Pennyroyal Tea

Nirvana

About Pennyroyal Tea

"Pennyroyal Tea" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the ninth track on the band's third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September, 1993. The song was due to be released as the third single from In Utero in April 1994, but the single was recalled following Cobain's death the same month. The single was re-released, on limited edition 7 inch vinyl, for Record Store Day in April 2014, and charted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart.  


Year:
1993
3:36
451 
#6

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I'm on my time with everyone
I have very bad posture

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld
So I can sigh eternally
I'm so tired I can't sleep
I'm a liar and a thief

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

I'm on warm milk and laxatives
Cherry-flavored antacids

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

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Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. more »

24 fans

Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Writer
Kurt Cobain, the lead vocalist, and guitarist of Nirvana wrote "Pennyroyal Tea".
Album Details
The song is the ninth track on Nirvana's third and final studio album, "In Utero", which was released in 1993.
Single Release
"Pennyroyal Tea" was released as a single in April 1994, following "All Apologies/Rape Me". However, after Kurt Cobain's death, the major shipment of the singles was recalled and destroyed.
Song Meaning
The song is thematically focused on depression, discomfort, and personal hardship, reflecting Cobain's personal struggles at the time.
Acoustic Version
Cobain performed an acoustic version of "Pennyroyal Tea" less than a year before his death during MTV Unplugged in New York. This became one of their most famous live performances.
Title Inspiration
The title "Pennyroyal Tea" was inspired by the herbal abortifacient and medicinal herb, pennyroyal.
Record Label
Nirvana was signed under the DGC Records when "Pennyroyal Tea" was released.
Lyrical Content
The lyrics, like many of Cobain's songs, are enigmatic and invite various interpretations. The line, "I'm anemic royalty", is often quoted as a reflection of Cobain's poor health at the time he wrote the song.
Septuple Platinum
The album "In Utero", which features "Pennyroyal Tea," was certified septuple platinum by the RIAA, indicating over 7 million copies sold.
Produced By Steve Albini
The track, along with the rest of the "In Utero" album, was produced by Steve Albini, who is famed for his raw and naturalistic approach to recording.
Promotional Copies
After Cobain’s death, only promotional copies of the “Pennyroyal Tea” single were available. These have since become valuable collector’s items.

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