Sex Is Not the Enemy
Encyclopedia
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was a single
released from Garbage
's fourth album Bleed Like Me
in June 2005 in United Kingdom
. It was released as joint-second single from the album—around the same time the song "Bleed Like Me
" was released in the U.S.
and there was a parallel release for "Run Baby Run" in Australia
and Europe
. "Sex Is Not the Enemy" followed later that summer in Australia
.
Following on from the top ten chart position for predecessing single "Why Do You Love Me
", and despite the band promoting the single with headline show at London
's Brixton Academy, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" failed to replicate that success in the UK, peaking in the top thirty.
in Madison
, Wisconsin
. On August 15, singer Shirley Manson
wrote on her online journal
that it sounded "like old school Garbage".
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was influenced by the February 1, 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
(which led to a censorship
row in the media after singer Janet Jackson
's bare breast was exposed by Justin Timberlake
in what was referred to as a "wardrobe malfunction
"), when Manson noticed that the incident was featured on the USA Today
cover for three days in a row with no mention of the Iraq war. Manson felt the media "was only focusing on Janet’s beautiful tit, which I thought was bizarre".
Over time, Manson would work on the lyrics to the song, writing in her view that the Bush administration
had clamped down on gay rights, reproductive rights
and people's civil liberties
. Later, she recalled "'Sex Is Not the Enemy' is sort of a manifesto in a way. I had no idea it was until I looked back and thought, ‘This really is an anthem to my sexual politics'". Guitarist Steve Marker
added: "At first it wasn't supposed to be anything other than a party song."
Musically, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was mutated a number of times during writing; after some changes the band went back to the song's original verse melody
, Manson writing on her journal there was "at least three different versions of this song".
On May 25, Garbage confirmed a list of 14 songs being worked on for the record, including "Sex Is Not the Enemy", and on December 14 confirmed that the song would be included on the finished album Bleed Like Me.
On March 28, 2005, Garbage performed the track on Canal+
Album de la semaine before debuting the song live on stage at the Paris
Olympia
the following day.
Butch Vig
confirmed to fans in Los Angeles
that the track would be the second UK single taken from Bleed Like Me.
In the weeks prior to release, XFM
was the only major radio station to playlist
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" - neither Radio One or Radio 2
did. Garbage did not perform any television promo for the single bar a few interviews on TRL
, Popworld
, CD:UK
and hit40uk
. On June 9, Garbage headlined a sold-out concert at Brixton Academy and a day later performed at the Download Festival
in advance of the single; on June 19, they returned to the UK to perform the single along with "Why Do You Love Me" at T4
's televised Party on the Beach show.
On June 13 "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was released in the United Kingdom on CD
, DVD
and limited edition 7" vinyl
. At the start of that week, the 7" was issued in a regular card picture sleeve, but by the end of the week, stores were stocking copies with a red tape cover. "Sex Is Not the Enemy" debuted on the UK singles chart
at #24; the next week falling to #66 before leaving the chart. The single performed only slightly better on the Scottish chart, reaching #22.
Warners
serviced a few remixes of the tracks to clubs
and on July 3 a digital download
bundle of the single and B-side
"Honeybee" was made available from iTunes
but these did not improve sales of the single. By August 29, new unofficial 12" vinyl
s were in circulation featuring remixes of the song by Freaks (Justin Harris & Luke Solomon ) and by DJ Hell
/Fischerspooner
side-project Naughty.
Despite rumours of a U.S. release for "Sex Is Not the Enemy", and a July 4 video premiere on Music Choice
, no single was released.
In September 2005, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was released to Australian radio up-front of the band's September 21 Australian tour Canberra
debut show; and on September 11 FMR released a Bleed Like Me special edition
with a bonus DVD
, which included the "Sex Is Not The Enemy" promo video and "making of" documentary.
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" ended up being the final single release from Bleed Like Me in both Australia and the United Kingdom. When Garbage disbanded on a self-imposed hiatus following the completion of the Australian tour and the UK release of "Sex Is Not the Enemy", follow-up "Run Baby Run" was cancelled. On May 22, 2007 it was officially confirmed that "Sex Is Not The Enemy" would not be included on the band's greatest hits
album Absolute Garbage
, most likely due to the song's commercial failure in the UK.
of "Never Be Free" leaked from Chrysalis Music Group
in 2003, but the track did not end up on the internet.
