It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Nirvana released In Utero, one of my favorite albums of all time. There has been a lot of press around the album’s anniversary and accompanying box set re-release, including some really great interviews with Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic. All of which has been making me pretty nostalgic.
I can still remember riding my bike to the record store to buy it and then anxiously putting it into my boombox. I sat on my bedroom floor and listened, with the cassette sleeve in my hand, so I could follow on along with the lyrics. (Up until that point, I thought the refrain to Heart Shaped Box was “Hey Wayne, I’ve got a new complaint.” Which didn’t make a lot of sense.)
Speaking of lyrics, here are my top 10 lines from the album.
10. You can’t fire me because I quit, Throw me in the fire and I won’t throw a fit (Scentless Apprentice)
Has there ever been a better song written about a baby born without the ability to smell–a literal scentless apprentice?
9. Angel left wing, right wing, broken wing (Milk It)
Along with Tourette’s (which has no recognizable words), Milk It is the abrasive song on the album. Between howls of “Doll steak!” and “Test meat!” Kurt offers up some of his signature wordplay.
8. I own my own pet virus, I get to pet and name her (Milk it)
Loved this lyric so much that I named my very first band Pet Virus. We only knew about five songs: Nirvana’s Polly, Today by Smashing Pumpkins, and a couple of Green Day songs.
7. I think I’m dumb, or maybe just happy (Dumb)
Simple. Perfect. But ironic, given Kurt was neither dumb nor happy.
6. She’ll come back as fire and burn all the liars, leave a blanket of ash on the ground (Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle)
Frances Farmer was never a single, but it’s one of the best tracks on the album. It’s perfect Nirvana, totally heavy but completely accessible.
5. I miss the comfort in being sad (Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle)
Again, what a great song.
4. I love you for what I am not, I did not want what I have got (Radio Friendly Unit Shifter)
Obviously, the band was conflicted about being punk rockers who were wildly successful in the mainstream. This song–intended to be the opposite of a tune that would sell records or “shift units”)–is catchy in spite of itself.
3. If you ever need anything please don’t hesitate to ask someone else first. I’m too busy acting like I’m not naive. I’ve seen it all, I was here first (Very Ape)
Classic Nirvana contradictions. I’m naive, but I’m pretending I’m not. But I’m really not. I know more about this anyone else.
2. I’ve been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap, I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black (Heart Shaped Box)
Haunting.
1. Teenage against has paid off well, now I’m bored and old (Serve the Servants)
