Shirley Manson: Full Life Interview

In this oral history, Shirley Manson describes growing up in Edinburgh Scotland, rejecting organized religion at a young age, and her early adult life in different bands. She details her early work with Goodbye Mr. Mackenzie and Angelfish before joining Garbage. Manson talks about her experience in the band as the youngest person and only woman, being signed with multiple record labels, and how 9-11 impacted the music industry. Manson openly discusses aging and how the patriarchy encourages women to become invisible after 35. She talks about what she thinks it means to be an artist, her acting experience, and book. The interview concludes with her thoughts on the visibility of women in rock, the gender binary, and what she considers to be her legacy.
Shirley Manson is a singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. She grew up in Edinburgh Scotland and is best known for her work as the lead singer of Garbage. Garbage has toured worldwide and sold over 17 million records. Manson lives with her husband in Los Angeles and continues to record with Garbage. The band released No Gods, No Masters in 2021.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history

[@MajesticBlueFalcon]

For being 56 years old, she still looks great as ever!

[@NormAppleton]

It's the pure scottish rage!

[@Stephanie_Vincent]

Shirley Manson has made me not fear getting old but to get even more badass with age. Thank you, Shirley.

[@ChaoticAtmosphere]

Shirley is a beautiful soul. I love this interview. She is real.

[@ChaoticAtmosphere]

Any woman that admits she was a raging cunt, is real. I laughed out loud when she said that!

[@Santor6]

Yeah. she ks so friendly and warm. BUT idiot she is rock Queen. Respect that. No loly-poly comments... OK?

[@Jameson-d8x]

Love the Scottish accent. I miss the strength and edginess of 90's music and culture. She's an icon of the era, personifies it.

[@c.s.4428]

X-Ray Spex, Dickies, Ramones, The Clash, Damned, Johnny Thunders & the Heartbreakers, Dead Kennedys AND Buzzcocks FOREVER..!

[@williammiller111]

glad she kept the scottish accent unlike Sheena Easton who "lost" it 5 mins after moving to the US !

[@nikgeorgio]

I cannot believe she thought she was ugly and self concious...she was my celebrity crush in the 90s

[@kittydeadzombiegirl]

Agreed!

[@joanneg5562]

As a 63 y/o woman, I have got very slightly braver because of this interview. Thank you Shirley Manson. 🙏🏻💜

[@jameshong4190]

Same here, she's brave and bold with her statement.😍

[@bobmunro9104]

Congratulations. Shirley has always seemed amazing to me. I'm guessing you are pretty incredible yourself.

[@George-xh6cu]

Braver? Your parents should give you nuts!¡

[@francesjolly5106]

YAY

[@NormAppleton]

GOOD!

[@tmpardi77]

Shirley has the most infectious laugh I've ever heard. Love her.

[@KygohugZ]

Yes, you can hear the power in those lovely pipes!

[@nikgeorgio]

You can tell she has great vocals whenever she laughs...

[@Chuv777]

Shirley is just such a lovely,relatable person.Fab interview.

[@danielabartelli4734]

OMG, Shirley is still the coolest. I was a huge fan, colored my hair red and used to dress like her through my teens and early 20’s. This interview was my height point today🥰🥰🥰

[@jameshong4190]

Shirley is one of my favorites too 💓

[@Marcus_C51]

You must have been a vision--Shirley is really the creme de la creme of rock goddesses, so cool, no one commands a stage like she does. Her interviews are pure gold, delightful and she's so funny.

[@mtwiner9981]

I have followed Garbage and Shirley Manson since the 90's, very early on. The more I know of Shirley, her life, her thoughts, her attitudes, it just stuns me with her brillance and genuine kinndness. The talent goes without saying, Shirley, you are a Legend of the highest order. But your so, so much more than that and to me that makes you something that words can't bring justice to. You just make me smile and much more.

[@skyhighdiamonds910]

I got into a fight with a bloke in a record shop about Debbie Harry still performing at 71. He was very dismissive of the Blondie gig because of her age. I put him straight and so did the record shop owner - also a strong female. This is fantastic insight into Manson's life, loves and fears, as well as her determination, strength and fight for women in music and taking their place at the table. Brilliant.

