Veruca Salt was formed alongside the friendship of Louise Post and Nina Gordon. Introduced by Gordon's good friend, actress Lili Taylor, Gordon and Post quickly bonded and formed what is now known as Veruca Salt. Originally, the band was an Indigo Girls-inspired acoustic act, but the women quickly realized this wasn't their sound. They quickly enlisted bass player Steve Lack and eventually Gordon's brother Jim Shapiro joined as a drummer, even though he originally was just drumming as a favor to his sister.
Veruca Salt released a self-funded demo tape and shopped it to labels, and began to play a handful of small club shows. The buzz around the band grew furiously, and after only a few live gigs, the band was signed to Minty Fresh Records and began recording with producer Brad Wood. At the time Brad was popular due to having recently produced Liz Phair's critically acclaimed Exile in Guyville.
The band released an orange 7" single for the song "Seether" to radio. "Seether" was a bratty, distorted alt-rocker about an angry and misunderstood woman. Compared to the rest of Veruca Salt's material, "Seether" was very pop, so much so that Gordon said that when she wrote it, she didn't think the rest of the band would like it. They sent "Seether" to radio, as it was the most radio-friendly song they had written and the reaction was unexpectedly positive. Unfortunately, the album wasn't complete and they found themselves rushing to complete the album, before "Seether" lost its radio momentum. It ended up peaking at #8 on the Modern Rock charts.
Geffen Records signed the band after an intense label bidding war and American Thighs was released October 25, 1994. It peaked on the Billboard Top 100 at 69 and was certified Gold. The follow-up single "All Hail Me" failed to chart Top 40 on Modern Rock, and the last single from the album, "Number One Blind", written by Gordon, did better than the previous single at 20 on Modern Rock chart, but nowhere near as well as "Seether". Gordon and Post were unhappy with the song's video, and it was pulled after airing fewer than five times on MTV.
To support this album, Veruca Salt opened for such acts as Hole, Live and PJ Harvey, as well as their own headlining club tour.
The band released an EP in 1996 titled Blow It Out Your Ass It's Veruca Salt to tide fans over until their next album.
After touring for American Thighs, Gordon and Post entered the studio with Bob Rock to record their second album. They were inspired to work with Bob after hearing Metallica's "Enter Sandman" on the loud-system before a Veruca Salt concert at an outdoor music festival.
Eight Arms to Hold You, which was released February 11, 1997 on Geffen Records, proved to be a difficult and dividing album. Some fans of American Thighs were disappointed by the polished, hard-rock and distinctively Bob Rock production, in comparison to the laidback indie buzz-bin vibe of American Thighs. The new album garnered mixed reviews from music critics as well. Band members have since admitted that this album was difficult for the band, and the recording process was extremely tense. However, Eight Arms to Hold You sold well due to the success of the first single "Volcano Girls", written by Gordon. It was a catchy, power-pop tantrum that matched "Seether"'s success, peaking at #8 on the Modern Rock charts. This album, however, didn't have longevity, and despite peaking higher (Billboard Top 100 at 55) than American Thighs, sales dropped off drastically when the second single "Shutterbug" failed to chart despite a high budget video and Saturday Night Live performance, as well as other promotion. Three more singles were sent to radio ("The Morning Sad", "Straight" and "Benjamin") but none of them did well enough to warrant a video. However, the Gordon-penned "Benjamin" was released internationally as the third and last commercial single from the album despite having no video and no promotion. "Benjamin" also failed to chart. Shapiro left the band soon after the release of Eight Arms and was replaced by Stacy Jones (of Letters to Cleo and now American Hi-Fi). Jones toured with the band on the Eight Arms tour, but never recorded with them.
Veruca Salt toured extensively for Eight Arms to Hold You, opening for Bush as well as a lengthy international headlining club tour.
Nina Gordon left Veruca Salt in early 1998 amid rumors of stolen boyfriends and physical altercations with bandmate Louise Post. Post, now the only original band member, recruited a new band, consisting of Stephen Fitzpatrick (guitar), Suzanne Sokol (bass) and Jimmy Madla (drums), and continued to record and perform under the Veruca Salt moniker. The new band signed with Beyond Records. The first album with the new lineup was 2000's Resolver.
