Number 1 Crush

Last updated
"#1 Crush"
Numberonecrushcover.png
Single by Garbage
from the album William Shakespeare's Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture
ReleasedMarch 14, 1997 (1997-03-14)
Recorded1994–1995
Studio Smart Studios
(Madison, Wisconsin)
Genre
Length4:50
Label Mushroom
Songwriter(s) Garbage
Producer(s)
Garbage singles chronology
"Milk"
(1996)
"#1 Crush"
(1997)
"Push It"
(1998)

"#1 Crush" is a song by the American rock band Garbage, released internationally as a b-side to their debut single "Vow" (1995), and in the United Kingdom on the b-side to second single "Subhuman" (1995).

Contents

In 1996, Nellee Hooper and Marius de Vries remixed "#1 Crush" for the soundtrack to Baz Luhrmann's modernised Romeo + Juliet film adaptation. In addition to downplaying the guitars and reworking the percussion and synth elements of the song, Hooper added a distorted vocal sample from Madonna's 1995 single "Bedtime Story". [2] The remix of "#1 Crush" was released in March 1997 and went to number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it stayed for four weeks, and is Garbage's sole number-one entry on any US singles chart. "#1 Crush" was the first of two hit singles from the Romeo + Juliet soundtrack.

Song information

"#1 Crush" was written and recorded between March 1994 and May 1995 during sessions between band members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig in either Marker's basement recording studio or at their own Smart Studios in Madison. [3] Manson was concerned that listeners wouldn't realise that the song was about a stalker: "It's about somebody who wasn't quite right. The song however were slightly autobiographical. Everybody's felt obsessive about something or somebody in their life. I've felt crazy about somebody before," she explained, "That feeling - usually when you've split up with somebody - when you're absolutely obsessed with what they are doing. It's all to do with being pathetic". [4] "#1 Crush" was slated for inclusion on Garbage, until Almo Sounds co-founder Jerry Moss called his label manager worried that the song might end up "a suicide note". [5] Garbage themselves didn't think the song was particularly strong, Erikson remembering "the lyrics were a bit over the top". [5] Reflecting on the lyrics, Manson felt, "All real love is a form of obsession. If you love someone more than anything else, that degree of exclusivity requires an abnormal amount of passion and care. And that can be positive," contrasting with the protagonist of "#1 Crush, "It's just that keeping it short of unhealthy, short of violence, really requires a bit of moderation. You can't let something like that take over all of your thought processes". [6] Butch Vig later described "#1 Crush" as "disturbing". [4]

In August 1995, "#1 Crush" was released on the b-side of Garbage's singles "Vow" (in Europe, South Africa and Australasia) and "Subhuman" (in the United Kingdom). [7] Both "Subhuman" and "#1 Crush" were included as bonus tracks on the Japanese release of Garbage (titled G in Japan). [8]

Remix Release and commercial performance

Shirley Manson's platinum plaque certifying seven million worldwide sales for the Romeo + Juliet soundtracks ShirleyMansonRJPlatinumDisc.jpg
Shirley Manson's platinum plaque certifying seven million worldwide sales for the Romeo + Juliet soundtracks

Early in 1996, Garbage's manager Shannon O'Shea pitched "#1 Crush" to 20th Century Fox for inclusion on the Romeo + Juliet movie. The song was received enthusiastically by Fox; however Almo were dead set against the sync opportunity as the soundtrack would be released on another label, Capitol. After months of negotiation, Almo finally agreed. By this time, Garbage had scored two big hits in the US ("Only Happy When It Rains" and "Stupid Girl") and had broken through into the mainstream. The promotions team at Capitol planned to release the Garbage track first and then follow it up with a second song from the soundtrack: The Cardigans "Lovefool". Almo were concerned that "#1 Crush" was competing with the last single releases from the debut album: "Supervixen" had just been released to alternative radio and "Milk" to adult radio formats. [5] Almo had already pressed CDs and cassettes for the physical release of "Milk", and refused to give Capitol single rights. No commercial single for "#1 Crush" could be made available in stores, therefore the song would be ineligible for the Hot 100. [9] Capitol's promo rep was keen, however, for Garbage to shoot a music video for the song. [5]

