B-side "Dive" Recorded April–July 1990 Length 2:16 | Format 7-inch single Genre Grunge | |
Released September 1990 (1990-09) | ||
"Sliver" is a song by American rock band Nirvana. It was originally released as a non-album single in 1990 by Sub Pop. DGC re-released the song to radio to support the release of the rarities compilation album Incesticide in 1992.
Contents
Recording and composition
Nirvana member Kurt Cobain wrote the music to "Sliver" with Krist Novoselic and temporary drummer Dan Peters during a practice session. Jonathan Poneman of Sub Pop had requested that Nirvana release another single. While the band selected the previously recorded "Dive" as the b-side, Cobain wanted to take advantage of a studio break by the group TAD in July 1990 to record the a-side. TAD frontman Tad Doyle disliked the idea, but producer Jack Endino talked him into it. During a one-hour period, Nirvana recorded the basic tracks for "Sliver" using TAD's equipment. Cobain completed writing the song's lyrics just before it was recorded.
Release and reception
Nirvana biographer Everett True wrote a favorable review for Melody Maker—"Sure, the vocals are lazily throat splitting, the guitars belligerently grungy, the bass up and out of place . . . but check the melodies, damn fools, check the melodies. The only reason this isn't 'Single Of The Week' is because three even mightier singles were released this week."
The "Sliver" single was first released on 7-inch vinyl in the US in 1990 by the Sub Pop record label. It was released on CD single, 7-inch vinyl and 12-inch vinyl in the UK in 1991 on the Tupelo record label and charted at number 90 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was released to radio in late 1992 to promote the release of the compilation album Incesticide and charted at number 19 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart in early 1993. The "Sliver" single re-charted in December 1992 at number 77 on the UK Singles Chart at the time of its inclusion on Incesticide. "Sliver" also charted in Ireland shortly after the success of the Nevermind album in January 1992.
Music video
A music video was made for "Sliver" as promotion for Incesticide in March 1993. Directed by Kevin Kerslake, the video starts with Kurt Cobain's daughter Frances Bean Cobain (who was an infant at the time) dancing to the opening bassline and the band in a small, cramped, junk room playing their instruments. Kurt sings to the camera and his movements change with the music, with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl (though not having played drums during the recording session) in the background of the room. In between shots there are scenes of the baby and a Chim-Chim toy which had been given to Kurt by Shonen Knife as a present.
Track listing
- "Sliver"
- "Dive" (Cobain, Novoselic)
- "About a Girl" (live February 9, 1990 at the Pine Street Theatre, Portland, OR) [on CD and 12" vinyl versions only]
- "Spank Thru" (live February 9, 1990 at the Pine Street Theatre, Portland, OR) [on CD versions only]