Flower

Album: Ultramega OK (1988)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of the earliest Soundgarden songs, this was released as their second single and included on Ultramega OK, which was their only album released on the independent label SST (making Soundgarden a true "Indie Band" at the time).

    The song was composed by their guitarist Kim Thayil, with lyrics added by lead singer Chris Cornell. In our interview with Thayil, he explained that in their early years, Cornell would often have lyrics written, which he would then match to tracks he thought would work with them.
  • The song is about a beautiful young girl who suddenly finds herself old and gray. Chris Cornell uses "vain" and "veins" to imply that vanity and drug abuse led to her demise, as at the end of the song the flowers hit her grave.
  • Kim Thayil used an interesting technique to create the unusual opening sounds. He put his guitar right next to the amplifier and blew across the strings in time with the drums. This produced a sitar-like effect that Thayil later used in other songs.

Comments: 3

  • Teri from CaI still have this cassette. One of the three I bought back in the beginning.
  • David from Mcalester, OkI think "Flower" is about a young girl who becomes a stripper. Lives a troubled, hard life(she was on borrowed self esteem/ she's early gray) . And dies an early death due too drug abuse (along her veins/as flowers hit her grave).
  • Tim from Somewhere In, GaI think this song is about a popular, wealthy stuck up prep school girl. The mention of "being treated like a queen" and "in her uniform" and other similar lyrics in the song make me interpret the song this way.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sugarland

SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Meet the "sassy basket" with the biggest voice in country music.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest

Rob Halford of Judas PriestSongwriter Interviews

Rob Halford dives into some of his Judas Priest lyrics, talking about his most personal songs and the message behind "You've Got Another Thing Comin'."

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues

Justin Hayward of The Moody BluesSongwriter Interviews

Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.