[@NBM3]

That idiot's head will explode when he finds out that BLONDIE are doing a tour with THE DAMNED later tis year . Shirley is wonderful .

[@BillyHell01]

its great that Debbie Harry is still performing - Do I want to see it NO - because it's not 1970, Same with Neil Young, John Cale etc there was a time these people were great but time steals their voice and it just sounds second rate - and this is what records are for.

[@cesar314]

This interview is outstanding, largely because Shirley is so real and full of grace. She interprets the intent behind a question and crafts a story that is illuminating and a joy to uncover. As she says, being 100% honest is the best way to bring artistry to fruit, and this plays out here. Even with some rambling questions and factual errors from the interviewer, she kindly corrects the narrative in a manner that rolls into a great story anyway, making an effort to address the intent behind the question rather than be dismissive or combative. It's nice to see the artistic personality within the music manifest itself in a different form. This is definitely one of the most satisfying interviews I've ever watched.

[@RubenGoMoRadioboyPlus]

She is so brave

[@raymo6795]

reminds me of the main character in "Brave"

[@TunziSNORT]

Shirley is a gift

[@theresafordwells6337]

Oh Shirley, how I needed this interview! She is incomparable! ❤

[@RAF-777]

Shirley, I really love your song Godhead it's really funny and at the same time very uplifting, it's makes me feel so good - like the GODHEAD, I can listen it on the loop for hours until I fall into the sleep. Thank you for this music!

[@carrie227]

Shirley is radiantly beautiful inside and out, Her laugh is infectious and Her singing is incredible! ♥️

[@Jarhead1313]

So let me get this straight, Shirley was called ugly? Who's laughing now, not only is she a rock goddess, she's gorgeous!

[@imandan1966]

let's settle down

[@soaribb32]

She is!

[@felipesotoviterbo1372]

She's simply the best. Long live Shirley Manson

[@JuanCAraujoS]

Shirley is my 90's crush. I was 16 when the first album came out and I fell in love with her... So strong, stylish, femenine and elegant at the same time and that deep and wonderful voice. I'm 41 now and I'm still into strong and independent women... And I see with optimism the sings on the road ahead. The slow and steady shift. Is no coincidence that the countries that have managed more properly this whole pandemic are the ones led by women. Shirley is still a wonderful woman, and quite a role model. Not only to women, but to men as well... Since our expectations can change thanks to the wonderful voice of a fierce and caring woman.

[@Martimano]

An inspiration of a woman.She shows that someone who got bullied in the past can move on an be much better than the bullies.What a radiant laughter!

[@bobmunro9104]

You're right about the laughter--love it!

[@alfredogarciabalderas6588]

Her voice doesn't change nothing when she is talking and when she is singing Listening her voice is a song for me!!!!!

[@SoCalRobots]

I was thinking the same thing!

[@KaiDecadence]

Yeah it's so cool how her singing has remained powerful after all this time.

[@aliciafranco5704]

Dude! SHIRLEY MANSON IS LEGEND🤘🤘🔥🔥🔥💘💘💘💘💘

[@valleydawn1497]

I love shirley since the world is not enough

[@jmm95]

That song and clip are dope! Really, really inspiring! ❤️🤩

[@timeakovari9611]

Same :)

[@mjp96]

I'm only happy when it Rains - I never get tired of that one! And many others

[@lizunwin1708]

Have loved Goodbye Mr Mackenzie and garbage for at least the last 30 years!! I can't believe she's older than me she looks amazing 😍 so glad she still has the accent 😄

[@jameshong4190]

She is older than you with the look of her face but she is natural inspired by her words.

[@victoriaeads6126]

I've admired Shirley Manson for decades. I know that she was in a rough place when Garbage recruited her (best decision they ever made). I haven't watched the entire interview yet, but I look forward to finding out more. I've always been an amateur singer, my father was a semi-amateur choir tenor and soloist for many years. I've learned from him the joy of listening to excellent vocals, and he still loves to share his favorite music to this day. Ms. Manson's voice has always been one that I aspire to in quality, along with artists like Adele. I am also an alto, and, well, it is a darn good time to sing songs by such vocal artists.

