Plateau

Nirvana

About Plateau

"Plateau" is a song written by alternative rock band the Meat Puppets, which first appeared on their 1984 album Meat Puppets II. The song was popularized when the Meat Puppets performed it with the grunge band Nirvana during their famous 1993 MTV Unplugged appearance. This version appears on Nirvana's 1994 album MTV Unplugged in New York. UK rapper Plan B named his debut album Who Needs Actions When You Got Words, taken from a lyric in this song, and sampled the Nirvana collaboration on his 2007 mixtape Paint It Blacker. Cover versions include a 2019 release by Eggs in the Morning using synthesizers. 


Year:
1994
3:38
277 
#3

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Many a hand has scaled the grand old face of the plateau
Some belong to strangers and some to folks you know
Holy ghosts and talk show hosts are planted in the sand
To beautify the foothills and shake the many hands

There's nothing on the top but a bucket and a mop
And an illustrated book about birds
You see a lot up there but don't be scared
Who needs action when you got words

When you're finished with the mop then you can stop
And look at what you've done
The plateau's clean, no dirt to be seen
And the work it took was fun

Well the many hands began to scan around for the next plateau
Some said it was in Greenland and some in Mexico
Others decided it was nowhere except for where they stood
But those were all just guesses, wouldn't help you if they could

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Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. more »

24 fans

Written by: C. KIRKWOOD

Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Meat Puppets Origin
"Plateau" was originally written and performed by American punk rock band Meat Puppets. Despite being mainly classified under punk rock, the band's music is known to blend elements of punk with country and psychedelic rock.
Album Appearance
The song “Plateau” is part of Meat Puppets' second album "Meat Puppets II," released in April 1984. The record is highly influential in the alternative rock scene.
Nirvana Connection
“Plateau” resurfaced in the mainstream music circuit when grunge band Nirvana covered the song in their historic MTV Unplugged appearance in 1994.
Guest Performance
The Meat Puppets' brothers, Cris and Curt Kirkwood, joined Nirvana onstage during the MTV Unplugged performance to play this song, along with two other Meat Puppets tracks, “Oh, Me” and “Lake of Fire”.
Album Release
Nirvana’s performance of "Plateau" was later released on "MTV Unplugged in New York" in November 1994, nearly seven months after Kurt Cobain's death.
Song Theme
Although the song "Plateau" doesn't have a confirmed specific meaning, listeners often interpret its abstract lyrics to talk about realizing the superficial and temporary nature of success or status - the "plateau".
Unique Cover Style
Nirvana's cover of "Plateau" is unique in the way that it carries the essence of the original song but also infuses it with Kurt Cobain’s distinct vocal style and anguish.
Live Performance Distinction
“Plateau” is one of the only four songs Nirvana had played live in a performance that was not originally their own.
Popularity
Due to its inclusion in Nirvana’s Unplugged session, the song "Plateau" gained notable popularity, introducing Meat Puppets to a wider audience.
In Memory of Kurt Cobain
Nirvana's performance of "Plateau" on MTV Unplugged is considered one of the memorable highlights of Kurt Cobain's career, and is often revisited as a celebration of Cobain's musical influence and legacy.

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