LOS ANGELES — Gavin Rossdale, the frontman of the popular ‘90s rock band Bush, disclosed that the band’s hit single was supposed to be titled “Glycerin,” and was inspired by a fraught liaison with an over-the-counter laxative pellet.
“The ‘e’ at the end of the title was a spelling error on my part,” Rossdale said sheepishly. “But it’s still kind of wild to me that fans didn’t pick up on the intended meaning. Lyrics like, ‘it must be your skin / that I’m sinking in,’ ‘now you’re here / now you’re away,’ and ‘bad moon, whine again’ are very obviously about my struggle with rectal insertion. This was 30 years ago, we didn’t have YouTube to walk you through the process so I had no idea how to get it up there. I tried sitting on it, and dropping it down the back of my knickers and hoping it would find where it needed to go. Eventually I broke down I told our bass player Dave Parsons he had to help me or he was out of the band.”
Rossdale’s former girlfriend, Suze DeMarchi of Baby Animals, was one of the few people unsurprised by Rossdale’s revelation.
“Everyone assumed the song was about me, even though my relationship with Gavin was way too banal to inspire that level of angst,” said DeMarchi. “I had always assumed ‘Glycerine’ had something to do with his uh, brown ‘Comedown.’ Now I understand why he was constantly excusing himself to the bathroom before Bush shows, only to immediately return, muttering something about a ‘butt missile’ and his ‘old friend fear’ getting the better of him again.”
Despite Rossdale’s difficulties, glycerin suppositories are generally considered an effective yet gentle treatment for occasional constipation, according to gastroenterologist Michael Glack, MD.
“I certainly hope the newly elucidated meaning of the song – which, by the way, still fucking slaps – doesn’t dissuade anyone from using a suppository if they need relief from impacted stool,” said Dr. Glack. “These rectum rockets are designed to make going to the bathroom easier on you, in Rossdale’s own words. I’d advise him to keep trying. Soaking in a warm sitz bath beforehand can help relax the sphincter muscles, and lube makes for a smoother insertion.”
At press time, Rossdale revealed that his power ballad “Swallowed” was about his journey taking a fiber supplement.