1987 KAOS Song Ain't It a Shame All Along the Watchtower All You Need is Love Anorexorcist Another One Bites the Dust Asking For It Baba O'Riley Bad Moon Rising Bambi Slaughter Beans Bikini Twilight Big Long Now Black and White Blues Blandest Buffy's Pregnant Bureaucratic Desire For Revenge Formaldehyde Clean Up Before She Comes Come On Death Cracker Crisco Curmudgeon D-7 Dazed and Confused Determined Do You Love Me? Donuts Dough, Ray and Me Down in the Dark Dream On Endless, Nameless Even In His Youth Fountain Soda Freebird Frizzle Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip Gypsies, Tramps, and Theives Heartbreaker Help Me Here She Comes Now High On The Hog How Many More Times I Feel Fine I Hate Myself And I Want To Die I Wanna' Be Your Dog If I Gave My Heart To You If You Must Immigrant Song Imodium In His Hands It's Closing Soon Jam #1 Jam #2 Jam #3 Jam #4 Jam #5 Laminated Effect Loser Love Gunn Marigold The Money Will Roll Right In Moist Vagina Montage of Heck More Than a Feeling My Best Friend's Girl My Sharona New Poopie No Quarter Oh, The Guilt Old Age Opinion Pay to Play Pen Cap Chew Personalities Play That Funky Music The Priest, They Called Him Ramble On Raunchola Return Of The Rat Rio The Rose Run Rabbit Run Run To The Hills Sad Sappy Seasons In The Sun Seed Sex Bomb Sifting Jam Sky Pup Smoke On The Water Sound of Dentage Spankthrough Spread Eagle Beagle Star Spangled Banner Sweet Emotion Sweet Home Alabama Suicide Samurai Talk To Me The End The Hit Token Eastern Song Unknown Unknown #2 Vendetagainst Verse Chorus Verse We Will Rock You White Lace and Strange Wild Thing You've Got No Right
Ain't It a
Shame -- A cover of a Ledbelly song performed by Kurt and fellow friend
Mark Lanegan. Was intended for a single with a cover they did of "Where
Did You Sleep Last Night", but it fell through. "Ain't It a Shame" has
and probably will never get released. Has been referred to as Kurt's greatest
vocal performance ever. I heard that it was just vocals, with no instruments
at all. Jack Endino has called this song silly and one that will probably
never see a release. Known Live Performances: None Studio: recorded in
Summer '89 during Lanegan's solo session.
All Along
the Watchtower -- This is the guitar riff that Kurt is playing on his
guitar in his house after "Dive" is shown on the "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!!"
video.
All You
Need Is Love -- Chris sings a blurb of this at an early concert between
songs while Kurt is tuning. From the 1/20/90 Tacoma, WA show.
Anorexorcist
-- A very rare track played live, but never recorded. Everyone has this
listed as being played at Tacoma 1988, but as it turns out that song is
really a Fecal Matter song. So this one has still not surfaced to our knowledge.
This could be the title of the final song on 1/23/88 Tacoma concert.
Another
One Bites the Dust -- jam played at the very beginning of the 10/10/91
show.
Asking For
It -- A Hole song. A demo version of this has Kurt singing back-up
vocals for Courtney.
Baba O'Riley
-- Cover of a Who song performed once in Europe in 1991. It has Dave on
guitar and vocals, Kurt on drums, and Chris on bass and he does the vocals
during the bridge. Possibly on the 12/3/91 show. Known Live Performances:
12/7/91 France, 12/3/91 England?? Studio: no known studio recording
Bambi Slaughter
-- A song from Kurt's original Fecal Matter demo. There is a version widely
available on the real "Outcesticide 4" and "Dressed for Success", which
is an acoustic version of the song performed by himself. Known Live Performances:
None Studio: Fecal Matter, Acoustic demo
Bad Moon Rising
-- a cover of Creedence Clear Water Revival, performed at early 1987 and
1988 shows. It appears on a setlist in Come As You Are. Known Live Performances:
We can only guess Studio: None
Beans
-- A "weird, quirky" song rejected from "Bleach" because Sub Pop thought
it was retarded. Kurt uses a 4-track recorder and a pitch shifter to acheive
the effects. Many claim circulating versions are fake, but more likely
than not it is real. Done with an acoustic guitar. Recorded with "Montage
of Heck" Known Live Performances: None Studio: 4-track demo recording
Bikini Twilight
-- A song performed by the band "Go Team", this features Kurt on guitar.
