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Why did Kurt name the song Lithium?

Author

Noah Mitchell

Published Jan 16, 2026

It was released as the third single from Nevermind in the UK on 13 July 1992, over nine months after the album had appeared in shops. The title - which doesn't appear in the actual lyric - refers to the drug that's mainly prescribed to treat bi-polar disorder.

Did Kurt Cobain write Lithium?

“Lithium” written by Kurt Cobain

“Lithium” is known as one of the individual explosions found on the collective Big Bang of grunge that was Nirvana's Nevermind album, released in 1991.

Is Lithium by Nirvana about drugs?

The song 'Lithium' never actually mentions drugs in any concrete or overt words, but the theme exists none the less – especially in the title. The story of this song is one of a man who has lost a lover in his life and has turned to religion to find a peace in the loss.

What is Kurt's favorite Nirvana song?

'Drain You'

Kurt frequently stated it was one of his favorite Nirvana songs, and they played it at basically every show in their final three years. "I think there are so many other songs that I've written that are as good [as 'Smells Like Teen Spirit']," Cobain told Rolling Stone in 1993.

Did Nirvana have bipolar?

Kurt Cobain

The Nirvana front man and cultural icon was diagnosed with ADD at a young age and later with bipolar disorder. Kurt Cobain also struggled with substance abuse and developed a heroin addiction in the years leading up to his death.

39 related questions found

What was Kurt Cobain's religion?

While living with the born-again Christian family of his friend Jesse Reed, Cobain became a devout Christian and regularly attended church services. He later renounced Christianity, engaging in what was described as "anti-God" rants. The song "Lithium" is about his experience while living with the Reed family.

What type of depression did Kurt Cobain have?

Kurt Cobain

The co-founder of Nirvana had attention deficit disorder as a child, then bipolar disorder later. He didn't pursue treatment.

What is Nirvana's most underrated song?

Underrated Nirvana: The Most Overlooked Song From Each Album

  • “Blew” From: Bleach (1989)
  • “Serve the Servants” From: In Utero (1993)
  • “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” From: MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)

What was Kurt Cobain's favorite guitar?

Arguably the greatest anti-hero in the history of electric guitar, Kurt Cobain (1967-1994) always liked Fender Jaguar and Mustang guitars, and it was his idea to fuse them into a single instrument, the Jag-Stang.

What were Kurt Cobain's favorite Beatles songs?

TiL that Kurt Cobain's favorite Beatles song and album were Norwegian Wood and Rubber Soul respectively!

How did the song Lithium by Nirvana give a depiction of bipolar disorder?

Cobain experienced the intense highs and extreme lows of bipolar disorder a.k.a. manic depression. His song “Lithium” describes bipolar to a T, down to the titular drug used to treat manic depression. It runs the gamut from happiness to indifference to sadness, sometimes within the same sentence.

What tuning is Lithium in?

First off, you will need to tune your guitar a whole step down from standard tuning in order to follow along with the video lesson and the original recording. The exact notes of the strings will be lowest pitch to highest, D G C F A D. The entire song is made up of 3 distinct riffs.

Did Kurt ever use a Jag-Stang?

Jag-Stang users

Kurt Cobain is the one who recommended the idea to Fender, picking up the "Jag-Stang." Kurt was the first to receive and play the guitar, which also featured a mimic of his favorite guitar neck. He used it on rare occasions.

What Stratocaster did Kurt Cobain use?

Cobain was no stranger to using this style of guitar, but this was his first time using a sunburst Stratocaster. He played two other guitars that night, a black Stratocaster and a 1965 Jaguar, but the sunburst received the most play during the memorable performance.

What kind of strings did Kurt Cobain use?

Cobain used Dean Markley strings, gauge . 010-. 052. The guitar picks he used the most frequently were Dunlop Tortex Standard .

What Vaseline songs did Nirvana cover?

With their songs "Son of a Gun" and "Molly's Lips" covered on Nirvana's album Incesticide and "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" covered on MTV Unplugged in New York, the band gained a new audience. At the 1991 Reading Festival, Kelly joined Nirvana on stage for a performance of "Molly's Lips".

Is Nirvana classic rock?

Early 90s rock music is now considered classic rock. As the label applies to rock music 25 years or older, anything up through the mid-90s is now considered classic rock, including bands such as Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, and Alice in Chains.

Who plays the cello on Nirvana Unplugged?

Lori Goldston is an American cellist and composer. Accomplished in a wide variety of styles, including classical, world music, rock and free improvisation, she came to prominence as the touring cellist for Nirvana from 1993–1994 and appears on their live album MTV Unplugged in New York.

Who is bipolar in Hollywood?

Singer Demi Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder when she entered rehab at age 22.

Why is Kurt Cobain important?

Kurt Cobain, in full Kurt Donald Cobain, (born February 20, 1967, Aberdeen, Washington, U.S.—died April 5, 1994, Seattle, Washington), American rock musician who rose to fame as the lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter for the seminal grunge band Nirvana.

Whats the meaning of Lithium?

Definition of lithium

1 : a chemical element of the alkali metal group that is the lightest metal known and that is used especially in alloys and glass, in mechanical lubricants, and in storage batteries — see Chemical Elements Table. 2 : a salt of lithium (such as lithium carbonate) used in psychiatric medicine.

How much did Kurt Cobain's guitar sell for?

In June 2020, the 1959 Martin D-18E acoustic-electric guitar Cobain played during Nirvana's “MTV Unplugged” performance in 1993 in New York sold for US$6 million at Julien's Auctions, making it the world's most expensive guitar sold at a public auction.

What tuning did Nirvana use?

E Standard, I'm pretty sure, although it might also be a half step down. try somewhere between stardard and a halfstep down. They were grunge musicians they were always a little out of tune.

What tuning is about a girl in?

"About a Girl" is composed in the key of E minor, while Kurt Cobain's vocal range spans one octave and six notes, from the low-note of B3 to the high-note of A4.