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Shirley Manson: The musical ups and downs of my life

Shirley Manson of Garbage shares the songs that have sound-tracked her life and how her experiences and emotions are woven into her own music.

Shirley Manson of Garbage shares the pivotal moments that have made her the artist she is today.

Talking to Nemone, who combines her roles of DJ and qualified psychotherapist, Shirley dives deep to share her story and the songs that have moved her and sound-tracked the ups and downs of her life. As front woman of the legendary rock band Garbage for over thirty years, and in subsequent excursions on screen and as a podcast host, she reveals how personal experiences and emotions are woven through her own work.

Garbage release their 8th album Let All That We Imagine Be The Light at the end of May, and it finds the four original members, Shirley alongside Duke Erikson, Steve Marker and Butch Vig, in typically exploratory form. Shirley explains how the new album is an attempt create an uplifting thread amidst a swell of chaos and upheaval in the world.

In this series Nemone also talks in depth to musicians Billy Nomates, Jeff Goldblum and Seun Kuti.

If you need support with some of the issues in this programme visit bbc.co.uk/actionline.

1 hour

Music Played

  • Garbage

    There's No Future In Optimism

    • Infectious Music / BMG.
  • Cocteau Twins

    For Phoebe Still A Baby

    • 4AD.
  • Nina Simone

    Wild Is The Wind

    • Philips.
  • Peggy Lee

    Big Spender

    • Capitol Records.
  • The Choir Of Trinity College, Cambridge

    A Ceremony of Carols: Balulalow

    • Hyperion.
  • John Lennon

    Woman

    • Parlophone.
  • Garbage

    Chinese Fire Horse

    • BMG.
  • Garbage

    Get Out My Face AKA Bad Kitty

    • BMG.
  • Garbage

    When I Grow Up

    • Mushroom.
  • Nirvana

    Lithium

    • Geffen.
  • Garbage

    Silence Is Golden

  • Garbage

    Hold

    • BMG.
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    Happy House

    • Polydor.
  • Siouxsie and the Banshees

    Love In A Void (John Peel Session, 29 Oct 1977)

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 May 2025 23:00
  • Wed 1 Oct 2025 02:00