A SPECIAL ON

Verse Chorus Verse


Verse Chorus Verse is one of Kurt's best songs in many peoples' opinion. The lyrics are about being stuck in a marriage (or a relation) where you think you have it better than you actually have. It's written from third-person view, and is directed to the woman.

My interpretation may not be correct. You might have an other opinion, and I don't say that you HAVE to think that the lyrics relate to this topic. Judge for yourself, here are the lyrics to the official version of Verse Chorus Verse:

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
The clue that came to you, oh

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
The clue that came to you, oh

*Solo*

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clue that came to you, oh

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 his 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
The clue that came to you, oh

Live versions may have alternate lyrics, as can early studio versions. These are the lyrics for the Verse Chorus Verse on the No Alternative Compilation.

Another very debated and unsure thing about this song is the true name. I've collected all the different names I've found and given them explanations.

Another Rule

This is a mislabel from the bootleg disc "Out of the Blue", containing the 11/22/89 show.

Everything and Nothing

A very usual mislabel from many compilation bootlegs.

Final Flight

This is a mislabel of either Polly or Verse Chorus Verse.

The Grasshopper

Nothing but a bootlegger's invention.

Happy

Why VCV (from now on I'll shorten Verse Chorus Verse to VCV) is mislabelled as Happy is understandable. Kurt sings "happy" in the chorus, and that is the most "hearable" lyric.

Happy Again

This is a bootlegger name for VCV, or a variation of Happy.

Happy Hour

This is a mislabel of If You Must or VCV.

Happy Tour

Mislabel on the "In Extremis" bootleg.

Maiden's Circle

This is a name for VCV and Misery Loves Company together.

Mistero

Mislabel on the bootleg cd The Concert In Milan 2/25/94. Probably mislabelled because the bootlegger didn't know the true name of VCV.

Make him happy

Another lyric-based mislabel.

Make you happy

Variation of the previous, this mislabel is on the bootleg The Back Catalouge.

The Rocker

Bootlegger-created name.

Sad

This is actually a song for itself, but it's very similar to VCV. It was recorded during the 87/88 Barnyard Sessions, on a 4-track. It's slower than VCV and has gothic lyrics, but the song structure and lyrics are very alike. This version can be found on Outcesticide 1.

Sappy

The most popular alt-name. This is just a matter of opinion. Some people say that earlier versions of VCV are this song, and some people say that VCV and Sappy are two different songs. That thougt could be strengthend by the fact that two different songs, VCV and Sappy, were recorded with guide/scratch vocals during the Nevermind sessions. Butch Vig mentions that they did have some songs from the Nevermind sessions that Kurt didn't think were fit for release. Also, a reliable source says that Sappy became Verse Chorus Verse on the No Alternative cd, and that the "real" VCV has never been heard. Check out The Happening's "Nirvana's Geatest Mysteries" for more info on this.

Seed

There's some confusion about this name, so - let me straighten this out for you. Seed is an alternative name for Misery Loves Company, and Sad is the name of the gothic version of VCV, recorded at the same session.

Verse-Chorus-Verse

Just an alternative spelling. Could also be Verse, Chorus, Verse.

VCV

Shortening for Verse Chorus Verse.


The song structure and chord progression may be a little different among the different versions, but in general they don't differ that much.
VCV was performed, as we know, 16 times live. It was probably more, but we have it recorded at 16 shows as I'm writing this. These are the shows where VCV (or Sappy) was performed:

11/20/89 Linz, Austria      Kapu Club
11/22/89 Vienna, Austria    U4 Club
11/26/89 Mezzago, Italy     The Bloom
12/02/89 Ghent, Belgium     Democrazy
12/03/89 London, England    Astoria
01/06/90 Seattle, WA        HUB Ballroom East
02/09/90 Portland, OR       Pine Street Theatre
02/12/90 Sacramento, CA     Cattle Club
02/14/90 San Fransisco, CA  Kennel Club
02/16/90 Long Beach, CA     Bogart's
03/12/90 Vancouver, Canada  Town Pump
05/02/90 Charlottesville,NC Milestone 
11/25/90 Seattle, WA        Off Ramp Café
--------
02/06/94 Cascais, Portugal  Pavilhao Dramatico
02/16/94 Rennes, France     Salles Omnisport
02/25/94 Milan, Italy       Palatrussardi
03/01/94 Münich, Germany?   Terminal Einz (???)

It may have been played at the 03/01/94 show. We'll see about that when the complete recording surfaces. The thing I wonder is why there's a huge gap between 11/25/90 and 02/06/94. Wasn't it played at all between those dates? I mean, the song was recorded at almost every studio session. These are the studio sessions we know of where VCV was recorded:

4-track "Barnyard" Sessions, January 1988 as Sad, with gothic vocals. This version is available on Outcesticide 1.

Reciprocal Studios, Seattle, WA January 2-3 1990, produced by Jack Endino. Don't know if this version is available. Here's what Jack Endino sayd about this sessions:

"Shortly before Chad left the band we recorded a version of "Sappy" that pretty much sucked and is still in a Sub Pop vault somewhere. I don't think this version has been bootlegged. I think it was later called "Verse Chorus Verse", and several other versions exist. Nothing else was recorded or attempted at that session."

Smart Studios, Madison, WI 'Nevermind Demos' in April 1990, produced by Butch Vig. This version sounds a bit unrehersed, and has some alternative lyrics. Can be found on Grunge is dead.

Sound City Studios, Los Angeles, CA May-June 1991 Nevermind Sessions, produced by Butch Vig. Both Sappy AND VCV was recorded at this sessions, as mentioned, with scratch vocals. None of these are available, but are most likely appearing on the new album, whenever it will be released.

Pachyderm Studios, Minnesota, MN, March 1993 In Utero sessions, produced by Steve Albini. This is the version available on the No Alternative aids benefit cd, and on many bootleg compilations. I'm not sure it's the correct info, because I've also heard that this version was recorded at Laundry Room Studios in the summer of '93. Which one is correct? I've also heard another thing, that it was recorded during the In Utero "clean-ups" in the spring of 1993, where Heart-Shaped Box, Pennyroyal Tea and All Apologies were re-mixed by Scott Litt. I would choose to say that 3/93 Pachyderm Studios is correct, because that's what I've heard at most times.

Rob Holmes' Rare Songs FAQ, located at The Happening is a great source of information when it comes to rare songs. This is what it says about Sad, Sappy and VCV in the RS FAQ:

Sad -- Song title that appears on an early setlist for Nirvana in Come As You Are, labeled as "mellow 4-track shit". This song is, in fact, a slower, mellower version of "Verse Chorus Verse". Very gothic type vocals. Recorded 1/89 with "Cracker" and "Seed"

Sappy -- Another version of "Verse Chorus Verse", this was recorded in 1990, and sounded a lot wimpier than "VCV". Still very cool, though. Studio: 4/90 Music Source Studios with Butch Vig

Verse Chorus Verse -- One of the greatest Nirvana songs. This was recorded at almost every studio session. Early versions are listed as "Sappy". Recorded during the In Utero Clean-up Sessions. Greatest Kurt guitar solo in my opinion. Studio: Virtually everyone, plus an early 1991 with Dave

I hope this information clears at least some of the confusion surrounding this song. If you have any corrections, comments or further suggestions they're always welcome!


Thanks to...

The Happening for lots of info.
John Loughney's Recording Sessions Guide for session info and song names.
The Internet Nirvana Fan Club for some alt-names.
Invasion of our piracy for more song names and show info.

© One baby to another said...A Nirvana Page 1998

One baby to another said...