The band also has Calvin Johnson and Tobi Vale, Kurt's ex-girlfriend. Recorded
with "Scratch It Out", another song Kurt plays guitar on. Known Live Performances:
Probably by the Go Team, but without Kurt :( Studio: August of 1989
Big Long Now
-- Although this isn't really a rare song, the background info. surrounding
it is unclear. There are two sources, one claims this was recorded during
the Crover sessions, the other at Bleach sessions. It is really from the
Bleach sessions, so says Chad Channing and Jack Endino. Also, the tuning
of "Big Long Now" matches that of most songs on "Bleach". The biggest mystery
of this song is that it has never been recorded live. Chad has said that
they did play it live a few times around when Bleach was recorded, so I'm
guessing the 2/89 West Coast Tour, and the US '89 tour up to 10/8/89. Known
Live Performances: early '89 Studio: available on "Incesticide"
Black and
White Blues -- A weird, quirky song found on "Dressed For Success"
as "Token Middle Eastern Song", and on "Outcesticide 4". This was thought
for a while to be fake, but when I got the 2/14/90 show on tape, I was
listening to it, and after "Love Buzz", Kurt jams on the main riff to this
song, so it is in fact a Kurt Cobain song. It is not a fake. The real name
of this song is not known, but it maybe a Ledbelly cover. Known Live Performances:
briefly during 2/14/90 Studio: on a 4-track at the same time "Beans" was
recorded, 12/88
Blandest
-- A scrapped B-side for the original "Love Buzz" single because of Kurt's
falsetto Zeppelin-esque wails. Available on "Outcesticide 1 & 3". Only
known to have been played once in concert, yet it appears on early setlists
in the Nirvana biography "Come As You Are" by Micheal Azzerad. Known Live
Performances: 7/12/89 Philly Studio: recorded 6/11/88 in Seattle, WA
Buffy's Pregnant
-- Found on Kurt's original 4-track Fecal Matter demo tape. Kurt screams
clones a ton of times. He also impersonates a cheerleader towards the end
of it. Known Live Performances: none Studio: on Fecal Matter demo tape
A Bureaucratic
Desire For Revenge -- a song by the band "Earth", there are 2 parts
to this song, both of which Kurt plays guitar and screams.
Theme From
Carmen -- The funny jam that opened a few shows for the band in 1991.
Chris was actually referred to a cup thown on stage during the 10/19/91
show, so it is just a bootlegger name for the jam. Known Live Performances:
10/14/91 Minneapolis 10/19/91 Dallas 11/30/91 Scotland 12/05/91 England
01/23/93 Rio de Janeiro Studio: no known studio recording
Clean Up
Before She Comes -- recorded by Kurt (solo) on a 4-track, which is
especially cool with the dual-dubbing of his vocals. Courtney Love once
described this song in an interview as one of "Classic Nirvana Formula"
It can be found on the real "Outcesticide 4" and "Dressed for Success"
Supposedly this was re-recorded during the January 1994 sessions in WA,
but nothing solid has been found. Known Live Performances: none Studio:
recorded by Kurt on 4-track, supposedly in January of 1994.
Come On Death
-- although this is a bootlegger name, this song has only been heard from
live performances. It is an accepted name for the "Help Me" death jam,
which was recorded only twice during 1991. It features Chris and Dave jamming
while Kurt just screams some ad-libbed lyrics. Kurt crowd surfs and sings
to this one during the NYC show. Was supposedly done in the studio during
April 1992 sessions. Also, the supposed Radio Friendly Unit Shifter performance
on 11/25/90 during the encore could be a version of this song, as the riff
of both is close and on 9/25/91 you can hear Kurt say the lines "What is
Wrong With Me?", the familiar chorus to RFUS. Known Live Performances:
9/25/91 Providence, RI 9/28/91 NYC, NY Studio: supposedly April of 1992
in Seattle
Cracker
-- recorded 1/88 with "Seed" and "Sad", this was dubbed as "mellow, 4-track
shit" by Kurt in an advertisement. It is actually a really detuned, really
scary demo version of "Polly". Later in 1989, Kurt will resurrect this
song, yet with distortion for live shows, and will then play it acoustically
for "Nevermind" in 1991. Known Live Performances: not as recorded on this
demo, but recorded many times as the "formal" version of "Polly" Studio:
recorded 3 known times, electrically in '89, acoustically in early '91,
and again in '91 and dubbed "(New Wave) Polly"
Crisco
-- this song is one of the most mysterious of Nirvana. It has been recorded
live only once in Europe 11/30/91. It is also rumored to have been recorded
during the VPRO session of 1991, but no copies have been found. "Crisco"
is the bootlegger name, and it also is found under the name of "Rock Whore".
