“One day, Dave and I were sitting around watching a documentary on babies being born in our underwater and I thought that was a really neat image, so we thought, ‘Let’s put that on the album cover’, and then when we got back a picture of a baby underwater, we thought, I thought it would look nice for a fish hook with a dollar bill on it and so, the image was born.”
- KURT
smells like teen spirit Load up on guns bring your friends It’s fun to lose and to pretend She’s over-bored and self-assured Oh no, I know a dirty word
And I forget just why I taste Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile I found it hard; it’s hard to find Oh well, whatever, never mind
Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello
Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello
With the lights out, it’s less dangerous Here we are now; entertain us I feel stupid and contagious Here we are now; entertain us A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido Yeah, hey Yeah
With the lights out, it’s less dangerous Here we are now; entertain us I feel stupid and contagious Here we are now; entertain us A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial, a denial A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial
I’m worse at what I do best And for this gift I feel blessed Our little group has always been And always will until the end
“I guess it’s great that it gives people a feeling of sorta like breaking out, and telling anyone and anything just to fuck off”
- DAVE
Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello, how low Hello, hello, hello With the lights out, it’s less dangerous Here we are now; entertain us I feel stupid and contagious Here we are now; entertain us A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido Yeah, hey Yeah
“This friend of mine and I were goofing around in my house one night, and we were kinda drunk, and we were writing graffiti all over the walls of my house, and she wrote ‘Kurt smells like teen spirit’. And earlier on, we were kinda having this discussion on revolution, and I thought that she was saying that I was a person who, who could inspire. I just thought that was a nice little title. And it turns out she just meant that I smelt like the deodorant. I didn’t even know that deodorant existed, until after the song was written.”
- KURT
in bloom Sell the kids for food Weather changes moods Spring is here again Reproductive glands
And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say yeah
He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say yeah
He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say yeah
We can have some more Nature is a whore Bruises on the fruit Tender age in bloom He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along And he likes to shoot his gun But he knows not what it means Knows not what it means And I say He’s the one Who likes all the pretty songs And he likes to sing along
“Obviously I don’t like rednecks, I don’t like macho men. You know I don’t like abusive people, and I guess that’s what In Bloom is about, it’s an attack on them.”
- KURT
come as you are Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be As a friend, as a friend, as an old enemy Take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, don’t be late Take a rest as a friend as an old memoria Memoria, memoria, memoria, memoria Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach, as I want you to be As a trend, as a friend as an old memoria, memoria, memoria And I swear that I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun Memori-a, memori-a, memoria, memoria And I swear that I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun No, I don’t have a gun
“The lines in Come As You Are are really contradictory, one after another, they’re kind of a rebuttal, to each line, and they’re just kinda confusing I guess. It’s just about people what they’re expected to act like.”
- KURT
breed I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care Care if it’s old
Get away Get away Get away Get away Away, away from your home
I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind Mind, don’t have a mind
I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid Afraid, afraid of a ghost
Get away Get away Get away Get away Away, away from your home
Even if you have Even if you need I don’t mean to stare We don’t have to breed We can plant a house We can build a tree I don’t even care We could have all three She said She said She said She said She said She said She said She said
I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid I’m afraid Afraid, afraid of a ghost Even if you have Even if you need I don’t mean to stare We don’t have to breed We could plant a house We could build a tree I don’t even care We could have all three She said She said She said She said She said She said She said I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care Care if it’s old I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind I don’t mind Mind, I don’t have a mind
Even if you have Even if you need I don’t mean to stare We don’t have to breed We can plant a house We can build a tree I don’t even care We could have all three She said She said She said She said She said She said She said She said, good!
lithium I’m so happy ‘cause today I have found my friends They’re in my head I’m so ugly, but that’s okay, ‘cause so are you We’ve broken our mirrors Sunday morning is everyday for all I care And I’m not scared Light my candles, in a daze ‘Cause I’ve found god
I’m so happy ‘cause today I’ve found my friends They’re in my head I’m so ugly, but that’s okay, ‘cause so are you We’ve broken our mirrors Sunday morning is everyday for all I care And I’m not scared Light my candles in a daze ‘Cause I’ve found God
[Repeat: x6] Yeah, yeah
[Repeat: x6] Yeah, yeah
I’m so lonely, that’s ok I shaved my head And I’m not sad And just maybe I’m to blame for all I’ve heard And I’m not sure I’m so excited, I can’t wait to meet you there But I don’t care I’m so horny, but that’s okay My will is good
I like it, I’m not gonna crack I miss you, I’m not gonna crack I love you, I’m not gonna crack I kill you, I’m not gonna crack I kill you, I’m not gonna crack I like it, I’m not gonna crack I miss you, I’m not gonna crack I love you, I’m not gonna crack I kill you, I’m not gonna crack
[Repeat: x6] Yeah, yeah I like it, I’m not gonna crack I missed you, I’m not gonna crack I love you, I’m not gonna crack I kill you, I’m not gonna crack I like it, I’m not gonna crack I missed you, I’m not gonna crack I love you, I’m not gonna crack I kill you, I’m not gonna crack
polly Polly wants a cracker I think I should get off her first I think she wants some water To put out the blow torch It isn’t me We have some seed Let me clip Your dirty wings Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself I’ve got some rope You have been told I promise you I have been true Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself Polly wants a cracker Maybe she would like some food She asks me to untie her A chase would be nice for a few It isn’t me We have some seed Let me clip Your dirty wings Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself
I’ve got some rope You have been told I promise you I have been true Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself Polly said Polly says her back hurts And she’s just as bored as me She caught me off my guard It amazes me, the will of instinct It isn’t me We have some seed Let me clip Your dirty wings Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself I’ve got some rope You have been told I promise you I have been true Let me take a ride Don’t cut yourself I want some help To please myself
“Just because I say ‘I’ in a song doesn’t necessarily mean it’s me. A lot of people have a problem with that. It’s just the way I write usually, take on someone else’s personality or character. I’d rather just use someone else’s example, because I dunno, my life is kinda boring, and so y’know, I just take stories from things I’ve read, and off the television, and in stories I’ve heard, maybe even some friends.”
