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Come As You Are Lyrics

Edit Lyrics Come as you are, as you wereAs I want you to beAs a friend, as a friendAs an old enemyTake your time, hurry upChoice is yours, don't be lateTake a rest as a friendAs an oldMemoria, memoriaMemoria, memoriaCome doused in mud, soaked in bleachAs I want you to beAs a trend, as a friendAs an oldMemoria, memoriaMemoria, memoriaAnd I swear that I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunMemoria, memoriaMemoria, memoria(No, I don't have a gun)And I swear that I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunNo, I don't have a gunMemoria, memoria New! Log in to start a snippet Song Info Copyright Lyrics © Bmg Rights Management Writer Kurt Cobain Submitted by bonj On Apr 25, 2001 More Nirvana Album art Smells Like Teen Spirit Album art Heart-Shaped Box Album art You Know You're Right Album art Rape Me Album art All Apologies 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 Choice is yours, don't be late Take a rest as a friend As an old 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, 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 Memoria, memoria Memoria, memoria (No, I don't have a gun) 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 Memoria, memoria Correcting wrong lyrics Fixing missing lines Removing extra lines Updating to official version Switching between clean/explicit (official) Fixing line breaks or spacing Correcting stanza/section order Removing unofficial annotations or brackets Correcting punctuation or capitalization Fixing spelling/typo errors Removing non-lyric content Standardizing formatting Other (explain below) Lyrics saved successfully! Thanks! These lyrics are currently locked and can only be edited by moderators and administrators. You must be logged in to edit lyrics. Unable to save lyrics. Please try again. Lyrics cannot contain links. Lyric edit submitted successfully and is pending approval. Approvals usually take 24 hours. Edit Cancel Editing Tips Keep it true to the song

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Revision History LHGL 2022-06-27 20:21:11 LHGL 2021-10-24 17:06:17 LHGL 2021-08-06 00:11:59 LHGL 2021-07-07 20:07:52 LHGL 2021-06-29 20:48:56 bonj Submitter 2001-04-25 01:47:54 565 Meanings

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View Profile Dismiss Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by CompleteNirvana 24y ago

About not being judgmental about how someone changes after not seeing them for a pretty long time.

About not being judgmental about how someone changes after not seeing them for a pretty long time. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +32 Users: Reply · 4 Share by YOURMOMSCRACKPIPE 17y ago

fuckn COMPLETERNIRVANA you got it hommies! this song was writing after Kurdt and Krist got in to an argument during NEVERMIND sessions cool!!!!!!!!!!!!

fuckn COMPLETERNIRVANA you got it hommies! this song was writing after Kurdt and Krist got in to an argument during NEVERMIND sessions cool!!!!!!!!!!!! Reason: Edit Cancel by riju100000 11y ago

Perfect explanation in small words...

Perfect explanation in small words... Reason: Edit Cancel by Martinlyrics 2y ago

@CompleteNirvana Well commented, it could also be that.

@[CompleteNirvana:49832] Well commented, it could also be that. Reason: Edit Cancel by Martinlyrics 2y ago

Just a comment to "YourMomsCrackPipe", hehe, funny name. Probably it was I that wrote the lyric back in the summer of 1990/91. I noted that Kurt, with his "ingenuity", as well as some peculiarity, as well as a somewhat aggressive/angry "stage performance" at times, and possibly stubbornness could have some friends, but also some unfriends at times. So the text could perhaps refer to it, but not necessarily. I then refer to the stanza "As an old enemy".

Just a comment to "YourMomsCrackPipe", hehe, funny name. Probably it was I that wrote the lyric back in the summer of 1990/91. I noted that Kurt, with his "ingenuity", as well as some peculiarity, as well as a somewhat aggressive/angry "stage performance" at times, and possibly stubbornness could have some friends, but also some unfriends at times. So the text could perhaps refer to it, but not necessarily. I then refer to the stanza "As an old enemy". Reason: Edit Cancel Show More Replies Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by msp123 14y ago

The point of this song is to mock most friendships. Overall, it expresses his distrust in people. I think reality is harsh and this harsh reality is singing to Kurt's feelings. In Kurt's mind, I think he's feeling the need for a true friend, but then he feels discouraged when his imaginary friend places unfriendly demands on him, so then Kurt longs for the memory of when he believed true friends were easy to find and keep.

