Why Do You Love Me

"Why Do You Love Me"
Single by Garbage
from the album Bleed Like Me
B-side
  • "Space Can Come Through Anyone"
  • "Nobody Can Win"
  • "I Just Wanna Have Something to Do"
ReleasedFebruary 22, 2005 (2005-02-22)
Recorded2003–2004
StudioSmart (Madison, Wisconsin)
Genre
Length3:52
Label
Songwriter(s)Garbage
Producer(s)Garbage
Garbage singles chronology
"Shut Your Mouth"
(2002) 		"Why Do You Love Me"
(2005) 		"Bleed Like Me"
(2005)
Audio sample
"Why Do You Love Me"
Music video
"Why Do You Love Me" on YouTube

"Why Do You Love Me" is a song by alternative rock band Garbage, released as the lead single from their fourth studio album, Bleed Like Me (2005).

The single was the first taste of the band's change in musical direction, eschewing the electronic-leaning production of their preceding albums Beautiful Garbage and Version 2.0 for guitar-led rock.[1] "It's about the fundamental insecurity in all human beings that they are unlovable", band singer and lyricist Shirley Manson told NME, "Feeling unlovable drives us into marriage, monogamy, jealousy and possessiveness."[2] "I feel that at the base of everyone there's a belief that we're truly lovable. But we often question it, which is why we seek out exclusive relationships."[3] Uptempo, and wrapped around a signature monster guitar riff, "Why Do You Love Me" was described by the band as "Spector-esque" in interviews.[4]

In the United States, "Why Do You Love Me" became Garbage's first Hot 100 appearance in over six years, since "Special" reached number 52 in May 1999, and first top 10 song at alternative radio since "I Think I'm Paranoid" peaked at number six in September 1998.[5] In the United Kingdom, "Why Do You Love Me" was Garbage's highest-charting single since 1996's "Stupid Girl" and broke a run of six consecutive Garbage singles to fall short of the UK Top 10.[6] "Why Do You Love Me" propelled the Bleed Like Me album to the top five in Australia, United Kingdom and in the United States, where the album debuted at a career-high number four.[7]

  1. ^ Paoletta, Michael (2005). "For the Love of Garbage". Billboard. USA. pp. 11, 14.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference NME was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference RIP was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference EPK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Bronson, Fred (2005). "Love is On The Air". Billboard. p. 43.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference MW-WDYLMstats was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "Bleed Like Me Makes Top Ten Debut's Around the World". Garbage.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2007. Retrieved June 21, 2007.