#1 Crush

video #1 Crush Nellee Hooper mix which was used on the soundtrack for the film William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet 1997

originally a 1995 b-side to Vow then in 1997 a remix by Nellee Hooper made the soundtrack of the film Romeo & Juliet

#1 Crush was written and recorded at Smart Studios in 1994 when tracks for the debut album were created

the song is a peek inside the mind of a stalker. Shirley Manson says of obsessive love..

"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. 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 takeover all of your thought processes."

in 1996 the song was remixed by producer Nellee Hooper who removed most of the guitars and gave the music a more electronic and mysterious quality. Hooper also added a distorted vocal sample from "Bedtime Story" by Madonna. This version is used on the soundtrack album for 1997 film "William Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet," starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

[an album of music from the film is available as a 10th Anniversary release on 5th February 2007, with the remix of #1 Crush as the first track setting the tone for the film's story about obsessive love]

#1 Crush original Garbage version is also used as the theme tune for tv's gothic Hex (although sadly, they butcher it!)

LYRICS #1 CRUSH

I would die for you

I would die for you

I've been dying just to feel you by my side

To know that you're mine

I will cry for you

I will cry for you

I will wash away your pain with all my tears

And drown your fear

I will pray for you

I will pray for you

I will sell my soul for something pure and true

Someone like you

See your face every place that I walk in

Hear your voice every time I am talking

You will believe in me

And I will never be ignored

I will burn for you

Feel pain for you

I will twist the knife and bleed my aching heart

I'll tear it apart

I will lie for you

Beg and steal for you

I will crawl on hands and knees until you see

You're just like me

Violate all the love that I'm missing

Throw away all the pain that I'm living

You will believe in me

And I can never be ignored

I would die for you

I would kill for you

I will steal for you

I'd do time for you

I would wait for you

I'd make room for you

I'd sail ships for you

To be close to you

To be a part of you

'Cause I believe in you

I believe in you

I would die for you.

"you will believe in me and I can never be ignored"...


"you're just like me"...


"see your face every place that I walk in , hear your voice every time I am talking "...


"Violate all the love that I'm missing, throw away all the pain that I'm living, you will believe in me...

aloadofgarbage 4.2.08

I think this is someone needing to be acknowledged by the person or people he/she loves. Although I know the song is about a stalker, I can't help but think it is also about someone desperate to be given equal credit.

This line could mean "I'm just like you" or "I'm as good as you" or "You may think you are but you're no better than me." Again, this is a person who craves recognition like flowers need rain.

hexu 5.2.08

total obsession, being able to think of no-one else. Being deeply and dangerously in love with someone. Not too healthy, but gorgeously exciting.

obsessed 16.05.2008

Shirley, tell us what this line means!

Iamthestalker 05.16.08

Think the line means: "I don't care if you belittle my passion or my heartache, I will still love you and make you notice me."

stupidgirl 16.05.08

I have always thought the whole song is about women fighting for their rights in a man's world. The 'you' in the song is (I think) the power of womanhood (or self), not a man or love object! Shirley is rallying girls and women to love and believe in themselves above all else and no matter what.

 

links

song meanings...?

here are some theories for the meaning of Garbage and Shirley Manson 's lyrics. If you wish to add your own ideas you can comment at the foot of this page or in the forum. I will add your contribution to the appropriate page within a few days.

lyrics:

theories for meaning: