According to Mudhoney vocalist Mark Arm, "Touch Me I'm Sick" originated from a discussion with Sub Pop owner Bruce Pavitt, who "said: 'Hey, you sing about dogs. You sing about being sick. You got a shtick, it'll take you to the top.' And he basically gave us five chords, but he said don't use more than three within one song."Maslin, Janet. " Successful in Seattle: Turning Grunge to Gold". The New York Times. November 8, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2007. Arm has also described "Touch Me I'm Sick" as a catchphrase around which the band built a song.Azerrad, p. 426
