Girly Sound
Encyclopedia
Girly-Sound is the moniker under which singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...

 Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Phair's entry into the music industry began when she met guitarist Chris Brokaw, a member of the band Come. Brokaw and Phair moved to San Francisco together, and Phair tried to become an artist there...

 recorded several self-produced cassettes in 1991. Recorded on a 4-track tape recorder in her childhood bedroom at her parents' house and initially given only to two people by Phair, Chris Brokaw and Tae Won Yu, these tapes became somewhat of a sensation in the American tape trading/zine subculture. In 1992, Phair signed a deal with Matador Records
Matador Records
Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have...

 on the strength of a tape she had sent in consisting of 6 Girly-Sound tracks. Phair's debut album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

is largely a reworking of songs from these tapes. None of the Girly-Sound tapes has ever been given an official release (5 tracks were released in 1995 on the Juvenilia EP), though Phair has frequently gone back and reworked many of the songs for her studio albums throughout her career. As a result, Phair's Girly-Sound tapes are still one of the most sought-after alternative-rock bootlegs. A bonus disc of Girly-Sound tracks is included with the physical release of Phair's 2010 album Funstyle.

Although originally consisting of a total of 3 cassettes, the most common version of the Girly-Sound tapes that circulated among Phair's fans was an incomplete 2 disc compilation of songs from all 3 tapes released on the "Bliss and Fetish" bootleg label, processed with digital noise reduction. An earlier bootleg compilation of Girly-Sound material, "Secretly Timid", was also released. Early in 2006, mp3s of first generation copies of the first 2 tapes were introduced via Phair's online community, bringing to light the original track listing, correct song names, and album titles and more importantly introducing a number of songs that did not appear on the previous Girly-Sound bootlegs. The third Girly-Sound tape and information of its complete contents remains elusive.

Yo Yo Buddy Yup Yup Word To Ya Muthuh

Recorded circa 1991
Side/track Original track title Notes Length(s)
Side A, 1 "White Babies" A second version appeared from an answering machine recording; the song appears as "Black Market White Baby Dealer" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg; This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
3:15/2:53
Side A, 2 "Shane" Re-recorded for album Whip-Smart
Whip-Smart
Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

in 1994; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
4:49/4:12
Side A, 3 "6 Dick Pimp" Re-recorded as "Six Dick Pimp" for the motion picture Brain Candy
Brain Candy
Brain Candy is a feature film by The Kids in the Hall, a Canadian comedy troupe. Directed by Kelly Makin, filmed in Toronto, and released in 1996, it followed the five season run of their television series, which had been successful in both Canada and the United States.The five man team plays all...

in 1996; the song appears as "Willie the Six-Dicked Pimp" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:25/3:39
Side A, 4 "Divorce Song" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:54/3:20
Side A, 5 "Go West" Re-recorded for album Whip-Smart
Whip-Smart
Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

in 1994; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:42/3:17
Side A, 6 "Don't Hold Your Breath" The song appears as "If I Ever Pay You Back" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg; This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc, stylized as "Don't Hold Yr Breath".
4:15
Side A, 7 "Johnny Sunshine" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
4:01/3:29
Side B, 1 "Miss Lucy" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 2:37
Side B, 2 "Elvis Song" The song appears as "Elvis, Be True" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg; This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
5:02
Side B, 3 "Dead Shark" Re-formatted and included on the Juvenilia EP in 1995; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 3:32
Side B, 4 "One Less Thing" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 4:46
Side B, 5 "Money" Re-recorded as "Shitloads of Money" for the album whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998...

in 1998; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:43
Side B, 6 "In Love With Yourself" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg. Appears with the above song as the B-Side to Phair's 'Supernova' single under the title 'Combo Platter'.; This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
4:04
Side B, 7 ""Fuck or Die"" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg. 3:20

Girls Girls Girls

Recorded circa 1991
Side/track Original track title Notes Length(s)
Side A, 1 "Hello Sailor" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 6:08
Side A, 2 "Wild Thing" The song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg.;This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
3:54
Side A, 3 "Fuck and Run" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
4:38/3:07
Side A, 4 "Easy Target" The song appears as "Do You Love Me?" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 5:07
Side A, 5 "Soap Star Joe" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:25/2:44
Side A, 6 "Ant In Alaska" The song appears as "I Know It's Not Easy" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg. Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

7:13/2:53/5:30
Side A, 7 "Girls, Girls, Girls" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song is one of eight that had never been released prior to their 2006 debut
7:28/2:20
Side B, 1 "Polyester Bride" Re-recorded for album whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998...

