Tell Me Where It Hurts (Garbage song)

Infobox Single
Name = Tell Me Where It Hurts


Artist = Garbage
from Album = Absolute Garbage
B-side = "Betcha" "Bad Boyfriend (Remix)"
Released = flagicon|UK July 9, 2007 (Digital) flagicon|Ireland July 13, 2007 (Physical) flagicon|UK July 16, 2007 (Physical)
Format = 7" vinyl, CD single, DVD,
Digital download
Recorded = March 2007 at
Kung Foo Sound & GrungeIsDead, Los Angeles
Genre = Alternative
Length = 4:10
Label = A&E (WEA International)
Writer = Garbage
Producer = Garbage
Last single = "Run Baby Run" (2005)
This single = "Tell Me Where It Hurts" (2007)
Next single =
Misc = Extra album cover 2
Upper caption = Alternate cover
Type = Single


Lower caption = Promotional-only cover

"Tell Me Where It Hurts" is the 2007 lead single from alternative rock band Garbage's career-spanning greatest hits album "Absolute Garbage", and was released commercially by A&E Records in the United Kingdom, and as an airplay-only release in other worldwide territories.cite web|url=http://www.garbage.com/news/news.php?uid=336| title="New Best Of Album"|publisher="Garbage.com"|accessdate=2007-05-22]

"Tell Me Where It Hurts" was written by Garbage members Duke Erikson, Shirley Manson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig in Los Angeles in March 2007 after an eighteen month hiatus from working as a group, as they needed to write some new songs for inclusion on "Absolute Garbage". The song was written around a string arrangement by the band coupled with newly written lyrics and a title that vocalist Manson had come up with a few years prior. [Interview with Duke Erikson, "Lime" magazine, September 2007 issue]

ong

Garbage began work on "Tell Me Where It Hurts" in earnest during February and March 2007 at Vig's home studio in Los Angeles,cite web|url=http://www.thescene.com.au/Music/Features/GARBAGE-INTERVIEW/| title="Garbage Interview"|publisher="TheScene.com.au"|accessdate=2008-02-02] ending their self-imposed hiatus to record new tracks following the band's appearance at a benefit show in Glendale, California for musician Wally Ingram who had been suffering from throat cancer. [cite web|url=http://music.aol.com/popeater/2007/01/05/garbage-end-sabbatical-for-benefit-show/| title="Garbage End Sabbatical for Benefit Show"|publisher="Music.AOL.com"|accessdate=2008-01-28] In an interview prior to that event, drummer Vig told Billboard "Despite the layoff, the group has been sharing song ideas via the Internet. We need to sit down in a room and play them and get them complete". [cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003529208/| title="Garbage, Raitt Lead Benefit For Veteran Drummer"|publisher="Billboard.com"|accessdate=2007-05-12]

The genesis of "Tell Me Where It Hurts" came from Garbage jamming in a Bacharach-style, which took shape in the recording studio once guitars were added. [cite web|url=http://garbage.proboards60.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=1185350927| title="The End of Chapter One"|publisher="Drum Media" (reproduced on "Garbage. Proboards60.com"|accessdate=2008-02-02] Manson did not want the song to be a "simple, lovey-dovey love song, it had to have strange connotations". [Shirley Manson, as quoted on "The Making of "Tell Me Where It Hurts"]

During the sessions to write new songs for "Absolute Garbage", Garbage worked on four songs - "Tell Me Where It Hurts", "Betcha", "All The Good In This Life" and "Girls Talk Shit"."Classic Rock" magazine, August 2007] Of the four songs, only "Tell Me Where It Hurts" made the album, while of the other three songs, one ended up a b-side, one an iTunes bonusEmail from Warner UK, dated July 20, 2007, regarding the release of "Absolute Garbage": "You can also download the album from iTunes for the iTunes exclusive album featuring an exclusive new track, entitled 'All The Good In This Life'"] and one remaining unreleased respectively. Garbage completed two versions of "Tell Me Where It Hurts": an orchestral version and a "Guitars Up" mix with a rockier arrangement.

