Initially, Garbage was an informal jam session between the three producers held in Marker's basement. Steve Marker saw the music video of "Suffocate Me" by Angelfish on MTV, recorded it and showcased it to his band mates. They invited the Scottish vocalist Shirley Manson to join Garbage, she accepted, and soon Angelfish disbanded. According to Vig, Garbage was named before Manson joined the band, after the percussionist Pauli Ryan walked in while Vig was working on a remix for Nine Inch Nails and said it sounded like "garbage".
In August 1995, the group released their debut album Garbage, preceded by their first single "Vow" in March 1995. This album was an unexpected smash, selling over 5 million copies and reaching double platinum status in the UK (#6), USA (#20), Australia. Also it received great reviews from critics and featured on the book "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die." They released five singles from this album: "Vow", "Only Happy When It Rains", "Queer", "Stupid Girl", and "Milk". A non-album single entitled "Subhuman" was issued on 7 August 1995.
In 1996, the band released a short-form VHS and Video CD entitled "Garbage Video" (also known as "Home Video"), that included all of Garbage's promotional music videos filmed up until that point.
In 1997, Garbage were nominated at Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal for "Stupid Girl", Best Rock Song for "Stupid Girl". In the same year, the remixed version of "#1 Crush" (original version released in 1996) was included on the multi-platinum movie soundtrack William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet. Also it was nominated for Best Song From a Movie at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards.
They spent over an year working on their follow-up album Version 2.0, which was released on May 1998 and hit #1 in the UK and #13 in the US. It was supported by six singles: "Push It", "I Think I'm Paranoid", "Special", "When I Grow Up", "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" and "You Look So Fine". The music video of "Push It" featured state of the art effects and it costs over $400,000 to make. Version 2.0 sold over 5 million copies, almost the same as their debut.
In 1999, they performed the theme song to the James Bond movie The World Is Not Enough. That year, they also contributed the song "When I Grow Up" to the Adam Sandler movie Big Daddy. Version 2.0 was nominated at Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Album, and "Special" was nominated for Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group With Vocal and Best Rock Song.
In October 2001, Garbage issued their third and most pop album beautifulgarbage, preceded by the single "Androgyny" in September 2001. All four singles released ("Androgyny", "Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!)", "Breaking Up the Girl" and "Shut Your Mouth") were moderately successful. This album got 6th place at Rolling Stone's Top 10 Albums of The Year. The world tour from October 2001 to November 2002 was affected by Butch's health problems.
The band struggled to remain together and almost split in 2003, before returning with the fourth studio album Bleed Like Me in April 2005, peaking at a career-high #4 in USA. Four singles promoted the album: "Why Do You Love Me", "Sex Is Not the Enemy", "Bleed Like Me", and "Run Baby Run". Garbage cut short their 2005 world tour, and announced an indefinite hiatus, but emphasized it was not a break-up.
In July 2007 the group released a greatest hits album and a DVD entitled Absolute Garbage. The compilation featured a selection of their singles, a new single "Tell Me Where It Hurts" (#50 UK), and a remixed version of "It's All Over But the Crying" (the limited edition had also a remixes disc). The DVD included most of their music videos and a documentary related to the band.
In 2008 a new track called "Witness to Your Love" was issued on a charity compilation in the USA. Shirley Manson recorded a solo album but her label refused to release it considering it to be "too noir". In the same year she started to play a regular role on US TV show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.
According to a post from Shirley's Facebook profile, the band returned back to studio in 2010. On 14 May 2012, Garbage released their fifth studio album, Not Your Kind of People. The album was supported by the singles "Blood For Poppies", "Battle in Me", "Automatic Systematic Habit" and "Big Bright World".
On June 10th 2016, Garbage released their 6th album "Strange Little Birds".
Thirteen
Garbage Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe, Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"?
Rock an' roll is here to stay.
Come inside, now; it's okay.
And I'll shake you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
And would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so, then, let me know.
If it's "no", well, I can go.
I won't make you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
The lyrics to Garbage's song Thirteen seem to describe a young and innocent romance between two teenagers. The first verse mentions walking the girl home from school and offering to meet her at the pool. The boy is hopeful about taking her to the dance and seems to be trying to win her over.
In the second verse, the boy suggests that the girl stand up to her dad and tell him they like rock and roll, specifically referencing the Rolling Stones' song "Paint It, Black." The boy is not afraid to rock the boat and is excited to share his interest in music with the girl. He suggests she come inside and he will "shake" her, possibly indicating that he wants to dance with her.
The final verse asks the girl to reveal her true feelings, and the boy is willing to be an "outlaw" for her love. He wants her to be honest with him, and he respects her answer even if it's "no."
Overall, the lyrics to Thirteen portray the tender moments of a first love and the excitement and uncertainty that come with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Asking the person to allow them to accompany them home from school.
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Asking the person if they can meet at the pool.
Maybe, Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
Suggesting to the person that they can get dance tickets for Friday and to take them there.
Won't you tell your dad, "Get off my back"?
Asking the person to tell their dad to stop bothering them.
Tell him what we said 'bout "Paint It, Black".
Telling the person to inform their dad about their conversation on "Paint It, Black".
Rock an' roll is here to stay.
Proclaiming that rock and roll music is not going anywhere.
Come inside, now; it's okay.
And I'll shake you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
Inviting the person to come inside and be comforted, and to shake them.
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Asking the person to share their thoughts with them.
And would you be an outlaw for my love?
Asking the person if they would break the rules for their love.
If it's so, then, let me know.
If it's "no", well, I can go.
I won't make you.
Ooh-ooh-ooh.
Requesting that the person informs them of their decision, and reassuring them that they will not be forced into anything.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edward mulholland
This is wonderful and I can't help but admire their good taste in covering this great BigStar song. Her voice is beautful - just like her.
daniel tafoya
While listening to this song I feel nostalgia for a time I never lived. It's rather strange how talent can play tricks on the mind.
dan caucci
The greatest rock band with a female singer,, of all time,, no other band is even close !!
They are really something special,,, these songs will stand the test of time,,
like Zeppelin, Stones,, so many fine tunes,,, I hope they get back to work and not over
produce , ,, meaning ,,adding to many electronic sounds ,, that is getting to be a problem these days. a few twangy guitars and a deep bass line,, Is what i hope for.
Give us more Garbage , Please !
Michael Isabella
Uhh... this is a Big Star song that Garbage covered.
Matt Jones
Heart.
reuireuiop0
@Michael Isabella True, but G got great stuff of their own. And those bands mentioned, Led Zep and Stones are known for their great choice of artists & songs for covers
George18264
Brilliant song...makes me strangely happy for a downbeat song :) I've been listening to this for the last hour, so I really thought I should show my appreciation ^^
Juan Pablo MR
the softness of your voice, the sadness of your eyes...so precious and peaceful
TheShankApotimus
She has got such a classic beauty about her...she is my hero!
Roger Jones
Such a beautiful voice and amazing arrangement, just incredible 👍