December 2002 saw the release of both Resolver and lead single "Born Entertainer", in Australia through Embryo Records / MGM. Following the release of "Born Entertainer" Embryo Records / MGM released the single "Officially Dead" which contained newly recorded tracks as well as a remix of 'the Same Person. The band toured Australia, including the "Splendour in the Grass" festival alongside bands such as Placebo and Coldplay. 'Yeah Man' was released as a radio only single.
After planning to take some time to step away from the music industry the band once again toured and performed at some festival shows in Australia. The tour took in the capital cities as well as performances at both the "Falls Festival" and the newly created Southbound festival in Perth. The band completed the 2 week tour and upon arrival back in the United States performed a show at the iconic "Viper Room". The band debuted the tracks 'Blissful Queen' and 'Circular Trend' live, both would end up on the album "IV"
2005 saw another couple of line-up changes with Sokol and Madla leaving, being replaced by Solomon Snyder on bass and Michael Miley on drums for the recording of the EP Lords of Sounds and Lesser Things (LOSALT). The band then went on tour as Post, Fitzpatrick, drummer Kellii Scott and bassist Nicole Fiorentino. LOSALT was released and sold independently at the bands shows and via the website and included six new songs. The title of the EP is an extract from Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God. This preluded the full length album, "IV", released September 2006 and accompanied by a US tour. The lead single "So Weird" was released to radio at the end of October 2006.
They recorded a cover of Neil Young's song "Burned" for a 2007 Breast Cancer Benefit album due for release in October 2007. The band became inactive sometime after that, announcing in 2012 that they had entered an indefinite hiatus.
In 2013, the original lineup of the band reunited. In 2014, the band released the single "The Museum of Broken Relationships." and went on a tour of the United States and Australia. The band's first album in nine years, "Ghost Notes", was released in July 2015.
Best You Can Get
Veruca Salt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She shows us her tits
She's just a corn-fed white-bred chick
Born in the right zip code
She comes with a gold card
She'll never have to pay for it
What would she do without you? [x2]
What would she do?
He's hot off the platter
He's been handed a blank check
??
He's brung an agenda
And he's got a place to put it
What would he do without you? [x3]
What would he do?
Is this the best that you can get? [x2]
That you can get
The best that you can get
Is this the best that you can get
The best that you can get
I'm not afraid of the ocean
Afraid of devotion
I've got the balls to prove it
What would I do without you? [x3]
Is this the best (that you can get)
What would I do?
The song "Best You Can Get" by Veruca Salt is a commentary on the superficiality and materialism of modern society. The lyrics describe a privileged white girl who uses her looks and her family's wealth to get whatever she wants, and a man who is similarly entitled and driven by his own self-interest. The singer asks the question "Is this the best that you can get?" implying that there must be something more meaningful and fulfilling beyond these empty pursuits.
The first verse describes the girl as "crazy and shit" and using her physical assets to gain attention and favors. She is from a wealthy background and carries a gold card that allows her to live a life of luxury without any real effort or sacrifice. The singer questions what she would do without this privileged status, as it seems she has little else going for her. The second verse introduces a man who is similarly entitled and opportunistic, using his blank check and ambitious agenda to climb the social ladder. The repeated question "what would he do without you?" suggests that this man is dependent on the support and favor of others to achieve his goals.
The chorus repeats the question "is this the best that you can get?" which is directed at both the individuals described in the verses and society as a whole. The singer then asserts her own bravery and willingness to pursue her own path, not limited by fears or social expectations. The final question "what would I do without you?" is perhaps a nod to the idea that we all need connections and relationships to thrive, but there should be a deeper purpose and meaning behind those connections than just superficial material gain.
Line by Line Meaning
She's all crazy and shit
She is eccentric and unpredictable
She shows us her tits
She exposes her body for attention
She's just a corn-fed white-bred chick
She is a stereotypical, privileged white girl
Born in the right zip code
Her upbringing was fortunate and provided many opportunities
She comes with a gold card
She has access to wealth and luxury
She'll never have to pay for it
She will always have access to resources without financial struggle
What would she do without you? [x2]
She is dependent on others for support and assistance
He's not afraid of the future
He is confident and optimistic about what lies ahead
He's hot off the platter
He is fresh and attractive to others
He's been handed a blank check
He has been given limitless resources and opportunity
He's brung an agenda
He has goals and intentions to achieve
And he's got a place to put it
He has the means and resources to achieve his goals
What would he do without you? [x3]
He is reliant on others for support
Is this the best that you can get? [x2]
Is this the highest level of achievement or potential?
