Swallow My Pride
Encyclopedia
"Swallow My Pride" is a song by the Seattle, Washington-based rock
band Green River
. Featuring lyrics written by frontman Mark Arm
and music written by guitarist Steve Turner
, the song is the third track on the band's debut EP
, Come on Down
(1985). It was later re-recorded by Green River and appeared on the band's sole studio album, Rehab Doll
(1988).
and music written by guitarist Steve Turner
. The song's main guitar riff and two of its final verses were respectively copped from the opening riff and main chorus of a Blue Öyster Cult
song known as "This Ain't the Summer of Love" from the 1976 album, Agents of Fortune
..
during the time of the song's writing.
, covered "Swallow My Pride" on the band's 1988 EP, Fopp
. This version is performed with a predominantly punk-esque, simple chord style and does not include Blue Öyster Cult lyrics. Fellow Seattle rock band the Fastbacks
covered this song for the 1988 compilation album, Sub Pop 200
, an album that also featured Green River's song "Hangin' Tree". During a Pearl Jam
concert in Las Vegas
, Nevada
on November 30, 1993, Jeff Ament
and Stone Gossard
of Pearl Jam (both previously in Green River) reunited with Turner and Arm of Mudhoney
to cover the song. The performance was featured on Pearl Jam's 1995 fan club Christmas single.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band Green River
Green River (band)
Green River was an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that was active from 1984 to 1988. Although the band had little commercial impact outside of its native Seattle, Green River proved to have significant influence on the genre later known as grunge, both with its own music and with the...
. Featuring lyrics written by frontman Mark Arm
Mark Arm
Mark Arm is the vocalist for the grunge band Mudhoney. He is also credited with coining the term "grunge" to describe his style of rock music...
and music written by guitarist Steve Turner
Steve Turner (guitarist)
Steve Turner is an American guitarist, most famous for his work with Seattle band Mudhoney.-Biography:Turner was born in 1965 in Houston, Texas. His first band was called The Ducky Boys. The line up included future Pearl Jam member Stone Gossard. The Ducky Boys split around 1983.Turner later found...
, the song is the third track on the band's debut EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Come on Down
Come on Down
- Personnel :Green River* Jeff Ament – bass guitar, back and sleeve designs* Mark Arm – vocals* Stone Gossard – guitar* Steve Turner – guitar* Alex Vincent – drumsProduction* Green River – production, cover concept...
(1985). It was later re-recorded by Green River and appeared on the band's sole studio album, Rehab Doll
Rehab Doll
Cassette bonus track-Personnel:Green River*Jeff Ament – bass guitar, vocals, assistant production, inner sleeve design*Mark Arm – vocals, assistant production*Bruce Fairweather – guitars...
(1988).
Composition
"Swallow My Pride" features lyrics written by vocalist Mark ArmMark Arm
Mark Arm is the vocalist for the grunge band Mudhoney. He is also credited with coining the term "grunge" to describe his style of rock music...
and music written by guitarist Steve Turner
Steve Turner (guitarist)
Steve Turner is an American guitarist, most famous for his work with Seattle band Mudhoney.-Biography:Turner was born in 1965 in Houston, Texas. His first band was called The Ducky Boys. The line up included future Pearl Jam member Stone Gossard. The Ducky Boys split around 1983.Turner later found...
. The song's main guitar riff and two of its final verses were respectively copped from the opening riff and main chorus of a Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult
Blue Öyster Cult, often abbreviated BÖC, is an American rock band, most of whose members first came together in Long Island, NY in 1967 as the band Soft White Underbelly...
song known as "This Ain't the Summer of Love" from the 1976 album, Agents of Fortune
Agents of Fortune
Agents of Fortune is the fourth studio album released by Blue Öyster Cult, originally released in a gatefold sleeve in 1976.The platinum selling album peaked at #29 on Billboards Pop Albums chart, while the single " The Reaper" peaked at #12 on the Pop Singles chart, making it Blue Öyster Cult's...
..
Lyrics
"Swallow My Pride" describes a lover's disdain for his girlfriend's feverish American patriotism, characteristic of many so-called ReaganitesRonald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
during the time of the song's writing.
Cover versions
Another Seattle rock band, SoundgardenSoundgarden
Soundgarden is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington in 1984 by singer Chris Cornell, lead guitarist Kim Thayil, and bassist Hiro Yamamoto...
, covered "Swallow My Pride" on the band's 1988 EP, Fopp
Fopp (EP)
-Personnel:Soundgarden*Matt Cameron – drums*Chris Cornell – vocals*Kim Thayil – guitar*Hiro Yamamoto – bass guitarProduction*Drew Canulette – engineering*Steve Fisk – production...
. This version is performed with a predominantly punk-esque, simple chord style and does not include Blue Öyster Cult lyrics. Fellow Seattle rock band the Fastbacks
Fastbacks
The Fastbacks were a Seattle punk rock band. Formed in 1979 by songwriter/guitarist Kurt Bloch , and friends Lulu Gargiulo and Kim Warnick , they disbanded in 2001...
covered this song for the 1988 compilation album, Sub Pop 200
Sub Pop 200
Sub Pop 200 is a compilation released in the early days of the Seattle grunge scene . It features songs from Tad, The Fluid, Nirvana, Steven Jesse Bernstein, Mudhoney, The Walkabouts, Terry Lee Hale, Soundgarden, Green River, Fastbacks, Blood Circus, Swallow, Chemistry Set, Girl Trouble, The...
, an album that also featured Green River's song "Hangin' Tree". During a Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
concert in Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
, Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
on November 30, 1993, Jeff Ament
Jeff Ament
Jeffrey Allen Ament is an American musician who serves as the bassist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Stone Gossard, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of Pearl Jam...
and Stone Gossard
Stone Gossard
Stone Carpenter Gossard is an American musician who serves as the rhythm and lead guitarist for the American rock band Pearl Jam. Along with Jeff Ament, Mike McCready, and Eddie Vedder, he is one of the founding members of Pearl Jam...
of Pearl Jam (both previously in Green River) reunited with Turner and Arm of Mudhoney
Mudhoney
Mudhoney is an American alternative rock band. Formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1988 following the demise of Green River, Mudhoney's members are vocalist and rhythm guitarist Mark Arm, lead guitarist Steve Turner, bassist Guy Maddison, and drummer Dan Peters. Original bassist Matt Lukin left the...
to cover the song. The performance was featured on Pearl Jam's 1995 fan club Christmas single.