Nearly Lost You

Album: Sweet Oblivion (1992)
Charted: 50
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Written by vocalist Mark Lanegan, guitarist Gary Lee Conner, and bass player Van Conner, "Nearly Lost You" is probably the most famous song by Screaming Trees. Some would even call it their signature. Released in 1992, it was certainly perfect timing to ride the crest of the grunge wave.

    In fact, Screaming Trees are one of the acts considered part of the "godfathers of grunge" club, alongside Melvins, U-Men, Skin Yard, Soundgarden, Green River, and Malfunkshun. It was also perfect timing for MTV video rotation; MTV had just discovered grunge and was still young enough to get excited about it.
  • Barrett Martin, the drummer here, also worked with Stone Temple Pilots and R.E.M. But his latest accomplishments is to be ordained a Zen priest, as of 2000. No word on how that's working out for him, but then, Zen priests are pretty quiet.
  • The song's success on the charts was partly because of its appearance on the soundtrack to the 1992 Cameron Crowe film Singles.
  • After the break-up of Screaming Trees in 2000, Mark Lanagan released a series of critically acclaimed albums with former Belle & Sebastian vocalist and cello player Isobel Campbell. Their first, Ballad of the Broken Seas, made the shortlist for the UK Mercury Music Prize in 2006. Interested in hearing one of their tunes? Check out "Keep Me in Mind Sweetheart."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire

Verdine White of Earth, Wind & FireSongwriter Interviews

The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.

Ralph Casale  - Session Pro

Ralph Casale - Session ProSongwriter Interviews

A top New York studio musician, Ralph played guitar on many '60s hits, including "Lightnin' Strikes," "A Lover's Concerto" and "I Am A Rock."

Weird Al Yankovic

Weird Al YankovicFact or Fiction

Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.