“Supernova” was the first single to be released from Liz Phair’s sophomore album, Whip-Smart. It’s also notable as it was Phair’s first commercially-released single, as Exile in Guyville didn’t release any retail singles.
Released on multiple formats, the song was heavily promoted through MTV and on college radio stations and earned Phair a throng of new fans. In 1995, it also garnered Phair her first Grammy nomination for “Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.”
The drum rhythm and that bass figure in “Supernova” both came out of the way I was attacking the guitar. I walked in and asked Brad for a click track, which I pretty much always do ’cause I waver all over the place. Then I do my guitar track and you can hear the tune emerge from my guitar groove. Brad plays the drums off that, and then he throws in percussive elements that add emphasis in certain place.
Liz Phair on Guitar World (November 1994)
Supernova (US Single)
Released: July 23, 1994
Label: Matador
Format: CD, Cassette
Country: US
Availability: Rare
Written and directed by Liz Phair
Recorded and mixed by Brad Wood and Casey Rice
Mastered by Roger Siebel at S.A.E. Mastering, Phoenix
The US commercial single was released as a digipak.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Supernova (Edit) | 2:40 |
| 02. | Supernova (Uncensored) | 2:49 |
| 03. | Combo Platter (Girlysound) | 4:48 |
Supernova (7″ Single)
Released: July 23, 1994
Label: Matador (OLE 103-7), Atlantic
Format: Vinyl 7″
Country: US
Availability: Rare
Written and directed by Liz Phair
Recorded and mixed by Brad Wood and Casey Rice
Mastered by Roger Siebel at S.A.E. Mastering, Phoenix
The 7″ single featured the same artwork as the CD, but was released on bright blue vinyl.
The 7″ single doesn’t include the censored version of “Supernova.”
| Side | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| A. | Supernova | 2:49 |
| B. | Combo Platter (Girlysound) | 4:48 |
Supernova (GER Cassette Single)
Released: 1994
Label: Matador
Format: Cassette
Country: Germany
Availability: Extremely Rare
Written and directed by Liz Phair
Recorded and mixed by Brad Wood and Casey Rice
Mastered by Roger Siebel at S.A.E. Mastering, Phoenix. “X-Ray Man (Remix)” recorded at Idful Music Chicago and Compass Point Studios, Nassau the Bahamas
The German release of “Supernova” on cassette is the only version that features this rare remix of “X-Ray Man.”
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Supernova (LP Version) | 2:47 |
| 02. | X-Ray Man (Remix) | 2:30 |
Supernova (US Promotional Single)
Released: Early 1994
Label: Matador (PRCD 5828-2)
Format: CD
Country: US
Availability: Rare
Written and directed by Liz Phair
Recorded and mixed by Brad Wood and Casey Rice
Mastered by Roger Siebel at S.A.E. Mastering, Phoenix
The US promotional single for “Supernova” features different cover artwork.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Supernova (Edit) | 2:40 |
| 02. | Supernova (Uncensored) | 2:40 |
Supernova (UK Promotional Single)
Released: Early 1994
Label: Atlantic (A82224CDDJ), Matador
Format: CD
Country: UK
Availability: Rare
Written and directed by Liz Phair
Recorded and mixed by Brad Wood and Casey Rice
Mastered by Roger Siebel at S.A.E. Mastering, Phoenix
The UK promotional single for “Supernova” features a front sticker vs a traditional insert.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 01. | Supernova (Clean Version) | 2:40 |
| 02. | Supernova (LP Version) | 2:40 |
| 03. | Combo Platter (From Girlie Sounds) | 4:48 |
Video
Supernova
Director: Liz Phair
Editor: Jim Staskauskas
Released: 1994
The video for “Polyester Bride” debuted on MTV’s 120 Minutes on September 27, 1998.
Lyrics
I have looked all over the place
But you have got my favorite face
Your eyelashes sparkle like gilded grass
And your lips are sweet and slippery
Like a cherub’s bare, wet ass
‘Cause you’re a human supernova
A solar superman
You’re an angel with wings of fire
A flying, giant friction blast!
You walk in clouds of glitter
And the sun reflects your eyes
And every time the wind blows
I can smell you in the sky
Your kisses are as wicked as an M-16
And you fuck like a volcano
And you’re everything to me
‘Cause you’re human supernova
A solar superman
You’re an angel with wings of fire
A flying, giant friction blast!
A flying, giant friction blast!
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