The song describes a true friend but then implies most people fake it because they're users. In the song, the person welcoming you as a friend appears to be open minded and generous but then contradicts it all. For example, your schedule should really fit his schedule, and you're just a trend to make him look trendy too, and you'll be kicked to the curb when you no longer serve this purpose. You can be dirty or clean (physically, emotionally or morally), but whatever it is, it needs to be useful to your so called friend. In other words, your value isn't determined by your true character and health, it's determined by what you can accomplish for your so called friend. He also talks about you once being an enemy but now has use for you for some reason; and just in case you suspect he might still harbor resentment and be shady, he swears he doesn't have a gun. Kurt himself had guns and said he wasn't afraid to use it, so he's implying somebody who claims to not have intentions of hurting you can't be trusted because a real friend will just simply be your friend instead of just saying they will be. In other words, earn your trust with your actions, don't buy it with promises. Yet, most people are just empty promises.

I know this is the complete opposite of what most people want to believe about the song. But Kurt was a very sarcastic and cynical person. Courtney Love says he had no real social friends and that he resented most people who considered themselves to be his true friend. He was a very grounded person who thought people didn't value the important things in life (like true friendship) and instead were shallow and often backstabbing. Most of his lyrics are contradicting and ambivalent, which is his way of being sarcastic and expressing his frustration and cynical views on humanity.

This song, like almost all his songs, is so ambivalent you could actually interpret it many ways. I think he does this not only for artistic purposes, but also to give the listener the freedom to feel the way they want to about it. But I think he believes in the cynical interpretation even though he wishes for the non-cynical interpretation.

My Interpretation The point of this song is to mock most friendships. Overall, it expresses his distrust in people. I think reality is harsh and this harsh reality is singing to Kurt's feelings. In Kurt's mind, I think he's feeling the need for a true friend, but then he feels discouraged when his imaginary friend places unfriendly demands on him, so then Kurt longs for the memory of when he believed true friends were easy to find and keep. The song describes a true friend but then implies most people fake it because they're users. In the song, the person welcoming you as a friend appears to be open minded and generous but then contradicts it all. For example, your schedule should really fit his schedule, and you're just a trend to make him look trendy too, and you'll be kicked to the curb when you no longer serve this purpose. You can be dirty or clean (physically, emotionally or morally), but whatever it is, it needs to be useful to your so called friend. In other words, your value isn't determined by your true character and health, it's determined by what you can accomplish for your so called friend. He also talks about you once being an enemy but now has use for you for some reason; and just in case you suspect he might still harbor resentment and be shady, he swears he doesn't have a gun. Kurt himself had guns and said he wasn't afraid to use it, so he's implying somebody who claims to not have intentions of hurting you can't be trusted because a real friend will just simply be your friend instead of just saying they will be. In other words, earn your trust with your actions, don't buy it with promises. Yet, most people are just empty promises. I know this is the complete opposite of what most people want to believe about the song. But Kurt was a very sarcastic and cynical person. Courtney Love says he had no real social friends and that he resented most people who considered themselves to be his true friend. He was a very grounded person who thought people didn't value the important things in life (like true friendship) and instead were shallow and often backstabbing. Most of his lyrics are contradicting and ambivalent, which is his way of being sarcastic and expressing his frustration and cynical views on humanity. This song, like almost all his songs, is so ambivalent you could actually interpret it many ways. I think he does this not only for artistic purposes, but also to give the listener the freedom to feel the way they want to about it. But I think he believes in the cynical interpretation even though he wishes for the non-cynical interpretation. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +27 Users: Reply · 5 Share by roymethko 11y ago

@msp123 Thanks, Courtney

@[msp123:4839] Thanks, Courtney Reason: Edit Cancel by rya1017! 10y ago

I think he is talking about how Satan came as a friend and changes into something else after getting him into it. The bleach is the whitening of Jesus which is false he is black. Deception is the world's game.

I think he is talking about how Satan came as a friend and changes into something else after getting him into it. The bleach is the whitening of Jesus which is false he is black. Deception is the world's game. Reason: Edit Cancel by formaldehydeKAT 3y ago

@msp123 its been 10 yrs so ill cut you some slack but god this is cringey and reads like an entry straight of an angsty tweens diary.

