Trash (Suede song)

Background

The song signified a dramatic change in the band's sound, as they went from gloomy and theatrical to glam-induced pop. The single version of "Trash" charted at No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart in 1996. The song was the band's first overseas number one, hitting the top of the charts in Finland. The song proved to be a successful comeback single for Suede, receiving universal praise from critics. Melody Maker had proclaimed the song "single of the week" a fortnight prior to release. 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."

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. Anderson also described it as the soundtrack to his life, saying "It's about believing in the romance of the everyday." 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 and directed by David Mould. Like the video for "New Generation", it has the whole band playing in a crowded room, yet this time, the people in the room as well as the setting are far more glamorous. The video also marks the first appearance of a new band member, keyboard player Neil Codling.

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.

1. "Trash"
2. "Europe Is Our Playground" (Anderson, Mat Osman)

1. "Trash"
2. "Europe Is Our Playground" (Anderson, Mat Osman)
3. "Every Monday Morning Comes"

1. "Trash"
2. "Have You Ever Been This Low?"
3. "Another No One" (Anderson)