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.
Bodies
Veruca Salt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
She just had an abortion
She was a case of insanity
Her name was Pauline
She lived in a tree
She wasn't out when he killed her baby
She sent the letters from the country
She was a bloody disgrace
Bodies, I'm not an animal
Dragged on a table in a factory
Illegitimate place to be
In a package in a lavatory
Die little baby, screaming
Bodies, I'm not an animal
I'm not an animal
It's an abortion
Bodies, I'm not an animal
Mummy I'm not an animal
I'm not an animal (x3)
(fucking bloody mess)
Fuck this and fuck that
Fuck it all and fuck her fucking brat
She don't want to baby that looks like that
I don't want to baby that looks like that
Bodies, I'm not an animal (Repeat: x 3)
Mummy I'm not an animal
I'm not an animal
(Mummy) I'm not an animal
The song "Bodies" by Veruca Salt talks about the horrific and emotional outcomes of abortion. The lyrics reveal the story of Pauline, a girl from Birmingham who has just had an abortion. The song tells us that Pauline is a case of insanity and is forced to live in a tree-like an animal. Unfortunately, she wasn't out when her baby was killed.
The song implies that Pauline regrets her decision, as she sends letters from the country. The chorus "Bodies, I'm not an animal" means that even though Pauline made the decision to have an abortion, she's still a human and should not be treated like an animal. The line "Dragged on a table in a factory, Illegitimate place to be" symbolizes the inhumane treatment of fetuses.
The second part of the song talks about the perspectives of the father and the mother towards the baby. The lines "Fuck this and fuck that, Fuck it all and fuck her fucking brat, She don't want a baby that looks like that, I don't want a baby that looks like that" reveal the father's frustration, and the mother's wish to protect her child. The song ends with a repetition of the line "Mummy, I'm not an animal," which emphasizes the humanity of the fetus.
Line by Line Meaning
She was a girl from Birmingham
The woman being referred to in this song hailed from Birmingham.
She just had an abortion
The woman had recently undergone an abortion.
She was a case of insanity
She was perceived as someone who had a mental illness.
Her name was Pauline
The woman's name was Pauline.
She lived in a tree
It is not clear whether this line is meant to be taken literally or metaphorically.
She wasn't out when he killed her baby
It appears that the woman's child was killed, possibly by the father, while she wasn't present.
She sent the letters from the country
The woman was in a rural area when she sent letters.
She was an animal
This line is likely meant to be taken metaphorically, suggesting that the woman was treated poorly or like an animal.
She was a bloody disgrace
She is being characterized as shameful and disgraceful.
Bodies, I'm not an animal
The artist is asserting that they are a human being, not an animal.
Dragged on a table in a factory
The image suggested by this line is brutal and violent.
Illegitimate place to be
The situation being described is seen as improper or unacceptable.
In a package in a lavatory
The concept being conveyed here is particularly disturbing and revolting.
Die little baby, screaming
The notion being conveyed by this line is horrifying and brutal.
It's an abortion
The singer is identifying the procedure that was performed.
Mummy I'm not an animal
The artist is directly addressing their mother in order to protest the way they are being treated.
I'm not an animal (x3)
The artist is reiterating that they are not an animal, likely in response to feeling mistreated or dehumanized.
(fucking bloody mess)
The phrase is likely meant to convey the disgusting or violent nature of the situation being described.
Fuck this and fuck that
The lyric conveys a sense of anger and frustration.
Fuck it all and fuck her fucking brat
The artist is expressing contempt for the woman and her child.
She don't want to baby that looks like that
The woman is rejecting the child based on their appearance.
I don't want to baby that looks like that
The artist is saying that they don't want a child that looks like that either.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Simon Beverly, John Lydon, Paul Thomas Cook, Stephen Philip Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
M o R
I had to get used to this version, at first I thought it was weird, but it actually is a good cover. One may not like the new style, but that is taste. And taste does not define wether a cover is bad. Sex Pistols is not for everyone, this version opens the song up to a wider audience, which a true Sex Pistols fan should be able to appreciate. It is good and daring that they tried to do something with this song. Personally I like it. You know, the worst covers are usually the exact copies of a song where they try to impersonate the original. An effort was made here, and I appriciate that.
Alien_Turd02
@PuppiesandSunshine True! A cover is putting your own twist to it!
M o R
@PuppiesandSunshine Very true!
PuppiesandSunshine
Agreed. If you are recording a cover that sounds exactly like the original, what the fuck are you even doing?
Rebel Guy
This interpretation is genius......a song about abortion disguised as a pop rock lullaby!
Bradley Ferrier
Works for me. Love Sex Pistols and love Veruca Salt. Nice take from VS, they are fans and respectful to great music. From the first album to the current one they acknowledge rock n fuckin roll
Ruth Mackey
They did the cover in their own way, which I can appreciate. I wish they would have done it in a more punk rock style closer to the Sex Pistols version so I could blast it on my stereo all day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. Just greedy.
d. elso
What's not to love? I never tire of the cover. Too bad for you if you miss the splendor.
Vhuault
Bodies, i love it!!!! God, put Nina back in VS!
Rebel Guy
Plot twist......VS regrouped. Nina's back!