It made sense to continue with Jay Reatard for this week’s Cool vs. Tite feature. One of Jay’s final recordings was a cover of Nirvana’s “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle”. The original song was featured on the band’s third and final, 1993 studio album, In Utero.
Both Jay Reatard and Kurt Cobain lived hard and fast lives, and died way too soon. Kurt at 27, with a self inflicted gunshot to the head in 1994, and Jay at 29 from a cocaine and alcohol overdose in 2010. Both created music like mad men and were extremely influential to heavy garage rock. Jay amps up the tribute with gnarly riffs and intense vocals.
The lyrics, backed by some incredibly raw and powerful music, provide insight on the inner demons each faced. Kurt Cobain wrote the song “Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle”. Francis Farmer was an actress from the 30’s and 40’, known for her rebellious nature, who was committed to a mental institution. She suffered from alcoholism and mental illness. It’s obvious that Kurt related to the actress’ struggles and being misunderstood by society. Kurt even named his daughter, Francis Bean Cobain, after the actress.
In her false witness
We hope you’re still with us
To see if they float or drownOur favorite patient
A display of patience
Disease-covered Puget SoundShe’ll come back as fire
To burn all the liars
Leave a blanket of ash on the groundWell I miss the comfort in being sad
Well I miss the comfort in being sad
Well I miss the comfort in being sad