I Don't Blame You

Album: You Are Free (2003)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the last song written by Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) for her You Are Free album. She recalled to Pitchfork: "I remember when I was at the piano and we were mixing and I kept playing it over and over and over while no one was there. They were playing ping-pong and stuff. So I just asked, 'Can I record this song real quick?'"
  • The song tells the story of a singer destroyed by fame. Some have speculated that Marshall, who has a history of alcohol and mental health problems, is singing about herself. However, she finally revealed in August 2012 the subject of the song, during an interview with UK newspaper The Guardian:. "I've never told anybody this," she said, "but that is about Kurt Cobain. It's about him blowing his head off."
  • Marshall cited this as her favorite song to perform live, during a 2006 interview with Salon.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Lecrae

LecraeSongwriter Interviews

The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.

Mike Campbell

Mike CampbellSongwriter Interviews

Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."

Music Video Director David Hogan

Music Video Director David HoganSong Writing

David talks about videos he made for Prince, Alabama, Big & Rich, Sheryl Crow, DMB, Melissa Etheridge and Sisters of Mercy.

Best Band Logos

Best Band LogosSong Writing

Queen, Phish and The Stones are among our picks for the best band logos. Here are their histories and a design analysis from an expert.

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Carl Sturken

Carl SturkenSongwriter Interviews

Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.