“Cause I want to live, careless and freeeeeeeee!”
Savage Garden is truly one of the best things to come out of Australia during the 90’s. Right up there with The Castle.
So after disappearing (probably into “the jungle”) for a decade, we couldn’t believe it when they released a new song. Now.
Well, technically Brisbane songwriters Daniel Jones and Darren Hayes wrote the track She back in 1994, but it wasn’t released along with their multi-platinum album which has now sold more than 13 million copies.
So we’re hearing it for the first time, and boy does it take us back. You can listen to the track here.
Read more: Never choose this song for your wedding.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that neither Hayes nor Jones were available for interview but in official statements they’re quoted having hazy memories of a quick writing session for She in Jones’ parental home in Brisbane (“my mother really liked the track,” Jones said). It mixed, in Jones’ words, “innocence and raw beauty”. Lyrically it was based on the relationship Hayes had with “the women in my life”, including his mother, sister and the close friend who would soon be his wife, Colby Taylor. (Hayes now is married to designer Richard Cullen).
“I know I’m indebted to these incredibly strong women who loved me and taught me what it was like to be strong and succeed in a world where you sometimes feel underestimated,” Hayes said.
We’re hoping this somehow leads to a reforming of the pair, but maybe not.
She will be available on their new album release in July. Until then we will blast the classics loudly in the living room. You’re welcome.
Were you a fan of Savage Garden?
Top Comments
A friend of mine called them "Tame Barbecue Area". Ain't nothing Savage about them, boring as batshit.
The name might have just been following the trend of the 'opposites' band name. Take two things that are totally different, like hard and soft or light and heavy. Save: intense, Garden: relaxed. Lots of bands do that. Led Zeppelin, Guns 'n Roses, Iron Butterfly etc etc.
Darren Hayes has been making music for years - his four solo albums and one collaboration album are wonderful. He currently has a podcast out - search He Said He Said on a podcast server :)
Daniel is a music producer - he had a band called Korbee Jones for a while.
Many think Darren and Daniel have made no music since their breakup but that's not the case.