Scoff

Album: Bleach (1989)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This is a semi-autobiographical song about people who say that you'll never amount to anything in life. Kurt Cobain claimed there were many such people in his childhood. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Matt - Millbrae, CA
  • "Scoff" is an early Nirvana song, part of their debut album, Bleach. They refined their sound and got a lot more melodic for their next album, Nevermind, which launched them to stardom with "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Many of Nirvana's new fans went back an bought Bleach, turning an album that cost about $600 to make into a Platinum seller.

Comments: 10

  • Chaz from Trenton, Nj"Zero from Nowhere, Nj
    Does anyone know if Chad Channing played double bass on this album? I can hear it in this song as well as "School", "Negative Creep" and a few other songs."

    Yes.
  • Camdensucks from DillsburgI think scoff is about a bad father and son relationship and the son wants recognition from his father like the verses go to kurt's perspective to his dad's. (my eyes, your eyes."
  • Zero from Nowhere, NjDoes anyone know if Chad Channing played double bass on this album? I can hear it in this song as well as "School", "Negative Creep" and a few other songs.
  • Sheeberson from Wrightsville Beach, Nci would guess since this song's drum beat was inspired by "My Sharona"- The Knack. They sound EXACTLY the same
  • Echo from Normalville, Madrums=Chopped up rat beat
    drums=awesome
  • Sheen from Dallas, TxI think one day a long time ago when I was in school there was this retarded kid who took a book I was reading from me and I said to him "Gimme back my alcohol". Ah, I loved school.
    Fantastic song.
  • Spencer from Equinunk, PaI wouldn't say this is their best song, but one of the best on "Bleach".
  • Nick from Kingston, Australiableach is an under reated album
    but i guess if bleach was sucesful he would have killed him self sooner
  • Seph from Pittsburgh, PaThis is one of Nirvana's best songs. I think this song is about people judging kurt and telling him that he is never going to be anything.
  • Jordan from Victoria, CanadaThe drum beat is cool. I think Kurt wants his alcohol back.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Concert Disasters

Concert DisastersFact or Fiction

Ozzy biting a dove? Alice Cooper causing mayhem with a chicken? Creed so bad they were sued? See if you can spot the real concert mishaps.

Mac Powell of Third Day

Mac Powell of Third DaySongwriter Interviews

The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"

Allen Toussaint - "Southern Nights"They're Playing My Song

A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.

Stan Ridgway

Stan RidgwaySongwriter Interviews

Go beyond the Wall of Voodoo with this cinematic songwriter.

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin Popoff

Rush: Album by Album - A Conversation With Martin PopoffSong Writing

A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.