Sep 24, 2021

Smells Like Magik



Flea and Kurt Cobain
Thirty years ago, two of the most iconic records of the 90's and of rock music in general were introduced to the world.  Nevermind and Blood Sugar Sex Magik were both released on September 24th, 1991.  They launched Nirvana and the Red Hot Chili Peppers into superstardom (photo by: Kevin Mazur / London Features).

I've listened to both of these albums so many times as a teenager that I can sing every word of every song, so this could easily turn into a 10,000 word essay of memories and connections that these songs have had to events in my life, but I have a late night of movies at the drive-in, so I'll keep it brief.



Nevermind was Nirvana's first album on a major label and their second album overall after their 1989 Sub Pop debut record, Bleach.  It went on to achieve over 16 million certified album sales with an estimated 30 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the top 50 highest selling albums of all time.  My favorite tracks are Lithium, Drain You and Something In The Way, but the album is best known for its opening track which was repeatedly called the anthem of Generation X by the media, Smells Like Teen Spirit.  It's a damn good song, but frankly, I never bought into it as an anthem of anything, and I don't think Kurt Cobain did either.



I'm so happy 'cause today I found my friends
They're in my head
I'm so ugly, that's okay, 'cause so are you
Broke our mirrors

Sunday morning is everyday, for all I care
And I'm not scared
Light my candles in a daze
'Cause I've found God

I'm so lonely, that's okay, I shaved my head
And I'm not sad
And just maybe I'm to blame for all I've heard
But I'm not sure

I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there
And I don't care
I'm so horny, that's okay
My will is good

I like it, I'm not gonna crack
I miss you, I'm not gonna crack
I love you, I'm not gonna crack
I killed you, I'm not gonna crack

______________________________________


Blood Sugar Sex Magik was every bit as important and influential of an album.  It brought the Red Hot Chili Peppers into the mainstream and it features three of my favorite songs from any band of any era: I Could Have Lied, Breaking The Girl and the band's biggest hit, Under The Bridge.  The latter is my favorite song to sing when I'm in the car by myself where no one else can hear me, but Breaking The Girl is the one that haunts me.



Breaking The Girl
I am a man
Cut from the know
Rarely do friends
Come and then go

She was a girl
Soft but estranged
We were the two
Our lives rearranged

Feeling so good that day
A feeling of love that day

Twisting and turning
Your feelings are burning
You're breaking the girl
She meant you no harm

Think you're so clever
But now you must sever
You're breaking the girl
He loves no one else

Raised by my dad
Girl of the day
He was my man
That was the way

She was the girl
Left alone
Feeling the need
To make me her home

I don't know what, when or why
The twilight of love had arrived

Twisting and turning
Your feelings are burning
You're breaking the girl
She meant you no harm

Think you're so clever
But now you must sever
You're breaking the girl
He loves no one else

Twisting and turning
Your feelings are burning
You're breaking the girl
She meant you no harm

Think you're so clever
But now you must sever
You're breaking the girl
He loves no one else