Garbage: "Special"

A timeless 1990s pop rock hit by the band Garbage. Look, listen, and learn about Jennifer Eklund's piano solo arrangement of "Special."

Looking for more piano sheet music of hit songs by Garbage?

🤩 Check out these posts featuring arrangements of “Stupid Girl” and “Only Happy When It Rains.”

About Garbage:

Garbage is an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1993. The band consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson and American musicians Duke Erikson, Steve Marker, and Butch Vig. Shirley Manson, previously of the band Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie, joined forces with the trio, who had experience in production and engineering, to create Garbage.

Their self-titled debut album, “Garbage,” released in 1995, was a massive commercial success, propelled by hit singles like “Only Happy When It Rains” and “Stupid Girl.” The album’s blend of grunge, electronic, and pop elements garnered critical acclaim and established Garbage as a prominent force in alternative rock.

Throughout their career, Garbage has continued to release successful albums, including “Version 2.0” (1998), “Beautiful Garbage” (2001), “Bleed Like Me” (2005), “Not Your Kind of People” (2012), and “Strange Little Birds” (2016). Their music often explores themes of angst, sexuality, and societal issues, with Manson’s powerful vocals and the band’s innovative production contributing to their distinctive sound.

Garbage has received multiple Grammy Award nominations and has sold millions of records worldwide. They are known for their dynamic live performances and have toured extensively across the globe. Over the years, they have maintained a dedicated fan base and have influenced numerous artists in the alternative and rock genres.

About “Special”:

“Special” was featured on their self-titled debut album, released in 1995. It was also released as a single in September 1998 as a double A-side with “When I Grow Up.”

“Special” is characterized by its brooding atmosphere, driven by heavy guitar riffs, electronic elements, and Shirley Manson’s powerful vocals. Lyrically, the song explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the complexities of relationships.

The song received positive reviews from critics, who praised its dark and intense sound as well as Manson’s emotive delivery. It achieved moderate commercial success, particularly in Europe, where it charted in several countries including the UK, where it reached number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

The music video for “Special” features Manson in various surreal and symbolic scenarios, including a room filled with televisions and a dark forest. The imagery complements the song’s themes of psychological turmoil and inner conflict.

“Special” remains a fan favorite and a staple of Garbage’s live performances. It showcases the band’s signature blend of alternative rock, electronic, and industrial influences, contributing to its enduring popularity among listeners.

“Special” Intermediate Piano Solo

Key features of the intermediate version:

Appropriate for intermediates and late intermediates
7 total pages
Run time is approximately 4:00

Special (Intermediate Piano)

Special, as performed by Garbage, stylishly arranged for intermediate piano by Jennifer Eklund.

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🧐 Sheet music sneak peek:

🎹 Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series

Do you love pop rock and alternative rock from the 1990s? You’ll definitely want to explore the Pop Rock Favorites Songbook Series. As of this posting, there are 10 volumes available! Take a dive into the first few books: