SLIVER
Nirvana (From the Muddy Banks of The Wishkah) Lyrics

The lyrics to Nirvana's "Sliver" tell the story of a young child who is left in the care of his grandparents for the night while his parents go to a show. The child is unhappy about being left behind and pleads with his grandmother to take him home. The chorus repeats this sentiment, with the child saying "Grandma take me home, I wanna be alone." The child is forced to eat dinner, which he struggles with and is told to stop crying and go ride his bike outside. While outside, the child injures himself, which is indicated in the line "That's what I did, I killed my toe." The child then goes back inside for ice cream and falls asleep watching TV. The song ends with the child waking up in his mother's arms and again repeating the desire to be taken home.

This song speaks to a common experience many children have had - being left with grandparents or babysitters while parents go out for the night. However, what sets this song apart is the honesty with which it portrays the child's emotions. The child does not enjoy being away from his parents and is unhappy with his current situation. This line of thinking is relatable for many listeners and helps to make the song feel more personal and powerful.

One interesting fact about "Sliver" is that it was first released as a single in 1990 before later appearing on the 1992 album "Incesticide" and the 1996 live album "From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah." The song was included in Nirvana's setlists during their 1993-1994 In Utero tour, showing that it was still a fan favorite despite being over three years old at that point.

Another interesting fact is that "Sliver" was not included on the studio albums released during Nirvana's career (Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero). Despite this, it remains one of the band's most well-known and beloved songs.