Nirvana released Nevermind in 1991, and shot to super stardom. Arguably, this had tragic results, but the album, however much Cobain wanted to turn his back on all his new pop fans and the shallow fame, remains one of history’s most significant albums.
The album has nowhere near the same grungy intensity as its predecessor, but despite the pop rock feeling and catchy melodies, there’s still a fair amount of darkness and grit.
“Drain You” is very much in that vein, leaping straight into full flow with a catchy hook, and some distorted yet unthreatening guitar. It’s a love song too.
But the lyrics are just not classic love material. Bearing in mind that this is one of the tamer songs on an album that was very tame by Nirvana’s earlier standards (and probably their later ones too…), it’s got gems like:
“It is now my duty to completely drain you
I travel through a tube and end up in your infection”
Awwwhhh!
Taken at face value, it is a fun song, and has some excellent drumming by Dave Grohl too.
The song was originally concieved at a jam session with The Melvin’s drummer, Dale Crover, and became more fleshed out over time.
Awesome as ever!