Known Live Performances: 11/30/91 Glasgow, Scotland Studio: supposedly
during VPRO Session 11/25/91.
Curmudgeon
-- a B-side for the Lithium single, this song was recorded in April 1992
along with "Oh, the Guilt" and "Return of the Rat". It has only been recorded
live once in 1991. A new recording has just surfaced, but it is cut. Sounds
to be a soundcheck recording. Known Live Performances: 11/23/91 Belgium,
soundcheck '91 or '92 Studio: 4/92 Seattle
D-7 -- a
cover of Greg Sage and the Wipers. This was recorded for John Peel in late
1990 with Dave Grohl. It has been played a few times from late '90 until
late '92. This is a version floating around, which can be found on "Outcesticide
1". Many claim the version was recorded with Chad Channing 3/90, but I
highly doubt it. It sounds like a mix of the original. Can be found on
"Hormoaning". Known Live Performances: 10/27/90 England, 11/25/90 Seattle
9/26/91 New Haven, 9/27/91 New Jersey 6/30/92 Sweden, 8/30/92 Reading Fest.
Studio: recorded 11/3/90 in London for Radio One
Dazed and
Confused -- A Led Zeppelin song that Nirvana jammed on during 1989
shows in Europe. They play a long jam of it in Mezzago, with Chris supplying
the "great" vocals. Known Live Performances: long-11/26/89 Italy short-11/8/89
Germany the short one is just Chris playing the bass-line at the beginning
of the 11/8/89 Germany show. Studio: No studio recording known
Determined
-- there is a short clip of this circulating on the internet. I'm still
not quite sure who is singing what parts, but Kurt and Courtney are on
this song, which most likely hails from the "Drunk In Rio" 1993 tape. The
clip isn't complete (only a minute's worth so far...) but sounds like a
neat song.
Do You Love
Me? -- a cover of a Kiss song. This features the only known studio
recording of Jason Everman on guitar. This can be found on the Kiss tribute
album "Hard to Believe" and numerous bootlegs. Chad has said that they
never played this number live. Known Live Performance: none Studio: was
recorded 6/89 in Seattle at Evergreen State College w/a version of "Dive"
Donuts
-- an Everett True song. Dave played the drums on this with True at the
end of a 1990 concert, and later in 1993 the band played it at the end
of a few shows. During one Kurt and Pat Smear helped to sing it. Truly
a bizarre song for the band to play. True released a version in 1993 with
his band Legend. Known Live Performances: 10/27/90 England 11/13/93 Washington
D.C. 11/14/93 New York Studio: no known studio recording
Dough, Ray,
and Me -- A very mysterious song that almost noone has ever heard.
This one was supposedly recorded during the January 1994 sessions. It is
said that Kurt once described this song as the "perfect Alice in Chains
song". Also, someone has said that Courtney found a napkin with some lyrics
and a title of "Me and My IV", which is said to be the alternate title
of this tune. This was to be released on an EP for Nirvana's appearance
on Lollapalooza '94, but was scrapped when Kurt backed out of the tour.
Known Live Performances: none Studio: January 1994 Seattle (???), most
likely on a few demo tapes somewhere....
Down in
the Dark -- Recorded along with "Ain't It a Shame" and "Where Did You
Sleep Last Night", this song wound up on Lanegan's solo album "The Winding
Sheet". Kurt plays guitar and sings back- ground vocals on this one. Known
Live Performances: None Studio: Summer '89
Dream On
-- Aerosmith song that Chris sings part of during first night of the In
Utero Tour along with "What's Up? by 4 Non Blondes. Known Live Performances:
briefly, 10/18/93 Arizona Studio: No studio recording known
Endless,
Namelesss -- Not really all that much a rare song, but I've now been
told that it is no longer being put on the end of recently produced NEVERMIND
CDs. For those of you unfamiliar with this song, it's Nirvana's patented
destruction jam, found at the very very end of Nevermind, after 10 minutes
of silence after "Something in the Way". The band played this very often,
but towards the end of 1993 and into 1994, they just played an improvised
version of this. Known Live Performances: MANY!! Studio: recorded twice
during Nevermind sessions, and was recorded for Radio One during a John
Peel Session.
