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.
Taking Europe With Me
Veruca Salt Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Open my eyes, how'd I get here?
Order food and turn on oprah.
Things are clean in canada!
I think I just might -- prefer that
I think I just might -- repeat that
I think I just might -- repress that
I think I just might -- veruca
I think I just might -- salt that
I think I just might -- change the channel
I think I just might
Thieves are on the loose again, yeah.
Thought you were my friend; you are not.
Find what your heart is after.
Bite your tongue you fucking bastard.
I think I just might -- prefer that
I think I just might -- repeat that
I think I just might -- repress that
I think I just might
I think I just might -- free that
I think I just might -- obsess that
I think I just might -- said blow it out your ass
I think I just might
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
I'm taking europe with me
So they'll be one less soul to rescue.
You come with me
So they'll find two less freaks at sea.
(taking) europe with me,
So they'll be one less soul to rescue.
You come with me
So they'll find two less freaks at sea.
see'est tout, see'est finit
The lyrics of the song "Happy with Me" by Veruca Salt reflect on the frustrations and disappointments of the everyday life. The song starts with a desolate picture of someone living a monotonous life, finding solace in sleeping in, ordering food, and watching Oprah. The mention of Canada seems to suggest that the person is longing for a more peaceful and clean environment, away from the chaos and noise of their current lifestyle.
In the second verse, the lyrics take a more cynical and angry tone. The singer refers to someone who she thought was a friend but betrayed her trust. She advises them to find what their heart truly desires and keep their unkind thoughts to themselves. The repetition of the phrase "I think I just might" throughout the song indicates a sense of indecision and uncertainty, as if the singer doesn't know whether to take action or let things be. The final couplet of the song suggests a desire to escape from the current reality and start anew elsewhere, taking Europe with her.
Overall, the song portrays a sense of discontentment and disillusionment with life, but also a sense of resistance and a willingness to break free from conventions and expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Sleep in late a day a week a year.
I like to take my time and sleep in because life moves too fast.
Open my eyes, how'd I get here?
Sometimes I'm not sure how I ended up where I am in life.
Order food and turn on oprah.
I like to relax and enjoy my leisure time.
Things are clean in canada!
Canada seems like a nice and orderly place to be.
I think I just might -- prefer that
I'm considering sticking with what I know and like.
I think I just might -- repeat that
I'm thinking about doing something again because I enjoyed it the first time.
I think I just might -- repress that
I'm contemplating pushing down my true feelings and not showing them.
Thieves are on the loose again, yeah.
There are bad people in this world who seek to do others harm.
Thought you were my friend; you are not.
Someone I trusted turned out not to be reliable.
Find what your heart is after.
It's important to follow your heart and pursue your passions in life.
Bite your tongue you fucking bastard.
I'm angry and upset with someone who's being disrespectful.
I think I just might -- free that
I'm thinking about letting go of something that's been holding me back.
I think I just might -- obsess that
I'm considering becoming deeply interested and invested in something.
I think I just might -- said blow it out your ass
I'm thinking about being blunt and telling someone what I really think of them.
I'm taking europe with me
I'm leaving my current environment behind and starting fresh somewhere else.
So they'll be one less soul to rescue.
People won't have to worry about me as much if I'm not around anymore.
You come with me
I want someone I care about to come along on this journey with me.
So they'll find two less freaks at sea.
The people who judged me before won't have to deal with me or my companion anymore.
Lyrics Β© O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
DJIronMike
Lyrics :
Sleep in late
A day, a week, a year
Open my eyes, how'd I get here?
Order food and turn on Oprah
Things are clean in Canada!
I think I just might -- regret that
I think I just might -- repeat that
I think I just might -- repress that
I think I just might
I think I just might -- Veruca
I think I just might -- Salt that
I think I just might -- change the channel
I think I just might
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Thieves are on the loose again, yeah
Thought you were my friend; you are not
Finding what your heart is after
Bite your tongue, you fucking bastard
I think I just might -- regret that
I think I just might -- repeat that
I think I just might -- repress that
I think I just might
I think I just might -- free that
I think I just might -- obsess that
I think I just might -- said blow it out your ass
I think I just might
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo
Oo-oo-oo-hoo -ooo
I'm taking Europe with me
So there'll be one less soul to rescue
You come with me
So they'll find two less freaks at sea
(Taking) Europe with me
So there'll be one less soul to rescue
You come with me
So they'll find two less freaks at sea
C'est tout, c'est fini
Chelios6661
never get tired of this song
Seventizz
Still brilliant after all these years.
miked4309
+Seventizz saw them a month ago.........so good. they ROCK the house down.
Omar Luna
2015 and I AM LISTENING TO VERUCA SALT!!!! Follow them since the 90s!!!!
Blake S
2020. I remember the first time I heard them in 1994. I remember the first time I played this EP in my dorm room in college when I was a senior. It felt like this EP was just the right music from them. God I love hearing Louise scream.
DJIronMike
The BEST Veruca Salt song period.
Wil Corrigan
That's like bragging about the best dump you ever had.
Lord of Diamonds
@DJIronMike Eight Arms to Hold You had a fantastic production job. Yeah, it was a lot more layered than this but it's still a great record.
DJIronMike
Bob Rock destroyed them - If Albini stayed with them for 8 arms I think that would have been unreal - this ep should've been a great sign of things to come but alas we have American Thighs and this EP before things went south
π»πβ€β€ππ πππΈπππ
IMHO Venus Man Trap is their best song! At least for me π