Heart-Shaped Box
| Heart-Shaped Box | ||
|---|---|---|
| single by Nirvana | ||
| Released | 1993 | |
| Recorded | ??? | |
| Genre | Grunge | |
| Length | 11 min 04 sec | |
| Record label | DGC | |
| Producer | Butch Vig | |
| Professional reviews | ||
| Allmusic.com | 3 stars out of 5 | link |
| Nirvana Singles | ||
| Lithium | Heart-Shaped Box | All Apologies |
"Heart-Shaped Box" (originally titled "Heart-Shaped Coffin," according to Kurt Cobain biographer Charles R. Cross) is a hit song by the band Nirvana. It is the third song on, and first single from, the 1993 album, In Utero.
The song's actual meaning is unclear. Cobain, Nirvana's frontman and the song's author, claimed it was inspired by a television report of children suffering from cancer. However, many believe it was really written about his shaky relationship with wife, Courtney Love. Love had reportedly once given Cobain a small heart-shaped box as a gift, and this is believed to have inspired the title. The lyrics do tend towards this latter interpretation, since they seem to concern themselves with an unstable relationship between two individuals.
The song would later appear on Nirvana's live From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah album, and their greatest hits collection, Nirvana. A longer, embryonic version can be found on the Nirvana box set, With the Lights Out.
Single
The following songs appeared on the single:
- "Heart-Shaped Box" [LP Version] (Cobain) - 4:39
- "Milk It" [LP Version] (Cobain) - 3:52
- "Marigold" (Grohl) - 2:33
Chart positions
1993 Heart-Shaped Box Official UK Singles Charts No. 5
1993 Heart-Shaped Box Modern Rock Tracks No. 1 1993 Heart-Shaped Box Mainstream Rock Tracks No. 4
