Special (Garbage song)
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"Special" was the third single from Garbage's 1998 sophomore album Version 2.0. Although not the biggest worldwide hit from the album, it became the biggest hit from the album in the US, the band's home territory.
Song profile
"Special" was written and recorded at Smart Studios during the 1997 sessions for Version 2.0
Pure pop with a Californian twist, "Special" breezes through a story of jealous and conflicting lovers to the shimmer of multi-tracked vocals and melodical guitars.
Bass on "Special" is performed by Daniel Schulman.
"Special" also contains an uncredited lyric from 80's pop band The Pretenders' song 'Talk Of The Town' which was written by lead singer Chrissie Hynde. After contacting her, Hynde sent a fax to the group stating that Garbage could "sample her voice, her music or, indeed, her very arse".
An early mix of "Special" also contained a sample of band member Duke Erikson on vocals. Shirley Manson thought it was a good idea beforehand, but admits that the results "were shocking to hear"!
Single release
In Australia, Europe and the UK, "Special" was issued as a single in October 1998. In the UK the single stalled at the #15 spot.
When it was released in the US in February 1999 it became a huge radio hit, being the #1 'most-added' track in its first week, and its chart run lasted well into May of that year.
Music video
The video for "Special" was shot in London in late August 1998 by director Dawn Shadforth for Black Dog Films. The video featured the band duelling it out in the skies of an alien world. The planes from the video were actually designed by the crew who worked on .
The opening title for the video is:
"In the year 3030, Queen Astarte has taken to the skies to defend her once peaceful homeland from the evil lords of Garbania who seek to rule the universe. She has but one last chance to thwart their wicked plan........"
The video for "Special" was nominated for 'Best Special Effects' and 'Best Art Direction' at the MTV Video Music Awards in September 1999. The group won the former award but lost out on the latter. The video also won the 'Visionary Video' award at the VH1 Fashion Awards in December 1999.
Awards
"Special" won a BMI award for 'Best Pop Song' in 2000.
"Special" also was nominated for 'Best Rock Song' and 'Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group' at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Remixes
Remixes of "Special" were completed for the band by UK house act Brothers In Ryhthm, and urban radio remixes for the US were completed by US producer Rickidy Raw.
Garbage themselves also remixed "Special" with a more acoustic sounding 'Pop Mix' for US radio.
Live performances
"Special" was first performed live on 15th May 1998 in Combined Locks, Wisconsin on the first date of the 'Version 2.0' tour. It has continued to be a live favourite throughout that tour and also on the 'beautifulgarbage' and 'Bleed Like Me' world tours.
An acoustic version of "Special" has also been performed live a number of times as well as on the French TV show Nulle Part Ailleurs.
"Special" was performed live on TV shows Top Of The Pops, Pepsi Chart Show, TFI Friday (UK), The Late Show with David Letterman, Saturday Night Live and twice on The Tonight Show (US).
On 1999 live performances Shirley often ad-libbed lyrics from another Pretenders song, this time from their 1995 single 'Kid'. The ad-libs was usually the line "Kid, what changed your mood? You've gone all sad so I feel sad too, I think I know what you're about, you can't deny it."
Comprehensive charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "Special" | UK Singles Chart | #15 |
| 1998 | "Special" | Australian Singles Chart | #54 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Modern Rock Tracks | #11 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Billboard Hot 100 | #52 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Adult Top 40 | #16 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Top 40 Mainstream | #18 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Top 40 Tracks | #22 |
| 1999 | "Special" | US Hot Dance Music/Club Play | #10 |
| Garbage |
| Butch Vig | Shirley Manson | Duke Erikson | Steve Marker |
| Discography |
|---|
| Albums and extended plays: Garbage | Version 2.0 | beautifulgarbage | Bleed Like Me | Absolute Garbage |
| Singles: "Vow" | "Subhuman" | "Only Happy When It Rains" | "Queer" | "Stupid Girl" | "Milk" | "Number One Crush" | "Push It" | "I Think I'm Paranoid" | "Special" | "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" | "When I Grow Up" | "You Look So Fine" | "The World Is Not Enough" | "Androgyny" | "Cherry Lips" | "Breaking Up the Girl" | "Shut Your Mouth" | "Why Do You Love Me" | "Bleed Like Me" | "Sex Is Not the Enemy" | "Run Baby Run" |
| Related articles |
| Alternative rock | Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie | Angelfish | The World Is Not Enough | Mushroom Records | Almo Sounds | Interscope Records |
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