Spinner

Nirvana, 'About a Girl' -- Exclusive Download

In December 1988, Jack Endino was deep into recording Nirvana's debut album, 'Bleach,' when Kurt Cobain presented a song he'd written for the record that he was unsure about. That track -- the gentle, bittersweet 'About a Girl,' -- wasn't as heavy and punk-inspired as the rest of the record. Instead, the wistful, melodic song contrasted sharply with angst-heavy cuts like 'Negative Creep.'

"At the time, when it came to recording 'About a Girl,' he was very apologetic," Endino tells Spinner. "He was like, 'I don't know if anyone's going to like this little pop song.' He was uneasy, because this was Seattle in 1988. Everyone was starting to get a little self-conscious thinking, 'Oh, we're supposed to make these heavy rock records.'"

'Bleach,' which will be reissued by Sub Pop on Nov. 3 in a special expanded 20th anniversary edition, was released in June 1989. It became an underground hit, carving out an audience and preparing the groundwork for the unprecedented success of 'Nevermind' a few years later. However, if Nirvana had been better known when 'Bleach' was released, Endino thinks that the gorgeous 'About a Girl' had the potential to be a huge hit, just like 'Smells Like Teen Spirit.'

"If Sub Pop had been able to have a hit at that time, it probably would have been 'About a Girl,' Endino says of the nascent label's promotional capabilities in the 1980s. "But they were still pretty small then."

Perhaps that worked out in their favor. Having the only pretty pop song on an amped-up rock record would have created the wrong impression. "Anyone buying the album on the strength of 'About a Girl' would have thought... 'What the?" Endino interrupts with a chuckle. "Yes, it's probably just as well."

Download: 'About a Girl' (MP3)

[Get Winamp] [Download Help]

All the AOL Music info you want to know

50 Cent, Street King: Rapper Visits…

The Boombox

AP Photo/World Food Programme, Rose Ogola NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - Rapper 50 Cent…

Grammy Acceptance Speeches: Watch 30…

AOL Music Blog

FilmMagic, Getty, WireImage It's been a busy week for God. Besides helping…

Earl Sweatshirt Returns, Releases New…

The Boombox

YouTube.com Ironically, Earl Sweatshirt was one of the most visible members…

See all AOL Music »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

8 Comments

Filter by:
wokyohsuck

nirvana suck!

July 03 2010 at 5:30 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
charles

nirvana forever...i love you all!!

February 03 2010 at 10:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
azhar

i can't download.

December 31 2009 at 11:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
shan

i love nirvana, i am 27, and "grew up" with Nirvana.... the loss of Kurt was big, and to this day i wonder what it would be like if HE were still here.... and yes, i am one of the ppl that believe courtney had something to do with his death.... sucks, cause i loved Hole as well... RIP Kurt, you will me missed forever!

November 05 2009 at 2:29 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TAEL

Rest In Peace, Kurt! We Love You!

October 22 2009 at 7:12 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
susan smoaks

love it!

October 22 2009 at 6:18 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sikandra

*.*

October 22 2009 at 4:19 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
antonio

thanks!

October 22 2009 at 3:50 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply