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're in a laundry room
And if you cut yourself
You're in a laundry room
*Solo*
You're in a laundry room
And if you fool yourself
You're in a laundry room
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
The clue that came to you, oh
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
The clue that came to you, oh
You're in a laundry room
The clue that came to you, oh
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
The clue that came to you, oh
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.
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
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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 (???)
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:
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.
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
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