The band figured this would make a better b-side but Butch Vig convinced the band to include it on the album. Thurston apparently wasn't satisfied with the way he sang.
Nic Fit
Sonic Youth Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sonic tooth, sonic truth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Sign 'em up, gotta smoke
Arafat, get a stroke
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
Sonic truth, sonic death
Sonic smoke, sonic youth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
The lyrics to Sonic Youth's song Nic Fit contain a number of references to smoking, addiction, and the band's own punk sensibility. The opening lines "Get it up, get it in / Sonic tooth, sonic truth" suggest a desire to get high and perhaps escape from reality through music. The repeated chorus "Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit" refers to the physical and emotional discomfort that comes with nicotine withdrawal, potentially tying in to the themes of addiction and escape.
The subsequent lines "Sign 'em up, gotta smoke / Arafat, get a stroke" reference the practice of cigarette companies targeting younger consumers and leaders in order to increase their nicotine addiction. The name-dropping of Yasser Arafat, former leader of the Palestinian Liberation Organization, may suggest a larger commentary on power, control, and addiction in politics.
Throughout the song, there are additional nods to Sonic Youth's punk rock roots, such as the repeated use of the phrase "sonic" and the overall aggressive, energetic tone of the music. These lyrics come together to create a portrait of youth culture grappling with addiction, escape, and the allure of rebellion.
Line by Line Meaning
Get it up, get it in
Action-oriented instruction to perform a task with enthusiasm and vigor
Sonic tooth, sonic truth
The use of sound as a powerful tool to communicate truth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Repetitive utterance signifying the addictive nature of smoking
Sign 'em up, gotta smoke
Encouragement to recruit new smokers
Arafat, get a stroke
Reference to the controversial political figure Yasser Arafat and the potential risks of smoking
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
Reiteration of the urge to smoke and the detrimental effects of nicotine addiction
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Continued emphasis on the destructive nature of nicotine addiction
Sonic truth, sonic death
The potential fatal consequences of promoting false or destructive ideas through sound
Sonic smoke, sonic youth
The connection between music, youth culture, and smoking
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
Reiteration of the addictive power and fatal consequences of smoking
Lyrics © KOBALT MUSIC PUBLISHING LIMITED,
Written by: KIM GORDON, THURSTON MOORE, LEE RANALDO, STEVE SHELLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@roiybenkel682
[Nic Fit]
Get it up, get it in
Sonic tooth, sonic truth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Sign'em up, gotta smoke (?)
Arafat, get a smoke (?)
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Sonic truth, sonic death
Sonic smoke, sonic youth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
@michelllopezgarcia.3970
This song remains me: Killing Joke´s "Chop chop". Both bands are amazing.
@grungelovr5798
I LOVE IT!
@Bongaloid777
i need a 12" version of this bc damn why is it so short :(((
@KKPIHCP
Well it's a Cover of The Untouchables (DC Punk Band) And Almost every Punk song is Short or a Second Short Like Napalm Death Or Electro Hippies
But that's what gives it it's Name
Fast, Short, And Quick
@oggearhound2242
@Knightkow Productions
Punk form is:
Angsty/ Energetic
No guitar solo
Under three minutes.
This song boils the Pure Essence of Punk down to one minute.. fucking incredible
@KKPIHCP
@OG Gearhound too bad that Sonic Youth isn’t like those underground punk bands like Willful Neglect or NOTA and Adernalin O.D., I’d definitely listen to them more if they were like those band and probably put their album on my wall
@roiybenkel682
[Nic Fit]
Get it up, get it in
Sonic tooth, sonic truth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Sign'em up, gotta smoke (?)
Arafat, get a smoke (?)
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic fit
Sonic truth, sonic death
Sonic smoke, sonic youth
Nic fit, nic fit, nic fit, nic
@lukoscreyden
This piece of art is so fucking deep
@andresavilez3921
sick score!
@ivosebastian
This song always reminds me of an argentinan punk rock band called Flema.