Negative Creep

Last updated

"Negative Creep"
Song by Nirvana
from the album Bleach
ReleasedJune 15, 1989
RecordedDecember 29–31, 1988
Genre
Length2:56
Label Sub Pop
Songwriter(s) Kurt Cobain
Producer(s) Jack Endino

"Negative Creep" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the seventh song on their debut album Bleach , released in June 1989.

Contents

Early history

"Negative Creep" was written by Cobain in 1988. To date, no demo version of the song has appeared on official releases or bootlegs.

Bleach

"Negative Creep" was one of nine songs recorded during Nirvana's third studio session, in December 1988 and January 1989 at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington, that were released on their July 1989 debut album, Bleach. [3] According to producer Jack Endino, the band, featuring then-drummer Chad Channing along with Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, recorded as quickly as possible, with the intention of recording a full album rather than an EP as requested by their then-label, Sub Pop. In a 2004 interview with Rob Nash of The Independent , Endino recalled that the band would record the instruments "in one or two takes," and Cobain would then record the vocals in usually a single take. [3]

Post-Bleach

"Negative Creep" was debuted live on February 25, 1989, at the Husky Union Building at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. The song remained a set list regular for the next four years, until its final live performance on April 9, 1993, at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California. It was jammed on briefly during Nirvana's MTV Unplugged appearance in November 1993, after being requested by an audience member, but both Cobain and Novoselic said that they no longer knew how to play it.

Composition and lyrics

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Negative Creep"
"Negative Creep" is exemplary of Seattle's grunge sound. It features Cobain's frantic wails and screaming on top of a repetitious and heavy grunge riff. [4]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Music

"Negative Creep" has been described as one of the "Sub Popiest" songs the band ever recorded, [5] and "a text book example of Seattle's true grunge sound". [6] The studio version is the only Nirvana recording that employs an extended fade-out while the vocals are still present. [7]

Several critics have noted the intensity of Cobain's vocals on the studio recording, with Mark Richardson of Pitchfork writing:

"Cobain's voice through the second verse terrifies me. There is no concern for his physical well being or even his future as a vocalist in a rock band. He sings as intensely as he can possibly sing. Sometimes, when I'm listening loud, I think my headphones might be breaking up from the volume only to realize that the membrane being excited to the point of distortion is actually Cobain's larynx." [8]

Lyrics

In his 1993 Nirvana biography Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana , Michael Azerrad described "Negative Creep" as "a first-person narrative from an antisocial person," with that person being Cobain himself. [9] James Jackson Toth of Stereogum called it a "chilling ode to social awkwardness" during which "Cobain, sounding like a cross between Lemmy and a gargoyle, acknowledges his position as a shadowy outsider–even revels in it." [10]

Steve Fisk, who produced Nirvana's Blew EP in 1989, offered an alternate theory of the song's meaning, saying that "I got told it was about the guy who lived across the street from the duplex and would come over while Kurt was gone to try to smoke [Cobain's then-girlfriend] Tracy [Marander] out." [11]

The song received some criticism from members of the Seattle music scene in the late 1980s because of the lyric, "Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more," which closely resembled the lyrics to "Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More" by Nirvana's Sub Pop label mates Mudhoney. According to Azerrad, Cobain claimed the similarity was an example of "subconscious theft." [9]

Reception

In a July 1989 review of Bleach, Edwin Pouncey of the NME called the song "glorious" and wrote that it was "a leash strainer of a song that eventually gets loose and goes on the rampage like a rabid Rottweiler. Fab!" [12]

Legacy

In 2015, Rolling Stone placed "Negative Creep" at number 15 on their ranking of 102 Nirvana songs. [13] In 2022, Revolver named it one of the "10 Heaviest Grunge Songs of All Time," with Eli Enis writing that "for every glimpse at future pop-rock supremacy on Bleach, there's another song like this, a motorik, almost thrashy ripper that sees Kurt Cobain spitting back his own ugly self-perception — 'I'm a negative creep and I'm stoned' — with the wiry wrath of the picked-on kid finally taking a swing at his bully." [14] In 2023, PopMatters included it on their list of "The 10 Heaviest Nirvana Songs," with Dean Brown calling it "one of the most violent songs in Nirvana’s back catalogue" and "metal to the bone." [15] The same year, the A.V. Club ranked it at number 25 on their list of Nirvana's "30 greatest songs". [16]

"Negative Creep" appeared in the 1996 grunge documentary, Hype! , and was included in the film's soundtrack. It also appeared in the bonus CD included with the 1995 book Screaming Life: A Chronicle of the Seattle Music Scene, which collected the photographs of acclaimed music photographer, Charles Peterson.

Accolades

YearPublicationCountryAccoladeRank
1998 Kerrang! United Kingdom20 Great Nirvana Songs Picked by the Stars [17] 9
2023 The A.V. Club United StatesEssential Nirvana: Their 30 greatest songs, ranked [18] 25

Other releases

Covers

YearArtistAlbum
1996 Tura Satana Relief Through Release
1997 Machine Head Take My Scars
2001 Dee Dee Ramone Smells Like Bleach: A Punk Tribute to Nirvana
2004 Velvet Revolver Slither

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirvana (band)</span> American rock band (1987–1994)

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Despite a short mainstream career spanning only three years, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.

<i>Incesticide</i> 1992 compilation album by Nirvana

Incesticide is a compilation album by the American rock band Nirvana. It consists of their 1990 non-album single "Sliver", B-sides, demos, outtakes, cover versions, and radio broadcast recordings, and as such is not the official follow-up to the band's breakthrough album, Nevermind. The album was released on December 14, 1992, in Europe, and December 15, 1992, in the United States. It eventually reached number 39 on the Billboard 200.

<i>Bleach</i> (Nirvana album) 1989 studio album by Nirvana

Bleach is the debut studio album by American rock band Nirvana, released on June 15, 1989, by Sub Pop. After the release of their debut single "Love Buzz" on Sub Pop in November 1988, Nirvana rehearsed for two to three weeks in preparation for recording a full-length album. The main recording sessions for Bleach took place at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle, Washington between December 1988 and January 1989. It is the only Nirvana album released on the Sub Pop label and their only studio album to feature drummer Chad Channing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Bloom</span> 1992 single by Nirvana

"In Bloom" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It appears as the second track on the band's second album, Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lithium (Nirvana song)</span> 1992 single by Nirvana

"Lithium" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It appears as the fifth track on the band's second album, Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sliver (song)</span> 1990 single by Nirvana

"Sliver" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic.

<i>Blew</i> 1989 EP by Nirvana

"Blew" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the first song on the band's debut album Bleach, released in June 1989 by Sub Pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">About a Girl (Nirvana song)</span> 1989 song by Nirvana

"About a Girl" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third song on their debut album, Bleach, released in June 1989.

"Love Buzz" is a song by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue. It was written by Robbie van Leeuwen and first released on the group's 1969 album At Home. The original song is notable for its psychedelic rock style and its extensive use of the sitar, played by Leeuwen.

Fecal Matter was a punk rock band from Aberdeen, Washington. The group was formed in 1985 by Kurt Cobain, the future frontman of Nirvana, along with Dale Crover of the Melvins and drummer Greg Hokanson. Melvins members Buzz Osborne and Mike Dillard appeared in a later version of the band during rehearsals the following year. The band was short-lived, disbanding in 1986.

"Been a Son" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It was originally released on the Blew EP in November 1989, which charted at number 15 on the UK Indie Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endless, Nameless (song)</span> 1991 song by Nirvana

"Endless, Nameless" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. It is the 13th and final song on the band's second studio album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.

