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Flower is a song by the Seattle grunge band Soundgarden. It appears as the opening track on the band's debut album Ultramega OK (1988). In addition it was released as a single in May 1989 through SST Records. It would later appear on the band's greatest hits album A-Sides.
[edit] Origin and recording
The song features lyrics written by frontman Chris Cornell and music written by guitarist Kim Thayil. Kim Thayil on the song:
| “ |
This song marks the first time I ever blew on a guitar. I put the guitar down on the ground near the amp to get a humming feedback, as opposed to a squealy one, and blew across the strings in rhythm with the drums. There's probably some obscure Mississippi blues guitarist like 'Blind Lemon Pledge' who's done that before, but 'Flower' is the first time any rock band had recorded the sound of someone blowing across the strings. It sounds like a sitar.[1] |
” |
[edit] Release and reception
"Flower" was the only single released from Ultramega OK. The B-side "Head Injury" can also be found on the Ultramega OK album while "Toy Box" (which was recorded during the sessions for Soundgarden's first EP Screaming Life) can only be found on this single. The cover photo of the single was taken by Charles Peterson, a noted photographer of the early Seattle music scene.[2]
[edit] Lyrical meaning
About the song, Chris Cornell said "it's about a girl...who becomes a woman and basically invests everything in vanity and then burns out quick.[3]
[edit] Music video
"Flower" was Soundgarden's first music video. The video was released in late 1988. Directed by Mark Miremont, it aired several times on MTV's underground music show 120 Minutes, and helped the Seattle grunge scene gain attention.
[edit] Accolades
| Publication |
Country |
Accolade |
Year |
Rank |
| Spex |
Germany |
"Singles of the Year"[4] |
1989 |
31 |
[edit] Formats and track listing
- 12"
- "Flower" (Chris Cornell, Kim Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
- CD5
- "Flower" (Cornell, Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
- CD3
- "Flower" (Cornell, Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
|
- Cassette
- "Flower" (Cornell, Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
- Red 10"
- "Flower" (Cornell, Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
- Yellow 10"
- "Flower" (Cornell, Thayil) – 3:25
- "Head Injury" (Cornell) – 2:22
- "Toy Box" – 5:39
|
[edit] References