While Vig describes "Honeybee" as "Neil Young-esque
, with a druggy feel", Manson wrote the song was "pretty dark and twisted. It's a lusty, yearning moan." "Honeybee" featured drums
performed by Matt Walker
, while "Never Be Free" credited John5 with guitar
. Both tracks were written and produced by Garbage, although "Never Be Free" may have originally been a John Lowery co-write. Producer James Michael may have also worked on the track at one point.
. On the first day of shooting, both Manson and Muller shot scenes in a hotel room and at Times Square
in New York City
. On the second day the band filmed live footage at their show at Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club
.
The video featured a stunt where Shirley was arrested on-stage after exposing her breasts (actually a flesh-coloured bra
) and was dragged off the stage by hired actors posing as policemen, visually referencing and almost parodying the song's take on the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy. The audience were not let in on the stunt; and afterwards boo-d and heckled at the venue, many of the audience thinking it had been a Punk'd
stunt. The band was filmed rehearsing for the stunt, and footage was included on a mini-documentary on the "Sex Is Not the Enemy" DVD.
Butch Vig recalled: "We shot a lot of footage of Shirley running around New York. She was getting up on a soapbox
with a bullhorn and just yelling at people. And it was funny, 'cause people thought, 'Oh, another crazy woman.' They just ignored her."
The video first aired in the United Kingdom the week of May 16, after a full day of exclusive streaming
from Garbage's website and premiered in the U.S. on July 4. In 2006, the "Sex Is Not the Enemy" video became available to download on digital stores
worldwide.
Additional musicians
Publishing
Other personnel
Other credits
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
released from Garbage
Garbage (band)
Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production...
's fourth album Bleed Like Me
Bleed Like Me
Bleed Like Me is the fourth studio album recorded and produced by alternative rock group Garbage. It was released in April 2005 by Warner Bros...
in June 2005 in United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. It was released as joint-second single from the album—around the same time the song "Bleed Like Me
Bleed Like Me (song)
"Bleed Like Me" is a song by American alternative rock band Garbage. It was released as an airplay-only single from their fourth album, Bleed Like Me, in May 2005...
" was released in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and there was a parallel release for "Run Baby Run" in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. "Sex Is Not the Enemy" followed later that summer in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Following on from the top ten chart position for predecessing single "Why Do You Love Me
Why Do You Love Me
"Why Do You Love Me" is a 2005 song written, performed and produced by alternative rock band Garbage and was released worldwide as the lead single to promote their fourth studio album Bleed Like Me...
", and despite the band promoting the single with headline show at London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Brixton Academy, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" failed to replicate that success in the UK, peaking in the top thirty.
Song profile
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was first written in 2003 at Smart StudiosSmart Studios
Smart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands....
in Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
. On August 15, singer Shirley Manson
Shirley Manson
Shirley Anne Manson is a Scottish recording artist and actress, best known internationally as the lead singer of the alternative rock band Garbage. For much of her international career Manson commuted between her home city of Edinburgh to the United States to record with Garbage but now lives and...
wrote on her online journal
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
that it sounded "like old school Garbage".
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was influenced by the February 1, 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy
Super Bowl XXXVIII, which was broadcast live on February 1, 2004 from Houston, Texas on the CBS television network in the United States, was noted for a controversial halftime show in which Janet Jackson's breast, adorned with a nipple shield, was exposed by Justin Timberlake for about half a...
(which led to a censorship
Censorship
thumb|[[Book burning]] following the [[1973 Chilean coup d'état|1973 coup]] that installed the [[Military government of Chile |Pinochet regime]] in Chile...
row in the media after singer Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
's bare breast was exposed by Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake
Justin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
in what was referred to as a "wardrobe malfunction
Wardrobe malfunction
A wardrobe malfunction is a euphemism for accidental exposure of intimate parts. It is different from flashing, as the latter implies a deliberate exposure...
"), when Manson noticed that the incident was featured on the USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
cover for three days in a row with no mention of the Iraq war. Manson felt the media "was only focusing on Janet’s beautiful tit, which I thought was bizarre".
