Empty

Album: Strange Little Birds (2016)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is the first single from Garbage's sixth studio album, Strange Little Birds. "'Empty' is just exactly what it says it is. A song about emptiness," said vocalist Shirley Manson.
  • Strange Little Birds is a record with a cohesive mood of darkness. "There aren't really any upbeat pop songs," said drummer Butch Vig. "Even 'Empty,' which has a big, anthemic guitar sound, has pretty dark lyrics."

    "I love dark and dismal," Manson added. "I'm aching for some dark and dismal. Because I feel like the musical landscape of late has been incredibly happy and shiny and poppy. Everybody's fronting all the time, dancing as fast as they can, smiling as hard as they can, working on their brand. Nobody ever says, 'Actually, I'm lost and I don't have a f--king clue what I'm doing with the rest of my life and I'm frightened.'"
  • Samuel Bayer, who did the Garbage videos for "Only Happy When It Rains" and "Stupid Girl," returned to direct "Empty."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

00s Music Quiz 1

00s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

Do you know the girl singer on Eminem's "Stan"? If so, this quiz is for you.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."