That you can get
The maximum potential attainable
The best that you can get
The pinnacle of one's capabilities
I'm not afraid of the ocean
I am unafraid of risk and the unknown
Afraid of devotion
Fearful of committing oneself completely to something or someone
I've got the balls to prove it
I have the courage and conviction to demonstrate my fearlessness
What would I do without you? [x3]
I am dependent on others for support and assistance
What would I do?
I question my ability to succeed independent of external help
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roiy Benkel
Only You Know
Don't thank me for what you got
I've given you love, I've given you too much thought
Don't blame me for sinking the ship
You're a hopeless liar and a hypocrite
Only you know, only you know
Only you know, only you know
Don't thank me for what you got
I've given you love, I've given you too much thought
Don't shame me for calling it quits
You're a hopeless sinner and an optimist
Only you know, only you know
Only you know, only you know
Don't hate me for what you got
I've given you drugs
I've given you too much thought
Don't blame me for flunking the test
I'd rather think that you were honest
Don't blame me 'cause you got caught
You've given me up, you've taking everything I've got
Those lies came straight from your mouth
I never dreamed that you would be a sellout
Only you know, only you know
Only you know, only you know
Don't use me as your last crutch
I've taken you in, I've trusted you way too much
Don't wear me around your wrist
You should've though it through before you blew it
Same day, same life
Different person
Your ghost
My pride
Perfect
"That you leave me alone"
Same day, same day
Same life, same life
Different person
Your ghost, your ghost
My pride, my pride
Perfect union
Don't hate me for what you got
I've given you love
I've given you too much thought
Don't shame me for sinking the ship
You're a hopeless liar and a hypocrite
Don't hate me for what you're not
I'm aiming your gun, I'm not enough a perfect shot
Don't waste me, on something stupid like this
I would rather die than take this bullet
(same day) I would rather die than take this bullet
(same day) I would rather die than take this bullet
(same day) I would rather die than take this bullet
I would rather die than take your bullet!!!!
Only you know (than take your bullet!!)
Only you know (different person)
(Than take your bullet!!)
Only you know (than take your bullet!!)
Only you know (different person)
Only you know only you know (different person)
Only you know only you know (different person)
* Thanx a lot to Joe & Jami who corrected some mistakes for this one *
Disconnected
( Next message )
Disconnected, it's the way that I wanted it to be
The Cult Electric is my favorite record of the week
Cause I'm not feeling sweet
But I can't say that when everyone is so judgmental
And I can't play back all the times when you were gentle
Cause even you can't be true
It's astounding what love can do to a city
Laurel Canyon was the best place for you and me to be
I chose the curtains and I dreamed a dream of domesticity
What a freak you made of me
Now I'm on Zoloft because you told me I was crazy
And I won't jump cause now I know you'd never catch me
And I can't leave you because you swore you'd never let me
But even you, talk shit too.
It's January when I jumped the fence of your backyard
Finish the fairy tale that you weren't drunk enough to start
It's kind of scary when your lover leaves you for a movie star
But I'm still in the dark
But you have trained me to watch my back and drop my standards
And you have shamed me since the first time you were with her
And you cant make me love your band or buy your records
Cause you have tainted my respect for your adventures
And you will never have the chance to trace my features
And you will never make me feel like such a loser
And you can have the past 'cause I'm in love with the future
I'm in love with the future
And I have met a boy
Who makes you look so shallow (I'm in love with the future)
And there is so much time
And so much space to travel (I'm in love with the future)
And I will make the climb and I will kiss the gravel (I'm in love with the future)
(Touch the sky) (It's kinda scary)
And I will kiss the gravel (I'm in love with the future)
(Touch the sky) (It's kinda scary)
And I will kiss the gravel
I'll touch the sky
I'll touch the sky
Watch me..watch me
I'll touch the sky
I'll touch...