Over time, Manson would work on the lyrics to the song, writing in her view that the Bush administration
George W. Bush administration
The presidency of George W. Bush began on January 20, 2001, when he was inaugurated as the 43rd President of the United States of America. The oldest son of former president George H. W. Bush, George W...
had clamped down on gay rights, reproductive rights
Reproductive rights
Reproductive rights are legal rights and freedoms relating to reproduction and reproductive health. The World Health Organization defines reproductive rights as follows:...
and people's civil liberties
Civil liberties
Civil liberties are rights and freedoms that provide an individual specific rights such as the freedom from slavery and forced labour, freedom from torture and death, the right to liberty and security, right to a fair trial, the right to defend one's self, the right to own and bear arms, the right...
. Later, she recalled "'Sex Is Not the Enemy' is sort of a manifesto in a way. I had no idea it was until I looked back and thought, ‘This really is an anthem to my sexual politics'". Guitarist Steve Marker
Steve Marker
Steve Marker is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the guitarist of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage.-Early life:...
added: "At first it wasn't supposed to be anything other than a party song."
Musically, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was mutated a number of times during writing; after some changes the band went back to the song's original verse melody
Melody
A melody , also tune, voice, or line, is a linear succession of musical tones which is perceived as a single entity...
, Manson writing on her journal there was "at least three different versions of this song".
On May 25, Garbage confirmed a list of 14 songs being worked on for the record, including "Sex Is Not the Enemy", and on December 14 confirmed that the song would be included on the finished album Bleed Like Me.
On March 28, 2005, Garbage performed the track on Canal+
Canal+
Canal+ is a French premium pay television channel launched in 1984. It is 80% owned by the Canal+ Group, which in turn is owned by Vivendi SA. The channel broadcasts several kinds of programming, mostly encrypted...
Album de la semaine before debuting the song live on stage at the Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
Olympia
Paris Olympia
The Olympia is a music hall in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Located at No. 28, Boulevard des Capucines, its closest métro/RER stations are Madeleine, Opéra, Havre – Caumartin and Auber....
the following day.
Single release
On April 10, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was confirmed by Garbage drummerDrummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Butch Vig
Butch Vig
Butch Vig is an American musician and record producer, best known internationally as the drummer of the Madison, Wisconsin-based alternative rock band Garbage and the producer of multi-platinum selling album Nevermind by Nirvana....
confirmed to fans in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
that the track would be the second UK single taken from Bleed Like Me.
In the weeks prior to release, XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
was the only major radio station to playlist
Playlist
In its most general form, a playlist is simply a list of songs. They can be played in sequential or shuffled order. The term has several specialized meanings in the realms of radio broadcasting and personal computers.-In radio:...
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" - neither Radio One or Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
did. Garbage did not perform any television promo for the single bar a few interviews on TRL
TRL UK
TRL UK was a British version of the popular American Total Request Live which first aired in the states in 1998, however it was not brought to the UK until the last quarter of 2003....
, Popworld
Popworld
Popworld was a British television programme that was broadcast on Channel 4, offering pop news, trivia, gossip, interviews and music videos, as well as musical performances from the most recent top artists....
, CD:UK
CD:UK
CD:UK was a British music television programme. Originally run in conjunction with SMTV Live, the programme was first aired on ITV on 29 August 1998 to rival the BBC's Live & Kicking and was the replacement for The Chart Show, which had been airing on the network for nine and a half years.In...
and hit40uk
Hit40uk
Hit40UK was a networked Top 40 chart show broadcasting on around 130 UK commercial radio stations every Sunday from 4pm to 7pm. It is now a TV programme shown on 4Music. The radio version was produced in house by Global Radio and Somethin' Else...
. On June 9, Garbage headlined a sold-out concert at Brixton Academy and a day later performed at the Download Festival
Download Festival
The Download Festival is a three day rock music festival held annually at Donington Park, England . It usually takes place in June...
in advance of the single; on June 19, they returned to the UK to perform the single along with "Why Do You Love Me" at T4
T4 (Channel 4)
T4 is a scheduling slot on Channel 4 from about 09:00 until 14:00 on Saturdays and 17:00 on Sundays. It also airs on weekdays in the school holidays. The slot has a separate station identification on screen graphic from Channel 4 and E4. The logo of T4 is noticeably the top right segment of the...
's televised Party on the Beach show.