The soundtrack album for Romeo + Juliet was released in North America on October 29, 1996, a few days ahead of the movie itself which opened-wide in cinemas on November 1; "#1 Crush" was placed as the album opener. [10] O'Shea had already gave a couple of radio stations the jump by providing early copies of the track on hastily burned CDRs. "#1 Crush" quickly got added to 22 station playlists, even though "Supervixen" was officially the current Garbage single and still increasing in airplay. [11] The following week, "#1 Crush" was the Most Added track at alternative radio, eclipsing "Supervixen" by adding a further 38 stations, while "Supervixen" gained none. [12] The Romeo + Juliet OST debuted at #44 on the Billboard 200. [13] The quick pick up at radio meant that "#1 Crush" debuted at #17 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart and #49 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart; [9] "Supervixen" quickly lost traction as "#1 Crush" soared ahead, gaining more station adds and almost tripling its weekly play total. [14] At this time, Almo was still refusing to support the single and were now focused on servicing "Milk". [5]

By December, the soundtrack album had shot up to #12; Billboard declared that "#1 Crush" has become "the driving force behind the [Romeo + Juliet OST]" [9] as it broke into the Modern Rock top ten. [15] Due to the song's runaway success, Garbage contemplated filming a music video for it at the end of their touring commitments. [16] Almo had reluctantly agreed to get behind "#1 Crush" after Geffen executives put pressure on the label to do so. "Milk" didn't even chart. [5] On the first week of January 1997, "#1 Crush" peaked at #29 on the Hot 100 Airplay chart as it hit the #1 spot on the Modern Rock chart. [6] The song would spend the next four weeks at the summit. [6] The Romeo + Juliet OST eventually hit #2 on the albums chart; while Garbage rebounded from the lower-70s into the top 50. [17] By the end of its chart-run, "#1 Crush" had spent a total of sixteen weeks on the Hot 100 Airplay chart [18] and twenty-two on the Modern Rock chart. [19] Erikson later recalled: "Turns out we didn't even need a video." [5]

From March through May 1997, Romeo + Juliet opened in cinemas throughout Europe. [20] In April, Mushroom serviced "#1 Crush" to European radio, where it placed on Music & Media's Most Added list, [21] and re-released the debut album bundled with a bonus "#1 Crush" CD single. [22]

In 2007, the remix of "#1 Crush" was remastered for both Garbage's greatest hits album Absolute Garbage [23] and Romeo + Juliet: Music from the Motion Picture (10th Anniversary Edition), [24] and in 2012, it was included in the band's second greatest hits album The Absolute Collection released in Oceania. In 2015, an early demo mix of "#1 Crush", was included as a previously unreleased bonus track on Garbage (20th Anniversary Super Deluxe Edition) along with new remasters of the original version and the remix. [25] The same year, The Absolute Collection was remastered for iTunes where the "#1 Crush" remix was replaced with the original version. In 2022, the remix was remastered again and included in the band's third greatest hits album Anthology .

Critical reception

"#1 Crush" generated a mostly positive response from music critics and radio programmers. Don O'Neal, PD of KFRR in Fresno, California, praised Garbage for following up the mass-appeal crossover "Stupid Girl" with the "almost gothic" "#1 Crush". [26] "#1 Crush" was nominated for Best Song from a Movie at the 1997 MTV Movie Awards.

