Status

Nirvana Song

Song Author

Kurt Cobain

Writing Period

1987

Recording Session(s)

April 14-15, 1990, Evergreen University, Evergreen WA

April 17, 1987 - Evergreen College, The Skid Row demo, KAOS Radio show

January 23, 1988 - Reciprocal Studios {prod by Jack Endino}

December 24, 29, 30, 31 1988 - Reciprocal Studios {prod by Jack Endino}

Notes

The lyrics of this song were inspired by a '60s television show called The Andy Griffith Show. Floyd, Barney, Opie and Aunt Bea were characters in the portrayal of a small, idyllic American town. Cobain used the show's innocent setting to tell a twisted story of going to the barber for a shave, only to end up being held captive, then tortured and murdered by the locals.

Oddly, when Cobain's body was found, the television was tuned to a station that aired syndicated re-runs of The Andy Griffith Show. It may have been one of the last images he saw.

Availability

Releases in the Bootography

Alternate/Working Titles

None Documented

Common Mislabels

Freud The Barber

Mislabels in the Bootography

Shy

Lyrics

Exact lyrics have been hotly debated over the years. "Bell on door clanks, come on in" and "I died smothered in Andy's butt," and whether Cobain always sang "shaved" or if he sometimes used "shamed," are the most often discussed lyrics. Because so many people have an opinion on what they hear, we have tried to keep it simple by posting a transcription by Chris Lawrence of official lyric sheets available at emplive.com, and sequenced to best reflect the vocals on the 1988.01.23 demo:


Bell on door clanks, come on in
Floyd observes my hairy chin
Sit down chair don't be afraid
Steamed hot towel on my face

I was shaved, I was shaved, I was shaved

Barney ties me to the chair
I can't see, I'm really scared
Floyd breathes hard, I hear a zip
Peepee pressed against my lips

I was shaved, I was shaved, I was shaved

I sense others in the room
Opie, Aunt Bea, I presume
They take turns and cut me up
I died smothered in Andy's butt

I was shaved, I was shaved, I was shaved



From Kurt Cobain's Journals (page 46, transcribed by DN member BleachedBlack)

Bell on door clanks, come on in
Floyd observes my hairy chin
Sit down chair don't be afraid
Steamed hot towel on my face

I was shaved, I was shaved, I was shaved

Barney ties me to the chair
I can't see I'm really scared
Floyd breathes hard I hear a zip
Pee pee pressed against my lips

I was shamed, I was shamed, I was shamed

I sense others in the room
Opie, Aunt Bea, I presume
They take turns in cut me up
I died smothered in Andy's butt