On June 13 "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was released in the United Kingdom on CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
and limited edition 7" vinyl
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
. At the start of that week, the 7" was issued in a regular card picture sleeve, but by the end of the week, stores were stocking copies with a red tape cover. "Sex Is Not the Enemy" debuted on the UK singles chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
at #24; the next week falling to #66 before leaving the chart. The single performed only slightly better on the Scottish chart, reaching #22.
Warners
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
serviced a few remixes of the tracks to clubs
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
and on July 3 a digital download
Music download
A music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
bundle of the single and B-side
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
"Honeybee" was made available from iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
but these did not improve sales of the single. By August 29, new unofficial 12" vinyl
12-inch single
The 12-inch single is a type of gramophone record that has wider groove spacing compared to other types of records. This allows for louder levels to be cut on the disc by the cutting engineer, which in turn gives a wider dynamic range, and thus better sound quality...
s were in circulation featuring remixes of the song by Freaks (Justin Harris & Luke Solomon ) and by DJ Hell
DJ Hell
This article is about Helmut Josef Geier. You may also be looking for Darryl Hell.Helmut Josef Geier, professionally known as DJ Hell is a German house-techno DJ...
/Fischerspooner
Fischerspooner
Fischerspooner is an electroclash duo and performance troupe formed in 1998 in New York. The name is a portmanteau of the founders' last names, Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner...
side-project Naughty.
Despite rumours of a U.S. release for "Sex Is Not the Enemy", and a July 4 video premiere on Music Choice
Music Choice
Music Choice is a United States company that programs music and produces music-related content for digital cable, cell phones, and cable modem subscribers in the US. Music Choice programs dozens of audio music channels for digital cable subscribers, as well as programs and produces music-related...
, no single was released.
In September 2005, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was released to Australian radio up-front of the band's September 21 Australian tour Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
debut show; and on September 11 FMR released a Bleed Like Me special edition
Special edition
The terms special edition, limited edition and variants such as deluxe edition, collector's edition and others, are used as a marketing incentive for various kinds of products, originally published products related to the arts, such as books, prints or recorded music and films, but now including...
with a bonus DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, which included the "Sex Is Not The Enemy" promo video and "making of" documentary.
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" ended up being the final single release from Bleed Like Me in both Australia and the United Kingdom. When Garbage disbanded on a self-imposed hiatus following the completion of the Australian tour and the UK release of "Sex Is Not the Enemy", follow-up "Run Baby Run" was cancelled. On May 22, 2007 it was officially confirmed that "Sex Is Not The Enemy" would not be included on the band's greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
album Absolute Garbage
Absolute Garbage
Absolute Garbage is the 2007 greatest hits album released by alternative rock group Garbage. The album was compiled and released by Geffen imprint Almo Sounds through Universal Music Enterprises backcatalogue division in North America and Warner Music's record label A&E Records throughout the rest...
, most likely due to the song's commercial failure in the UK.
Track listings
- UK 7" single (A&E Records WEA391)
- "Sex Is Not the Enemy" – 3:06
- "Never Be Free" – 4:28
- UK CD single (A&E Records WEA391CD)
- "Sex Is Not the Enemy" – 3:06
- "Honeybee" – 4:02
- UK DVD single (A&E Records WEA391DVD)
- "Sex Is Not the Enemy" – 3:06
- "Sex Is Not the Enemy" (video) – 3:06
- "Making of Sex Is Not the Enemy" (video) – 5:05
- UK digital single
- "Sex Is Not the Enemy (single and radio version) – 3:06
- "Honeybee" – 4:02
B-sides
"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was backed with B-sides "Honeybee" and "Never Be Free". Both tracks were recorded during the sessions for Bleed Like Me. An acetateCD-R
A CD-R is a variation of the Compact Disc invented by Philips and Sony. CD-R is a Write Once Read Many optical medium, though the whole disk does not have to be entirely written in the same session....
of "Never Be Free" leaked from Chrysalis Music Group
Chrysalis Group
Chrysalis Group is a UK media company. It was founded by Chris Wright, who remains chairman and was listed the 1,000th richest person in the UK in The Times Rich List 2009...
in 2003, but the track did not end up on the internet.
While Vig describes "Honeybee" as "Neil Young-esque
Neil Young
Neil Percival Young, OC, OM is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of his generation...