Even in His
Youth -- Recorded at the Sound Source in October of 1989 for the BLEW
ep, it was scrapped, and then redone of New Year's Day 1991 and placed
on the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single. Played a few times live in 1989,
mostly in Europe. Known Live Performances: 9/13/89 Denver 10/30/89 Norwich
11/05/89 Amsterdam 11/08/89 Germany Studio: 10/89 Blew E.P. sessions, 1/1/91
along with "Aneurysm" version.
Fountain Soda
-- Before "Muddy Banks" was released, there was rumor that a new Nirvana
double-CD set was going to come out under the title "Cookie", and this
was to be a song on it. Nirvana supposedly recorded this during the January
1994 sessions. Known Live Performances: None Studio: Supposedly in 1994
Freebird
-- A Lynard Skynard song that every audience ever asked Nirvana to play.
They actually did once, with the Meat Puppets, very briefly during Unplugged,
11/18/93 in New York.
Frizzle
-- Was supposedly recorded during the January 1994 sessions. Many call
it a fake, but noone is ever certain. Known Live Performance: None Studio:
Supposedly in 1994
Gallons
of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip -- Found on imported versions
of "In Utero", this is poetry put into music. Not a very serious song.
Has been noted as being recorded in January of 1993 in Brazil, but I don't
know if I buy that. More likely during the "In Utero" sessions in Minnesota
in March of 1993. Known Live Performances: None Studio: Rio 1993?? I don't
think so...
Gypsies, Tramps,
and Theives -- Cher song that Nirvana played during early 1987 and
1988 shows. Quoted as being played by Come As You Are, and the book also
mentions that Chris sings this one. Known Live Performances: Not definite,
because of no recording Studio: No known studio recording
Heartbreaker
-- a cover of Zeppelin's classic hit, this song is jammed on on 11/27/93,
and is played in full on the new '87 show that has just surfaced.....both
are great performances. Kurt also jams on this after Breed on 12/14/93
Help Me
-- Very elusive, very heavy number from Europe late 1989. Was later played
as a destruction song in September of 1991. Chad says this song was only
played a few times live, and that he never knew of a name for it, so "Help
Me" is as good as any! Known Live Performance: 11/05/89 Amsterdam 11/08/89
Germany 11/22/89 Austria Studio: no known studio recordings
Here She Comes
Now -- A cover of a Velvet Underground song, this was recorded twice
in the studio, and has been played a few times live. One studio session
features Chad, and the other has Dave on the drum throne. Known Live Performances:
05/06/90 Atlanta 05/14/90 Lincoln 10/23/91 California 11/29/91 Ireland
Studio: 11/25/91 VPRO Radio Session, 4/90 with Butch Vig and Channing
High on
the Hog -- A TAD song that Kurt sang on 11/26/89 in Italy after the
lead singer, Tad Doyle, vomits and passes out. Mislabeled on Outcesticide
3 as "Alcohol" Known Live Performances: 11/26/89 Italy Studio: not by Nirvana,
but has been recorded by TAD
How Many
More Times -- a jam of this Zeppelin song was played right after a
cover of Heartbreaker at the new '87 party gig.
I Feel Fine
-- Funny cover of a Beatles song during the 10/14/91 acoustic show. Chris
and Dave are doing record reviews between songs, and then Chris just yells
"Oh, Oh!!" and starts singing it while Dave plays drums. After they're
done Kurt plays the guitar riff for a few secs.
I Hate
Myself and I Want to Die -- The controversially titled song from the
"Beavis and Butthead Experience". This was recorded during the In Utero
sessions, and is sometimes referred to as "2 Bass Kid" Known Live Performances:
None Studio: 3/93 In Utero Sessions
I Wanna'
Be Your Dog -- Iggy Pop cover played in 1989. Very, very funny. If
you get the chance to hear this, definetly check it out. Known Live Performances:
12/3/89 London (on the complete show) Studio: No known studio recording
If I Gave
My Heart To You -- A Beatle's song that Chris sings part of at the
1/20/90 Tacoma, WA show.
