Pennyroyal Tea

Nirvana · Unplugged In New York

I'm on my time with everyone
I have very bad posture

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
I'm anemic royalty

Give me a Leonard Cohen afterworld
So I can sigh eternally
I'm so tired I can't sleep
I'm anemic royalty
I'm a liar and a thief
I'm anemic royalty

I'm on warm milk and laxatives
Cherry-flavored antacids

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
I'm anemic royalty

Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me
I'm anemic royalty

Pennyroyal Tea

Released on Nirvana's 1994 Unplugged In New York album, "Pennyroyal Tea" stands as a defining acoustic track that bridges the band's grunge roots with a more introspective, folk-inflected sound. Recorded live in an intimate setting, the song features Dave Grohl's distinctive drumming and Krist Novoselic's bass work, creating a textured backdrop for Kurt Cobain's haunting vocal delivery. The track explores themes of isolation and the fleeting nature of relationships, utilizing a minor-key melody that underscores its melancholic mood. As a staple of the band's live repertoire, it remains a critical example of Nirvana's versatility, showcasing their ability to deliver emotional depth beyond their signature distorted riffs.