Friend of the show John Lynch riffs on the second studio album by Nirvana “Nevermind” on the charts in January of 1992 (Lithium / Polly / Something in the Way / Come As You Are). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Main theme from the television comedy series “In Living Color” STAFF PICKS: “There's No Other Way” by Blur — Wayne. “Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" by the George Michael and Elton John — Rob. “Diamonds and Pearls” by Prince and the New Power Generation — Brian. “No Son of Mine” by Genesis — John. INSTRUMENTAL TRACK: “New Recruit” by Eric Clapton. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
The album that would bring grunge into the mainstream is Nevermind by Nirvana. While it was Nirvana's second album, it would be their first on a major label. It would also see the introduction of Dave Grohl to the band as drummer joining Krist Novoselic on bass, and the iconic and troubled Kurt Cobain who was front man, guitarist, and songwriter for the band.
“Troubled” could be a good description of the album as well. While more polished than their debut album, the songs exhibit a raw emotion, often dark, disturbed, or alienated, but also containing some humor and self-deprecation. The tracks were more melodic than the first album as well, reflecting Cobain's influences - he was listening to groups like the Pixies and R.E.M. at the time that Nevermind was being recorded.
The album was a surprising success both commercially and critically. It was nominated for three Grammy awards across two awards ceremonies. It hit number 1 on the Billboard 200 list in the U.S., hit number 2 on the Australian charts, and number 7 on the British charts.
Nevermind was released in September 1991, and friend of the show John Lynch is featuring it as our album pick for January 1992 when it was on top of the charts, knocking off Michael Jackson's Dangerous.
Lithium
Lithium is a drug used to fight depression and bi-polar disorder. The lyrics discuss a person trying to fight loss of relationships, wide mood swings and feelings, deciding that he needs to find God before he kills himself. The alteration between soft and loud sections would become known as emblematic of Nirvana's sound.
Polly
This dark song was inspired by the abduction, torture, and rape of a 14 year-old girl in Tacoma, Washington. She escaped from her kidnapper at a gas station. Cobain wrote the lyrics from the perspective of the perpetrator. Former percussionist Chad Channing is the drummer on this piece.
Something in the Way
This song was inspired by a four-month period of homelessness that Cobain experienced around his hometown of Aberdeen, Washington. It is one of the few autobiographical songs Cobain wrote, as he more typically wrote lyrics inspired in stores from others. It is featured in the 2022 film, “The Batman.”
Come As You Are
This hit single almost resulted in a lawsuit from a band called “The Killing Joke” which had a very similar chord structure. The lyrics are about the expectations people put on themselves and others, and it encourages people to be themselves.
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Theme from the television comedy series “In Living Color”
This comedy variety production from the Wayan brothers would introduce the world to sketches “Men on Film, “Homey the Clown,” and “Fire Marshal Bill” which launched Jim Carrey’s career.
STAFF PICKS:
There's No Other Way by Blur
Wayne starts us off with London based Blur exhibiting the “Manchester” sound. The song lyrics highlight the irritation the band felt at having to follow the Manchester trend at the behest of the record company. “You've taken the fun out of everything.” This song was Kurt Cobain's favorite song of the year from Britain.
Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me by George Michael and Elton John
Rob brings us George Michael's live cover of Elton John's 1974 hit. John joins Michael on stage in the second half of the song during this performance in Chicago. They had originally performed the duet for Live Aid, and Michael liked it so much that he incorporated the cover into his show. The original version made it to number 2 in the U.S., and this cover made it to number 1.
Diamonds and Pearls by Prince and the New Power Generation
Brian's staff pick is a love song. It is also the title track to Prince's album with the backing band which was originally named on the 1990 film “Graffiti Bridge.” The female voice in this song is performed by Rosie Gaines, who tragically suffered from an insulin overdose in 2009, and has experienced a number of diabetic issues over time.
No Son of Mine by Genesis
John Lynch features the final Genesis album with Phil Collins as lead singer, "We Can't Dance." The lyrics discuss domestic violence. It is about a man who is a monster to his family. The song describes a child who runs away from an abusive family situation, and is rejected by his father when he attempts reconciliation later on.
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
New Recruit by Eric Clapton
This instrumental track is from the motion picture "Rush."