Start of way over-thought Nirvana music project(s):

For dumb fun:

I've always been a big fan of the creative process of a band and LOVE bootlegs. I've collected tons of Beatles, The Who, Dylan, Rolling Stones, Radiohead, Nirvana, etc., and with the release of Nirvana's box, I'm mostly happy because it upgrades many bootleg songs and brings to light many demos, unreleased songs, alternate mixes, and so on. However, it occured to me that there were some left overs that can be neatly taken care of as part of a beefed up box set AND a better, pumped-up greatest hits. Bare with me...

First, I always burn copies of my often-listed to discs for my car--just in case my car gets broken into and I'm robbed. It's happened. I'll also add songs to my burned CDs to fill up the space--usually b-sides, compilation/tribute songs of that album's era, and other rarities. So, for burning the Nirvana box set, I added the super Sub Pop 200 compilation song that was not included on the box set --"Spank Thru". I also added their rare cover of Kiss's "Do You Love Me" which showed up on a tribute record/cd. For disc 2, I added the Sub Pop version of "In Bloom" which showed up on the DVD that accompanies the box set. Then the live b-side of "School". For disc 3, I again went to the DVD for the live version of "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam", then "Seasons in the Sun".
My philosophy was to try to include songs to these discs that weren't on there already. I cheated with "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam" because it sounded great on the DVD and was already, in a way, part of the box set, anyway.

Now there were different versions of b-sides and compilation songs that were not on the box set that can be used on pumping up the greatest hits disc. I was NEVER happy with their selection because it was brief and didn't include all the singles--which to my mind is one of the guiding principles of a hits package. Also, believe or not, a hits package is sometimes a place to throw in some rarities. For example, the version of "Been a Son" on the standard greatest hits is actually the rare-ish b-side--not the Incesticide version. This whole "Been a Son" inclusion actually sparked the idea for this project. Love that song. So, if you follow the chronological order (excluding the debut release of "You Know You're Right") of songs, it goes:

1. You Know You're Right
2. Love Buzz* [single version if you got it OR Bleach version]
3. Blew* [single from Bleach]
4. Been a Son
5. Here She Comes Now* [originally also released as a single]
6. Aneurysm* [b-side--this mix has the bass lower than what's on the box set]
7. Even In His Youth* [b-side version]
8. Smells Like Teen Spirit** [single edit version--if desired]
9. Come As You Are
10. Lithium
11. In Bloom** [Sub Pop version OR just use album version]
12. Heart-Shaped Box
13. Pennyroyal Tea [alt. mix already included on standard hits collection]
14. Rape Me
15. Dumb
16. I Hate Myself and Want to Die* [soundtrack version]
17. Sappy* ["No Alternative" version--slightly different edit/mix--definitly hits worthy]
18. Moist Vagina* [b-side version]
19. All Apologies** [use studio version--it's better]
20. Man Who Sold the World

*=added song OR different version/mix/edit of song released on box set.
**=alternate version of song already on hits collection.

I'd eliminate any seconds break between songs--it works great for the flow here.

Other issues...
I know the import version of the hits collection has "Where Did You Sleep Last Night", but it won't fit here. For that matter, I actually feel that "The Man that Sold World" really shouldn't have shown up on this collection in the first place--but I do understand that they wanted to represent that album and it is a fitting song to end a greatest hits. The title says it all. I feel that "Unplugged" is its own beast and should be left alone.

LASTLY, my burning question that I need some help with...

I mentioned it another thread, but it's relevant here, too--I own the Jesus Lizard/Nirvana single with "Oh the Guilt" and on my single there's a sound like the flicking of a lighter at times--especially at the beginning.

Can anyone confirm if this is on their single version, too? If it is, then that too would be an alternate mix of a song that's on the box set. Regardless, I'm happy with my above selection and order. Again, though, if anyone can confirm the lighter-flicking sound on the single, I'd appreciate it. I just want to know if my single is defective.

--The Walrus

PS. I didn't include bootleg material here, just official releases. As for the leftover, quality bootleg material...well, that's another project...

Thanks! I can finally sleep at night...

I'm truly relieved. After listening to the box set's version, I thought my single may have been defective.

man i didn't know the walrus before this post, but after reading that i feel like he's family