Nirvana: The Lyrics: The Lyrics

By Nirvana

The effect that Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl have had upon contemporary music is immeasurable. They brought “alternative” to the masses in a way that no other punk or metal band had before or has since. By combining their varied influences, they created a distinct voice that hit the right chord with the music world at that time. Their undisputed reign as the purveyors of a bold new generation of music came to an abrupt and tragic end when Cobain took his own life in April of 1994. The legacy left behind is recorded in this insightful book of the words that shook the music world. It presents the lyrics with little interference or interpretation so that they can speak for themselves. In the quiet absence of the music, the lyrics – for 67 songs, including all of their commercial releases, plus all B sides and selected rare cuts – take on a life of their own. The range of emotions and ideas distilled in this one concentrated volume is huge. This poetic approach to the band whose work had such an impact, both then and now, will give fans and readers something new that they can take back to the listening experience of their favorite Nirvana songs.

• Language: English
• Publisher: RowmanLittlefield
• Release date: Aug 1, 2004
• ISBN: 9781476852508

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Nirvana: The Lyrics

Copyright © 2004 by Hal Leonard Corporation

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any other information storage or retrieval system now known or to be invented, without permission in writing from the publishers, except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine, newspaper, or broadcast.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:

Nirvana : the lyrics.–1st ed.

p. cm.

Includes index.

9781476852492

1. Rock music--United States–Texts. I. Nirvana (Musical group)

ML54.6.N56N57 2004

782 42166 0268–dc22

2003026119

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

Book Designed by Hal Leonard Creative Services

Visit Hal Leonard online at

www.halleonard.com

Table of Contents

Bleach

Blew

Floyd The Barber

About A Girl

School

Paper Cuts

Negative Creep

Scoff

Swap Meet

Mr. Moustache

Sifting

Big Cheese

Downer

Nevermind

Smells Like Teen Spirit

In Bloom

Come As You Are

Breed

Lithium

Polly

Territorial Pissings

Drain You

Lounge Act

Stay Away

On A Plain

Something In The Way

Incesticide

Dive

Sliver

Stain

Been A Son

Beeswax

Mexican Seafood

Hairspray Queen

Aero Zeppelin

Big Long Now

Aneurysm

In Utero

Serve The Servants

Scentless Apprentice

Heart Shaped Box

Rape Me

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle

Dumb

Very Ape

Milk . It

Penny Royal Tea

Radio Friendly Unit Shifter

Tourette’s

All Apologies

From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah

Spank T.hru

Nirvana

You Know You’re Right

Even In His Youth

Endless, Nameless

Curmudgeon

Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip

Marigold

Moist Vagina

I Hate Myself And Want To Die

Pay To Play

Verse Chorus Verse (A.k.a In His Hands? A.k.a In His Room)

Oh, The Guilt

Cover photo by Retna

Album covers courtesy of Record Research

BLEACH

BLEW

If you wouldn’t mind I would like to blew

If you wouldn’t mind I would like to lose

If you wouldn’t care I would like to leave

If you wouldn’t mind I would like to breathe

Is there another reason for your stain?

Could you believe who we knew stress or strain?

Here is another word that rhymes with shame

You could do anything

FLOYD THE BARBER

Bell on a door ring, Come on in,

Floyd observes my hairy chin

Sit down in the chair don’t be afraid,

Steamed hot towel on my face

I was shaved

I was shamed

I was shamed

Barney ties me to the chair

I can’t see I’m really scared

Floyd breathes hard, I hear a zip

Pee-pee pressed against my lips

I was shaved

I was shamed

I was shamed

I sense others in the room

Opey Aunt Bea, I presume

They take turns to cut me up

I die smothered in Andy’s butt

I was shaved

I was shamed

I was shamed

ABOUT A GIRL

I need an easy friend

I do, with