, with a druggy feel", Manson wrote the song was "pretty dark and twisted. It's a lusty, yearning moan." "Honeybee" featured drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
performed by Matt Walker
Matt Walker (drummer)
Matt Walker is a musician and former drummer for Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and current drummer for Morrissey.Matt Walker began his career in Chicago in the mid 80s, when Matt began playing drums for the already well known Scott Bennett of Scott Bennett & The Obvious and did double duty playing...
, while "Never Be Free" credited John5 with guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. Both tracks were written and produced by Garbage, although "Never Be Free" may have originally been a John Lowery co-write. Producer James Michael may have also worked on the track at one point.
Music video
The video for "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was filmed on April 20 and April 21 and was a low-budget video shot by Sophie MullerSophie Muller
Sophie Muller is a British music video director, noted for her long-time collaborations with artists like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, No Doubt, Sade, Shakira, Shakespears Sister, Garbage, Blur, Annie Lennox and Eurythmics.-Background:...
. On the first day of shooting, both Manson and Muller shot scenes in a hotel room and at Times Square
Times Square
Times Square is a major commercial intersection in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue and stretching from West 42nd to West 47th Streets...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. On the second day the band filmed live footage at their show at Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club
9:30 Club
Foo Fighters Promise to come back to D.C. and play the 9:30 ClubNightclub 9:30 is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. Originally located at 930 F Street, NW, Washington, D.C., in the 1970s it was called the "Atlantis Club", and hosted primarily rock, New Wave, and punk bands...
.
The video featured a stunt where Shirley was arrested on-stage after exposing her breasts (actually a flesh-coloured bra
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
) and was dragged off the stage by hired actors posing as policemen, visually referencing and almost parodying the song's take on the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy. The audience were not let in on the stunt; and afterwards boo-d and heckled at the venue, many of the audience thinking it had been a Punk'd
Punk'd
Punk'd is an American hidden camera/practical joke reality television series that first aired on MTV in 2003 and was created by Ashton Kutcher and Jason Goldberg, produced and hosted by Ashton Kutcher. It bore a resemblance to both the classic hidden camera show Candid Camera and to TV's Bloopers...
stunt. The band was filmed rehearsing for the stunt, and footage was included on a mini-documentary on the "Sex Is Not the Enemy" DVD.
Butch Vig recalled: "We shot a lot of footage of Shirley running around New York. She was getting up on a soapbox
Soapbox
A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject. The term originates from the days when speakers would elevate themselves by standing on a wooden crate originally used for shipment of soap or other dry goods from a manufacturer to a...
with a bullhorn and just yelling at people. And it was funny, 'cause people thought, 'Oh, another crazy woman.' They just ignored her."
The video first aired in the United Kingdom the week of May 16, after a full day of exclusive streaming
Streaming media
Streaming media is multimedia that is constantly received by and presented to an end-user while being delivered by a streaming provider.The term "presented" is used in this article in a general sense that includes audio or video playback. The name refers to the delivery method of the medium rather...
from Garbage's website and premiered in the U.S. on July 4. In 2006, the "Sex Is Not the Enemy" video became available to download on digital stores
Online music store
An online music store is an online business which sells audio files, usually music, on a per-song and/or subscription basis. It may be differentiated from music streaming services in that the music store offers the actual music file, while streaming services offer partial or full listening without...
worldwide.
