If the author considers his creation far from perfect, this does not mean that the public shares his opinion. The story behind of the track Sappy by the American rock band Nirvana more than convincingly proves this statement.
The story of the creation of the song Sappy by Nirvana
The original version of the composition, which Cobain composed no later than 1987, was called Sad. In 1993, the compilation album “No Alternative” was released, where the composition in question was included as a hidden track and called Versus Chorus Versus , which was already worn by another Nirvana song. To avoid confusion, later a decision arose to rename it to Sappy.
The composition was not included in any of the group’s studio albums. The musicians experimented with it in every possible way, but Cobain was constantly dissatisfied with something and tried to find an option that would completely suit him. But the audience immediately liked the track. Many specifically bought the disc “No Alternative” to listen to a rare song. At performances, the band was also often asked to perform it.
Release and achievements of the song Sappy
The canonical version is a 1993 recording made while working on In Utero at Pachyderm Studios.
In 2004, Sappy was included in the With the Lights Out box set of rare Nirvana recordings.
A live version of Sappy is featured on the Bleach anniversary edition, which was released in 2009 to celebrate the album’s 20th anniversary.
The meaning of the song Sappy by Nirvana
One can only guess about the meaning of the text. If you don’t try to dig too deep, you can limit yourself to the opinion that Sappy is dedicated to the turtle that lived with Cobain.
However, many believe that everything is not so simple. For example, it is widely alleged that Kurt criticized Christianity, alluding to the idea of soul salvation, restrictions on believers, and self-torture of the most zealous followers. Such an interpretation seems even more plausible if we turn to the first version, which was called Sad. It began with the lines “If you say prayers, God will be happy.”
It is also often said that the author only meant the relationship between lovers (the peculiarities of the English language do not make it clear whether he is addressing a man or a woman in a song).
If you have your own versions of the interpretation of Sappy, express them in the comments.
Interesting Facts
- Nirvana performed Sappy for the last time at a concert in Milan in February 1994. As the band played the song, Krist Novoselic asked the audience, “Did you hear it on the bootleg? After all, it was not included in the album.
Sappy Lyrics by Nirvana
And if you save yourself
You will make him happy!
He’ll keep you in a jar
And you’ll think you’re happy…
He’ll give you breathing holes
And you’ll think you’re happy…
He’ll cover you with grass,
And you’ll think you’re happy… now!
You’re in a laundry room
You’re in a laundry room
Conclusion came to you…
And if you cut yourself
You will think you’re happy!
He’ll keep you in a jar
Then you’ll make him happy…
He’ll give you breathing holes
Then you’ll think you’re happy…
He’ll cover you with grass,
Then you’ll think you’re happy… now!
You’re in a laundry room
You’re in a laundry room
Conclusion came to you.
You’re in a laundry room
You’re in a laundry room
Conclusion came to you…
And if you fool yourself
You will make him happy!
He’ll keep you in a jar
Then you’ll think you’re happy…
He’ll give you breathing holes
Then you will seem happy…
You’ll wallow in the shit
Then you’ll think you’re happy… now!
You’re in a laundry room
You’re in a laundry room
You’re in a laundry room
Conclusion came to you…
Lyrics of Sappy by Nirvana Alternate
If you save yourself
He will be happy!
He will keep you in the bank
And you think you’re happy…
He’ll make holes so you can breathe
And you think you’re happy…
He will cover you with grass
And you will think that you are happy … Now!
You are in the laundry
You are in the laundry
You have come to an end…
If you cut yourself
You think you’re happy!
He’ll make holes so you can breathe
Then you’ll think you’re happy…
He will cover you with grass
Then you’ll think you’re happy… Now!
You are in the laundry
You are in the laundry
you came to the conclusion
You are in the laundry
You are in the laundry
You have come to an end…
And if you fool yourself
He will be happy!
He will keep you in the bank
Then you’ll think you’re happy…
He’ll make holes so you can breathe
Then you will be happy…
You’re rolling in shit
Then you’ll think you’re happy… Now!
You are in the laundry
You are in the laundry
You are in the laundry
You have come to an end…