Media appearances

Aside from Romeo + Juliet, "#1 Crush" has become an enduring work for the band, featuring in multiple media since and has also covered by multiple artists. In 2004, the original version of "#1 Crush" became the theme tune to the British sci-fi drama Hex . [27] The song was also licensed for episodes of the shows La Femme Nikita and True Blood [28] and is performed by a character in the series Shameless [29] and movie Soldier's Girl . [30] [31] In 2022, the remix was used in episode 7 of the second season of American Horror Stories . [32]

Credits and personnel

Charts

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garbage (band)</span> American rock band

Garbage is an American rock band formed in 1993 in Madison, Wisconsin. The band's line-up—consisting of Scottish singer Shirley Manson (vocals) and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig —has remained unchanged since its inception. All four members are involved in the songwriting and production process. Garbage has sold over 17 million albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Champagne Supernova</span> 1996 single by Oasis

"Champagne Supernova" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. It is the closing track on the band's second studio album, (What's the Story) Morning Glory? (1995), and was released as the sixth and final single from the album in Australia and New Zealand on 13 May 1996. The Jam frontman Paul Weller appears as a guest guitarist and backing vocalist on the track. A music video for the song, directed by Nigel Dick, was released in 1996. The single was not released in the UK.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stupid Girl (Garbage song)</span> 1996 single by Garbage

"Stupid Girl" is a song by American rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was written and produced by band members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig. "Stupid Girl" features lyrics about a young woman's ambivalence and is a musical arrangement centered on a repetitive bassline and a drum sample from the Clash's 1980 song "Train in Vain".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Subhuman (song)</span> 1995 single by Garbage

"Subhuman" is a 1995 song written, recorded and produced by alternative rock band Garbage, and was originally released as an international B-side on "Vow", Garbage's debut single. That song had earlier been pressed as a limited edition 7-inch vinyl in the United Kingdom for the purposes of launching the band; when it came to re-releasing "Vow", Mushroom Records felt that "Subhuman" was strong enough to be issued as an A-side to follow up "Vow". A last-minute decision was made to switch the songs. "Vow" was relegated to bonus track on the CD single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vow (song)</span> 1995 single by Garbage

"Vow" is a song by alternative rock band Garbage. It was released as their debut single in early 1995 by Discordant, a label set up by Mushroom Records to launch the group, and Almo Sounds in North America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Only Happy When It Rains</span> 1995 single by Garbage

"Only Happy When It Rains" is an alternative rock song written and produced by American alternative rock band Garbage for their self-titled debut studio album (1995). It was recorded at the band's own studio, Smart Studios, in Madison, Wisconsin, and is known for its tongue-in-cheek lyrics parodying the typically angst-filled themes of mid-'90s alternative rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Special (Garbage song)</span> 1998 single by Garbage

"Special" is song by American rock band Garbage from their second studio album, Version 2.0 (1998). It was released as the album's third single. The track contains a vocal interpolation of a lyric taken from "Talk of the Town" by the Pretenders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">When I Grow Up (Garbage song)</span> 1999 single by Garbage

"When I Grow Up" is a 1998 song written, recorded and produced by alternative rock band Garbage. The song was released as the fourth international single to be taken from the band's multi-platinum second album Version 2.0 over the course of the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Push It (Garbage song)</span> 1998 song by Garbage

"Push It" is a song by American rock band Garbage from their second studio album, Version 2.0 (1998). It was released on April 20, 1998, as the album's lead single. Lead singer Shirley Manson elaborated on the song's dreamy verse structure versus the confrontational chorus: "[It's about] the schizophrenia that exists when you try to reconcile your desires and demons with the need to fit in. It's a song of reassurance". The track contains a musical quotation of the Beach Boys' 1964 song "Don't Worry Baby".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queer (song)</span> 1995 single by Garbage

"Queer" is a song by American rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song started as a demo during sessions between band members Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, and Steve Marker, and finished after singer Shirley Manson joined the band. Manson rewrote the sexualized lyrics to be more ambiguous, and rearranged the song into a subdued trip hop and rock crossover composition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milk (Garbage song)</span> 1996 single by Garbage

"Milk" is a song written and produced by American alternative rock band Garbage from their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was released internationally the following year as the album's fifth and final single. Garbage collaborated with English trip hop musician Tricky on a new version of "Milk" for single release. Much media comment was made regarding a rumoured fall-out over the sessions, when it became known that Garbage produced a further mix of "Milk" that only incorporated Tricky's vocals from that session.