Bass on "Tell Me Where It Hurts" was performed by Daniel Shulman ["Tell Me Where It Hurts" sleeve credits] , who had been Garbage's touring bassist from 1995 until 2002, as well as performing on tracks from both "Version 2.0" and "Beautiful Garbage". [cite web|url=http://www.allmusicguide.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:dpfwxqegldte~T4| title="Daniel Shulman: Credits"|publisher="AllMusicGuide.com"|accessdate=2008-02-02] This was his first appearance on a Garbage track since taking up an A&R position with Island Def Jam Music Group in 2003. [cite web|url=http://www.garbage.com/news/journal.php?uid=152| title="01.26.04 Studio Diary #13"|publisher="Garbage.com"|accessdate=2008-02-02]

ingle release

On May 22, 2007, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" was confirmed by Garbage for UK release on July 9 preceding "Absolute Garbage" on CD single and on two 7" formats. By June 11, that release date had been pushed back a week to July 16cite web|url=http://garbage.com/news/news.php?id=20070611|title="Absolute Garbage"|publisher="Garbage.com" |accessdate=2007-06-20] and one of the 7" formats was cancelled and replaced with a DVD single. On May 31, Garbage's MySpace profile was updated to include "Tell Me Where It Hurts" and it's b-side, a remix of "Bad Boyfriend" on streaming audio. [cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/garbage|title="MySpace Music: Garbage"|publisher="MySpace.com"|accessdate=2007-06-05]

Promotional singles featuring radio edits of both versions of the track were issued to radio stations across the UK, Ireland, Europe, Israel and Australia at the end of May. By June 16, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" had been playlisted on XFM Scotland's Upfront, Radio Forthcite web|url=http://garbage.proboards60.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=1182038272| title=" Tell Me... is C-Listed on Radio 2 [UK] "|publisher="Garbage. Proboards60.com"|accessdate=2007-06-20] and C-Listed on UK BBC Radio 2 [cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=29261|title="Travis join R2 A-list"|publisher="Music Week"|accessdate=2008-08-06] where it remained up until its single release. In its first week at Australian radio, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" was #2 most added song. [cite web|url=http://www.warnermusic.com.au/product,w_prod,5144224872AU|title="Absolute Garbage"|publisher=Warner Music Australia|accessdate=2008-02-06] The song reached #24 in the Lithuania's Airplay Chart.cite web|url=http://www.blogas.lt/hitfm/205871/lithuania-airplay-chart.html| title=Lithuanian Airplay Chart|publisher="Blogas.lt"|accessdate=2007-07-30] On September 14, "Tell Me Where It Hurts" peaked at #1 on Turkey's Radyo ODTÜ chart where it stayed for two weeks.cite web|url=http://www.radyoodtu.com.tr/40haramiler.asp?s=&ld=14.09.2007| title=Radyo Odtu top 40 chart Sept 14, 2007 issue |publisher="RadyoOdtu.com.tr"|accessdate=2008-02-02]

Despite debuting on the UK Physical Singles Chart on July 29 at #15, combined sales of physical formats and digital downloads meant that "Tell Me Where It Hurts" charted at #50 on the main UK Singles Chart.cite web|url=http://www.musicweek.com/story.asp?sectioncode=1&storycode=30345|title="Timbaland ends Rihanna's chart reign"|publisher="Music Week"|accessdate=2008-08-06] On August 16, the full length orchestral version of the song, titled "Un Belle du Jour mix", was released digitally on iTunes UK store. ["iTunes UK Store listing]

Track listings

*UK 7" A&E Records WEA424
# "Tell Me Where It Hurts" – 4:10
# "Bad Boyfriend (Sting Like A Bee Remix)" – 5:03

*UK CDS A&E Records WEA424CD
# "Tell Me Where It Hurts" – 4:10
# "Betcha" – 4:39

*UK DVDS A&E Records WEA424DVD
# "Tell Me Where It Hurts" – 4:10
# "Tell Me Where It Hurts (Video)" – 4:13
# "Tell Me Where It Hurts (Making Of)" – 5:09

B-sides

"Bad Boyfriend" was originally written by Garbage, and produced by Garbage and John King in 2004 for the "Bleed Like Me" album. [cite web | url=http://www.geffen.com/garbage | title="Bleed Like Me" press release | publisher=Geffen.com | accessdate=2008-02-02] Vig "goofed around" with the track in 2006 while updating his home studio, and while putting the "Absolute Garbage" package together thought it could be included. Rather than soliciting an outside producer to remix the song Vig finished it himself. When he presented it to the rest of Garbage, they agreed the remix should be included on the album. The new version was subtitled "Sting Like A Bee remix", and was first released on the 7" of "Tell Me Where It Hurts" as well as on the two-disc edition of "Absolute Garbage" (as "Garbage remix").

