Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam

The story behind

When Nirvana appeared for MTV Unplugged in New York, they opted for a different path than the format usually proposed. Instead of completely stripping down their instruments, they allowed certain electric elements to have their place, and focused on lesser-known material, including covers of artists like Lead Belly and The Vaselines. One of those pieces, Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam, with a duration of 3:30, became a standout moment of that night. For this performance, guitarist Pat Smear and cellist Lori Gold joined the group. The recording of this concert took place at Sony Music Studios, located in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan, on November 18, 1993. The event, directed by Beth McCarthy-Miller, was broadcast on MTV on December 16 of the same year. The resulting album, MTV Unplugged in New York, was released by DGC Records on November 1, 1994, almost seven months after the passing of Kurt Cobain. This work captured a different facet of the band, showcasing their ability to reinterpret songs and create an intimate atmosphere, despite coming from the Grunge scene of Seattle, Washington, which had gained significant notoriety with hits like Smells Like Teen Spirit from the album Nevermind.