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About This Track
Kurt Cobain wrote 'Lithium' by imagining a man who turns to religion whilst grieving the death of his girlfriend, finding solace in faith amid thoughts of suicide. The song veers between quiet verses and loud choruses, the band's trademark dynamic lending impact to lyrics that are cleverer than the volume might suggest. Cobain sings 'I'm so happy 'cause today I found my friends / They're in my head', the consolation entirely internal, the Sunday-morning candles lit in a daze.
The track appears as the fifth song on Nirvana's second album, Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991. It was first recorded in April 1990 with producer Butch Vig at his studio in Wisconsin, a test run for the album sessions where Cobain expressed dissatisfaction with the then-drummer's performance on the song. The final version balances the narrator's shifting emotional states, the repeated insistence 'I'm not gonna crack' set against declarations that swing from affection to violence, the will described as good even as the mind frays.
"Lithium" is a single by Nirvana, released 20th July 1992. The track is 4:17 long. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Nirvana.
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