"Sappy" is a song by the American rock band, Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It was first released as a hidden track on the AIDS-benefit compilation album, No Alternative, in October 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Serve the Servants</span> 1993 song by Nirvana

"Serve the Servants" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the first track on their third and final studio album In Utero, released in September 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beautiful Son</span> 1993 single by Hole

"Beautiful Son" is a song by American alternative rock band Hole, co-written by frontwoman Courtney Love, lead guitarist Eric Erlandson, and drummer Patty Schemel. The song was released as the band's fourth single in April 1993 on the European label City Slang. To coincide with the song's lyrics, Love used a photograph of her husband, Kurt Cobain, at age 7 as the single's artwork.

"Scentless Apprentice" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, drummer Dave Grohl, and bassist Krist Novoselic. It is the second track on their third and final studio album In Utero, released in September 1993.

"Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the fifth song on their third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dive (Nirvana song)</span> 1990 song by Nirvana

"Dive" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. It was released as the B-side to the band's second single, "Sliver" in September 1990. The same version was re-released as the opening track on the compilation album The Grunge Years in 1991, and again on the Nirvana rarities compilation, Incesticide, in December 1992.

<i>Live at the Paramount</i> (video) 2011 video by Nirvana

Live at the Paramount is a live video and album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 2011. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, Nevermind.

"Spank Thru" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It appears on the compilation album Sub Pop 200, released in December 1988.

References

  1. ↑ Leonard, Michael. "THE GUITARIST'S GUIDE TO GRUNGE: ESSENTIAL BANDS, GEAR AND PLAYERS" . Retrieved October 3, 2021.
  2. ↑ Clover, Joshua. 1989: Bob Dylan Didn’t Have This to Sing About. p. 82.
  3. 1 2 Nash, Rob (November 19, 2004). "No less dangerous". The Independent. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Bleach (album review)". Sputnik Music. January 14, 2005. Retrieved July 6, 2011.
  5. ↑ Crisafulli, Chuck (1996). Teen Spirit: The Stories Behind Every NIRVANA Song. Omnibus Press. p. 25. ISBN   0-7119-5809-2.
  6. ↑ Gage, Josephine (September 23, 2009). "Nirvana Ultimate Mix". IGN. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ Howard, Tom (April 5, 2019). "Every Nirvana song ranked in order of greatness". NME .
  8. ↑ Richardson, Mark. "Happy Birthday, Kurt". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  9. 1 2 Azerrad, Michael (1994). Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana. Doubleday. pp. 100–101. ISBN   0-385-47199-8.
  10. ↑ Jackson Toth, James (April 4, 2014). "The 10 Best Nirvana Songs". Stereogum. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  11. ↑ True, Everett (March 13, 2007). Nirvana: The Biography. Da Capo Press. p. 114. ISBN   0306815540.
  12. ↑ Pouncey, Edwin. "Nirvana : Bleach (Sub Pop import US LP only) – 08/07/89". NME. No. 8 July 1989. Retrieved December 21, 2021.
  13. ↑ Dolan, Jon (April 8, 2015). "No Apologies: All 102 Nirvana Songs Ranked". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  14. ↑ Enis, Eli (April 4, 2022). "10 HEAVIEST GRUNGE SONGS OF ALL TIME". Revolver. Retrieved April 4, 2022.
  15. ↑ Brown, Dean (January 30, 2023). "The 10 Heaviest Nirvana Songs". PopMatters. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  16. ↑ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (September 21, 2023). "Essential Nirvana: Their 30 greatest songs, ranked". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  17. ↑ "The Hit List: 20 Great Nirvana Songs Picked by the Stars". Kerrang! . No. 709. July 25, 1998. p. 49. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  18. ↑ Thomas Erlewine, Stephen (September 21, 2023). "Essential Nirvana: Their 30 greatest songs, ranked". The A.V. Club. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  19. ↑ O'Driscoll, Des (April 4, 2014). "Nirvana in Cork: The legendary 1991 gig in Sir Henrys". Irish Examiner. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.