- KURT
“I mean there is definitely no big million dollar investment, in promotion behind this record at all, it’s totally organic, and it just happened.�
- KURT
territorial pissings When I was an alien Cultures weren’t opinions Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait Never met a wise man If so it’s a woman Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait Just because you’re paranoid Don’t mean they’re not after you Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way Gotta find a way
To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait Gotta find a way To find a way When I’m there Gotta find a way A better way I had better wait
drain you One baby to another says, “I’m lucky to have met you” I don’t care what you think unless it is about me It is now my duty to completely drain you I travel through a tube and end up in your infection Chew my meat for you Pass it back and forth in a passionate kiss From my mouth to yours I like you With eyes so dilated, I’ve became your pupil You’ve taught me everything without a poison apple The water is so yellow I’m a healthy student Indebted and so grateful Vacuum out the fluids Chew my meat for you Pass it back and forth in a passionate kiss From my mouth to yours I like you, you, you, you, you, you One baby to another says, “I’m lucky to have met you” I don’t care what you think unless it is about me It is now my duty to completely drain you A travel through a tube and end up in your infection
Chew my meat for you Pass it back and forth in a passionate kiss From my mouth to yours Sloppy lips to lips You’re my vitamins I like you
lounge act Truth covered in security I can’t let you smother me I’d like to but it couldn’t work Trading off and taking turns I don’t regret a thing I’ve got this friend, you see Who makes me feel And I wanted more Than I could steal I’ll arrest myself And wear a shield I’ll go out of my way To prove I still Smell her on you Don’t, tell me what I wanna hear Afraid of never knowning fear Experience anything you need I’ll keep fighting jealousy Until it’s fucking gone I’ve got this friend, you see Who makes me feel And I wanted more Than I could steal I’ll arrest myself And wear a shield I’ll go out of my way To prove I still Smell her on you Truth covered in security I can’t let you smother me I’d like to but it wouldn’t work
stay away Trading off and taking turns I don’t regret a thing I’ve got this friend, you see Who makes me feel And I wanted more Than I could steal I’ll arrest myself And wear a shield I’ll go out of my way To make you a deal We’ve make a pact To learn from who Ever we want Without new rules We’ll share what’s lost and what we grew They’ll go out of their way To prove they still Smell her on you They still, smell her on you Smell her on you
Monkey See, monkey do (I don’t know why) I’d rather be deal than cool (I don’t know why) Every line ends in rhyme (I don’t know why) Less is more, love is blind (I don’t know why) Stay Stay away Stay away Stay away I don’t know why I don’t know why Stay Stay away Stay away Stay away Stay Stay away Stay away Stay away Stay away Stay away God is gay
“I was 15, when I got my first guitar. My mother had just gotten married and this was in the first year of her marriage. My stepfather went out on her and she got so irate that she took all my stepfathers guns pistols, rifles and stuff - and walked down to the river, and threw them in. And then I hired this kid to fish a couple of them out, and I sold them, and then I got my first guitar with the money.” I took lessons for a week, I learned how to play Back in Black by AC/DC, and it’s pretty much the Louie Louie chords, so that’s all I needed to know. I never did pay the guitar teacher for that week either I still owe him money. But that’s it, I just started writing songs on my own. Once you know the power chord, you don’t need to know anything else.”
- KURT
on a plain I’ll start this off Without any words I got so high that I scratched ‘til I bled Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do? The finest day That I ever had Was when I learned To cry on command Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do?
I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on a plain Somewhere I have heard this before In a dream my memory has stored As defense I’m neutered and spayed What the hell am I trying to say? It is now time To make it unclear To write off lines That don’t make a sense Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do?
I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on a plain
One more special Message to go And then I’m done And I can go home
My mother died Every night It’s safe to say Don’t quote me on that
Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do?
Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do?
I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on a plain I can’t complain I’m on aplain I can’t complain
The black sheep got Blackmailed again Forgot to put On the zip code Love myself Better than you I know it’s wrong So what should I do?
something in the way Underneath the bridge The tarp has sprung a leak And the animals I’ve trapped Have all become my pets And I’m living off of grass And the drippings from the ceiling But it’s okay to eat fish ‘Cause they don’t have any feelings Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm Underneath the bridge The tarp has sprung a leak And the animals I’ve trapped Have all become my pets And I’m living off of grass And the drippings from the ceiling But it’s okay to eat fish ‘Cause they don’t have any feelings Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm
Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm Something in the way Ummmmm Something in the way, yeah Ummmmm
“That song really wasn’t even written until a week before we went into the studio. And uh, I knew I wanted cello on it, but after all the music was recorded for it, we’d kinda forgotten about putting a cello on it, and we had one more day in the studio, and we decided ‘Oh, geez, we should try to hire a cellist’ y’know, and put something in, and we were at a party, and we were asking some of our friends if they had any friends who play cello, and it just so happened that one of our best friends in LA, plays cello, so we took him into the studio on the last day and said ‘here, play something’, and he came up with something right away, it just fell like dominoes, it was really easy.” - Kurt
endless, nameless Silence Here I am Here I am Silent Bright and clear It’s what I am I have Died Uhhhh Uhhhh Uhhhh Uhhhh Death With violence Excitement Right here Died Go to hell Here I am Right here Ow No mas No mas No mas No mas Death Is what I am Go to hell Go to jail In back of that Crime Here I am Take a chance Dead Die