in 1998; the song is one of eight that had never been released prior to their 2006 debut
7:46/4:05
Side B, 2 "Thrax" Re-recorded as "Jealousy" for album Whip-Smart
Whip-Smart
Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

in 1998 and three times as "Tell Me You Like Me" for the album demos of whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998...

in 1996 and 1997; the song is one of eight that had never been released prior to their 2006 debut
4:47/3:37
Side B, 3 "Miss Mary Mack" This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
4:33
Side B, 4 "Clean" Re-recorded as "Never Said" for the album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song is one of eight that had never been released prior to their 2006 debut
4:00/3:16
Side B, 5 "Love Song" This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
6:25
Side B, 6 "Valentine" This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
4:19
Side B, 7 "Shatter" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song is one of eight that had never been released prior to their 2006 debut
6:51/5:28

Untitled Tape 3

Recorded circa 1991
Side/track Original track title Notes Length(s)
Side A, 1 "Flower" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
2:38/2:03
Side A, 2 "Whip-Smart" Re-recorded for the album Whip-Smart
Whip-Smart
Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

in 1994; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:20/4:18
Side A, 3 "Open Season" The song appears as "Beg Me" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 2:49
Side A, 4 "Speed Racer" The song appears as "Go, Speed Racer" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg;This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
1:41
Side A, 5 "Stratford-On-Guy" Re-recorded for album Exile in Guyville
Exile in Guyville
The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

in 1993; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:11/2:59
Side A, 6 "South Dakota" Re-formatted and included on the Juvenilia EP in 1995; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 4:15
Side A, 7 "California" Re-formatted and included on the Juvenilia EP in 1995; the song appears as "Why I Left California" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg;This song appears on Liz's Phair new album, Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

, chosen as one of the songs for the bonus disc.
2:38/2:43
Side B, 1 "Batmobile" Re-formatted and included on the Juvenilia EP in 1995; the song appears as "Fire Up the Batmobile" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 3:06/2:37
Side B, 2 "Gigalo" Re-recorded as "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" and originally listed on album Somebody's Miracle
Somebody's Miracle
Somebody's Miracle is the fifth album by Liz Phair, released on October 4, 2005 on Capitol Records. From September 2004 through April 2005, she composed fourteen tracks spanning from lo-fi guitar-driven to high-gloss produced tracks...

in 2005, but was instead included as an imported bonus track; the song appears as "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
3:15/2:51
Side B, 3 "Easy" Re-formatted and included on the Juvenilia EP in 1995; the song appears as "It's Not That Easy" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 3:13
Side B, 4 "Chopsticks" Re-recorded for album Whip-Smart
Whip-Smart
Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

in 1994; the song appears on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg
1:51/2:05
Side B, 5 "Slave" The song appears as "Sometimes a Dream (Is What Makes You a Slave)" on the Bliss and Fetish bootleg 3:45
Side B, 6 "I'll See You" Re-recorded in 1997 for album whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg
Whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998...

 as "White Chocolate Space Egg. The Girly-Sound version is slower and features an instrumental verse before the first verse ("Orange and blue, green and pink...")
4:51 / 4:35
Side B, 7 "Fine Again" Re-recorded for Phair's self-titled album
Liz Phair (album)
Liz Phair is the eponymous fourth album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released June 24, 2003 on Capitol Records. "Why Can't I?" and "Extraordinary" were released as a singles...

, appears on the comeandgetit
Comeandgetit
comeandgetit is the second EP released by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair composed of 5 out-takes from her self-titled album. It was available as bonus material for those who purchased the album.-Release:...

 EP. This version is recorded on the electric guitar, rather than acoustic.
3:06 / 2:43

Bliss and Fetish Bootleg

Released (non-first generation, tape transferred), recorded circa 1991; transferred from original three-tape set. This release features aggressive digital noise reduction that some listeners found objectionable.
Track Bliss and Fetish Disc One Title Time Track Bliss and Fetish Disc Two Title Time
1 "Black Market White Baby Dealer" 2:53 1 "Hello Sailor" 5:39
2 "Johnny Sunshine" 3:29 2 "Wild Thing" 3:32
3 "Elvis, Be True" 4:34 3 "Fuck and Run" 4:15
4 "Fuck or Die" 2:45 4 "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into" 3:11
5 "Flower" 2:36 5 "Batmobile" 3:01
6 "Beg Me" 2:47 6 "Sometimes A Dream (Is What Makes A Slave)" 3:34
7 "Whip-Smart" 3:18 7 "Easy" 3:08
8 "Go, Speed Racer" 1:40 8 "Chopsticks" 1:50
9 "California" 2:36 9 "Do You Love Me?" 4:51
10 "South Dakota" 4:12 10 "Soap Star Joe" 3:14
11 "Stratford-On-Guy" 3:08 11 "I Know It's Not Easy" 7:07
12 "Shane" 4:36 12 "Red Ruby Lips (John Henry)" 0:23
13 "Willie the Six-Dicked Pimp" 3:13 13 "Miss Lucy" 2:18
14 "Divorce Song" 3:14 14 "Dead Shark" 3:16
15 "Go West" 3:19 15 "One Less Thing" 4:39
16 "If I Ever Pay You Back" 3:53 16 "Money" 3:44
17 "In Love With Yourself" 5:39

