Nirvana: The Lyrics

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.

“This was the sound of psychic damage, and an entire generation recognized it.”

– Jeff Giles, Newsweek

“Nirvana doesn't bash you over the head with lyrics, anyway. They imply, they suggest, leave it open to interpretation.”

– Daina Darzin, Village Voice