[Verse 1]
Like most babies smell like butter
His smell smelled like no other
He was born scentless and senseless
He was born a scentless apprentice
[Chorus]
Hey, away!
Go away!
Go away!
[Verse 2]
Every wet nurse refused to feed him
Electrolytes smell like semen
I promise not to sell your perfumed secrets
There are countless formulas for pressing flowers
[Chorus]
Hey, away!
Go away!
Go away!
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
I lie in the soil and fertilize mushrooms
Leakin' out gas fumes are made into perfume
You can't fire me 'cause I quit
Throw me in the fire and I won't throw a fit
Like most babies smell like butter
His smell smelled like no other
He was born scentless and senseless
He was born a scentless apprentice
[Chorus]
Hey, away!
Go away!
Go away!
[Verse 2]
Every wet nurse refused to feed him
Electrolytes smell like semen
I promise not to sell your perfumed secrets
There are countless formulas for pressing flowers
[Chorus]
Hey, away!
Go away!
Go away!
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
I lie in the soil and fertilize mushrooms
Leakin' out gas fumes are made into perfume
You can't fire me 'cause I quit
Throw me in the fire and I won't throw a fit
About
Genius Annotation
Kurt Cobain was inspired to write this song after reading the novel “Perfume”, one of his favorite books. The song mainly describes Jean, the main character of the book.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
What did Nirvana say about "Scentless Apprentice"?
Genius Answer
Kurt Cobain has said that he wrote this song about the book perfume, which he said was his favorite book when asked in a 1993 interview:
- 2.Scentless Apprentice
- 4.Rape Me
- 6.Dumb
- 7.Very Ape
- 8.Milk It
- 11.Tourette’s
- 12.All Apologies
- 14.Marigold
- 16.Sappy - 2013 Mix
- 26.Dumb - 2013 Mix
- 42.Forgotten Tune
Credits
Producer
Writers
Copyright ©
Graphic Design
Mastering Engineer
Mixing Engineer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Art Direction
Recording Engineer
Remastering Engineer
Publisher
Photography
Technician
Label
Mixed At
Remastered At
Artwork
Drums
Bass
Vocals
Guitar
Recorded At
Pachyderm Studio, Canon Falls, MN
Released on
September 21, 1993
Songs That Sample Scentless Apprentice
Scentless Apprentice Interpolations
Scentless Apprentice Remixes
Scentless Apprentice Live Performances
Scentless Apprentice (Live & Loud) by Nirvana, Scentless Apprentice (Live in Seattle, WA., December 13, 1993) by Nirvana, Scentless Apprentice (Live In Rome, Palaghiaccio Di Marino - February 22, 1994) by Nirvana & Scentless Apprentice (Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena - January 7, 1994) by Nirvana
Tags
Comments
Sign Up And Drop Knowledge 🤓
Genius is the ultimate source of music knowledge, created by scholars like you who share facts and insight about the songs and artists they love.