Song appearances and re-recordings

  • "Clean" (as "Never Said"), "Soap Star Joe", "Fuck and Run", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Divorce Song", "Shatter", "Flower", "Johnny Sunshine", "Stratford-on-Guy", "Ant in Alaska"*, and "Wild Thing"* were re-recorded for Exile in Guyville
    Exile in Guyville
    The album, which was out of print, was again available on CD, vinyl and, for the first time, in digital format. The special reissue package includes three never-before-released songs from the original recording sessions: "Ant in Alaska", "Say You", and an untitled instrumental with Phair on guitar...

    .

*"Ant in Alaska" and "Wild Thing" were released on the 2008 reissue of Exile in Guyville, with the latter only on the advance copy of the reissue
  • "Chopsticks", "Shane", "Go West", "Whip-Smart", and (partially) "Thrax" (as "Jealousy") were re-recorded for Whip-Smart
    Whip-Smart
    Critical reception was generally favorable. Richie Unterberger of Allmusic states that "if there are flaws in this generally first-rate follow-up, they mostly arise in comparison with Guyville, a record of such unexpected impact that most anything Phair could have done may have been found lacking"...

    .
  • "California", ""Batmobile", "South Dakota", "Dead Shark" and "Easy" appear on the Juvenilia EP.
  • "6 Dick Pimp" (as "Six Dick Pimp") was re-recorded for the Brain Candy
    Brain Candy
    Brain Candy is a feature film by The Kids in the Hall, a Canadian comedy troupe. Directed by Kelly Makin, filmed in Toronto, and released in 1996, it followed the five season run of their television series, which had been successful in both Canada and the United States.The five man team plays all...

    Soundtrack.
  • "Thrax" (partially) was re-recorded as "Tell Me You Like Me")*, "I'll See You" (as "White Chocolate Space Egg"),"Polyester Bride", and "Money" (as "Shitloads of Money") were re-recorded for whitechocolatespaceegg
    Whitechocolatespaceegg
    Whitechocolatespaceegg is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Liz Phair, released in 1998...

    .

*"Tell Me You Like Me" was rejected from the final version of the album, and is listed for continuity purposes.
  • From the elusive third tape, "Gigalo" (as "Can't Get Out of What I'm Into") was re-recorded and appears as a bonus track on the Japanese pressing of Somebody's Miracle
    Somebody's Miracle
    Somebody's Miracle is the fifth album by Liz Phair, released on October 4, 2005 on Capitol Records. From September 2004 through April 2005, she composed fourteen tracks spanning from lo-fi guitar-driven to high-gloss produced tracks...

    .
  • In Track Order, "Miss Mary Mack", "White Babies", "Elvis Song", "Valentine", "Speed Racer", "In Love With Yourself", "Wild Thing", "Love Song", "Don't Hold Your Breath" and "California", in their original titles, all make an appearance on the album Funstyle
    Funstyle
    Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

    as a bonus disc, not remastered, but rather faded in.

Funstyle Bonus

The Girly-Sound disc paired with Phair's 2010 Funstyle
Funstyle
Funstyle is the sixth album by Liz Phair, independently released on her official website on July 3, 2010 by Phair. A CD version was released on October 19, 2010 on Rocket Science Records. It includes a bonus disc containing ten songs from her famed Girly Sound tapes.Funstyle peaked at #181 on the...

album includes 10 tracks.
  1. "Miss Mary Mack" - 4:30
  2. "White Babies" - 3:03
  3. "Elvis Song" - 4:55
  4. "Valentine" - 4:14
  5. "Speed Racer" - 1:41
  6. "In Love With Yourself" - 3:56
  7. "Wild Thing" - 3:40
  8. "Love Song" - 6:19
  9. "Don't Hold Yr Breath" - 3:58
  10. "California" - 2:41

External links


Girly-Sound@Nashville
The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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