“Cherry Lips” is track #7 on Garbage’s third album Beautiful Garbage.
It was released as single in 2001 and despite failing in major markets, it became a hit in Australia, Italy, Mexico and South America.
Shirley wrote the lyrics based loosely around two novels she had just read, Sarah and The Hear...
[Verse 1]
She gave you everything she had
But she was young and dumb, she'd just turned 21
She didn't care to hang around
So when the shit came down, why she was nowhere to be found
This life can turn a good girl bad
She was the sweetest thing that you had ever seen
[Chorus]
You're such a delicate boy
In the hysterical realm
Of an emotional landslide
In physical terms
[Verse 2]
With your cherry lips and golden curls
You could make grown men gasp when you go walking past them
In your hot pants and high heels
They could not believe that such a body was for real
It seemed like rainbows would appear
Whenever you came near the clouds would disappear
Because you looked just like a girl
Your baby blues would flash and suddenly a spell was cast
[Chorus]
You're such a delicate boy
In the hysterical realm
Of an emotional landslide
In physical terms
[Bridge]
You hold a candle in your heart
You shine the light on hidden parts
You make the whole world wanna dance
You bought yourself a second chance
[Pre-Hook]
Go baby, go, go
We're right behind you
Go baby, go, go
Yeah, we're looking at you
Go baby, go, go
Oh, we're right behind you
Go baby, go baby
Yeah, we're right behind you
[Hook]
Go baby, go baby
Oh, we're right behind you
Go baby, go baby
Yeah, we're looking at you
Go baby, go baby
Oh, we're right behind you
Go baby, go baby
Yeah, we're looking at you
You hold a candle in your heart (Go baby, go, go)
You shine the light on hidden parts (Go baby, go, go)
You make the whole world wanna dance (Go baby, go, go)
You bought yourself a second chance (Go baby, go baby, go)
[Chorus]
Delicate boy (Go baby, go baby, go)
In the hysterical realm (Go baby, go baby, go)
Of an emotional landslide (Go baby, go baby, go)
In physical terms (Go baby, go, go)
[Outro]
Go
Yeah, we're looking at you
Go baby, go, go
Oh, we're right behind you
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) was written by Butch Vig & Shirley Manson & Steve Marker & Duke Erikson.
Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) was produced by Garbage.
Garbage released Cherry Lips (Go Baby Go!) on Mon Jan 21 2002.
I always say that’s our pop song. It’s a really great pop song. It’s a transgender pop anthem. Transgender pride anthem. We were way ahead of our time.
– Shirley Manson, Idolator, 2016.
Cherry Lips: I was so inspired by the writings of JT Leroy during the making of this whole record. Cherry Lips wa...