<P> When "Only Happy When It Rains" was to be remastered in 2007 for Garbage's greatest hits album Absolute Garbage, the song had to be reverse engineered from a damaged backup DAT due to the analog masters for the debut album being lost, resulting in some discernible differences in the remaster . </P> <P> Upon both the release of Garbage, and of "Only Happy When It Rains" as a single, the song received a positive reception from music journalists . In reviews for the single release Patrick Brennan of Hot Press declared "Only Happy When It Rains" his Single of the Fortnight, writing "it's hugely refreshing to come across a song which celebrates all those sad moments of loneliness that can be so life affirming", while Billboard's Larry Flick described the song as "solid all the way through" praising the overall production . A reviewer for Kerrang! wrote, "A truly inspired single...Garbage combine a slightly sinister acidic approach with an infectious melodic atmosphere and an alternative punch . The result is awesome," and a reviewer for Music Week stated that "Shirley Manson's vocals veer between fuzzy darkness, grinding catchy and crystal brilliance ." Alastair Mabbot, writing for The List, described the song as "Spitting Image's notion of alternative rock". </P> <P> In reviews for the debut album, Robert Yates of Q wrote that there was "a nice self - deflating Morrissey touch to (the song)", while Jackie Hinden of Hot Press felt that "Only Happy When It Rains" was "like a Pretenders for the nineties". Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian described the song as "perversely pretty", while Leo Finlay of Music Week compared the song to Mazzy Star, and that it "employs the current hip status of country music to devastating effect". Spin's Eric Weissard said the song was the only one he hated in Garbage's debut album, but reacted positively to the intro where "backward guitars produce a chiming solo ." At the end of 1995, Melody Maker rated "Only Happy When It Rains" the 49th best Song of the Year, writing up: "In a year of sunny Britpop, reservoir supplies of ironic bubblegum pop - noir were dangerously low . This burst of mocking miserablism helped". The track has been described as Garbage's signature song, and in 2000 was ranked as 69th in a list of 100 Greatest Pop Songs Of All Time jointly compiled by Rolling Stone and MTV . </P> <P> Initially, Mushroom Records had scheduled "Queer" to be the lead single for the UK release of the debut album Garbage, matching the single release strategy internationally . At last minute, it was decided to release "Only Happy When It Rains" upfront of the album, with "Queer" rescheduled to later in 1995 . "Only Happy When It Rains" was quickly picked up by radio, and was C - listed by Radio One, and reached number 47 on the airplay chart . Mushroom issued the single on a limited - edition 7" vinyl, CD and cassette on September 18, 1995 . All formats were backed with two new tracks specifically recorded for the single; "Girl Don't Come" and "Sleep". After its first week on - sale, "Only Happy When It Rains" debuted and peaked on the UK Singles Chart at number 29 . At the end of the month, Garbage made their debut live appearance to perform the single on Top of the Pops, providing momentum for the album Garbage to debut on the UK Albums Chart at number 12 . </P>

Who sings i'm only happy when it rains