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Stay Away

Status
Nirvana Song


Song Author
Kurt Cobain


Writing Period
1990


Recording Session(s)
May to June 1991 - Sound City, Van Nuys CA {prod by Butch Vig}


Notes
An early version, named "Pay To Play", was recorded with three different drummers: Chad Channing, Dale Crover and Dave Grohl.
The guitar riff from the song was apparently used on one of the songs on the Fecal Matter-demo.

Available on the DGC Rarities Volume 1 compilation as "Pay To Play."

The early title "Pay to Play" is a reference to a concept from the mid 80's where rockclubs, instead of paying the band, sold a stack of tickets to them which they then had to sell.
This is also pointed out in Heavier Than Heaven:

"Pay To Play mocked the practice of clubs charging bands to play".
author name
Heavier Than Heaven, page 149




DN Member bambi adds:

""Pay to Play already says "I get so little money for a performance, it is as if I have to pay".
The line "move an inch, take a mile" could mean something like that people always take, and never bother about others.
"Never Faded, never Smiled" - I was never famous (because you didn't let me?).
"Never mind, eat and run" - just play as quick as possible and then get paid, so I can finally eat and then I will have to Run" for a next performance, because I'm already out of money.
"Fuck your ass for the fun" - I could easily ask money for it, since noone does nothing for nothing."


 
Availability


Alternate/Working Titles
Pay To Play


Common Mislabels
None Documented


Mislabels in the Bootography
Aneurysm
D7. Version
Downer (Take2)
Star Away


Lyrics
Stay away - Nevermind version

Monkey see, monkey do
I don't know why I
Rather be deal than cool
I don't know why I
Every line ends in rhyme
I don't know why I
Less is more, love is blind
I don't know why I

Stay
Stay away (x3)

Give an inch, take a smile
I don't know why I
Fashion shits, fashion style
I don't know why I
Throw it out and keep it in
I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin
I don't know why I

Stay
Stay away (x3)

I don't know why I
I don't know why I

Stay
Stay away (x3)

Monkey See, monkey do
I don't know why I
Rather be deal than cool
I don't know why I
Every line ends in rhyme
I don't know why I
Less is more, love is blind
I don't know why I

Stay
Stay away (x3)

I don't know why I
I don't know why I

Stay
Stay away (x3)

Stay away (x5)
God is gay




Pay to Play - 04/???90 - Smart Studios

Monkey see monkey do
I don't know why I
Walk around follow you
I don't know why I
Pull it out keep it in
I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

Move an inch take a mile
I don't know why I
Never faded never smiled
I don't know why I
Never mind eat and run
I don't know why I
Fuck your ass for the fun
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

I don't know why I
I don't know why I
Pay
Pay to play (x3)

Monkey see monkey do
I don't know why I
Walk around follow you
I don't know why I
Pull it out keep it in
I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

I don't know why I
I don't know why I
Pay
Pay to play (x4)

Pay to play (x8)

Heeeeyyyyyy, aarrrggggg




Pay to Play - 05/13/90 - Lincoln, NE

Monkey see monkey do, I don't know why I
Walk around follow you, I don't know why I
Pick it out keep it in, I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin, I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

Monkey see monkey do, I don't know why I
Walk around follow you, I don't know why I
Pick it out keep it in, I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin, I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

I don't know why I (x2)
Pay
Pay to play (x3)

Pick it out keep it in, I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin, I don't know why I
Pick it out keep it in, I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin, I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play (x3)

I don't know why I (x2)
Pay
Pay to play (x3)

Pay to play (x6)






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