Sex Is Not the Enemy

"Sex Is Not the Enemy"
Single by Garbage
from the album Bleed Like Me
B-side
  • "Never Be Free"
  • "Honeybee"
ReleasedJune 13, 2005
Recorded2003–2004
StudioSmart Studios,
Madison, Wisconsin
GenreAlternative rock, hard rock
Length3:07
LabelA&E Records
Songwriter(s)Garbage
Producer(s)Garbage
Garbage singles chronology
"Bleed Like Me"
(2005) 		"Sex Is Not the Enemy"
(2005) 		"Run Baby Run"
(2005)

"Sex Is Not the Enemy" is a song by American alternative rock band Garbage, released as the second single from their fourth album Bleed Like Me (2005) in the UK.[1]

Written as a protest song, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" was influenced by the 2004 Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy, which led to a censorship row across American media after singer Janet Jackson's bare breast was exposed by Justin Timberlake in what was later referred to as a "wardrobe malfunction".[2] The lyrics incorporated themes that broached the Bush administrations efforts to roll-back gay rights, reproductive rights and in general, the civil liberties of the American people[2] as well as the rise of the moral right wing in the United States.[3]

"Sex Is Not the Enemy" was released as the second single from Bleed Like Me in the United Kingdom.[4] In North America, album centre-piece "Bleed Like Me" had already followed up "Why Do You Love Me", while in Europe and Australia, second single status was given to non-conformance anthem "Run Baby Run".[5] Garbage shot music videos for all three singles with Sophie Muller while on tour.[6] To date, "Sex Is Not the Enemy" is Garbage's most recent UK Top 40 hit.[7]

  1. ^ This Is the Noise That Keeps Me Awake. Akashic Books. 2017. pp. 150–153. ISBN 978-1-61775-550-7.
  2. ^ a b "'SEX' TALK; The band get political..." NME. 2005-05-17. Archived from the original on 2005-12-20.
  3. ^ Speed Dial: Garbage. Rip & Burn. 2005-05-01.
  4. ^ "Run Baby Run Commercial Singles". Garbage.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
  5. ^ "3 Different Singles Planned". Garbage-Discography.co.uk. Archived from the original on February 20, 2006. Retrieved July 2, 2007.
  6. ^ Paoletta, Michael (2005-04-16). For The Love of Garbage. Billboard. pp. 11, 14.
  7. ^ "GARBAGE UK CHART HISTORY". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2020-06-16.