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  1. Tracks
  2. Nirvana
  3. Lithium
Lithium by Nirvana

SINGLE

Nirvana

Lithium

Release date: 20th July 1992

4:17
Spotify Apple Music More on Nirvana

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.

About the Artist

Nirvana

Nirvana

Lyrics

Lithium

I'm so happy 'cause today I found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, that's okay, 'cause so are you
Broke our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday, for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found God

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm so lonely, that's okay, I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure
I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
And I don't care
I'm so horny, that's okay
My will is good

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack

I'm so happy 'cause today I found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, that's okay, 'cause so are you
Broke our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday, for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found God

Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah

I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack
I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

Lithium

4:171992Single
Listen
Release year
1992

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    Credits

    Production & Engineering

    Writer
    Kurt Cobain
    Producer
    Butch Vig
    Engineer
    Butch Vig, Craig Doubet, Jeff Sheehan
    Bass
    Krist Novoselic
    Drums
    Dave Grohl
    Guitar
    Kurt Cobain
    Vocals
    Kurt Cobain
    Art Direction
    Robert Fisher
    Graphic Design
    Robert Fisher
    Manufacturer
    Uni Distribution
    Mastering Engineer
    Howie Weinberg
    Mixing Engineer
    Andy Wallace
    READ MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANA
    READ MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANA
    Nirvana's surviving members perform with Post Malone at SNL 50th anniversary concert
    News

    Nirvana's surviving members perform with Post Malone at SNL 50th anniversary concert

    The iconic group's surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear performed 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at the event.

    15 Feb 2025 • 5:46 pm