Touch Me I'm Sick

Touch Me I'm Sick is a song by the American rock band Mudhoney. It was released as their debut single in March 1988 through Sub Pop records. The song is considered a seminal track in the development of the grunge music genre and has been widely influential in the alternative rock scene.

Background[edit | edit source]

Mudhoney was formed in 1988 in Seattle, Washington, by former members of the band Green River. The lineup consisted of Mark Arm (vocals, guitar), Steve Turner (guitar), Matt Lukin (bass), and Dan Peters (drums). "Touch Me I'm Sick" was one of the first songs the band wrote and recorded together.

Recording and Production[edit | edit source]

The song was recorded at Reciprocal Recording in Seattle with producer Jack Endino. The raw and distorted sound of the track was achieved using minimal overdubs and a straightforward recording approach, which became a hallmark of the grunge sound.

Release and Reception[edit | edit source]

"Touch Me I'm Sick" was released as a 7-inch single by Sub Pop in March 1988. The B-side of the single was "Sweet Young Thing Ain't Sweet No More." The single was pressed in a limited edition of 800 copies, which quickly sold out, establishing Mudhoney as a key band in the emerging Seattle music scene.

The song received critical acclaim for its raw energy and gritty sound. It has been described as a "grunge anthem" and is often cited as one of the most important songs in the genre. The track's success helped to solidify Sub Pop's reputation as a leading independent record label.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

"Touch Me I'm Sick" has been covered by numerous artists and remains a staple of Mudhoney's live performances. The song's influence can be seen in the work of many bands that followed in the grunge and alternative rock movements of the 1990s.