Token Eastern Song
One of the most mysterious songs by Nirvana. Around '96 "Junkyard" and "Token Eastern Song" were thought to be two different songs. "Junkyard" was known trough live performances, but "Token Eastern Song" was unheard and was thought to be an all-instrumental studio song. According to Jack Endino and Chad Channing the two songs are alike, but the lyrics for "Token Eastern Song" were rough and unreleasable since the song was never finished. This was confirmed a few years later as a tape of 1991.01.01 - Seattle Music Source Studios surfaced. The correct title for the song should indeed be "Token Eastern Song".
Also note that the generally accepted chorus for this song is "Hold it in your gut", NOT "Born in a junkyard".
Kurt changed lyrics many times during live performances. "Born In A Junkyard" was a bootleg title likely based on a poor recording as there is no proof that he actually sang that phrase. Even to this day, many people know exactly which song is being described when this title is used because it was widely accepted/used until Chad Channing commented on the "hold it in your gut" lyric.
Recording Session(s)
January 1, 1991 - Music Source Sessions, Seattle Washington {rec by Craig Montgomery}
September 1989 - Blew EP Sessions at Music Source Studios {prod by Steve Fisk}
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from www.nirvanaclub.com:
Q #128: What is "Born in a Junkyard" / "Token Eastern Song" ?
A: Back in the late 80's, Nirvana would sometimes perform an unreleased song live that was frequently referred to as "Born in a Junkyard" by bootleggers, as this line was believed to be in the chorus. Then, a low generation video of Nirvana's 09/13/89 show turned up, and prior to performing this song, Krist can be heard shouting "Token Eastern Song". It was therefore assumed that this was in fact the correct title of it. The song was done in the studio twice. Once in September 1989 and once at a 1/1/91 session. The latter was only an instrumental version of the song, however. A recording of the '91 session surfaced in 1999 while the complete 1989 studio session finally surfaced to bootleggers in 2001. As this was one of the most clear recordings of the song, it could also be determined that - in the chorus - Kurt sings "Hold it in your gut" and not "Born in a Junkyard" as many had believed, including Jack Endino and myself. Chad Channing insisted that it was "Hold it in your gut" which seems to be true. The '89 session was used to record songs for the Blew EP, but the EP didn't contain this song, and it remains to be released officially (for some odd reason). Look in the song list for some of the other incorrect names this song has been given over the years.
Also note that the generally accepted chorus for this song is "Hold it in your gut", NOT "Born in a junkyard".
Kurt changed lyrics many times during live performances. "Born In A Junkyard" was a bootleg title likely based on a poor recording as there is no proof that he actually sang that phrase. Even to this day, many people know exactly which song is being described when this title is used because it was widely accepted/used until Chad Channing commented on the "hold it in your gut" lyric.
Recording Session(s)
January 1, 1991 - Music Source Sessions, Seattle Washington {rec by Craig Montgomery}
September 1989 - Blew EP Sessions at Music Source Studios {prod by Steve Fisk}
----------------------
from www.nirvanaclub.com:
Q #128: What is "Born in a Junkyard" / "Token Eastern Song" ?
A: Back in the late 80's, Nirvana would sometimes perform an unreleased song live that was frequently referred to as "Born in a Junkyard" by bootleggers, as this line was believed to be in the chorus. Then, a low generation video of Nirvana's 09/13/89 show turned up, and prior to performing this song, Krist can be heard shouting "Token Eastern Song". It was therefore assumed that this was in fact the correct title of it. The song was done in the studio twice. Once in September 1989 and once at a 1/1/91 session. The latter was only an instrumental version of the song, however. A recording of the '91 session surfaced in 1999 while the complete 1989 studio session finally surfaced to bootleggers in 2001. As this was one of the most clear recordings of the song, it could also be determined that - in the chorus - Kurt sings "Hold it in your gut" and not "Born in a Junkyard" as many had believed, including Jack Endino and myself. Chad Channing insisted that it was "Hold it in your gut" which seems to be true. The '89 session was used to record songs for the Blew EP, but the EP didn't contain this song, and it remains to be released officially (for some odd reason). Look in the song list for some of the other incorrect names this song has been given over the years.