Slackerbitch

Album: Placebo (1996)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Placebo frontman Brian Molko poses as a tortured chauvinist on this track, singing "Slackerbitch, fag-hag, whore" about the woman who shows up at his door. In 1997, Molko told Melody Maker the lyrics are "quite horrible... an exploration into somebody's misogyny. This man in the song feels very threatened by women, but at the same time, it's very heartfelt. It's angry and nasty and insulting and completely politically incorrect. I'm not afraid to say I've felt some of those things. It walks a very fine line, and it's dangerous. I decided that I have to be responsible as the person who wrote those lyrics. I know that it describes a genuine emotion."
  • Before it was released, the band played the song to several women to gauge their reaction on its misogynistic tone, but the only people who found it offensive were men. "I think the point a lot of people would miss is that you're not supposed to like the guy in the song," Molko explained. "He's a fool."
  • Despite getting positive feedback from female listeners, the band decided to leave the track off the album, but they released it as the B-side to their breakthrough single "Nancy Boy." It was, however, included on the track list of the 2006 reissue of Placebo.
  • In a 1997 interview with NME, Molko again broached the song's abusive subject matter, saying: "I mean it's a very politically incorrect song to put out, but I'll stand behind it because it contains feeling that some men do feel towards women. Men feel very threatened by women. Sometimes you have to say something negative to make a positive point. I mean if I want to insult a guy I'll call him a prick, and if it's a girl you might call her a bitch, what's the actual difference? This song opens up that and forces that question to be addressed."
  • Placebo, the band's debut album, peaked at #5 on the UK Albums Chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Dr. John

Dr. JohnSongwriter Interviews

The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock Photography

Danny Clinch: The Art of Rock PhotographySong Writing

One of rock's top photographers talks about artistry in photography, raising funds for a documentary, and enjoying a County Fair with Tom Waits.

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Dar Williams

Dar WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.