TOP NIRVANA TRIVIA & FUN FACTS

Nirvana’s “Lithium” is an iconic song that helped launch the grunge movement. It’s a favorite among Nirvana fans and music critics alike, but it also has some interesting facts that are worth knowing. So here are five facts about Nirvana’s “Lithium” song

1. THE CLIP WAS ORIGINALLY PLANNED TO BE AN ANIMATED CLIP

You may be surprised to learn that the video was originally intended to be animated. The vision for the clip was inspired by the work of The Quay brothers, a pair of experimental filmmakers who created short films using dolls and puppets. Kurt Cobain found their work similar to his own doll art and it inspired him to create an animated clip for "Lithium." This idea eventually was scrapped, as they realized it would take too long to create. The video they did end up creating was directed by Kevin Kerslake, and was a compilation of live footage from the band's October 31, 1991, show at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington, and from the completed but then-unreleased film, 1991: The Year Punk Broke.

2. THE DOLLS ON THE COVER ARE KURT'S ART

The single's cover features dolls arranged and photographed by Kurt Cobain. It also included a sonogram of Frances Cobain, Kurt's and Kortney's daughter.

3. "LITHIUM" WAS PERFORMED LIVE AT THE 1992 MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS

Nirvana performed "Lithium" at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, instead of what Kurt wanted them to play: their anti-rape song from the band's third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September 1993. But the controversial title and subject matter of the song, brought MTV producers to object to it being played and Nirvana ended up playing "Lithium" instead.

4. THE BAND FOUND IT FRUSTRATING TO RECORD IT AT FIRST

It was the alternation between the slow and fast pace of the song that was hard to follow. The legendary music producer of 'Nevermind', Bryan David "Butch" Vig helped the band by guiding Dave Grohl to use a metronome and simpler patterns for the drums.

5. SOME PEOPLE THINK IT'S ABOUT RELIGION WHILE OTHERS THINK IT'S ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS

It's true that the lyrics of "Lithium," have religious connotations, but it's not clear whether the song is inspired by Kurt Cobain's past in a 'born-again' Christian household or his battle with bipolar disorder. The song could be referring to either—or both! What do you think?