"Betcha" was written and produced by Garbage at the same time as "Tell Me Where It Hurts" and was exclusively released on the CD single format. Press releases for "Tell Me Where It Hurts" gave the impression that "Betcha" was a cover version of Pussycat Dolls 2005 worldwide hit single "Don't Cha", [June 2007 Warners press release for the "Tell Me Where It Hurts" single, as used by a number of online retail stores: " ["Tell Me Where It Hurts"] will be available on 7", CD (both with brand new tracks – the CD with a spin off of the Pussycat Dolls 'Betcha') and DVD."] however the song at most alluded to it in the lyrics: Thomas Callaway, Anthony Ray and Trever Smith, the writers of "Don't Cha" are not given any songwriting credit for "Betcha". [cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=322540774&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 | title=A.S.C.A.P. ACE Results (Betcha)|publisher="ASCAP.com"|accessdate=2008-02-02]

While "All The Good in This Life" was initially listed for release on the b-side to a cancelled second 7" format, it was eventually released bundled with "Absolute Garbage" as an exclusive online bonus track on iTunes Australian and UK stores. In 2008, "All The Good in This Life" was physically released on the charity compilation "". [cite web|url=http://artofpeacefoundation.org/Jukebox/| title=The Art of Peace Foundation "Songs For Tibet" (Jukebox)|publisher=The Art of Peace Foundation|accessdate=2008-07-29]

Music video

-inspired set, which Garbage felt was perfect for what they wanted visually accompany the song."The Making of "Tell Me Where It Hurts" (DVD track)]

Opening with a tracking shot of Manson arriving at a high-class brothel, dressed like Catherine Deneuve in "Belle de jour", where inside she meets the brothel owner, several other girls and three male patrons played by Erikson, Marker and Vig. Picking up a young man in a cafe, Manson partakes in various light sexual acts with him, shown on screen through subtle visual innuendo, suggestive camera shots, and aggressive editing. After night-vision scenes showing Manson with facial bruising, she returns to the brothel parlour in defiance of the others, attending to the young man who is now blind and confined to a wheel-chair.( He is most likley been poisnoed and is now dead.) The cafe scene featured a cameo from members of Wisconsin band Wandering Sons.

A short "Making of" documenting the filming of the video for "Tell Me Where It Hurts" was included on the DVD single. Directed by Todd Stefani (brother of Gwen Stefani), it features short interviews with Manson, Vig and 1st A.D. Andy Coffing.

On May 19, 2007, Garbage fan sites reported that the video for the song was being aired on UK digital television provider Virgin Media's Video on Demand service. [cite web|url=http://www.garbagediscobox.com/news/?p=1253#more-1253| title="Tell Me Where It Hurts airs on UK TV"|publisher="Garbagediscobox.com"|accessdate=2007-05-20] On May 29, the video officially debuted on Channel 4's "Video Exclusive" slot. [cite web|url=http://www.garbage.com/news/news.php?uid=335|title="Tell Me Where It Hurts|publisher="Garbage.com"|accessdate=2007-06-05] While the video featured on WEA International's worldwide DVD pressings of "Absolute Garbage", it was not included on Geffen/UM^e's North American DVD release.

Critical reception

"Tell Me Where It Hurts" received a mixed reception from music critics. Positive responses came from "Music Week" who described the song as "epic", ["Music Week" magazine, July 15 chart issue] as did BBC Music's Jaime Gill [cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/pc3n/| title="Garbage - "Absolute Garbage"|publisher="BBC.co.uk/Music"|accessdate=2008-01-28] while "Slant" described it as "lush and lilting.. an undeniable sign that, despite their extended hiatuses and internal turmoil, Garbage is very much alive with ideas and ambition". Digital Spy's Alex Fletcher wrote "the track soars with Arcade Fire-style violins before a creepy electronic breakdown interjects towards the end. [Garbage] take a traditional message of unrequited love and mix it with their inimitable bittersweet lyrics". [cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a64365/garbage-tell-me-where-it-hurts.html| title="Garbage: Tell Me Where It Hurts"|publisher="Digital Spy"|accessdate=2008-01-28]

The "Sunday Mail"s Avril Cadden describes Manson's vocal as "cute and sexy" ["Sunday Mail", July 8 issue] while it's sister publication "Daily Record" "sounding more like Chrissie Hynde from The Pretenders than the stupid girl we're used to" and also noting that the song had "all the hallmarks of Shirley Manson, the solo artist." ["Daily Record", July 13 issue] "Rock Sound" compared the track to Scottish band Texas. ["Rock Sound" magazine, August 2007 issue] "Classic rock"s Johnny Dee praised the band's work at breaking their formula by "adding strings to the dynamic... ["Tell Me Where It Hurts"] sits well alongside their peerless early material". ["Classic Rock" magazine, August 2007 issue] .

