Sliver (song)
| "Sliver" | |
|---|---|
| Song | |
| B-side | "Dive" |
"Sliver" 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 "In Bloom" single, another live performance can be seen on the 1994 home video Live! Tonight! Sold Out!! (released on DVD in 2006), and a third live performance was included on the live album From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah in 1996. An early acoustic version would later appear on the 2004 box set With the Lights Out as well as on Sliver: The Best of the Box 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.
Chart positions
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.
| Year | Single | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Sliver | Modern Rock Tracks (US) | No. 19 |
| 1992 | Sliver | Official Irish Singles Chart | No. 23 |
| 1991 | Sliver | UK Singles Chart | No. 90 [1] |
Single
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.
Accolades
- Ranked #6 in NME's "Top 20 Nirvana Songs" (2004)
- Ranked #4 in Q's "10 Greatest Nirvana Songs Ever" (2004)