@[msp123:44567] its been 10 yrs so ill cut you some slack but god this is cringey and reads like an entry straight of an angsty tweens diary. Reason: Edit Cancel Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by Grunger83 24y ago

In response to those who responded to me. I will not back off. I will admit that I was in a bad mood the night I wrote that review, but I'm still going to tell you all that Kurt was the one who ended his life, not Courtney. I can tell you sensitive types were offended by my remark and even went as far as telling me that Kurt had tears in his eyes after unplugged. Sorry, but if he had tears in his eyes, it wasn't for fan appreiciation, it was for the fact that the audience only got excited for the nevermind songs and totally ignored his heart-wrenching songs from In Utero. I do believe it was people like you Courtney Love witch hunters who made him kill himself. By the way butterfly girl, I'm not yelling at you for your opinions, only your ignorance. I'm sick you people thinking you can change the world by lying about something like Kurt's death. He killed himself, end of story. Don't believe me? Ask Dave Grohl, Chris Novoselic, Courtney Love, Bev Cobain and about everybody who knew or knows about Kurt. practically the whole world Believes the suicide theory, so give up, we win. Stop Blaming people like Eddie Vedder, Courtney Love, and Pat Smear for his death. I'm sad he's gone too, but he ain't gonna come back if you say he was murdered, especially when you're stooping so low as to blaming the people he was close to. Don't bother responding to me with more of your "MURDER EVIDENCE" I'm moving on with my life and won't be back to this section of the site again. Peace, A true Nirvana fan, not a Courtney Love hater.

In response to those who responded to me. I will not back off. I will admit that I was in a bad mood the night I wrote that review, but I'm still going to tell you all that Kurt was the one who ended his life, not Courtney. I can tell you sensitive types were offended by my remark and even went as far as telling me that Kurt had tears in his eyes after unplugged. Sorry, but if he had tears in his eyes, it wasn't for fan appreiciation, it was for the fact that the audience only got excited for the nevermind songs and totally ignored his heart-wrenching songs from In Utero. I do believe it was people like you Courtney Love witch hunters who made him kill himself. By the way butterfly girl, I'm not yelling at you for your opinions, only your ignorance. I'm sick you people thinking you can change the world by lying about something like Kurt's death. He killed himself, end of story. Don't believe me? Ask Dave Grohl, Chris Novoselic, Courtney Love, Bev Cobain and about everybody who knew or knows about Kurt. practically the whole world Believes the suicide theory, so give up, we win. Stop Blaming people like Eddie Vedder, Courtney Love, and Pat Smear for his death. I'm sad he's gone too, but he ain't gonna come back if you say he was murdered, especially when you're stooping so low as to blaming the people he was close to. Don't bother responding to me with more of your "MURDER EVIDENCE" I'm moving on with my life and won't be back to this section of the site again. Peace, A true Nirvana fan, not a Courtney Love hater. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +14 Users: Reply · 4 Share by classicrock4evur 17y ago

Dude you are no true Nirvana fan!!!!!!

He killed himself im not arguing that but true nirvana fans let the others make their decisions nirvana fans are like a tight knit community......we loke and care for each other......not like yyou.....you just seem mean and like you want to put what you think into everyone...

Dude you are no true Nirvana fan!!!!!! He killed himself im not arguing that but true nirvana fans let the others make their decisions nirvana fans are like a tight knit community......we loke and care for each other......not like yyou.....you just seem mean and like you want to put what you think into everyone... Reason: Edit Cancel by nirvana1997 14y ago

listen guys i know im like three years late with my comment but would kurt want you arguing now????? and i have read his book with the interviews done with dave grohl and his mother thinks he was murdered and his closest friends say he wasnt scuicidal before he died he didnt kill himself kurt cobain was his own person and it dosent matter if he had tears in his eyes or not lets just appriciate him for his non- jaded personality that he purposely kept himself niave too avoid. i dont hate courtney love but that dosent...

Read more... listen guys i know im like three years late with my comment but would kurt want you arguing now????? and i have read his book with the interviews done with dave grohl and his mother thinks he was murdered and his closest friends say he wasnt scuicidal before he died he didnt kill himself kurt cobain was his own person and it dosent matter if he had tears in his eyes or not lets just appriciate him for his non- jaded personality that he purposely kept himself niave too avoid. i dont hate courtney love but that dosent mean she didnt have anything to do with his death huh ???? nirvana nirvana nirvanaaaaaaaaa Reason: Edit Cancel by BrokenOne 13y ago

I'm not Nirvana fan, I'm a fan of music, period ! So perhaps you will afford me the respect that you're instantly expecting for your comments. I've but one question for you... In a melancholia semi comatose state, as one would be after a hot shot 4x the strength of a normal dose of heroin, how does one find the effort required to find, load and use a shotgun ?

I'm not Nirvana fan, I'm a fan of music, period ! So perhaps you will afford me the respect that you're instantly expecting for your comments. I've but one question for you... In a melancholia semi comatose state, as one would be after a hot shot 4x the strength of a normal dose of heroin, how does one find the effort required to find, load and use a shotgun ? Reason: Edit Cancel by snow1998 11y ago

@Grunger83 ...I dont think ANYONE gets to define what a true Nirvana fan is .-.

