"" is a song by the band
Nirvana . It was originally released as a non-album single in 1990 by
Sub Pop Records (SP-073, outside the USA through Tupelo). It later appeared on their compilation album ''
Incesticide '' in 1992 and their 2002 'best of' album ''
Nirvana ''.
A live performance is included on the 1992 "'' released in 2005.
The song is assumed to be about an incident from Nirvana singer and songwriter
Kurt Cobain 's childhood. The song was one of the few looks into the subject, which didn't come up often in other songs' lyrics. The lyrics describe a child that was dropped off at his grandparents' house while his parents went to see a movie. The child becomes homesick and immediately starts complaining "Grandma, take me home." The grandparents take care of the child, but they are unable to satisfy him. In earlier versions of the song Kurt also mentions having his arm accidentally burned by his grandfather's cigarette.
Though originally released as a single in 1990, DGC re-released the song to radio to support the release of ''
Incesticide '', resulting in significant airplay. The band also filmed a promotional video in
1993 that was sent to
MTV for promotion of ''Incesticide''. Due to product placement rules, MTV edited the video, blurring some of the posters on the walls around the band.
Silver was released as a non-album single in 1990 making the top 100 in the UK. Retail singles were not re-released for ''
Incesticide '', however the song charted in Ireland two years after release, shortly after the success of ''
Nevermind ''. A music video was made for Sliver as promotion for ''Incesticide'' in 1992-1993.
The following songs appeared on the single:
#"Sliver" (Peters, Cobain,
Novoselic )
#"
Dive " (Cobain, Novoselic)
#"
About A Girl " (live February 9, 1990, on CD versions only)
#"
Spank Thru " (live February 9, 1990, on CD versions only)
The single was recorded using equipment owned by the band
Tad , who had left it in the studio while on a dinner break. The entirety of the recording was completed during the hour that Tad was away.
"Sliver" features drummer
Dan Peters of
Mudhoney . "Dive" and the live tracks feature drummer
Chad Channing .
- Ranked #6 in '' NME's '' "Top 20 Nirvana Songs" (2004)
- Ranked #4 in '' Q's '' "10 Greatest Nirvana Songs Ever" (2004)