If You Must
-- The opener for Nirvana way back in 1987 and 1988. This was recorded
on 1/23/88 with Dale Crover on drums. Lyrics have been debated a lot. Other
titles this may be found under: Happy Hour, The Extremes, Token Eastern
Song, and a few others. Known Live Performances: 1/23/88 Tacoma, new '87
Party show. Studio: 1/23/88 Reciprocal Recording
Imodium
-- The older version of "Breed", this was debuted in 1989 and was recorded
in 1990 with Chad on drums. Features alternate lyrics. Known Live Performances:
virtually every 1990 show, plus late 89 shows. Studio: 4/90 Music Source
Studios with Butch Vig
Immigrant
Song -- A cover of the classic Zeppelin song, this has only been recorded
once. In the book Come As You Are, it appears on an early setlist, which
means it has probably been played a few other times. Known Live Performances:
12/21/88 Hoquiam Studio: No known recordings
In His Hands
-- Another elusive song, this one is much more beautiful than "Help Me"
Only heard live three times. I've read somewhere Kurt had some good pop
songs that were trashed during the Nevermind sessions, and I believe this
could be one of the unlucky songs to get canned. Rumored to be one of two
unknown songs on the unsurfaced 3/91 Nirvana rehearsal tape. Known Live
Performances: 8/17/90 Hollywood (Soundcheck) 11/25/90 Seattle 04/17/91
Seattle Studio: No known recordings
It's Closing
Soon -- Collaboration of Kurt and Courtney, this song was recorded
in Rio 1993. It also goes under the name "Drunk in Rio" Supposedly a tape
with this song on it was given to John Peel by Courtney herself. Known
Live Performances: Hole did this song on "Unplugged" Studio: Rio 1993
Jam #1
-- This jam was played 11/8/89 in Germany right before "Love Buzz". It
sounds like it is so familiar, but everyone I play it for doesn't know
what song it is. It could be a cover, Check it out if you can. Some people
are calling it "Walk, Don't Run", which is a Ventures song, which it kind
of resembles, but is not it. Brief blurbs of this can be heard on 11/13/89,
12/1/89, and I believe on other recording from Europe '89
Jam #2
-- This jam was performed 9/22/90 to close a spectacular show. Dan Peters
is on the drums, and he and Chris jam for a while to close the show.
Jam #3
-- This jam was played 10/2/91 in Washington D.C. and has been referred
to as "I'm a Vegetarian". It's short, but Chris is pretty funny as he sings
it. He ends it by saying "Kurt Cobain" about 5 times.
Jam #4
-- This jam was performed 11/7/93 to close the show. It is very, VERY hard
to hear because the quality of the tape isn't superb.
Jam #5
-- This jam was played 12/29/93 to close the show. The video I have makes
it hard to figure out what they are playing, but Kurt screams, its really
loud, and it sounds pretty cool.
Laminated
Effect -- Featured on Kurt and Dale's Fecal Matter tape from 1985.
It was very tough to get, but hey, things get around quick.... Known Live
Performances: None Studio: Fecal Matter demo
Loser --
an instrumental song that is played on 11/26/89 by Kurt with the band Tad,
along with the song "High On The Hog".
Love Gunn
-- A Kiss cover played by Chris and Dave in Beehive Records while Kurt
tries to tune his guitar. Chris sings this one to, and tries to get that
deep, macho Kiss sound. Known Live Performances: briefly during 9/16/91
Seattle. Studio: No known studio recordings.
Marigold
-- Recorded during the In Utero sessions in 1993, this song features Dave
Grohl singing. Another earlier version can be found on Dave's Late! Pocketwatch
demo tape, done in 1990. Known Live Performances: None Studio: 3/93 In
Utero Sessions
The Money
Will Roll Right In -- A Fang/Mudhoney song performed a few times in
1992. Sounds like a classic '80s rock hit. The way the lyrics go, Kurt
seems to be making fun of rock musicians that have attained stardom, and
that just seems to be all too sarcastic/ironic. Known Live Performances:
6/30/92 Sweden 7/3/92 Spain 8/30/92 Reading Studio: done by Mudhoney, but
not by Nirvana to my knowledge
Moist Vagina
-- Awesome song done during the Pachyderm Sessions, but unfortunately it
was never known to be performed live. Great ending to it, where Kurt moans
for almost a minute without any other sound in the background. Known Live
Performances: None Studio: 1993 In Utero Sessions
Montage
of Heck -- Part of a whole collection of cut-up collages that Kurt
made with a 4-track recorder in 1988. This "song" has sounds from children's
records, television shows, radio commercials, and does feature a rare treat:
a clip of a Nirvana song called "the Landlord", where Chris sings that
"the Landlord is a piece of shit from hell!" Also, there are clips that
sound like Kurt screaming, with guitars and drums that sound Nirvana-esque,
so I kind of think that Kurt may have put cut-up parts of his early demos
on there. Also present: clips of "Gypsies Tramps and Theives" by Cher.