@[Grunger83:2520] ...I dont think ANYONE gets to define what a true Nirvana fan is .-. Reason: Edit Cancel Show More Replies Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by NicoleKC 13y ago

here's a simple version:

(if you want) Come as you are, (or) as you were, (but please come) as I want you to be; As a friend, as a friend, (or at least) as and old enemy. (i dont want to pressure you so)Take your time, (or) hurry up, (im kindly leaving you the opportunity to choose) the choice is yours, (but god i really need a friend so) don't be late. Take a rest (in peace,with me) as a friend (or as an old memory;meaning the old good days when things weren't this confusing) as an old memori-a, Memori-a, memori-a, memori-a, memori-a

Come doused in mud, (he means:come dirty,i don't care about those things,im doused in mud too.) soaked in bleach, (or soaked in bleach cause i don't blame people that are influenced by the nowadays society. it's not your fault.*cause saying soaked in bleach he means that their not themselves.) as I want you to be; (cause yeah i want you to be like that, you dont have to be anything else,and i can't change you anyway.) As a trend, as a friend as an old memori-a, memori -a,

And I swear that I don't have a gun. (he means,i won't see you like a competitor like some other people said; or i'll take you friendly and you can feel safe with me.we're not enemies.) No, I don't have a gun. No, I don't have a gun. Memori-a, memori-a, memori-a, memori-a,

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.

Song Meaning here's a simple version: (if you want) Come as you are, (or) as you were, (but please come) as I want you to be; As a friend, as a friend, (or at least) as and old enemy. (i dont want to pressure you so)Take your time, (or) hurry up, (im kindly leaving you the opportunity to choose) the choice is yours, (but god i really need a friend so) don't be late. Take a rest (in peace,with me) as a friend (or as an old memory;meaning the old good days when things weren't this confusing) as an old memori-a, Memori-a, memori-a, memori-a, memori-a Come doused in mud, (he means:come dirty,i don't care about those things,im doused in mud too.) soaked in bleach, (or soaked in bleach cause i don't blame people that are influenced by the nowadays society. it's not your fault.*cause saying soaked in bleach he means that their not themselves.) as I want you to be; (cause yeah i want you to be like that, you dont have to be anything else,and i can't change you anyway.) As a trend, as a friend as an old memori-a, memori -a, And I swear that I don't have a gun. (he means,i won't see you like a competitor like some other people said; or i'll take you friendly and you can feel safe with me.we're not enemies.) No, I don't have a gun. No, I don't have a gun. Memori-a, memori-a, memori-a, memori-a, 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. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +12 Users: Reply · 2 Share by thomas1141 9y ago

@NicoleKC That's a really cool interpretation of the song but what you forget is that Nirvana/Kurt never wrote it! Kurt even says on a recording that it is a cover of the song by the Vaselines or something similar...

@[NicoleKC:16717] That's a really cool interpretation of the song but what you forget is that Nirvana/Kurt never wrote it! Kurt even says on a recording that it is a cover of the song by the Vaselines or something similar... Reason: Edit Cancel by jomichelle 1y ago

@NicoleKC Hi, your description of the song I liked, made it the way that I think of it. Definitely not a simple song and lyrics to understand, and that's how all Kurt's music was xx Thanks for your help 👍

@[NicoleKC:52401] Hi, your description of the song I liked, made it the way that I think of it. Definitely not a simple song and lyrics to understand, and that's how all Kurt's music was xx Thanks for your help 👍 Reason: Edit Cancel Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by FROST17 24y ago

the song is about welcoming back old enemies peacefully but remaining true to who they were. "dowsed in mud soaked in bleach"- exactly as they were but -"and i don't have gun"- on peaceful grounds

the song is about welcoming back old enemies peacefully but remaining true to who they were. "dowsed in mud soaked in bleach"- exactly as they were but -"and i don't have gun"- on peaceful grounds Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +5 Users: Reply · 5 Share by holachiika 15y ago

well said

well said Reason: Edit Cancel by Tadpol 14y ago

Exelent interpertation, thank you. Finaly someone who knows whitch website their on, thank you very much, great job....

Exelent interpertation, thank you. Finaly someone who knows whitch website their on, thank you very much, great job.... Reason: Edit Cancel by plataubirds 14y ago

I agree with you!

I agree with you! Reason: Edit Cancel by Hoarfrost 6y ago

@FROST17 just realised the other day that the song is about forgiving. Forgiving old ememies ( as he is welcoming them without a weapon behind his back).

