Dive into the murky depths of Nirvana's iconic "Come As You Are" video, a visual companion to one of grunge's most enduring anthems.
The Song
"Come As You Are" is the third track and second single from Nirvana's seminal second studio album, Nevermind, released on September 24, 1991. Written by frontman Kurt Cobain, the song was recorded in May 1991 at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, with producer Butch Vig. Its distinctive, somewhat melancholic guitar riff and dynamic shifts between quiet verses and loud choruses became a hallmark of the band's sound.
The lyrics of "Come As You Are" are often described as intentionally contradictory and confusing, a reflection of Cobain's perspective on societal expectations. Lines like "As a friend, as an old enemy" and "Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, don't be late" highlight this internal conflict. There was initial debate within the band and management about releasing "Come As You Are" as a single due to its striking similarity to the 1984 song "Eighties" by the English post-punk band Killing Joke.
The Artist
Nirvana, formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987, comprised Kurt Cobain (vocals, guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and Dave Grohl (drums), who joined in 1990. They rose to global fame with the unexpected success of Nevermind, which dramatically propelled grunge and alternative rock into the mainstream.
Nirvana's raw energy, introspective lyrics, and Cobain's "voice of his generation" persona resonated deeply with a new audience, challenging the prevailing hair metal scene of the late 1980s. Their impact was profound, with Nevermind selling over 30 million copies worldwide and influencing countless bands.
Chart Performance
Released as a single on February 18, 1992, "Come As You Are" became Nirvana's second and final American Top 40 hit, peaking at number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying on the chart for 18 weeks. It also reached number three on the Billboard Mainstream and Modern Rock Tracks charts.
Internationally, the song was also highly successful. It broke into the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart, reaching number nine, and made the top 10 in nine countries and the top 40 in ten additional countries. The single's success helped maintain the momentum generated by "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and solidified Nevermind's chart dominance.
Cultural Impact
The music video for "Come As You Are," directed by Kevin Kerslake, played a significant role in cementing Nirvana's visual identity on MTV. Its surreal and often unsettling imagery, combined with the band's raw performance, captured the enigmatic and introspective mood of the song and the grunge era.
The phrase "Come As You Are" itself has transcended the song, becoming an anthem of acceptance and individuality. In Kurt Cobain's hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, a sign was erected in 2005 that reads "Welcome to Aberdeen: Come As You Are," commemorating his legacy. The song's ambiguous lyrics have led to various interpretations, including themes of addiction and societal pressures, further fueling its mystique.
Fun Facts
- The music video was filmed in January 1992 by director Kevin Kerslake, who also directed Nirvana's videos for "Lithium," "In Bloom," and "Sliver."
- Kurt Cobain suggested the idea of falling water in front of the band, which distorts and blurs their forms in the video. He reportedly felt uncomfortable seeing himself on magazine covers at the time, and the blurring techniques were used to obscure his image.
- The video features several symbolic images, including cells dividing, a dog wearing a cone collar, a baby swimming underwater (a direct reference to the Nevermind album cover), and a floating handgun.
- The accidental lyric "And I don't have a gun" sung prematurely by Cobain during harmony overdubs was intentionally kept in the final recording, a detail that took on dark significance after his death.
- Butch Vig, the song's producer, noted that Cobain used the same effects pedal for "Come As You Are" as he did for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to achieve the "trippy, psychedelic, watery effect" on his guitar.
- In 2005, Kurt Cobain's hometown of Aberdeen, Washington, erected a "Welcome to Aberdeen: Come As You Are" sign as a tribute.