More Than
a Feeling -- Short cover of the Boston song, which has been closely
linked to "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Ironically, this was played just before
Kurt went into "Teen Spirit". Dave supplies great harmonies, too. Known
Live Performances: 8/30/92 Reading (briefly) Studio: No known studio recordings
My Best Friend's
Girl -- Great, humerous cover of the Cars song, played at Nirvana's
final concert appearance. Krist and Dave supply great vocals for harmonies
towards the end of the song. Known Live Performances: 3/1/94 Munich Studio:
No known studio recording
My Sharona
-- Funny cover of The Knack. This was played in Europe 1994 after a great
performance of "Radio Friendly Unit Shifter" Known Live Performances: 2/16/94
France Studio: No known studio recordings
New Poopie
-- "Provisionally title" for another song is what Come As You Are has to
say about this song. Many think it is "tourette's", which I kind of agree
with, but I think it could also be "Very Ape" or something heavy sounding
from "In Utero". Come As You Are is responsible for bringing forth the
mystery of this song. Known Live Performances: 9/8/92 during MTV awards
rehearsals Studio: if it is an In Utero song, then in Spring 1993
No Quarter
-- Led Zeppelin cover supposedly played during the unheard 8/6/93 Mia Zapata
benefit show. This show is supposed to be released on CD but no definite
word has been heard. I'd love to hear how Kurt sings this incredibly weird
Zeppelin song. Known Live Performances: supposedly 8/6/93 Seattle Studio:
no known studio performance
Oh, the Guilt
-- Great song from late 1990 - late 1991 as one of the first songs written
with Dave Grohl on drums. This was played infrequently, and was finally
recorded 4/92 in Seattle. If you listen to the recording, you can hear
Kurt flick a lighter at the beginning of the song. Known Live Performances:
11/25/90 Seattle 11/16/91 Italy 11/23/91 Belgium Studio: 4/92 Seattle,
also maybe 1/1/91 along with "Even In His Youth" and the "Aneurysm" versions.
Any thoughts?
Old Age
-- Many many of you e-mailed me and told me that this song is by Courtney
and that she did NOT steal it from Kurt. But, on the contrary, a new 3/91
rehearsal tape for Nevermind was uncovered and features, among many early
versions of Nevermind songs, the unheard song "Old Age" written and played
by none other than Kurt Cobain. I would like to see any Courtney lovers
to challange me on this one. Opinion
-- Great acoustic song performed by Kurt on a radio show in 1990. His voice
cracks frequently while he's singing it, but it is such a cool song. May
have been played on 10/21/91 at an acoustic gig in a record store, because
I think the tape of the show is cut/incomplete. Known Live Performances:
9/25/90 Radio Show 10/21/91 Texas(???) Studio: Supposedly in January of
1994, but that's just speculation.
Pay to
Play -- Early version of "Stay Away". Played a few times in 1990 with
Chad, Dave, and Dale Crover. Features different lyrics than "Stay Away".
Found on "DGC Rarities Volume 1" Known Live Performances: 4/18/90 Cambridge
5/14/90 Omaha 8/19/90 San Diego 10/11/90 Olympia Studio: 4/90 in Music
Source Studios with Butch Vig
Pen
Cap Chew -- Heavy song found on the Ted Ed Fred/Dale Crover demo tape
recorded 1/23/88. Kurt sings about tyranny in a few lines. Should be released
if another b-sides compilation is put-out by DGC. The recorded version
is shorter than live versions because they ran out of tape. Known Live
Performances: 4/87 KAOS, 1/23/88, appears on '88 setlists Also on the new
'87 Party show. Studio: 1/23/88 Reciprocal Recording
Personalities
-- Weird song only heard once in 1993. A cover of a song done by a punk
rock 70's band called the Viletones. Referred to as "Jealousy" sometimes.
Known Live Performances: 1/23/93 Rio de Janeiro Studio: No known studio
recording
Play That
Funky Music -- I found out from Shane Virone it is really the song
"Thank You" by Sly and the Family Stone. It was done on 5/29/91, and someone
just messed up the name because "Play That Funky Music" is a rip-off of
it.
The 'Priest',
They Called Him -- A William S. Burroughs spoken word piece that Kurt
supplies background guitar noise to. At the very beginning, Kurt plays
"Silent Night", and occasionally drifts back into that towards the end.
Very very weird stuff. Known Live Performances: None Studio: Kurt's guitar
track was recorded 11/92 in Seattle
Raunchola
-- An early original song that Chris described as "really, really raunchy".
