Downer by Nirvana - Songfacts

Album: Bleach (1989)

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This was Kurt Cobain's attempt at a political song. In the song, Cobain laments on nuclear war, radicals who believe the world is going to end, and other issues. Said Kurt: "I was trying to be Mr. Black Flag punk-rock guy... I didn't know what I was talking about." >>>
Suggestion credit:
Matt - Millbrae, CA
"Downer" was part of Nirvana's debut album, Bleach, released in 1989 before Dave Grohl joined the band (Chad Channing was their drummer). It was later included on Nirvana's 1992 compilation Incesticide because Nirvana rarely played it live and Kurt Cobain wanted people to hear it. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Jared - North Smithfield, RI

Comments: 11

Tackypeep from Skoolthis song is such a hidden gem, as well as hidden as a NIRVANA song can get
its like green day but good! (im only saying that cause I dont like this one kid and hes a big fan of green day)
Stavros A. from Houston Txi love this song, but yeah the lyrics are mid
Max from Bc, Candaits an OK song, it used to be m favourite
Zabadak from LondonVery much a bass-driven thing
Zero from The Abyss, NjI don't think the melodies are THAT great or that it is really "genius" in any way, like Kurt said, he didn't know what he was talking about. It's a good hardcore punk-style song though, sounds like something Black Flag would've recorded during the "Damaged" era.
Jeff from Denton, TxThis is one of the most grunge songs i've ever heard and also one of the most genius songs i've ever heard. The musical switches and vocal melodies
are unreal if you actually listen to it. I wish it would have got more attention.
Tyler from Toronto, CanadaAlso INCESTICIDE was just a filler album it was to fill in the 2 year gap between Nevermind, and In Utero.
Tyler from Toronto, CanadaThe reason they also put it on Incesticide is because they expect more people to hear Incesticide than Bleach because Incesticide came after NIRVANA was "BIG". Kurt wanted his not so famous songs to be heard.
Matt from Millbrae, CaSome pressings of Bleach did not include Downer, so for the people that had copies missing the song, they put the song on Incesticide.
Ed from Chodania, Flanyone know why they also put this on Incesticide?
Marc from Niagara Falls, Canadathis song is amazing,its fast and a true punk rocker and it also has alot of meolody,that was kurt and nirvanas thing.

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