Special Lyrics

"Special" was the third single taken from Garbage's 1998 platinum second album Version 2.0. "Special" was written and recorded by Garbage (Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig) at their own recording studio during the 1997 sessions for Version 2.0. Although not the biggest hit from Version 2.0 worldwide, it became a huge mainstream hit in the United States, the band's home country. The song's success was marked by its two Grammy nominations - for 2000's Best Rock Song and for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. The song was accompanied by a critically acclaimed and boundary-pushing promotional video which featured Garbage battling it out in the skies above an unnamed alien world. Song profile "Special" was written and recorded at Smart Studios, Madison, Wisconsin during the 1997 sessions for Version 2.0 "Special" contains an uncredited lyric sample from 1980s 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 "Special" was released as the third single from Version 2.0 throughout the United Kingdom and mainland Europe on October 5, 1998. The single had originally been planned to be released on September 21, 1998, following Garbage's high profile headlining shows at Glasgow's Barrowland Ballroom and at the Reading Festival at the end of August 1998. Due to the delay in the release of the single, the band were not in Europe to promote it as they had begun their North American tour. This was reflected by the single's chart positions, lower than those achieved by the preceding singles "Push It" and "I Think I'm Paranoid". In the UK, it was issued by Mushroom Records on cassette, and 2x CD set. Across the formats contained new recording "13 x Forever", an acoustic version of album track "Medication" as well as a house remix of "Special" by production duo Brothers in Rhythm and a new dance remix of "Push It" by DJ Victor Calderone. "Special" charted at #15, breaking a run of four consecutive singles to make the UK Top Ten. A week later, on October 13, 1998, Mushroom issued "Special" in a collectable 3-inch CD single in blister pack packaging. This release, which contained all of the single’s tracks on the single format, was issued a week after the initial formats were issued due to UK chart rules which would have forbidden copies of the 3" CD single to count towards a chart placing. This release was available in shops for one week before deletion. In Europe, BMG issued a maxi CD and single CD format editions of the song. The slim-line maxi CD contained both UK B-sides as well as the "Special" remix, whilst the card-sleeved single CD was backed with only "13 x Forever". On October 26, 1998, Garbage's Australian label Festival Mushroom Records issued the single on a singular CD maxi containing all of the UK B-sides. "Special" was added to US radio in the autumn of 1998, in support of the band's headline tour around the United States, Canada and Mexico. In February 1999 a pop radio remix of the song was sent to radio stations and became a huge radio hit, becoming the #1 Most Added Track, and a chart run lasting well into May of that year. Comprehensive charts Year Single Chart Position 1998 "Special" UK Singles Chart #15 1998 "Special" Australian Singles Chart #54 1999 "Special" US Billboard Hot 100 #52 1999 "Special" US Billboard Hot 100 Airplay #42 1999 "Special" US Hot Dance Music/Club Play #10 1999 "Special" US Modern Rock Tracks #11 1999 "Special" US Adult Top 40 #16 1999 "Special" US Top 40 Mainstream #18 1999 "Special" US Top 40 Tracks #22 1999 "Special" US ARC Weekly Top 40 #8