Report an error / Discuss
 
Verse Chorus Verse

Status
Nirvana Song


Song Author
Kurt Cobain


Writing Period


Recording Session(s)
March 1991 - Boom box / 4-track demos


Notes
Out of all of the Nirvana song titles, "Verse Chorus Verse" and "Sappy" are perhaps the most confusing to fans. And with good reason; it is now believed (and accepted) that Kurt Cobain switched song titles in 1993 and the song found on the No Alternative compilation, which had previously been known as "Sappy," became known as "Verse Chorus Verse" in the media, despite the fact that Nirvana's song on the album was unlisted. It seems that Kurt changed the song title and used another which was not being used at the time.

So what is "Verse Chorus Verse"? Well, besides being the perfect description for the style of numerous songs penned by Cobain, it was a title he (apparently) originally assigned to the song best known on bootlegs as "In His Hands" or "In His Room." This song was performed live or during soundcheck in the '90-'91 era and the title was written down during the Nevermind sessions, indicating that a studio version was likely recorded or attempted.

A setlist dated 1991.04.17 includes the title "Verse Chorus Verse," further proving that bootleg titles are about as valuable as (insert your own joke here). The Nirvana Live Guide has additional info about this setlist.

In an early draft of "Verse Chorus Verse," found in Journals (page 143), Cobain's lyrics included the line "at the end of rainbows and of your rope," which is best known from Nevermind's liners.


Although some people believe "Without A Shape" is a working title for "Verse Chorus Verse," it is not. The origin of "Without A Shape" can be traced to comments made by Cobain during the 1991.04.17 show and an online joke.


(Thanks to DN member Tiny Cheese and LN member Lori for their input.)


 
Availability


Alternate/Working Titles
None Documented


Common Mislabels
VCV
In His Room
Utopia In Hell
Utopia In Defeat
Without A Shape


Mislabels in the Bootography
Aneurysm
In His Hands
Token Eastern Song


Lyrics
From Kurt Cobain's Journals (page 143, transcribed by DN member BleachedBlack)

Lucky black sheep blackmailed Ill see you in court I got so high I scratched til I bled At the end of rainbows and of your rope I was drawn into the magnet tar pit
Grass is greener over here leads to burning bridges clear Reinventing what we knew I can’t wait until I sued
Your the reason I feel pain it feels so good to feel again
Saline on the ocean in a tank of fumes wheres my stamp collection? Im becoming bored have another baby its not filled up yet Ive lost all my contacts and lack or iron I saw Jesus face in wood panelling


From Kurt Cobain's Journals (page 144, transcribed by DN member BleachedBlack)

Neither side is sacred – no one wants to win – feeling so sedated think Ill just give in – taking medication till my stomach’s full – Im a moody baby
Grass is greener – over here – Youre I
Reinventing what we knew I cant wait until im sued.



From Kurt Cobain's Journals

Neither side is sacred
No one wants to win
Feeling so sedated
Think I'll just give in
Takin medication till our stomach's full
Wouldn't wanna fake it if I had a soul

The grass is greener over here
You're the fog that keeps me clear
You're the reason I feel pain
Feels so good to feel again
Have to wonder why I'm green
I have to puke ya out of me

Maybe when I'm younger I'll refuse to grow
Injecting nutrition progress moves too slow
Maybe when i'm older I'll hold my stomach in
Maybe when I'm ready we could try again



1990.08.17 - Hollywood, CA (Interpretation 1)

Givin' conversations in a lottery
Wouldn't wanna fake it and I'm tired you see
Takin' medications in a laundry room
Keepin' conversations in a time in June

See the sunbeams in his hands
Keep it comin' we don't care
Free the silence in his room
Keep it comin' you would too
Informers heading this way
Keep it comin' I don't care
Wouldn't wanna fake it and I don't mind
Keeping conversations to a minimum
Givin' medications in a lighted room
Wouldn't wanna fake it and I know I should

See the sunbeams in his hands
Keep it comin' I don't care
Keep a promise it is you
Keep a promise wouldn't you
See the silence in his hand
Keep it comin' I don't care

You don't like it and I don't mind
Wouldn't wanna fake it and I have much time
Keeping conversations to a minimum
Takin' medications 'til my stomach's full

See the silence in his hand
Keep it comin' I don't care
See the yearning in his hands
Keep it comin' I don't care
See the sun beat in her hair
Keep it comin' we don't care



1990.08.17 - Hollywood, CA (Interpretation 2)

Driven conversations, even I can read
Wouldn't want to fake it, and I'm tired of this dream
Taking medications, in the back of the room
Driven conversations, he died in June.

See the stab wounds in his hands
See him dying in his room
He's dying in his room
He's dying in his room
Heading for me, heading this way
He is coming, I don't care

Wouldn't want to fake it, well I don't mind
Giving conversations to a friend of mine
Giving medications, in a lighted room
Wouldn't want to fake it, I know I should

See the stab wounds in his hands
You killed him, I don't care
Keep a promise, you would too
Keep a promise, you would too
See the silence in his head
He is coming, I don't care

We're not gonna make it, well I don't mind
Wouldn't want to fake it, but I have this time
Giving conversations, to whom they don't know
Taking medications till my stomach's full.

See a famine in his head
See him coming at their heels
He loves you, give him a chance
I don't love him, I don't care
See him starving, give her hell
It is over, we don't care In His Room



1990.11.25 - Seattle, WA

Wouldn't wanna fake it even if I try
Feelin' so sedated even if I'm high
Takin' medications 'til my stomach's full
Wouldn't wanna fake it burnin' in my hole

See the sunbeams in his hands
See him comin' I'm not scared
See the latter nothin' new
Keep it comin' wouldn't you
Grass is greener over here
Nothin' to tell you I don't care

Wouldn't wanna fake it if I have much time
Feelin' so sedated even when I'm high
Takin' medications 'til my stomach's full
Wouldn't wanna fake it drownin' in my hole

See the sunbeams in his hands
[Audience member: Slam dancers and what's with the P.A.?]
See the latter nothin' new
Keep it comin' wouldn't you
Grass is greener over here
Nothin' to tell you I don't care

Wouldn't wanna fake it even if I try
Feelin' so sedated runnin' and I hide
Takin' medications 'til my stomach's full
Wouldn't wanna fake it goin' in my hole

See the sunbeams in his hand
Keep it comin' I don't care
He is dyin' why aren't you
See the sunbeam it is you
Grass is greener over here
Nothin' to tell you I don't care



Alternative Interpretation

He is gonna chase you in and out of a dream
You're not gonna thank him and I'm tired of this dream
Take him on occasion in the back of the room
If they don't show any affection he'll died in June

See the stab wounds in his hands
See him dying in his room
He's dying in his room
He's dying in his room
Heading for me, heading this way
He is coming, I don't care

I don't want to thank you, well I don't mind
Gave his only pleasures to a friend of mine
He's not gonna catch you in a lighted room
You don't thank him I know I should

See the stab wounds in his hands
You killed him, I don't care Keep a promise, you would too
Keep a promise, you would too
See the silence in his head
He is coming, I don't care

We're not gonna make it, well I don't mind
They don't want to thank him, they don't have any time
In a conversation whom they don't know
They don't have any patience, they're becoming slow

See a famine in his head
See him coming at their heels
He loves you, give him a chance
I don't love him, I don't care
See him starving, give her hell
It is over, we don't care In His Room






Top of Page



DN Quick Links: Discography | Bootography | Happening | Session Guide | Song Guide | Video Guide | Forums