Songfacts®:

• Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale recalled the recording of this song to Artist Direct: "Normally when you record a ballad, you set up a click, then you play a guitar and you sing it. You replace the guitar, and you replace the voice. [Producer] Steve Albini was like, 'The string players are coming here at 1pm so whenever you're ready…' I had to sit with four amazing London Philharmonic Orchestra string players and sing 'Straight No Chaser' live alongside them. Steve really pushed me there. He said, 'You've got to really feel it and be right in there with them.'"
• Razorblade Suitcase producer Steve Albini had Gavin Rossdale record his vocal track in the studio with four London Philharmonic string players.
• Rossdale told Artist Direct: "When I showed Nigel [Pulsford, guitarist] the demo, he was listening to the lyrics and he goes, 'That is one depressing song!' [Laughs] I just said, 'Cool!' It was like Beavis [Laughs]. It felt really good to be that depressing!"