Hence the name, I guess. There is some confusion between the title of this
one, and "Anorexorcist". Known Live Performances: maybe either KAOS 1987
or Tacoma 1988. Studio: None.
Return of
the Rat -- Great cover of the Greg Sage/Wipers song. This was recorded
4/92 along with "Curmudgeon" and "Oh, the Guilt". Oddly, this song was
never played live. Appears on "14 Songs For Greg Sage and the Wipers" Known
Live Performances: None Studio: Recorded 4/92 Laundry Room Studios, Seattle
Rio --
Cover of the Duran, Duran song. This features the same line-up as "Baba
O'Riley" with Dave on guitar and vocals and Kurt on drums. Probably very
cool, but no one can find this gem. Known Live Performances: 1/16/93 Sao
Paulo, Brazil Studio: No known studio recording
The Rose
-- A Bette Midler song that Kurt sang the first few words to when he appeared
on stage at the 1992 Reading Festival after being brought out sitting in
a wheelchair. After he sings a bit, he just falls flat on his back.
Run Rabbit
Run -- Cover of the Smack's song. This was played a few times in 1988,
according to setlists in Come As You Are. Shane has heard the original
Smack version and says the Nirvana version is very close to it. Known Live
Performances: 12/21/88 Hoquiam, WA Studio: No known studio performances
Run To
The Hills -- I guess this is an Iron Maiden song. Part of this was
played at the 2/22/94 Italy show right before In Bloom, as Krist talks
about drinking Pepsi.
Sad
-- Song title that appears on an early setlist for Nirvana in Come As You
Are, labeled as "mellow 4-track shit". This song is, in fact, a slower
mellower version of "Verse Chorus Verse". Very gothic type vocals. Recorded
1/89 with "Cracker" and "Seed"
Sappy
-- Another version of "Verse Chorus Verse", this was recorded in 1990,
and sounded a lot wimpier than "VCV". Still very cool, though. Studio:
4/90 Music Source Studios with Butch Vig
Seasons in
the Sun -- Cover of the insipid 1970 Terry Jacks song. This has been
played twice to my knowledge, and is probably pretty humerous. Known Live
Performances: 1/16/93 Sao Paulo 8/6/93 Seattle Studio: No known studio
recording
Seed
-- Another song from the "mellow 4-track shit", this song is also known
as "Misery Loves Company". Very weird song, with poetic lyrics. Known Live
Performances: None Studio: 4-track, 1/89, with "Cracker" and "Sad"
Sex Bomb
-- Cover of the epic Flipper song. I read something where Chris recalled
playing this at the Raymond, WA party (see the Nirvana Live Performances
Guide for the date) for almost a half an hour, pissing off all of the jocks
at the party. Kurt remembered too, and they agreed it was one of their
best gigs ever. Known Live Performances: Party, Raymond WA, sometime 1987
Studio: No known studio recording
Sifting
Jam -- an instrumental version of the Bleach "favorite". This was said
to have been recorded 6/11/88, but a note I read from Jack Endino says
this one was done during the Bleach Sessions in December 1988.
Sky Pup
-- A Melvins song that appears on Houdini, this song features Kurt on guitar.
Definetly weird but very cool sounding.
Smoke On The
Water -- A Deep Purple song that was kind of jammed on during the Radio
Friendly Unit Shifter of 2/22/94.
Sound of
Dentage -- Another of the Fecal Matter songs, this one is extremely
weird. There is just guitar noise in the background with cardboard drum
sounds, while Kurt screams some lyrics. It is also very short, only maybe
45 seconds in length. Known Live Performances: None Studio: Fecal Matter
demo
Spank Thru
-- The first Nirvana song. Kurt talks about love and how it crushes him,
and then the song turns awry and he puts in themes of machoness and masturbation.....my
kind of song :) Chris put in "Muddy Banks" that this was the first ever
Nirvana song. Known Live Performances: 4/87 first performance, almost every
show from 1988-1990, and a few shows in 1991 and 1992 Studio: Fecal Matter,
1/23/88, 6/11/88, and a Peel Session 1989
Spread
Eagle Beagle -- Another Melvins song that is on Houdini, an album which
Kurt helped produce. This song has Kurt on extra percussion.
Star Spangled
Banner -- Shown at the beginning of the "Live! Tonight! Sold Out!"
video, this was played during the destruction at the Reading 1992 show.
