Swallow My Pride

"Swallow My Pride"
Song

"Swallow My Pride" is a song by the Seattle, Washington-based rock band Green River. The song is the third track on the band's debut EP, Come on Down (1985). It was later re-recorded by Green River and appeared on the band's only full-length album, Rehab Doll (1988).

Composition

The song features lyrics written by frontman Mark Arm and music written by guitarist Steve Turner. The song's main guitar riff and two of its final verses were respectively copped from the opening riff and main chorus of a Blue Öyster Cult song known as "This Ain't the Summer of Love" from the Agents of Fortune album.

Lyrics

The song describes a lover's disdain for his girlfriend's feverish American patriotism, characteristic of many so-called Reaganites during the time of the song's writing.

Cover versions

Another Seattle rock band, Soundgarden, covered the song on its 1988 EP Fopp. This version is performed with a predominately punk-esque, simple chord style and does not include Blue Öyster Cult lyrics. Fellow Seattle rock band the Fastbacks covered this song for Sub Pop 200, an album that also featured Green River's song "Hangin' Tree". Pearl Jam have covered this song live, on its 1995 Fan Club Single, along with Turner and Arm of Mudhoney. (Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard of Pearl Jam, along with Turner and Arm of Mudhoney, were previously in Green River.)