Trash (Suede song)

"Trash" is the first single from the album Coming Up by Suede, released on 29 July 1996, on Nude Records. It is the first single on which all the songs were written without guitarist Bernard Butler, since Richard Oakes had taken his place. The single is tied with "Stay Together" as the band's highest charting at number three; however, it outsold the earlier single, thus making it their biggest-selling single.[1] Outside the UK, the song topped the Finnish Singles Chart in late August and reached the top five in Denmark, Iceland and Sweden.

"Trash"
Single by Suede
from the album Coming Up
B-side"Europe Is Our Playground"
Released29 July 1996
Recorded1996
GenreBritpop, indie rock
Length4:06
LabelNude Records
Songwriter(s)Brett Anderson, Richard Oakes
Producer(s)Ed Buller
Suede singles chronology
"New Generation"
(1995)		 "Trash"
(1996)		 "Beautiful Ones"
(1996)

Song meaning

Various meanings have been given to the song, but the main themes seem to be about 'outsiders', being different but living well with it. In a 2013 interview, Anderson expanded this theme, saying: "It’s a song that’s kind of about being in the band and, by extension, it’s a song about the fans and the whole kind of ethos of being a Suede… person."[2] He also described it as the soundtrack to his life, saying "It's about believing in the romance of the everyday."[3] In an interview in late 2009, for the SkyArts' Songbook series, Anderson said about the song:

"I actually wrote it about the band Suede. It's a celebration of the band, but by extension, it's a celebration of the fans as well. And it was a kind of a song written about us, as a gang, it was written about the values we stood for. And even though it sounds like a love song, it was actually about the idea of the identity of the band, and what they stood for."

Music video

The video for the title song was filmed at Elstree Studios[4] and directed by David Mould. It features the whole band performing in a crowded, up-market bar decorated in garish primary colours among people in glamorous, high-end fashions of the day. The video also marks the first appearance of a new band member, keyboard player Neil Codling.

Reception

The song proved to be a successful comeback single for Suede, receiving praise from critics. Melody Maker had proclaimed the song "single of the week" a fortnight prior to release.[4] Tania Branigan called it "bitterly sweet, a love song for strangers; fast, in every sense of the word." In reference to the single's B-sides, she said: "In the finest 'Drowners' tradition, the two B-sides are almost finer."[5] Ted Kessler of NME said: "So the scaremongers were wrong. Brett Anderson is the creative force behind Suede. Here's the proof: this week sees the release of their first post-Bernard Butler single and nobody can really admit that they thought it would sound half as good as it does."[6] Kevin Courtney of The Irish Times said it is "probably their most direct and immediate pop statement to date."[7] Music & Media wrote: "They haven't lost their camp, dramatic touch (piped strings!), distorted guitars and strong melodies. Great summer record."[8] The Telegraph called it an "instant, flawless, three-minute essence-of-pop, as irresistible as 'Satisfaction' or 'Ride a White Swan'."[9]

Accolades

A 2014 poll by US music magazine Paste marking the 20th anniversary of Britpop listed "Trash" at number 14 in its list, "The 50 Best Britpop Songs." Michael Danaher wrote: "The song is a festering, anthemic pop gem that featuring a glorious chorus and guitar and synth-driven rhythm. A vastly underrated song this side of the Atlantic."[10] In a public poll by NME, "Trash" was placed at no. 9 in its list "50 Greatest Britpop Songs Ever," and said: "with 'Trash', Suede made being a glam weirdo seem like the most appealing thing in the world." [11]

Versions

A different version of the song appears on the group's 2003 compilation album Singles, where the vocals were re-recorded along with an alternative ending. All four of the singles' B-sides were included on Suede's compilation Sci-Fi Lullabies, which was released the following year, although the version of "Europe is our Playground" was a new version and not the original B-side version found here. "Europe is Our Playground" also marks the songwriting debut of bass guitarist Mat Osman.

A cover of "Trash" is featured on the 2009 album Rocket Science by Norwegian electro-rock band Apoptygma Berzerk.

Track listings

All songs by Brett Anderson and Richard Oakes except where noted.

7" Vinyl (via mail order), Cassette
  1. "Trash"
  2. "Europe Is Our Playground" (Anderson, Mat Osman)
CD1
  1. "Trash"
  2. "Europe Is Our Playground" (Anderson, Mat Osman)
  3. "Every Monday Morning Comes"
CD2
  1. "Trash"
  2. "Have You Ever Been This Low?"
  3. "Another No One" (Anderson)

Charts

Certifications
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[25] Silver 200,000

sales+streaming figures based on certification alone

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References
  1. Barnett, David (23 March 2010). "Trash, You & Me: The Story Of Suede's Coming Up". The Quietus. Retrieved 21 March 2017.
  2. Daly, Rhian (21 September 2016). "Watch Suede Recall Writing '90s Hit Trash'". NME. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  3. Barnett, Laura. "Portrait of the artist: Brett Anderson". The Guardian. 18 January 2010
  4. Thompson, Ben (21 July 1996). "Suede's frontman was into British pop..." The Independent. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  5. Branigan, Tania (13 July 1996). "Singles". Melody Maker: 54.
  6. Kessler, Ted (27 July 1996). "I'm Stronger Than Ever, I'm Afraid". NME.
  7. Courtney, Kevin (2 August 1996). "Trash Can Sinatra". The Irish Times. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
  8. "Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 13 (29). 20 July 1996.
  9. Bennett, James (27 July 1996). "The Arts: Suede back from the cleaners ROCK CDs". The Telegraph. p. 9.
  10. Stiernberg, Bonnie (11 June 2014). "The 50 Best Britpop Songs". Paste. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
  11. "50 Greatest Britpop Songs Ever – As Voted By You". NME. 13 May 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2018.
  12. "Ultratop.be – Suede – Trash" (in Dutch). Ultratip. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  13. "Top RPM Rock/Alternative Tracks: Issue 9736." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved 1 February 2019.
  14. "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. 31 August 2019. p. 15. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  15. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 13 no. 34. 24 August 1996. p. 12. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  16. "Suede: Trash" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  17. "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (3.10. – 9.10. '96)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 4 October 1996. Retrieved 2 October 2019.
  18. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Trash". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  19. "Norwegiancharts.com – Suede – Trash". VG-lista. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  20. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  21. "Swedishcharts.com – Suede – Trash". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  22. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  23. "Árslistinn 1996". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). 2 January 1997. p. 25. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  24. "Årslista Singlar, 1996" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  25. "British single certifications – Suede – Trash". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
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