Connecting the Dots: The Vaselines to Nirvana

I have an unhealthy obsession with The Vaselines and have been listening them far more than any other band the past six months. Like most of you, I was first introduced to the perverted Scottish duo by Kurt Cobain on the brilliant MTV Unplugged record, where he covers "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam". He also cuts versions of "Son of a Gun" and "Molly's Lips" covered on the album "Incesticide."

Speaking of mind-bending Nirvana, I recently picked up the "Live at Reading" DVD for Xmas. After watching the trio destroy the tune "Polly" a thought crossed my mind: that Cobain dude must've listened to a shitload of The Vaselines, too. Cuz that song is a louder version of "Rory Ride Me Raw".

Note: I'm not against Cobain sounding like the Vaselines. In fact, I'm fascinated by the origins of his ideas, what pieces of sounds he borrowed from what bands, and who inspired him.

The lyrics in these two songs are, in construction and in content, very similar. Sex, anyone?

Here are the videos from those songs, first from The Vaselines, then Nirvana. You be the judge.

The Vaselines: Rory Ride Me Raw

Nirvana: Polly