Pynchon Music: Nirvana
Here We Are Now
a.k.a. “Smells Like Over-Reaching”
Nirvana (1987–1994)
Rumour has it that the lyrics to Nirvana’s 1991 smash “Smells Like Teen Spirit” may have been inspired by a song from Pynchon’s Gravity’s Rainbow. As far as we know, this is unsubstantiated; but if anyone out there has any evidence of a real connection, please mail it to us. (For example, a photograph of Kurt and Courtney reading selections from V. to baby Frances would be just fine.) According to said rumor, the song in question appears on page 538 of the Viking edition of Gravity’s Rainbow. We will print both songs below; you decide if they are related!
Lyrics
“Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Load up on guns and bring your friends
It’s fun to lose and to pretend
She’s over bored and self assured
Oh no, I know, a dirty word
hello, hello, hello, how low?
With the lights out it’s less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My Libido
I’m worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
It was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind
A denial…
It’s fun to lose and to pretend
She’s over bored and self assured
Oh no, I know, a dirty word
hello, hello, hello, how low?
With the lights out it’s less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My Libido
I’m worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
It was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind
A denial…
Song from Gravity’s Rainbow
I’ll tell you it’s just —out, —ray, —juss,
Spirit is so —on, —tay, —juss,
Nobody knows their a-ges…
Walkin’ through bees of hon —ney,
Throwin’ away —that —mon, —ney,
Laughin’ at things so —fun —ny,
Spirit’s comin’ through —to, —you!
Nev —ver, —mind, watcha hear from your car,
Take a lookit just —how —keen —they are,
Nev —ver, —mind, —what, your calendar say,
Ev’rybody’s nine months old today! Hey,
Pages are turnin’ pages.
Nobody’s in —their, —ca, —ges,
Spirit’s just so —con, —ta, —gious—
Just let the Spirit —move, —for, —you!
SIDEBAR (beside verses 1 and 2):
Where did the swing band come from? She’s bouncing up and down, she wants to be jitterbugged, he sees she wants to lose her gravity—
Spirit is so —on, —tay, —juss,
Nobody knows their a-ges…
Walkin’ through bees of hon —ney,
Throwin’ away —that —mon, —ney,
Laughin’ at things so —fun —ny,
Spirit’s comin’ through —to, —you!
Nev —ver, —mind, watcha hear from your car,
Take a lookit just —how —keen —they are,
Nev —ver, —mind, —what, your calendar say,
Ev’rybody’s nine months old today! Hey,
Pages are turnin’ pages.
Nobody’s in —their, —ca, —ges,
Spirit’s just so —con, —ta, —gious—
Just let the Spirit —move, —for, —you!
SIDEBAR (beside verses 1 and 2):
Where did the swing band come from? She’s bouncing up and down, she wants to be jitterbugged, he sees she wants to lose her gravity—
Additional Information
Track Listing
1. Smells Like Teen Spirit (5:01)
2. In Bloom (4:14)
3. Come as You Are (3:39)
4. Breed” (3:03)
5. Lithium (4:17)
6. Polly (2:57)
7. Territorial Pissings (2:22)
8. Drain You (3:43)
9. Lounge Act (2:36)
10. Stay Away (3:32)
11. On a Plain (3:16)
12. Something in the Way (3:52)
13. Endless, Nameless (6:43)
2. In Bloom (4:14)
3. Come as You Are (3:39)
4. Breed” (3:03)
5. Lithium (4:17)
6. Polly (2:57)
7. Territorial Pissings (2:22)
8. Drain You (3:43)
9. Lounge Act (2:36)
10. Stay Away (3:32)
11. On a Plain (3:16)
12. Something in the Way (3:52)
13. Endless, Nameless (6:43)
Musicians
Kurt Cobain—vocals, guitars.
Krist Novoselic—bass, vocals.
Dave Grohl—drums, backing vocals.
Kurt Cobain—vocals, guitars.
Krist Novoselic—bass, vocals.
Dave Grohl—drums, backing vocals.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” — Watch the “Smells Like Teen Spirit” video on YouTube. C’mon, Pynchon fans, let’s get it to 1.4 BILLION views…
Nirvana Homepage — Nirvana’s official Web site.
Nirvana Wikipedia Page — You can read more about Nirvana on Wikipedia.
Nirvana Discog Page — Collects album covers and information on Nirvana’s releases.
Pynchon on Record
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Authors: Dr Larry Daw & Allen B. Ruch
Last Modified: 31 August 2024
Main Pynchon Page: Spermatikos Logos
Contact: quail(at)shipwrecklibrary(dot)com
Last Modified: 31 August 2024
Main Pynchon Page: Spermatikos Logos
Contact: quail(at)shipwrecklibrary(dot)com