Paper Cuts

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

""Paper Cuts""

Song by Nirvana
from the album Bleach
Released	June 15, 1989
Recorded	1988-89 at Reciprocal Recordings in Seattle, Washington
Genre	Grunge
Length	4:05
Label	Sub Pop
Producer(s)	Jack Endino

"Paper Cuts" is a song by the grunge band, Nirvana. It is the sixth song on their 1989 album Bleach. The song was written by Kurt Cobain (credited as Kurdt Kobain). The song was first recorded as a demo on January 23 1988, with Dale Crover of The Melvins on drums, and produced by Jack Endino for only $152.44. During the sessions for Bleach, takes of "Floyd the Barber" with Chad Channing on drums couldn't match the Crover versions, so the Crover demo was remixed and added to the album. The Melvins' influence on Nirvana is especially evident in "Paper Cuts".

A home video exists of the band with Dale Crover at the drums playing at least this song and "If You Must" at a Radio Shack. Filmed by a friend, lights are flickered and cigarette smoke is blown in effort to create special effects. According to Charles Cross this video was Kurt's attempt to be considered a serious rock star but gave up on seeing how amateur it was. The friend gave the tape to Courtney Love in front of a news crew a few weeks after Kurt Cobain had died.

The song is partially based on the true story of a family in Aberdeen (Kurt's hometown) that kept their children locked in a windowless room, only opening the door to give them food. Kurt Cobain actually knew one of the kids. The song also describes Kurt's alienation from his mother.