"Supervixen" is an alternative rock song written and performed by alternative rock band Garbage and is the opening track on their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was titled after Russ Meyer's 1975 sexploitation film Supervixens but was influenced by Pier Paolo Pasolini's period horror art film Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom, which had been playing on a monitor above the soundboard at Smart Studios when the band were working on it.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walkin' on the Sun</span> 1997 single by Smash Mouth

"Walkin' on the Sun" is a song by American rock band Smash Mouth from their first album, Fush Yu Mang (1997). Released as their debut single in June 1997, the song was Smash Mouth's first major single, reaching No. 1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 Airplay chart. It was also a success abroad, peaking at No. 3 in Canada and Iceland, No. 5 in Italy and Spain, and No. 7 in Australia, where it is certified platinum for shipments exceeding 70,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lovefool</span> 1996 single by the Cardigans

"Lovefool" is a song written by Peter Svensson and Nina Persson for Swedish rock band the Cardigans' third studio album, First Band on the Moon (1996). It was released as the album's lead single on 10 August 1996 in Japan. In the United States, the song was serviced to radio two days later. A few months after its release, the track was included in the Baz Luhrmann film Romeo + Juliet, helping the song gain international recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Garbage discography</span>

Garbage is an American rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993. The group's discography consists of seven studio albums, three compilation albums, one remix album, one extended play, 37 singles, four promotional singles, three video albums, and 38 music videos. The line-up consists of Scottish-born Shirley Manson and Americans Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig. They have amassed worldwide album sales of over 17 million units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abuse Me</span> 1997 single by Silverchair

"Abuse Me" is a song by the Australian rock band Silverchair. It was released as the second single from their 1997 album, Freak Show. In the United States, Sony chose "Abuse Me" as the first single from Freak Show despite protests by the band's manager. "Freak" was the Australian lead single and the preferred lead single from the album. It was also released on their The Best of Volume 1. The single peaked at number four on both the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and Mainstream Rock Tracks charts, making it their second biggest hit in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swallowed (song)</span> 1996 single by Bush

"Swallowed" is a song by British rock band Bush, released on 15 October 1996 as the lead single from the band's 1996 album, Razorblade Suitcase. It was later included on the remix album Deconstructed, the live album Zen X Four, and the Bush greatest hits compilation. The release of "Swallowed" followed the fifth and final single off of the band's 1994 debut album Sixteen Stone, "Machinehead", by only six months.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White, Discussion</span> 1995 single by Live

"White, Discussion" is a song by the rock group Live, which was released as the fifth and final single from their 1994 album, Throwing Copper.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young Hearts Run Free</span> 1976 single by Candi Staton

"Young Hearts Run Free" is a disco song written by David Crawford and originally recorded by American soul singer Candi Staton in 1976. In 1996, it was covered by American house music singer Kym Mazelle for the triple-platinum selling soundtrack of Romeo + Juliet. Rolling Stone ranked "Young Hearts Run Free" number 150 their list of "200 Greatest Dance Songs of All Time" in 2022, while Billboard ranked it among the "500 Best Pop Songs of All Time" in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shirley Manson discography</span>

This is a discography of Scottish recording artist Shirley Manson, who has performed as the lead singer of American rock band Garbage since 1994. Before then, she was a backing vocalist and keyboard player for Goodbye Mr Mackenzie from 1981 to 1992. The band had one UK Top 40 single, "The Rattler". Manson was then signed as a solo artist, performing under the name Angelfish with some members of Goodbye Mr Mackenzie, releasing Angelfish in the early 1990s.