[@nunu1869]

I can listen to Shirley forever

[@rogerbranton1752]

Shirley has always been incredible. This interview was a delight and thanks for posting it!

[@nicball4719]

She's been my hero for 26 years she's pure class

[@aleksandradobric4189]

That woman was my idol when i was a teenager. I wanted to be her so bad. I dyed my hair red, dressed like her... Her writing always felt like it was writen for me. When i look at her, i don't know... It's Shirley. It feels like a friend, a person I know well. I don't listen to them every day but when i do, it always reminds me so much memories.... For ever Garbage ♥️

[@Fairrrytale]

I've loved Garbage since I was twelve back in the nineties. Shirley is my biggest idol. Thanks for the interview. ❤️

[@pedroandremendes8444]

Shirley is so awesome!

[@davidadams2395]

I saw them open for Smashing Pumpkins on May 13, 1996. It was Butch Vig that piqued my interest enough to check out the band. It only took one listen of that voice for me to fall in love with Shirley Manson. She made you believe every word. Nevertheless, this interview is one of the best I've heard with an entertainer, and, again, I believe every word. Instead of denying there are systems in place that relegates women to the back burner, we should be listening to the very people affected by such systems.

[@aperturius]

I saw them that fall on the same tour. They were far better than the Pumpkins (Billy was in a bad mood).

[@theelusivedillinger]

@@aperturius Was it the show in Phoenix?

[@aperturius]

@@theelusivedillinger No, Portland, ME

[@rosiethedoggie5527]

Shirley is such a beautiful lady. I was lucky enough to see Garbage in the 90s. Her music and charisma is timeless. So appreciate this band it was so different and fun! Love how she owns who she is, her honesty and of course her Red Hair!

[@jodi6043]

Everything about Shirley Manson is just gorgeous! She’s the best!

[@Arientis]

Shirley Manson is quite charming with the amazing voice, Scottish accent, and beauty of a redhead. That edge with Garbage is so good and was way ahead of its time 💪🏻

[@yamammiwammi]

what a sweet heart. im a casual garbage fan (still listen to the new stuff) but have never really listened to interviews or anything and i really respect her background and world view. cool, cool lady

[@AvStevieStevenJamesDrums]

What an amazing Woman, so articulate and so ballsy.

[@williammetcalf7239]

Wow. She is my most favorite alt band singer form the 1990s, and has been since then. Shirley is so authentic, sweet, passionate, fun, kind, pretty , hot, funny, and quite possibly Best laugh ever. So glad they are still here doing it!!!!!

[@jsheekey1]

She's stunning 💕 love her

[@ShimmerLikeaGirl]

Thanks for this interview. I love learning about this icon, this goddess, this queen.

[@EricB256]

She's great. I wish her solo album had actually been released during the 00s.

[@KaiDecadence]

This was such an amazing interview, I could listen to Shirley talk for hours because she's so open and opinionated with many different thoughts and perspectives . One insightful thing she mentioned that I didn't even think of was when she mentioned how after 9/11 happened, the radio stopped playing Alternative music and went for more mainstream pop and rock, safe and digestible (but less unique, aggressive, counterculture) and how this especially affect the Alt girls of the 90s. Thinking back, she's so right on that. When I look at the pop charts from the late 2000s and into 2003, there weren't as many alternative female-fronted bands being pushed. At least up until 2004 because then we had singers like Karen O from The Yeah Yeah Yeahs but yeah, that was a really wild observation. Just all around lovely.

[@davidlindsay9564]

their time was up, it had nothing to do with 9-11. Its not like Garbage was especially dark and edgy anyway. Granted after 9-11 people weren't wanting to hear "dark" music, and nu metal and 'ugly and dark' bands suffered most, No Doubt and others did just fine, The White Stripes came into play as did a lot of other alternative bands.Evanescence came along and did just fine. So she has no excuse, let alone blame 9-11. You only really get 7 "core" years, and everything else is kind of built on that, even if there is a resurgence later on.

