"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
Nivana 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, free I do
I'm standing in your line
I do hope you have the time
I do pick a number two
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
The lyrics to Nirvana's "About A Girl" describe the uncertainty and yearning for a relationship. The song's narrator is looking for a friend who is willing to listen and is easy to talk to. The type of friend who will be there when times are hard and lend an ear to vent to. The first verse is repetitive, emphasizing the urgency for this type of friend in the singer's life; the need for someone who can understand them on a deeper level.
The second verse shifts to a more romantic connection. The singer seems to be in pursuit of someone, standing in their line and hoping they have time for them. The line "I'll take advantage while you hang me out to dry" reveals the singer's willingness to endure the pain of being left hanging just to be with the person they desire. The feeling of love is clear in the repeated lines "I need an easy friend" and "I do think you fit this shoe" as the singer tries to communicate their feelings in a simple and straightforward way.
Overall, the song captures the complexity of desires for relationships: the need for friendship and the pain of unrequited love. The verses are tied together by the chorus, which repeats the sentiment that the singer will take advantage of the situation while acknowledging that they won't always have the opportunity to be with the object of their affection.
Line by Line Meaning
I need an easy friend
I am looking for someone to be my friend without any complications or difficulties
I do with an ear to lend
And I hope that friend is someone who will listen to me when I need to talk
I do think you fit this shoe
I believe that you could be the kind of friend I am looking for
I do, but you have a clue
But I am not sure if you understand what I am looking for
I'll take advantage while
I will use this opportunity to spend time with you while
You hang me out to dry
You are not committing to me or showing much interest in being my friend
But I can't see you every night, free
However, I understand that you have your own life and can't spend all your time with me for free
I'm standing in your line
I am waiting for my turn to be seen or noticed by you
I do hope you have the time
I am hopeful that you will find the time to get to know me better
I do pick a number two
I am okay with being second in line for your attention or affection
I do keep a date with you
I am committed to spending time with you and not standing you up
No I can't see you every night
However, I understand that I can't spend every night with you
Free
I understand that you are a free spirit and not tied down to anyone or anything
I do
I am willing to make an effort and be a good friend to you
I do
I am willing to take the chance and see where our friendship goes
I do
I believe that we could have something special if we try
I do
I am committed to being your friend and seeing where this goes
Contributed by Mia M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.