Stupid Girl
Garbage Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

You pretend you're high
Pretend you're bored
Pretend you're anything
Just to be adored
And what you need
Is what you get

Don't believe in fear
Don't believe in faith
Don't believe in anything
That you can't break

stupid girl
stupid girl
All you had you wasted
All you had you wasted

What drives you on
Can drive you mad
A million lies to sell yourself
Is all you ever had

Don't believe in love
Don't believe in hate
Don't believe in anything
That you can't waste

stupid girl
stupid girl
Can't believe you fake it
Can't believe you fake it

Don't believe in fear
Don't believe in pain
Don't believe in anyone
That you can't tame

stupid girl
stupid girl
All you had you wasted
All you had you wasted

Stupid girl
Stupid girl
Can't believe you fake it
I can't believe you fake it

Stupid girl
Stupid girl
Can't believe you fake it
Can't believe you fake it





Stupid girl

Overall Meaning

The Garbage song "Stupid Girl" is a commentary on the emptiness of someone who pretends to be anything just to be adored. The lyrics paint a picture of a person who is constantly searching for external validation but is unable to find happiness or fulfillment within themselves. The lines "Pretend you're high, pretend you're bored, pretend you're anything just to be adored" highlight the ways in which this person constantly puts on a façade to gain attention.


The chorus repeats the phrase "stupid girl" several times as a way to emphasize the singer's frustration with the person they are referring to. The lines "All you had you wasted, can't believe you fake it" are a condemnation of the person's inability to be authentic or find meaning in their life. The final verse of the song urges the person to stop believing in fear, pain, and anyone they can't tame, suggesting that they may find a way to be happy if they stop seeking validation from others and instead become more self-assured.


Overall, "Stupid Girl" is a song that explores the pitfalls of trying to be someone you're not in order to gain acceptance. The song encourages listeners to be themselves and to find happiness within rather than constantly chasing after external validation.


Line by Line Meaning

You pretend you're high
You pretend to be in an elevated state, even when you're not.


Pretend you're bored
You act disinterested, although you may be engaged or curious.


Pretend you're anything
You put on various personas to satisfy your desire for admiration.


Just to be adored
You crave the attention and admiration of others more than anything else.


And what you need
Your wants and desires are what motivate you.


Is what you get
You'll do whatever it takes to get what you want, even if it means being manipulative or deceitful.


Don't believe in fear
You don't feel afraid, even in situations that would cause fear in others.


Don't believe in faith
You don't have any religious or spiritual beliefs.


Don't believe in anything
You have a cynical and skeptical outlook on life, and don't trust anything or anyone.


That you can't break
You believe that everything can be manipulated or controlled, and nothing is beyond your power.


All you had you wasted
You squandered your opportunities and resources by pursuing your own self-interest.


What drives you on
The things that motivate you to act are often destructive, and can lead to negative consequences.


Can drive you mad
Your obsessive pursuit of your desires can lead to mental instability and irrational behavior.


A million lies to sell yourself
You're willing to deceive and misrepresent yourself to gain the approval and admiration of others.


Is all you ever had
Your entire identity is built on superficial qualities, and you lack any real substance or depth.


Don't believe in love
You don't believe in true, selfless love, only in love that serves your own interests.


Don't believe in hate
You don't hold any strong emotions or convictions, as they might interfere with your pursuit of self-interest.


Don't believe in anything
You lack any guiding principles or values, and only believe in what benefits you.


That you can't waste
You believe that anything or anyone that doesn't serve your own interests is expendable and disposable.


Can't believe you fake it
Others can't believe that you're able to so convincingly lie and manipulate to achieve your own goals.


Don't believe in pain
You don't have any empathy or compassion for others, and can't understand why people feel pain or suffering.


Don't believe in anyone
You don't trust anyone, and only see them as potential tools or obstacles to achieving your own interests.


That you can't tame
You feel that anything or anyone can be controlled or manipulated, and that your own willpower is the only true power.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Butch Vig, Douglas Erikson, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker, Topper Headon

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@GodOfVictory501

This track was never off the radio back in early 1996. It was in the charts at the same time as '1979' by Smashing Pumpkins, 'Firestarter' by Prodigy, and 'Don't Look Back in Anger' by Oasis. We really were spoilt for good music back then.

@ritafagan3772

I would like to know if the guy trying to catch the book is Dave Couier from the show Full House.

@barryposner7609

And this track "borrowed" the opening riff from "Train in Vain" by The Clash. Which was released in 1979. Hmmm.....

@GodOfVictory501

@@barryposner7609 never noticed that Train in vain connection before. They do actually sound similar.

@chrishenniker5944

Of course, we had a lot of dross around too. Remember Whigfield and Westlife?

@GodOfVictory501

@@chrishenniker5944 aye true, but at least in the 90s the charts always included high quality rock/indie/techno tracks. Maybe I'm completely out of touch but I think those days are gone unfortunately.

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@papagin

Some would say the 90's were the age of boybands and grunge. This era came out with a lot of amazing female frontliners. Garbage, The Cardigans, The Cranberries, No Doubt, Sixpence, etc.

@StudioMod

Veruca Salt, Republica, Rachael Stevens...

@cammartin2014

Don’t forget Bikini Kill

@brianNJwatson

Hole… it’s human nature to take the present for granted but man we really had music gold in the 90’s

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