Alternate versions
| Track title | Length | Remixer/Producer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Sex Is Not the Enemy" (single & radio version) | 3:06 | Garbage Garbage (band) Garbage are an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson , Steve Marker and Butch Vig . All four members are involved in songwriting and production... |
Digital release |
| "Sex Is Not the Enemy" (Ils Vocal remix) | 5:49 | Illian Walker Ils (producer) Ils is an English musician and producer, who has released records on labels including Marine Parade and Distinct'ive Records. Ils started his production career on LTJ Bukem's drum and bass label, Good Looking Records. He was signed to Marine Parade by owner Adam Freeland, who cited Ils' unique... |
No commercial release |
| "Sex Is Not the Enemy" (Ils Dub remix) | 5:49 | ||
| "Sex Is Not the Enemy" (Devil's Gun remix) | 6:15 | Devil's Gun |
Release history
| Release date | Territory | Record label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 13, 2005 | United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... |
A&E Records A&E Records A&E Records is an United Kingdom-based record label imprint, owned by Warner Music Group, and operates under the WEA International group of labels at WMG.... |
7", CD single, DVD single DVD single A DVD single is a music single in the form of a DVD. The format was introduced in the late 1990s/early 2000s as a replacement for the VHS single... |
| July 3, 2005 | Digital single | ||
| Sept 11, 2005 | Australia Australia Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area... |
FMR | Airplay Airplay * Airplay is the amount of time a song is played on the radio.It may also refer to:* AirPlay, an audio & video streaming technology from Apple Inc.* Airplay , Foster & Graydon music project from 1980* Citroën C1, Citroën C1 Airplay... |
Comprehensive charts
| Chart (2005) | Peak |
|---|---|
| European Hot 100 (Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... /Music & Media) |
78 |
| UK Singles UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... (The Official Charts Company) |
24 |
| UK Physical Singles (The Official Charts Company) | 21 |
| UK Scottish Singles Scottish Singles and Albums Chart The Scottish Singles Chart and Scottish Albums Chart are charts compiled by The Official Charts Company, based on physical and digital sales in the STV North, STV Central and ITV Border regions.... (The Official Charts Company) |
22 |
Credits and personnel
Production- RecordedSound recording and reproductionSound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
and producedRecord producerA record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
by Garbage - Recorded at Smart StudiosSmart StudiosSmart Studios was a recording studio located at 1254 E Washington Ave in Madison, Wisconsin. It was set up in 1983 by Butch Vig and Steve Marker to produce local bands....
in MadisonMadison, WisconsinMadison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
, WisconsinWisconsinWisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is... - EngineerAudio engineeringAn audio engineer, also called audio technician, audio technologist or sound technician, is a specialist in a skilled trade that deals with the use of machinery and equipment for the recording, mixing and reproduction of sounds. The field draws on many artistic and vocational areas, including...
: Billy Bush - MixedAudio mixing (recorded music)In audio recording, audio mixing is the process by which multiple recorded sounds are combined into one or more channels, most commonly two-channel stereo. In the process, the source signals' level, frequency content, dynamics, and panoramic position are manipulated and effects such as reverb may...
by Butch Vig at Smart Studios - MasteredAudio masteringMastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the final mix to a data storage device ; the source from which all copies will be produced...
: Emily Lazar (The Lodge, NYC) - Mastering assistant: Sarah Register (The Lodge)
Additional musicians
- Justin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-JohnsenJustin Meldal-Johnsen is an American musician and bassist, best known for his work with Grammy Award-winning artist Beck. He served as the touring bassist for Nine Inch Nails during their final tours.-Recording career:...
– bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Publishing
- Written by Garbage 2005 Deadarm Music / Almo Music Corp. (ASCAPAmerican Society of Composers, Authors, and PublishersThe American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers is an American not-for-profit performance-rights organization that protects its members' musical copyrights by monitoring public performances of their music, whether via a broadcast or live performance, and compensating them...
) and Vibecrusher Music / Irving Music, Inc (BMIBroadcast Music IncorporatedBroadcast Music, Inc. is one of three United States performing rights organizations, along with ASCAP and SESAC. It collects license fees on behalf of songwriters, composers, and music publishers and distributes them as royalties to those members whose works have been performed...
). Administered by Rondor Music.
Other personnel
- Art directionArt directorThe art director is a person who supervise the creative process of a design.The term 'art director' is a blanket title for a variety of similar job functions in advertising, publishing, film and television, the Internet, and video games....
: Big ActiveBig ActiveBig Active is a London based design studio.The company was founded in 1990 by Gerard Saint, Paul Heatherington and Mark Watkins. Only Saint now remains but the company went through a major transition in the mid 90's with the addition of Greg Burne, who now heads the illustration roster and Mat... - Design & montageCollageA collage is a work of formal art, primarily in the visual arts, made from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole....
: Mat MaitlandMat MaitlandMat Maitland is an English art director and visual artist who lives in London.-Career:Born in St Albans, Hertfordshire, he studied design in his home town and then at Croydon College. He started his career at WEA in the early 1990s as a designer...
at Big Active
Other credits
- Shirley Manson appears courtesy of Radioactive RecordsRadioactive RecordsRadioactive Records was an American record label. It was formed as a joint venture between talent manager Gary Kurfirst and MCA Records, and it is now out of business....
.