Negative criticism was received from "The Guardian"s Jude Rogers, who described "Tell Me Where It Hurts" as "anodyne", [cite web|url=http://music.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,,2126086,00.html| title="Absolute Garbage" track by track review (July 13, 2007)"|publisher="The Guardian"|accessdate=2008-01-28] while The Scotsman felt that the song "is not out of place [on "Absolute Garbage"] , but neither does it better anything already said". [cite web|url=http://living.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1101012007| title="Absolute Garbage" release of the week (July 23, 2007)"|publisher="The Scotsman"|accessdate=2008-01-28] Pitchfork Media's Adam Moerder felt that the song "provides little hope for a Garbage rebound", [cite web|url=http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/44265-absolute-garbage|title=Absolute Garbage review|publisher=Pitchfork Media|last=Moerder|first=Adam|date=2007-07-23|accessdate=2007-11-04] while PopMatters' Evan Sawdey nonchalantly wrote "majestic and sweeping, [the song] manages to accomplish the rare compilation feat of not being completely worthless". [cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/pm/music/reviews/46074/garbage-absolute-garbage/| title="Absolute Garbage" track by track review (July 13, 2007)"|publisher="PopMatters"|accessdate=2008-01-28]

In advance of 2008's 50th Grammy Awards, Geffen Records submitted "Tell Me Where It Hurts" for consideration in four categories: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group. [cite web|url=http://garbage.proboards60.com/index.cgi?board=talk&action=display&thread=1193704348| title="TMWIH & THE GRAMMYS"|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (reproduced on "Garbage.Proboards60.com")|accessdate=2008-02-02] However it failed to pick up a single nomination. [cite web|url=http://www.grammy.com/GRAMMY_Awards/| title="50th Annual Grammy Awards Nominations List"|publisher=National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences|accessdate=2008-02-02]

Credits and personnel

Production
*Music and lyrics: Garbage
*Recorded & produced by Garbage
*Engineer: Billy Bush
*Recorded at Kung Foo Sound & GrungeIsDead, Los Angeles, CA
*Mastered: Emily Lazar & Sarah Register (The Lodge)
*Mastering Assistant: Joe LaPorta

Additional musicians

*Daniel Shulman - Bass

Other personnel
*Art Direction and Design: Tom Hington Studios.
*Photography by David Hughes.
*Original silkscreen and foil blocking printed by Something Else.

Official versions
*"Album version / Guitars Up mix" – 4:10
*"Guitars Up - Single edit" – 3:45
*"Un Belle du Jour mix / Orchestral mix" – 4:18
*"Orchestral - Single edit" – 3:48

Publishing
*Written by Garbage _c.2007 Deadarm Music / Almo Music Corp (ASCAP) [cite web|url=http://www.ascap.com/ace/search.cfm?requesttimeout=300&mode=results&searchstr=503967837&search_in=i&search_type=exact&search_det=t,s,w,p,b,v&results_pp=20&start=1 | title=A.S.C.A.P. ACE Results (Tell Me Where It Hurts)|publisher="ASCAP.com"|accessdate=2008-01-28] and Vibecrusher Music / Irving Music, Inc (BMI). [cite web |url=http://repertoire.bmi.com/title.asp?blnWriter=True&blnPublisher=True&blnArtist=True&keyID=8909661&ShowNbr=0&ShowSeqNbr=0&querytype=WorkID |title=BMI Repertoire: Tell Me Where It Hurts (Legal title) |publisher="BMI.com" |accessdate=2008-01-28] Administered by Rondor Music.

Other credits
*Shirley Manson appears courtesy of Radioactive Records.

Charts

References

External links

* [http://www.garbage.com/ Garbage official website]
* [http://oilfactory.com/#Video|"Tell Me Where It Hurts" music video] at [http://oilfactory.com| Oil Factory's] website.