Canada and Mexico. In February 1999 a pop radio remix of the song was sent to radio stations and became a huge radio hit, becoming the #1 Most Added Track, and a chart run lasting well into May of that year.
Comprehensive charts
Year Single Chart Position
1998 "Special" UK Singles Chart #15
1998 "Special" Australian Singles Chart #54
1999 "Special" US Billboard Hot 100 #52
1999 "Special" US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay #42
1999 "Special" US Hot Dance Music/Club Play #10
1999 "Special" US Modern Rock Tracks #11
1999 "Special" US Adult Top 40 #16
1999 "Special" US Top 40 Mainstream #18
1999 "Special" US Top 40 Tracks #22
1999 "Special" US ARC Weekly Top 40 #8
Special
Garbage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I know all about you
I have run you down into the ground
Spread disease about you over town
I used to adore you
I couldn't control you
There was nothing that I wouldn't do
To keep myself around and close to you
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I couldn't care less
I,
I
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
I used to amuse you
But I knew that I'd lose you
Now you're here and begging for a chance
But there's no way in hell I'd take you back
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I've run out of comments
I'm tired of the violence
I couldn't care less
I'm looking for a new [Repeat: x4]
You were the talk of the town [Repeat: x4]
I thought you were special [Repeat: x4]
The lyrics to Garbage's song "Special" are about a love gone bad, due to the singer's partner's inability to match their expectations. Despite the fact that the singer is no longer with their ex-lover, they confess to knowing everything about them, including their faults and flaws. The singer confesses to spreading rumors about their ex and feels justified in doing so, due to their ex not living up to their initial impression. The singer once adored their ex and would do anything to keep them close, but now sees them as just another person they've grown tired of.
The chorus of "Special" asks the question "Do you have an opinion? A mind of your own? I thought you were special, I thought you should know." This line highlights the underlying issue in the relationship, the singer's expectations. They believed their ex to be someone special and different than others, but felt let down when they didn't meet their standards. The ending of the song shows the singer moving on from their past relationship, looking for someone new while their ex suffers the consequence of their actions.
Overall, "Special" is a song about trying to find and maintain a special connection with someone and feeling let down when it doesn't work out. It also shows the impact that our expectations can have on a relationship and how important it is to communicate our needs and wants with our partners.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm living without you
I have moved on from our relationship and am no longer with you.
But I know all about you
Despite our separation, I still know a lot about you and your life.
I have run you down into the ground
I have talked negatively about you to others and have made you look bad.
Spread disease about you over town
I have spread rumors and gossip about you throughout our community.
I used to adore you
I used to love and hold you in high esteem.
I couldn't control you
I had no power over your actions and behaviors.
There was nothing that I wouldn't do
I was willing to do anything to make you happy and keep you close to me.
To keep myself around and close to you
I wanted to stay near you and be a part of your life at all times.
Do you have an opinion?
Do you possess your own thoughts and beliefs?
A mind of your own?
Are you capable of independent thinking?
I thought you were special
I believed that you were unique and exceptional.
I thought you should know
I wanted to make sure that you were aware of my beliefs about you.
But I've run out of patience
I no longer have the willingness to wait or tolerate a situation.
I couldn't care less
I have absolutely no interest or concern about something or someone.
I'm looking for a new [Repeat: x4]
I am seeking something or someone different and new.
You were the talk of the town [Repeat: x4]
You were very popular and well-known among our community.
I thought you were special [Repeat: x4]
I had a high opinion of you and believed that you were unique and valuable.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOUGLAS ELWIN ERICKSON, SHIRLEY ANN MANSON, STEVE W. MARKER, BRYAN DAVID VIG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kimv.
LYRICS:
I'm living without you
I know all about you
I have run you down into the ground
Spread disease about you over town
I used to adore you
I couldn't control you
There was nothing that I wouldn't do
To keep myself around and close to you
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I couldn't care less
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
I used to amuse you
I knew that I'd lose you
Now you're here and begging for a chance
But there's no way in hell I'd take you back
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I've run out of comments
I'm tired of the violence
I couldn't care less
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
@marycross5010
Here is my song for "SPECIAL" people out there who is making a difference in this world.
I-I-I-I-I'm living without you
I-I-I-I-I know all about you
I have run you down into the ground
Spread disease about you over town
I-I-I-I-I used to adore you
I-I-I-I-I couldn't control you
There was nothing that I wouldn't do
To keep myself around and close to you
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I couldn't care less
I-I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I-I
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
I-I-I-I-I used to amuse you
I-I-I-I-I knew that I'd lose you
Now you're here and begging for a chance
But there's no way in hell I'd take you back
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own?
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I've run out of comments
I'm tired of the violence
I couldn't care less
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
@felixthelmocevallosmorales41
I-I-I-I-I, I'm living without you
I-I-I-I-I, I know all about you
I have run you down into the ground
Spread disease about you over town
I-I-I-I-I, I used to adore you
I-I-I-I-I, I couldn't control you
There was nothing that I wouldn't do
To keep myself around and close to you
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I couldn't care less
I-I-I-I-I
I-I-I-I-I
And do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
I-I-I-I-I, I used to amuse you
I-I-I-I-I, I knew that I'd lose you
Now you're here and begging for a chance
But there's no way in hell I'd take you back
Do you have an opinion?
A mind of your own
I thought you were special
I thought you should know
But I've run out of patience
I've run out of comments
I'm tired of the violence
I couldn't care less
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
I'm looking for a new
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
We were the talk of the town
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
I thought you were special
Traducir al español
Fuente: Musixmatch
Compositores: Shirley Manson / Steve Marker / Bryan Vig / Douglas Erickson
Letra de Special © Vibecrusher Music, Deadarm Music
@BarbazuX
I'm 47 years old now, and still think this kind of music is peak. 90's music is epic.
@jupiter6647
I'm 56. No words....
@bloodlite6962
I'm 51 l feel the same
@parasi-tito8329
Almost 51 here
@msheldon7591
I turned 40 this year and I remember sitting in a beach house on a rainy day flipping channels at 16 in 1999 and watched this video on mtv. I don’t know why it’s so engrained in me 24 years later, but this song takes me back to that summer. Agree, 90s was peak
@dgcatanisiri
So I guess you could say that you thought he 90s were special?
@nunu1869
I was 17..and this album was and is iconic! I'm 38 now
@theboldandthebeautiful3729
Same!
@andyburton1160
Snap
@ManetInAEternum
I was 11 and still listen to all of there stuff.