Softer, Softest

"Softer, Softest" is a song by American alternative rock band Hole, written by frontwoman Courtney Love and lead guitarist Eric Erlandson. The song was released as the band's eighth single and fourth and final single from their second studio album, Live Through This, in December 1995. The single was released just as the band finished their extensive touring in 1995.

Origin and recording

Erlandson and Love are known to have written "Softer, Softest" as early as December 1991 at which time it was performed live during the band's tour of the United Kingdom in winter 1991. Originally known as "Pee Girl", the song developed into its final form in early 1993 when the name "Softer, Softest" was being used.

The first known studio version of "Softer, Softest" was recorded on January 21, 1993 at BMG Ariola Ltda in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Featuring Love on lead guitar and vocals, recently recruited drummer Patty Schemel and Love's husband Kurt Cobain of Nirvana on bass, the trio recorded the song, alongside "I Think That I Would Die" (then known as "Baby") "She Walks On Me", "Miss World" and "Closing Time", during breaks in Nirvana's session. Sound engineer Craig Montgomery stated that the songs were "half-baked ideas." Two more structured versions were recorded on March 27, 1993 with BBC DJ Mark Goodier. In October 1993, the band recorded the album version of the song as part of the Live Through This sessions at Triclops Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, where Cobain contributed background vocals towards the end of the song (2:41 onwards). Speaking of Cobain's involvement, Love has said "there are harmonies all over Live Through This that are Kurt's... you can hear him on 'Pee Girl.'" Despite his involvement, Cobain was not noted as a performer neither on the album nor the single.