Sweet
Emotion -- Short jam of the famous Aerosmith song. This just features
Chris and Dave jamming at the beginning of an encore. Known Live Performances:
1/23/93 Rio de Janiero Studio: No known studio recording
Sweet Home
Alabama -- Cover of the Lynyrd Skynyrd song. Chris sings the vocals
both times. Kurt sings the unplugged one, too, and the Meat Puppets play
guitar and bass on it. Known Live Performances: 1/20/90 Tacoma 11/18/93
Unplugged Studio: No known studio recording
Suicide
Samurai -- Another of the Fecal Matter songs, many confused this song
and called it "Anorexorcist". This was done twice live, and is on the Fecal
Matter demo. Really heavy metal sounding. On the 1/23/88 performance, in
the final verse he counts as he sings (1,2,3,4 ????? 5,6,7,8 ?????) Known
Live Performances: 1/23/88, 4/17/87 Studio: Fecal Matter demo
Talk to
Me -- Great song from the Europe 1991 tour. This song was given to
Kurt's hero, Iggy Pop, by Courtney Love after Kurt's death so that Pop
could play it. Dave said in an interview from 1995 or 96 that Nirvana played
one of his songs in Europe 1991 during soundchecks, and I think that this
could be that Dave song. Again, just a thought. Known Live Performances:
11/16/91 Italy 11/23/91 Belgium 11/26/91 England Studio: No known studio
recordings
The End
-- Short cover/parody of the Door's song. Chris sings both times. Known
Live Performances: 8/23/91 Reading 11/23/91 Belgium Studio: No known studio
recording
The Hit
-- DON'T BE FOOLED!! This title was listed at the very very beginning of
the introduction to Come As You Are, saying that Kurt mangles the opening
chords. This song is really "Smells Like Teen Spirit". That mistitle is
a sarcastic type joke by Azzerad in the book.
Token Eastern
Song -- The most mysterious song by Nirvana, barnone. This song was
recorded for the Blew E.P. in 1989, but has not been released. It has been
played many times under the pseudonymn of Junkyard. Jack Endino gave us
this information...he says it's not an instrumental, but it only has rough
guide vocals. Known Live Performances: Many times in late 1989, once in
1990 Studio: 10/89 Music Source Studios
Unknown
-- In an interview with DJ Triple J in Australia during a Foo Fighters
tour, Dave revealed that Nirvana jammed on one of Dave's songs during soundchecks
for Europe 1991 shows. Thanks to Joe (Scud909@aol.com) we know the sound
was "Alone+Easy Target"
Unknown
#2 -- This unknown song appears on the 12/4/91 Manchester show where
the band opens with Kurt on drums, Dave on bass and vocals, and Krist on
guitar. This could be a cover, or it may be the song talked about above
as the song by Dave that was only played during soundchecks.
Vendetagainst
-- Mystery song that appears on an early Nirvana setlist in Come As You
Are. There are two fake versions of this song being circulated. One is
electric solo guitar, the other is acoustic solo guitar. Known Live Performances:
None Studio: No known studio recording
Verse Chorus
Verse -- One of the greatest Nirvana songs. This was recorded at almost
every studio session. Early versions are listed as "Sappy" Recorded during
the In Utero Clean-up Sessions. Greatest Kurt guitar solo in my opinion.
Known Live Performances: 2/6/94 Portugal 2/16/94 France 2/24/94 Italy 2/25/94
Italy Studio: Virtually everyone, plus an early 1991 with Dave
We Will Rock
You -- Quick jam of the Queen song in Japan. Known Live Performances:
2/19/92 Japan Studio: No known studio recording
White Lace
and Strange -- Cover of the Thunder and Roses obscure 1970s hit. Chris
sings the vocals to this song. Played live in 1987 and 1988. This is thought
to be the unknown KAOS '87 song. Known Live Performances: Nothing is definite
Studio: No known studio recording
Wild Thing
-- Short jam by Dave and Chris of the Troggs classic. Chris exclaims at
the end enthusiastically "Yeah!! That song was called 'Wild Thing'! Yeah!"
Krist jams on the bass line of this on the new '87 Party as well. Known
Live Performances: 4/17/91 Seattle Studio: No known studio recording
You've
Got No Right -- One of Kurt's last and greatest songs. It is about
love, or more directly, Courtney Love. He also seems to be complaining
about success with lines like "I'm inside the public eye..." Also found
under the bootleg title "On the Mountain". Hole performed this song during
their unplugged session. This was supposedly recorded by Nirvana in January
1994 with "Dough, Ray, and Me". This song may be released on the forthcoming
"DGC Rarities Volume 2" Known Live Performances: one, 10/23/93 Chicago
Studio: during January 1994 sessions