Nirvana - The Lyrics [Hardcover]

Nirvana (Author)

Book Description

Series: Lyrics | Publication Date: August 1, 2004

The effect that Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl have had upon contemporary music is immeasurable. They brought "alternative" to the masses in a way that no other punk or metal band had before or has since. By combining their varied influences, they created a distinct voice that hit the right chord with the music world at that time. Their undisputed reign as the purveyors of a bold new generation of music came to an abrupt and tragic end when Cobain took his own life in April of 1994. The legacy left behind is recorded in this insightful book of the words that shook the music world. It presents the lyrics with little interference or interpretation so that they can speak for themselves. In the quiet absence of the music, the lyrics - for 67 songs, including all of their commercial releases, plus all B sides and selected rare cuts - take on a life of their own. The range of emotions and ideas distilled in this one concentrated volume is huge. This poetic approach to the band whose work had such an impact, both then and now, will give fans and readers something new that they can take back to the listening experience of their favorite Nirvana songs. "This was the sound of psychic damage, and an entire generation recognized it." - Jeff Giles, Newsweek "Nirvana doesn't bash you over the head with lyrics, anyway. They imply, they suggest, leave it open to interpretation." - Daina Darzin, Village Voice

Product Details

• Hardcover: 104 pages
• Publisher: Hal Leonard (August 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0634068024
• ISBN-13: 978-0634068027
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,045,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Not Buy This Book, for any reason, November 30, 2004

By 

Anthony J. Perna "resident of the seventh lev... (Culture-Free Land of Hopeless Druggie Hicks, PA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nirvana - The Lyrics (Hardcover)

these are not officially sanctioned lyrics; i'm not even sure how this book is legal- it gives no copyright credits to cobain at all. anyway- the lyrics are just fan trascriptions (excepting "nevermind" and "in utero" where the lyrics were given with the album, but you should have those lyrics right?). Many of the lyrics are OBVIOUSLY wrong, and the list of songs is woefully incomplete for the jacket's claim of featuring all of the band's obscure b-sides (more like three or four b-sides).

anyway, go to any nirvana fan site for free lyric transcriptions that are just as or more accurate than these, and boycott this shady publisher.

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly a MUST HAVE book for the Nirvana fan!, June 25, 2010

By 

Rockerdrew - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Nirvana - The Lyrics (Hardcover)

Think you know the words to ever NIRVANA tune? Think again! I found this small hardcover book simply a MUST HAVE item to truly know the lyrics to every NIRVANA track out there. With Kurt Cobain's imagination and knack for using strange, and exotic lyrics, and phrases in his songs, this tiny tomb is truly a valuable commodity. Rather than rattle on and on, I'll make this very simple: If you are a true NIRVANA fan, then BUY THIS BOOK! 5 stars all the way. Peace, Rockerdrew

4.0 out of 5 stars Good collection, April 15, 2005

By 

Peef (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Nirvana - The Lyrics (Hardcover)

No where does the book claim to be the complete collection of Nirvana lyrics. It clearly states on the jacket that the book includes "a selection of B-side singles and a handful of rare tracks to round out the collection."
Most importantly, the lyrics are what they are. Words put together to make a picture. What that picture says to you, may be different than what was originally intended.
A genius is no longer among us, and this book is a simple reminder of what once was is no more.