Only Happy When It Rains

Garbage

About Only Happy When It Rains

"Only Happy When It Rains" is an 1995 alternative rock song written and produced by alternative rock band Garbage for their self-titled debut studio album (1995). The song was recorded at the band's own recording studio, Smart Studios, in Madison, Wisconsin, and became known for its tongue-in-cheek lyrics parodying the typically angst-filled themes of mid-nineties alternative rock genre. Replacing "Queer" at the last-minute as the lead-in single for the debut album, "Only Happy When It Rains" was the band's breakthrough track in the United Kingdom, receiving positive reviews from the music press and strong support from BBC Radio One. In the United States, the single built upon the success of "Queer" at alternative radio and in early 1996 charted strongly on the Hot 100. The music video made MTV's next-big-thing Buzz Bin category, helping "Only Happy When It Rains" to cross over to Top 40 radio formats, and propelling the album Garbage from being a Heatseeker title into the top half of the Billboard 200 album chart. In Europe, where it was the fourth single from Garbage, "Only Happy" followed the success of "Stupid Girl", by reaching the top ten European Alternative Rock airplay charts over the summer of 1996."Only Happy When It Rains" has gone on to be an enduring work for the group. It has been covered by multiple artists, including metal legends Metallica, was featured as a playable track in the video game Guitar Hero 5, and licensed to appear in episodes of nineties television shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and The X-Files and in 2019, featured on the soundtrack of the movie Captain Marvel. 


Year:
1996
176 
#1

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I'm only happy when it rains
I'm only happy when it's complicated
And though I know you can't appreciate it
I'm only happy when it rains

You know I love it when the news is bad
Why it feels so good to feel so sad?
I'm only happy when it rains

Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down on me
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down on me 

I'm only happy when it rains
I feel good when things are goin' wrong
I only listen to sad, sad songs
I'm only happy when it rains

I only smile in the dark
My only comfort is the night gone black
I didn't accidentally tell you that
I'm only happy when it rains
You'll get the message by the time I'm through
When I complain about me and you
I'm only happy when it rains

Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down 
Pour your misery down on me
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down on me
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down
Pour your misery down on me

You can keep me company
As long as you don't care

I'm only happy when it rains
You want to hear about my new obsession?
I'm riding high upon a deep depression
I'm only happy when it rains

Pour some misery down on me
I'm only happy when it rains
Pour some misery down on me
I'm only happy when it rains
Pour some misery down on me
I'm only happy when it rains
Pour some misery down on me

[Repeat: x2]
I'm only happy when it rains
Pour some misery down on me
Pour some misery down on me
Pour some misery down on me
Pour some misery down on me

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Garbage

Garbage is an alternative rock band formed in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1994. The group consists of Scottish singer Shirley Manson (vocals, guitar) and American musicians Duke Erikson (bass, guitar, keyboards, percussion), Steve Marker (guitar, keyboards) and Butch Vig (drums, percussion). All four members are involved in songwriting and production. The band have counted worldwide album sales of over 17 million units. more »

3 fans

Written by: DOUGLAS ELWIN ERICKSON, SHIRLEY ANN MANSON, STEVE W. MARKER, BRYAN DAVID VIG

Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


12 facts about this song

Release Date
"Only Happy When it Rains" was released in 1995, serving as the second single off Garbage's self-titled debut album.
Genre Classification
The song fuses a variety of genres, blending elements of alternative rock, trip hop, and grunge.
Irony Theme
Despite its seemingly melancholic title, the song is said to be a tongue-in-cheek take on Garbage's love for dark, moody music.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the band's first entry into this chart. It also reached the top 40 in the UK, Canada, and Australia.
Music Video
The music video was directed by Samuel Bayer, who is known for his work with other '90s rock acts like Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins.
Live Performances
"Only Happy When it Rains" became a regular fixture in Garbage's live sets and is considered one of their signature songs.
Cultural References
The song has been featured in numerous cultural settings, including TV shows like "Hindsight" and "Bates Motel", and movies such as "Captain Marvel".
Cover Versions
Various artists have covered "Only Happy When it Rains", demonstrating its timeless appeal. Notable covers include those by Richard Cheese and Phoebe Bridgers.
Award Nominations
The Garbage's single was nominated for Best Rock Performance by a Group at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards in 1997.
Band's Opinion
Shirley Manson, the lead vocalist of Garbage, has stated that the song remains one of her favorites to perform live.
Legacy
Two decades after its release, "Only Happy When it Rains" continues to receive airplay and maintains its status as one of the defining songs of the mid-'90s alternative rock scene.
Writing and Production
Like much of the band's work, "Only Happy When it Rains" was written and produced by all four members of Garbage: Shirley Manson, Butch Vig, Duke Erikson, and Steve Marker.

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    Only Happy When It Rains

    21.9M
    164.2K     4,227

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1996

    Billboard #55


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