Dumb

The version we hear on In Utero, Nirvana's third and final studio album released in September 1993, incorporates a distinctive element: the cello part. This line was written and performed by Kera Schaley, a friend of producer Steve Albini. Although Schaley did not accompany the band on tour, the cello became a constant in live performances during the In Utero era, with Lori Goldston covering the part on the American tour and Melora Creager on the European one. Despite not being released as a single, Dumb reached number 37 on the United States' Alternative National Airplay chart. In October 2023, an animated video was released to commemorate the 30th anniversary of In Utero. The song debuted live acoustically on September 25, 1990, on Calvin Johnson's show Boy Meets Girl, and the first version with the full band was heard on November 25, 1990, at the Off Ramp Café in Seattle. A BBC version, produced by Dale Griffin, was recorded on September 3, 1991, and aired on November 3 of the same year. Three instrumental studio versions, recorded by Jack Endino on October 26, 1992, were later included in special editions of In Utero. The final studio take, with Steve Albini as engineer and producer, was recorded in February 1993 at Pachyderm Studios, Cannon Falls, Minnesota. Albini commented on how he modified Dave Grohl's drum kick to achieve a more "bouncy and jazzy" sound, differentiating it from the rest of the album.