The sky, the sky
* Thanx a lot to Joe & Jami who corrected some mistakes for this one *
All Dressed Up
Don't you see
I'm the one for you, you're the one for me
Don't you see
The love I've got is the love you need
Don't you see
I'm all dressed up
To be what you want
Me to be I'm all dressed up
To be what you want me to be
I'm all dressed up
All dressed up, all dressed up
Don't you see, don't you see
The infinite possibilities
Don't you need, don't you need
The kind of love that I need
Don't you see me, don't you see me
I'm all dressed up
To be what you want me to be
I'm all dressed up
To be what you taught me to be
I'm all dressed up
All messed up, all messed up
You don't even notice me
Moving you like a ton of glaciers
You don't even notice me
Soothing you like a long lost sister
You don't even care
No you don't even care
All dressed up
With no place to go
But home, but home
I'm all dressed up
To be what you want me to be
I'm all dressed up
To be what you want me to be
I'm all dressed up
All dressed up, all dressed up
You don't even comfort me
And carry on with the will of Samson
You don't even comfort me
You keep your faith and you keep your phantoms
And you don't even care
No you don't even care
All dressed up still there's something wrong
I'm all dressed up and you're just a song
I'm all dressed up you're forever gone everlong
You don't even care
No you don't even care
You don't even care
No you don't even care
You don't even care
No you don't even care
You don't even care
No you don't even care
You don't even care
No you don't even care
You don't even care
Used To Know Her
I used to know her
I used to talk about her
Waiting for the day that she would listen
I used to know her
I used to stick up for her
Something in her smile was so bitchin'
I used to sing, I used to sing
I used to know her
Used to know all about her
I used to need her
There was something about her
I used to torch her
It's the best way around her
I used to know her
Now it just doesnt matter, oh yeah
oh yeah...
I used to fuck him
I used to simplify him
Something in his walk was like Jim Morrison
I used to touch him
I used to justify him
Lying to my face with my permission.
I used to sing, I used to sing
I used to fuck him
Used to fucking love him
I used to need him
Now I read all about him
I used to touch him
Now I could never kiss him
I used to love him
Now I dont even miss him, oh yeah.
oh yeah, oh yeah
oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah...
I used to know her.....
I used to terrify her, I used to terrify her, I used to terrify her
I used to terrify her, I used to terrify her
I used to sing, we used to sing!
I used to know her
I used to know all about her
I used to need her
There was something about her
I'm used to tortue
It's the best way around her
I used to know her
Now she just doesn't matter, oh yeah
She just doesn't matter..oh yeah
She just doesn't matter..oh yeah
She just doesn't matter..oh yeah
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah, yeah
Pretty Boys
Last night I dreamt you were gay
It was all you needed to say
Finally an answer for why you dont want me that way
Last year I slept in your arms
Slept right through the alarm
But now you live in Virginia, alone on a farm
Boys Will be Boys
Boys Will be Boys
Girls can't avoid
Pretty Boys
Last July I came untied
My trousers , my bra , and my pride
You were so confident that I would let you inside.
Back of the bus in Berlin
That was the summer of sin
Bryan and Richie pounding the bottle of gin
Liars and lovers
Twin brothers
Never win
Boys Will be Boys
Boys Will be Boys
Girls can't avoid
Pretty Boys
Girls can't avoid
Pretty Boys
No girls can't avoid
Pretty Boys
Hellraiser
Weren't you the pilot who fell from the skies
Was it a big mistake or just plain homicide
How does it feel on the other side
Do you hang out with the saints or the spies
Are you still hellraising
Are you still hellraising
Hellraising
Is this the kind of thing we always fear
Are you so bent on hell you'd leave me up here
God bless the miles we travelled too fast
God help the suckers dead in your path
Are you still hellraising
Are you still hellraising
Hellraising
You will pay for your mistakes
You will pay for your mistakes
You will pay for your mistakes
You will pay
This love was born on crutches, crippled and bored
Ripped out asleep and strangled by a phone cord
Weren't you the pilot who swerved off the course
Was it disaster or just plain force?
Blake S
The intro to Born Entertainer kills me every time I listen to this CD. The first few lyrics drop like a bomb too. I just love Louise Post.
RandyfaithHalley Halley
Loursie post keep informed
Platform Junkie
Saw VS in Little Rock many years ago. Saw Louise walking around and went up to talk to her. She was the sweetest. I got two hugs from her! (One for having a Minty Fresh copy of the debut in my hands.) I’ll always cherish that memory.
moonfeline
omg, thank you so much! Best post-breakup album EVER.
James Stevenson
"You will never have the chance to trace my features." One of many many MANY great lines on this one. 🔥🌟
Ledy3r Cali
Es una obra de arte este álbum
Alex B
There's just something about this album that scratches the itch. You all know what I'm talking about. Love this!
Charles Owens
I couldn't have said it any better.
Deanna Eliot
Yup. I’m back every 3-4 months.
Noname
Fo sure💙