[@docmadhattan]

@@davidlindsay9564 Did you just compare them to No Doubt and Evanescence? HAHAHAHAH

[@suminshizzles6951]

Their third album was released on oct 1, 2001 and got burried alive in the news cycle that went on to show the world trade center collapse for another few weeks. 9/11 was a shift of some sort in the US. I was there at the time. I saw the second place go into the tower live on television. As did many other americans. Right around 2004 is when i stopped caring about music. We had the internet to occupy us and music was no longer the attention grabber it once was. Bands, to me, were also rehashed versions of former dead genres such as grunge. Creed comes to mind. I would even go as far as saying Candlebox even though they were in the thick of grunge when they started. When i moved to the UK in 2004 there was nothing but pure pop, boys and girl bands as well as a weird electronic trance, disco synth pop, or drum and bass type thing going on. Like rave music at 180 bpm on meth. The brits were also thick into talent shows at the time. Music by committee. So that was me done with music. My favorite bands wre gone. Alice in Chains, gone. Garbage, on some extended hiatus with no end in sight. I also stopped listeting to the radio. Music was pretty much gone for me. I had what i had as far as music was concerned and that was it. Nothing new was being added to it. There were very few "mainstream" female fronted "alternative" bands in the late 90's and early 2000. The only few i can think of are 10.000 Maniacs. L7 not being mainstream. NoDoubt with Gwen. Totally forgot about them till i heard Shirely mention them even though i ahve all their records.

[@suminshizzles6951]

I noticed the decline of "alternative ( - to everything else )" music at the time as well. By the early 2000's i stopped caring about music. The shit that was being pumped out was shit to me. No soul. No message. Almost like mass produced crap made for the masses. But since then i swear there were sinister forces at work in the background that helped shape public opinion and turn them against this counter culture that was the alternative music scene. People were shocked about Facebook spying on you. People were shocked about cambridge analytica and their methods to influence people. I was not and i suspected it all along. I never did get on facebook. Now i just laugh at peple who use it. You use what? But it is these sorts of methods that i suspected were being used to help shape public opinion. The US has used methods like this in the past on its own population so i would not be surprised if they did it again in the 90's to help bring down the scene. We cant have a counter culture. No. No. No. Nixen is a nasty piece of shit. And he is one of the few, we know of, that used shady tactics to help influence people.

[@andrewmaccallum2367]

Scottish and cool as fuck!! 😎💙

[@grahamhooper9696]

I love everything Garbage and Shirley has done. Such a positive powerful person. 51 and still gorgeous..

[@StevieZero]

She's 55

[@KatarinaMB1]

@@StevieZero and Looking great

[@Prettyboyred336]

I've been a fan since 1997. Still one of my top 10 favorite bands.

[@adamfstewart81]

Best goddamn laugh EVER! I love this woman. I think she and Craig Ferguson need to have their own talk show or podcast. They have such great chemistry

[@starlalocke9372]

I could listen to Shirley talk for hours 💜

[@jameshong4190]

Same here, she's intelligent and polite with her words. I like her too

[@soakupthenoise]

this is gonna sound stupid but i'm 27 and i'm terrified to turn 30, i want to have a career in music and i feel like it's too late. this helped a lot. thank you Shirley, you are such a brilliant honest person

[@ignescentphoenix]

Me too. Turning 30 this month. I feel the exact same

[@fairekennings2347]

I'm 27 too and finally made my mindset to release a first album 🙈 we're gonna make it

[@LosTCoz3000]

It's never too late for music.

[@zelowatch30]

What if you were 100 year old and can look like you're 27 forever? Is it really a numbers fear or aging?

