They pride themselves on introspective lyrics, leaving the more obvious stuff to other musicians. The band recorded Version 2.0 in their studio in Madison, Wisconsin. During an interview with CMJ magazine, Shirley referred to this period as a somewhat trying and exhausting time. She told the representative that the introspective nature of Version 2.0 served to "reassure myself while I'm going crazy" due to her experiences during production, as she was "living by myself in a hotel, and I had no one to really talk to” (Lanham 37). Perhaps this directly contributed to the lines in “Temptation Waits” when she achingly sings “When I'm not sure what I'm looking for; When I'm not sure what I'm living for.”
Garbage is currently working on their sixth album and will no doubt follow it up with a worldwide tour, as they have done for every other album they released. Singer Shirley Manson and drummer/producer Butch Vig are very open about their musical lives on social media, and whether on tour or online, they have always been gracious and supportive of their fans. In recent tweets, Shirley has alluded to the new album and it appears that it will follow the lines of the previous albums as far as being a conglomeration of pop, alternative music, heavy drumbeats, and lyrics that stay away from the overt or sappy and lean more toward the dark and introspective. While it’s been over sixteen years since “Temptation Waits” was recorded and released, Garbage fans continue to appreciate its heavy pull. It may not be known in the mainstream music world, but its lyrics represent all that the fans love about Garbage. It is the fearlessness evident in the lyrics and the wild drumbeats that draw the listener in, and the relatability of the “crazy, but not too crazy” way that Shirley Manson belts the song that keeps “Temptation Waits” in the heart of Garbage fans.
Lacy Telles