References

  1. Brian Galindo, Alex Naidus & Ryan Creed (November 5, 2023). "37 Alt Rock Songs You Haven't Thought About Since The Late '90s". BuzzFeed . Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  2. Sandiford-Waller, Theda (1996-12-07). "Hot 100 Singles Spotlight; Wherefore Art Thou". Billboard. p. 91.
  3. " Q (issue 09/01/1996)" (Retrieved - 2008-02-10)
  4. 1 2 Simpson, Dave (1995-08-12). Vig's Atomic Dustbin. UK: Melody Maker.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This Is the Noise That Keeps Me Awake . Akashic Books. 2017. p. 64. ISBN   978-1-61775-550-7.
  6. 1 2 3 Bambarger, Bradley (1997). The Modern Age. Billboard.
  7. "Vow (Discordant) / Subhuman (Mushroom)". Press release. Mushroom Records UK. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  8. Watson, Rob. "Garbage BVCP-881 (1st Japanese Pressing)". Garbage-Discography.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2005-04-27. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  9. 1 2 3 Sandiford-Waller, Theda (1996). Hot 100 Singles Spotlight. Billboard.
  10. Mayfield, Geoff (1996). Between the Bullets. Billboard.
  11. R&R Alternative Top 50; November 8, 1996 (Airplay from October 28-November 3) (PDF). R&R, Inc. 1996-11-08. p. 85.
  12. R&R Alternative Top 50; November 15, 1996 (Airplay from November 4-10) (PDF). R&R, Inc. 1996-11-15. p. 84.
  13. The Billboard 200. Billboard. 1996. p. 96.
  14. R&R Alternative Top 50; November 22, 1996 (Airplay from November 11-17) (PDF). R&R, Inc. 1996-11-08. p. 77.
  15. Modern Rock Tracks - December 7th, 1996. Billboard. 1996. p. 85.
  16. 'Romeo, Juliet' doth climbeth albums chart. Archived from the original on 2011-05-16.{{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  17. Billboard 200 (Jan 25, 1997). Billboard. 1997.
  18. "Garbage Chart History "#1 Crush"". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  19. "Garbage Chart History "#1 Crush"". Billboard. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  20. "Romeo + Juliet; Foreign". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved 2019-10-15.
  21. M&M Airplay; Station Reports; Most Added (PDF). Music & Media. 1997-04-12. p. 17.
  22. #1 Crush (EU CD Single liner notes). Garbage. Mushroom Records UK/BMG. 1997. 74321 47771-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  23. "New Best Of Album". Garbage.com. Archived from the original on 2010-05-01. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
  24. Cinquemani, Sal (2007-02-20). "Review: Romeo + Juliet: 10th Anniversary Edition, Original Soundtrack". Slant.
  25. Brodsky, Rachel (2 September 2015). "Garbage Announces Release Date, Track List for 20th Anniversary Edition of Debut Album". Spin. Retrieved 2015-09-02.
  26. Carter, Kevin (March 15, 1997). Maintaining an Acts Modern Base. Billboard.
  27. "Hex (TV Series 2004-2005) - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  28. Woerner, Meredith (14 July 2014). "True Blood Brings Back Everything We Love About This Series". io9 .
  29. ""Shameless" I'll Light a Candle For You Every Day - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  30. "Soldier's Girl (TV Movie 2003) - Soundtracks". IMDb. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  31. Lee Pace performing to "No 1 Crush" in Soldier's Girl on YouTube
  32. Topham, Michelle (2022-09-02). "Listen to Garbage's '#1 Crush" from American Horror Stories, Season 2, Ep. 7". Leo Sigh. Retrieved 2022-09-17.
  33. "Top RPM Singles: Issue 9891." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  34. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9795." RPM . Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  35. "Íslenski Listinn". DV (in Icelandic). April 25, 1997. p. 16. ISSN   1021-8254 . Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  36. "Garbage Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  37. "Garbage Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  38. "Garbage Chart History (Radio Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  39. "RPM '97 Year End Top 50 Alternative Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
  40. "Árslistinn 1997". DV (in Icelandic). January 2, 1998. p. 16. ISSN   1021-8254 . Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  41. "1997 The Year in Music: Hot Modern Rock Tracks". Billboard. Vol. 109, no. 52. December 27, 1997. p. YE-73. ISSN   0006-2510 . Retrieved October 8, 2017.