[@soakupthenoise]

@@zelowatch30 oh it's fear of aging and how i would be perceived 100%

[@GilsonHachiro]

Shirley is the BEST and a BEAST that becomes BADASSER with experience :3

[@llaith2]

This is a lovely interview. I love how authentic she is, but then I'm not surprised because I now live in Edinburgh, after growing up in Aus, and that's how these wonderful Scottish lasses are. I can also relate to her upbringing, because honestly... prospects in the UK are a bit dire (at least compared to Aus), and even worse in Scotland, through no fault of their own. I work hard to make sure my own daughter doesn't feel like she did growing up. However it's a bit heartbreaking to hear she had no confidence in her abilities. I was a fan of Garbage in the 90s, in fact they were my favorite band until well into the 2000s. I was a goth, and she was a total and utter living goddess for me, my wife, and everyone we knew, male or female. In those days, pre-youtube (for the most part pre-web actually!), we had to scour music magazines for the occasional interview with her, so not much insight was available for us fans about her mindset, but I'm really surprised to hear how she felt. I guess the lack of communication went both ways, and she didnt know how much her massive fanbase loved her to death (and the band) either.

[@merinooo1]

I love this woman! I used to hear version 2.0 when I was 15. Recently heard Garbage in Berlin where I live now and here she is teaching me things again ❤

[@santosiraheta5378]

I really love her,she carved a mark in my life.

[@thenicklas615]

She's really a beautiful woman, and in songs like "Medication," and "Milk" Shirley really shows the colors of her beautiful rainbow sort to speak.

[@PalacinkyPDX]

Terrific conversation with a wonderful artist.

[@Barbara-nx7gq]

Shirley ❤️ . Such an intelligent, fierce and empathetic woman. Loved this interview!

[@bobmunro9104]

And funny as hell

[@naigino1]

Shirley is still very beautiful as always, and a very beautiful speaking and singing voice.

[@palmhousebookrestoration3284]

"I'm only happy when it rains!" You rock Shirley! you really do!

[@JonTullett]

I've been a huge fan of Shirley Manson as a person and Garbage as a band, but her honesty and openness in this interview really blew me away. And kudos to Tanya Pearson for the interview, too - this is a great project!

[@thathippieguy67]

Such a beautiful person, inside and out. We need more people like Shirley on this planet. ❤

[@muttkat1]

Shirley, you are a inspiration to older women. Thank you.

[@AllenJohn]

I loved this interview.

[@despoinatsovaltzi2342]

What amazing artist!I love her i love Garbage!

[@jasonandres3898]

I listened to this interview while cleaning my house and I am blown away by her beauty inside and out. What a wonderful person! But an even more powerful confident woman! Debbie Harry (Blondie) is absolutely amazing as well. I'm so glad Shirley is a fan of hers as well! I would love to meet you Shirley!

[@anthonyhines9668]

She was my first crush and the voice that help me every step of the way growing up.

[@berghorst]

Absolutely fantastic interview. Thank you for posting!

[@Redone600]

Watching this interview fixing the volume between question and answer.

[@gabrielesilvabordonal7019]

I love Shirley so much, she gave me the flare of study music and begin to sing, my biggest inspiration as a singer, and I'm grateful for being a Garbage fan. I really dream meet her personally and say how much important she's to me.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

As if you could love her anymore.. what an awesome and inspiring person.

[@marioarodrigues3281]

awesome Love Shirley Manson since 1998.

[@namelessthing5858]

Ive always loved her laugh Throughout the years, all her interviews and podcasts, her genuine hearty laugh always set me in a good mood no matter whatever else is going on in life Despite all negative thoughts and feelings, listening to her always put me at ease. I was born in1980, so living through the 90s with nirvana, alice in chains and garbage, along with all the 80s and 90s movies (big trouble in little china) Best times that i wish all newer generations would experience Greetings love and respect from san jose california

[@Emulous79]

11 minutes in and I have massive respect for her.

[@infactc]

Shirley is awesome) So much love from Russia 👋

[@rickd5997]

She’s always been a favorite of mine ever since I heard her she’s a true inspiration for women in music

[@dystopic6245]

I’ve always been a fan of her music, and only recently been watching interviews with her over the past years, and I’m becoming more and more a fan of the person than I already was of just her music.

[@mrmaramind]

Amazing interview. If there is one thing to absorb here its that you never do art for success if you do you have already failed as an artist.

