| "I Think I'm Paranoid" | |||||
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| Single by Garbage from the album Version 2.0 |
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| Released | 1998 | ||||
| Genre | Alternative rock, post-grunge | ||||
| Length | 3:38 | ||||
| Label | Almo Sounds, Mushroom | ||||
| Producer | Garbage | ||||
| Garbage singles chronology | |||||
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"I Think I'm Paranoid" was the second single from Garbage's 1998 second album Version 2.0. It was released in the summer of 1998 and became a hit in many parts of the world following up on the success of previous single releases "Stupid Girl" and "Push It".
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Song profile
"I Think I'm Paranoid" was written and recorded at Smart Studios during the 1997 sessions for Version 2.0. It was originally titled 'Bend Me'. Bass on "I Think I'm Paranoid" is by Daniel Schulman, Todd Malcolm Michelles provides the scratching, and the song also contains samples from 'Underfire' by electronic duo Terminalhead. In keeping with Version 2.0's sonically dense production, "I Think I'm Paranoid" contains over 120 audio tracks.
Single release
"I Think I'm Paranoid" was issued as a single worldwide in July 1998. A hit in the US, the song also crashed into the UK charts at #9, the band's fourth consecutive Top 10 hit. Worldwide, "I Think I'm Paranoid" was backed by B-sides "Deadwood", culled from "Version 2.0" at the last minute, and "Afterglow". "Deadwood" was written and recorded at Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin during the 1997 sessions for the band's second album Version 2.0. Driven by an acoustic guitar and moody bass, "Deadwood" is a tale of a relationship gone too far to the point of no return. "Deadwood" appeared on early tracklistings for Version 2.0, however it failed to make the cut for the album and eventually saw the light of day as a b-side on the second Version 2.0 single release. Bass guitar on "Deadwood" was played by Daniel Schulman. "Deadwood" is published by Deadarm Music/Almo Music Corp (ASCAP) and Vibecrusher Music/Irving Music, Inc (BMI). Garbage have never performed "Deadwood" live, although at many shows the song has been requested by attending fans.
Music video
The video clip for "I Think I'm Paranoid" was directed in May 1998 by famed photographer Matthew Rolston in London, UK. The video concept was to be, according to Shirley "very simple, almost photographic... and then we just got bored. I flashed my knickers and stuck my fist in my mouth!" After release the video was edited slightly to soften the focus on certain strobing lights within the video.
Remixes
Remixes of "I Think I'm Paranoid" were completed for the band by US dance duo The Crystal Method and by Jill Stark of the UK dance act Purity.
Live performances
"I Think I'm Paranoid" was first performed live on 15th May 1998 in Combined Locks, Wisconsin on the first date of the 'Version 2.0' tour. It has continued to be a live favourite throughout that tour and also on the 'beautifulgarbage' and 'Bleed Like Me' world tours. An acoustic version of "I Think I'm Paranoid" has also been performed live. A live acoustic version of the track was also released on the US compilation CD 'The End Sessions Vol 2' in November 1999. I Think I'm Paranoid was performed live on TV shows TFI Friday, Top Of The Pops, Later with Jools Holland (UK), Fuse Comp'd (US) and Nulle Part Ailleurs (France).
Appearances
"I Think I'm Paranoid" was featured on the trailer to 2000 teen thriller movie Gossip but not on the movie itself, and on demo adverts showcasing Apple Computer's latest QuickTime software in early 1999. "I Think I'm Paranoid" also appears on the North American editions of the 1999 PlayStation racing video game Gran Turismo 2. "I Think I'm Paranoid" is featured as a playable track in the music game Rock Band. Legal action was taken against Garbage on 11th May 2001 by Helios Music Corp. over this track, which they claim includes material "stolen" from the song "Bend Me, Shape Me", which was a hit for US band The American Breed in 1967. It is unknown whether or not the case has been settled as of yet.
"I Think I'm Paranoid" quotes
Butch Vig: "It's about the music business. There's a line: 'If I feel down, prop me up with another pill' which came from a bad day on the road when an associate told Shirley to take a pill to settle down. It didn't work."
Comprehensive charts
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | "I Think I'm Paranoid" | UK Singles Chart | #9 |
| 1998 | "I Think I'm Paranoid" | US Hot 100 Airplay | #70 |
| 1998 | "I Think I'm Paranoid" | US Modern Rock Tracks | #6 |
| 1998 | "I Think I'm Paranoid" | German singles chart | #98 |
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| Members | Shirley Manson · Steve Marker · Duke Erikson · Butch Vig |
| Albums | Garbage · Version 2.0 · Beautiful Garbage · Bleed Like Me |
| Compilations | Absolute Garbage |
| Singles | "Vow" · "Subhuman" · "Only Happy When It Rains" · "Queer" · "Stupid Girl" · "Milk" · "#1 Crush" · "Push It" · "I Think I'm Paranoid" · "Special" · "The Trick Is to Keep Breathing" · "When I Grow Up" · "You Look So Fine" · "The World Is Not Enough" · "Androgyny" · "Cherry Lips" · "Breaking Up the Girl" · "Shut Your Mouth" · "Why Do You Love Me" · "Bleed Like Me" · "Sex Is Not the Enemy" · "Run Baby Run" · "Tell Me Where It Hurts" |
| Home video | Garbage Video · Live at Eagles Ballroom 2002 |
| Related articles | Discography · B-sides · Angelfish · Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie · The World Is Not Enough |
