"Even to put "About a Girl" on Bleach was a risk. I was heavily into pop, I really liked R.E.M., and I was into all kinds of old ‘60s stuff. But there was a lot of pressure within that social scene, the underground — like the kind of thing you get in high school. And to put a jangly R.E.M. type of pop song on a grunge record, in that scene, was risky." [2]
However, Bleach producer Jack Endino was excited about the song, and even saw it as a potential single. Years later, Butch Vig, who produced Nirvana's 1991 breakthrough album Nevermind, would cite "About a Girl" as the first hint that there was more to Nirvana than grunge. "Everyone talks about Kurt's love affair with... the whole punk scene, but he was also a huge Beatles fan, and the more time we spent together the more obvious their influence on his songwriting became," Vig told the NME in 2004.
"About a Girl" was recorded for Bleach in December 1988 by Endino in Seattle, Washington. It remained one of the few songs from Bleach which Nirvana continued to perform live until Cobain's death in April 1994. A live acoustic rendition was recorded during the band's MTV Unplugged set on November 18, 1993 at Sony Music Studios in New York City. It was released on the band's posthumous MTV Unplugged in New York album in 1994 and was the only commercial single from that album.
The Bleach version was re-released on the band's 2002 "best-of" compilation album, Nirvana. The Unplugged version was re-released on the band's second hits compilation album, Icon in 2010. The Unplugged version also appears as a playable song in the video game Guitar Hero World Tour, and the Bleach version appears as downloadable content for the Rock Band video game. "About a Girl" is also a BMI award winning song.[3]
About a Girl
Nirvana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do, with an ear to lend
I do think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
I'm standing in your line
I do hope you have the time
I do pick a number too
I do keep a date with you
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
Free
I need an easy friend
I do, with an ear to lend
I do think you fit this shoe
I do, but you have a clue
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
No, I can't see you every night
Free
I do
I do
I do
I do
In Nirvana's song "About a Girl," the lyrics express a sense of longing for a connection with an easy-going and approachable friend. The singer of the song desires someone who is willing to lend an ear and fit into their life with ease. Despite the singer's somewhat parasitic tendencies, taking advantage of their friend when they need someone to rely on, they are aware that this person is not available to them every night. The repetition of "I do" throughout the song adds emphasis to the singer's willingness to make a connection with this person and take advantage of their availability when they can.
The song's chorus suggests that the singer is hoping to initiate a relationship with this friend, but it is unclear whether this relationship is romantic or platonic in nature. The lyrics suggest a level of ambiguity, leaving room for the listener to interpret the song's meaning. The repetitive nature of the song and its catchy melody make it a staple of Nirvana's early sound.
Overall, "About a Girl" speaks to the universal desire for connection and understanding, as well as the importance of having an easy-going and approachable friend. The song's lyrics and melody work together to create a sense of wistful nostalgia, capturing the youthful longing for connection and companionship.
Line by Line Meaning
I need an easy friend
I am looking for a friend who is not complicated, but is there to talk to when I need them.
I do, with an ear to lend
I am willing to listen to you and be there for you when you need me.
I do think you fit this shoe
I believe that you are the perfect match for me as a friend.
I do, but you have a clue
I recognize that you are not clueless, you understand that I want to be friends and may have feelings for you.
I'll take advantage while
I will use the opportunity while it is available.
You hang me out to dry
You leave me hanging and don't seem to care about me as much as I care about you.
But I can't see you every night
I cannot be with you all the time as much as I may want to.
Free
I am open and available to anything, without judgment or expectations.
I'm standing in your line
I am waiting for my turn, hoping to get a chance to be closer to you.
I do hope you have the time
I do wish that you would make time for me and give me a chance to be part of your life.
I do pick a number too
I am looking for attention and affection, and I hope to get it from you.
I do keep a date with you
I don't want to miss out on an opportunity to be with you, even if it's just for a little while.
No, I can't see you every night
Although I care about you, I understand that I cannot force you to spend time with me all the time.
I do
I am willing and ready to be your friend or more, whatever you want.
I do
I am committed and loyal to this friendship, and I hope you are too.
I do
I strongly believe that we could have a great friendship together based on mutual trust and respect.
I do
I really, really want to be friends with you, and I hope you feel the same way.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mr. Spookms
some people really underestimate kurt's vocal ability. the raspyness he does tied in with how high he goes while staying perfectly calm is really impressive.
Jonas Locao
@Voz Humana silecio jão, para de se promover em comentário
Keagan Erstad
i agree especially the yodel he does that the end of the “freeee” 2:38
BarefootIguana
who are "some people"? ive never heard anyone say that.
BDO U.
@BarefootIguana when I was a teen (15~16 years ago) it was a given in the metal/hard rock scene to make fun of Nirvana for being "easy to play" songs and to say that Kurt's singing was weak. I remember for a time I went, "Nirvana? Bah, There are thousands of metal bands that do things way better than them!".
I joined the crowd back then, and I feel so sorry for myself.
Today I come to these videos of Kurt/Nirvana and many of these songs just bring tears to my eyes.
I don't think young edgy me would have foreseen this lol
fugazi
About a Girl - Tracy Marander
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Tobi Vail
The two most important women in Kurt's life. Courtney Love was unfortunately the women who led Kurt more into his downward spiral of abuse and depression.
Magpie 1969
Never get sick of listening to it, absolutely class
Matthew Swanson
That drummer looks pretty talented. He should start his own band someday.
C B
Good plan 👍
Tree Ann
😅