[@LeNaInLoVe]

R S P C T!! All WHAT SHE SAID! This was just what I needed right now! Greetings from Arctic Norway👋👋

[@wendyforest3582]

Love Shirley 💗💗She was born a month before me🖤🤘

[@JodyEllis-Case]

I love this womans mind. I feel like we could have been sisters in another life.

[@smooth111012]

She is beautiful, an awesome woman

[@johnmorganjr769]

I love you Shirley!! During 1997-2003 me and my gf listened to 2.0 relentlessly!!!👍❤💯.

[@jamesschott2870]

Well said and well versed Shirley.......you navigated all the BS so good as did Butch and the rest of the band.....Keep rockin Garbage, I think you are true gold....!!!!!

[@vanderveen1967]

One of the best interviews I have seen. Great and impressive artist.

[@daphneglasgow4317]

She is incredible. I feel so inspired by this interview.

[@ms_princess_poppy]

She's absolutely amazing, strong, powerful & so forward thinking, she's totally fabulous and to boot her attitude is so rock 🤘🏻.🖤

[@jameshong4190]

Absolutely, she's just 💯 perfect confident and polite with her words

[@katiemarshall4340]

What the hell woman, I've seen you live 3 times! Twice in the Barrowlands and once in the SECC. You kick arse as a singer ✊

[@nikgeorgio]

I am so into her laugh...i wish i could time stamp all her laughs during this video..

[@blah1632]

Shirley gives great answers to mediocre questions. She's very good at her job.

[@luisfarias2083]

Shirley, gran artista con una potente voz y una belleza eterna. I love you Shirley. Saludos desde Chile. Abril 2021.

[@selenlun9]

AND HER LAUGH!

[@davestege3371]

Shirley can hit all the notes perfectly. The band hits the notes and brings out originalsounds..perfectly!!! I personally haven't gotten past the 70s rock...till Garbage. Garbage has given me faith in youth!!!

[@selenlun9]

Oh my gosh!! This project is EPIC! And this interview with Shirley Manson is so important; she upbrings lot of social layers one by one... THANK YOU ALL

[@TFFgeek]

Fascinating story. Respect her honesty. Thank you for this. Good interviewer too. Lets Shirley speak, listenes to her, did her research. 👍

[@dikajeepic]

One of the best interviews with Shirley that I have ever seen, if not the best! The interviewer is brilliant and attentive, knows very well what she is talking about, and Shirley told so many interesting things I have never heard before! I listen to Garbage for like 20 years now and this interview showed me new things about one of the most extraordinary women and the band of 20th century. Thank you!

[@cesar314]

I mostly agree, but the interviewer hadn't done her homework on some very basic points, which was kind of insulting and embarrassing. For example, not knowing about their start on Almo, which was pretty easy to find. Nevertheless, Shirley is such a class act that she corrected while being kind and running with it. This is a great project, but wish the interviewer were a little more polished and professional. That said, I think this interview is otherwise amazing.

[@electrictwilight]

@@cesar314 Yeah, you can tell Shirley's mood started to change a third of the way in with some of the questions.

[@CoverSongsRikiStorm]

I seen her live. She has a powerful voice.

[@JCSAXON]

This is wonderful. I dodged the pop bullets of the 90’s and beyond but had I caught an interview of this nature I would have paid her due attention. Thanks

[@oliverhaake7552]

I always loved her for her music and her presence on stage. She washed away her band like it was only her. Now that I listened to this interview, I appreciate Shirley Manson even more as a person. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@j3jane]

wonderful interview

[@ondrejhronec9220]

Shirley is a freaking jewel! Big LOVE, RESPECT and ADMIRATION for her ❤️

[@ResmonGonzalez]

Best interview with Shirley Manson!

[@markkranich7866]

I recently discovered Garbage. Love them. Shirley is my new Crush! That’s coming from a 62 year old man. She is a cutie!! Love her voice when she sings. Can’t wait to pick up more of their music. Wish I would have know them when they first came out but I was busy raising my 2 boys. Hope they record again.

[@nickowchar2001]

Shirley's not just badass (no one can argue with that), she thinks about the meaning of her role and other rockstar women's roles in the business in a way that's very thoughtful and not self-absorbed. Great interview.