Garden Song (Phoebe Bridgers song)
"Garden Song" is a song by American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. It was released through Dead Oceans on February 26, 2020, as the lead single from Bridgers' second studio album, Punisher (2020).
"Garden Song" | ||||
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Single by Phoebe Bridgers | ||||
from the album Punisher | ||||
Released | February 26, 2020 | |||
Studio | Sound City (Los Angeles, California)[1] | |||
Genre | Emo | |||
Length | 3:40 | |||
Label | Dead Oceans | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Phoebe Bridgers singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Garden Song" on YouTube |
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"Garden Song" was produced by Bridgers herself alongside Tony Berg and Ethan Gruska.[1] The song features "a wave of shimmery synths" and "delicate, crushing vocals", with its lyrics depicting "a scene from a fairytale, one that includes a house resting on a hill with thousands of roses (and probably a few ghosts)".[2] Bridgers stated that the song was about "manifesting things the more you think about stuff" as well as "[her] own growth".[3] It has also been described as "steeped in melancholy" as Bridgers "unravels past memories that anticipated growing up".[4]
Music video
The music video for the song was released on the same day as the single, and it was directed by Bridgers' younger brother, Jackson.[5] It depicts Bridgers "kicking back in her bedroom, ripping on a bong and hanging out with fuzzy creatures", with an appearance by comedian Tig Notaro.[2][6]
Critical reception
Writing for Consequence of Sound, Dan Weiss praised the complexity of the songwriting.[7] Deeming the song "an understated rumination on lost time and complicated nostalgia", Quinn Moreland of Pitchfork praised its "slight arrangement" and Bridgers' "humor and storytelling idiosyncrasies".[8] Pitchfork and The New York Times later listed "Garden Song" as the ninth and 16th best songs of 2020, respectively.[9][10]
Charts
Chart (2020) | Peak position |
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US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[11] | 42 |
References
- Russell, Scott (February 26, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Shares "Garden Song," Her First New Solo Single Since 2017". Paste. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Martoccio, Angie (February 28, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers, 'Garden Song': Song You Need to Know". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Leas, Ryan (June 18, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers 'Punisher' Interview: The Story Behind Every Song - Stereogum". Stereogum. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Touros, Cyrena (February 26, 2020). "Hear Phoebe Bridgers' First Solo Release In Almost Three Years, 'Garden Song'". NPR. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Moore, Sam (February 26, 2020). "Watch the trippy video for Phoebe Bridgers' new single 'Garden Song'". NME. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Martoccio, Angie (February 26, 2020). "Phoebe Bridgers Rips a Bong in 'Garden Song' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Weiss, Dan (February 28, 2020). "Song of the Week: Phoebe Bridgers – Garden Song". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- Moreland, Quinn (February 26, 2020). ""Garden Song" by Phoebe Bridgers Review". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- "The 100 Best Songs of 2020". Pitchfork. December 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- "Best Songs of 2020". The New York Times. December 7, 2020. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- "Phoebe Bridgers Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 5, 2020.