@[FROST17:34289] just realised the other day that the song is about forgiving. Forgiving old ememies ( as he is welcoming them without a weapon behind his back). Reason: Edit Cancel by Martinlyrics 2y ago

@FROST17 It could be directed especially to "Polly". The writer of the lyric, which was me, may have had an acquaintance, a relationship with that girl/person. Maybe she asked if I had a gun, and I gave my answer "No, I don't have a gun", also conveyed in the lyric.

@[FROST17:49837] It could be directed especially to "Polly". The writer of the lyric, which was me, may have had an acquaintance, a relationship with that girl/person. Maybe she asked if I had a gun, and I gave my answer "No, I don't have a gun", also conveyed in the lyric. Reason: Edit Cancel Show More Replies Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by IronandMark 16y ago

When entering Cobain's hometown, Aberdeen, the sign read "Come As You Are". This is definitely one of the more positive Nirvana songs. If Kurt left behind one good thing, it would be his avocation of being who you are.

When entering Cobain's hometown, Aberdeen, the sign read "Come As You Are". This is definitely one of the more positive Nirvana songs. If Kurt left behind one good thing, it would be his avocation of being who you are. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +5 Users: Reply · 0 Share Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by Seattle 24y ago

When I first heard this song I thought it was about a guy waiting for someone he hadn't seen in a long while, like someone who picked on him or did him wrong. And he was waiting not necessarily to kill him when he arrived, but just to...I don't know, pay him back or something? It's hard to explain. There are so many ways to look at a song, so many underlying messages and hidden meanings in every word that it's hard to pin one down. I agree with the idea that it's about acceptance, as well; I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts about the other one.

When I first heard this song I thought it was about a guy waiting for someone he hadn't seen in a long while, like someone who picked on him or did him wrong. And he was waiting not necessarily to kill him when he arrived, but just to...I don't know, pay him back or something? It's hard to explain. There are so many ways to look at a song, so many underlying messages and hidden meanings in every word that it's hard to pin one down. I agree with the idea that it's about acceptance, as well; I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts about the other one. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 0 Share Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by minty33 13y ago

most of you are missing the point completely. it's sarcastic and about revenge. "come doused in mud soaked in bleach as i want u to be." "take a rest as a freind" and the sarcastic "no i don't have a gun". it is pretty clear someone that was a freind betrayed him and he wants revenge in the guise of a meeting as a freind

My Interpretation most of you are missing the point completely. it's sarcastic and about revenge. "come doused in mud soaked in bleach as i want u to be." "take a rest as a freind" and the sarcastic "no i don't have a gun". it is pretty clear someone that was a freind betrayed him and he wants revenge in the guise of a meeting as a freind Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +3 Users: Reply · 0 Share Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by Mace 24y ago

This IS a Nirvana song. The Vasalines cover they do is Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam, but it is titled wrong on the unpluged cd. It is titles Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam. Come As You Are is 100% Nirvana no questions asked.

This IS a Nirvana song. The Vasalines cover they do is Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam, but it is titled wrong on the unpluged cd. It is titles Jesus Doesn't Want Me For A Sunbeam. Come As You Are is 100% Nirvana no questions asked. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +2 Users: Reply · 2 Share by classicrock4evur 17y ago

They do a lot of Vasalines covers man

They do a lot of Vasalines covers man Reason: Edit Cancel by Martinlyrics 2y ago

@Mace I hereby confirm Nirvana's authenticity, by being the writer of the lyrics to some of their songs, also to "Come As You Are", hehe, haha. They probably composed their own music to a large extent, but as mentioned I was one of their lyricists.

@[Mace:49835] I hereby confirm Nirvana's authenticity, by being the writer of the lyrics to some of their songs, also to "Come As You Are", hehe, haha. They probably composed their own music to a large extent, but as mentioned I was one of their lyricists. Reason: Edit Cancel Cover art for Come As You Are lyrics by Nirvana by logiclrd 18y ago

So many fucking self-absorbed fucks. God! I had to read through 14 pages filled with completely irrelevant banter to find out if anyone had had similar ideas to me about this song. Honestly -- this site is about Song Meanings, and it is completely off-topic to post your opinions about what Kurt Cobain thought or how Kurt Cobain died.

Whatever.

After reading through the posts (and resorting to blindly skipping the ones with the words "Kurt" or "death" or "suicide" in the first 3 lines), I've seen some insight into the song that rings more truly for me than the idea I had when I started. Still, I figured I'd share the impression I got from the song when I initially started thinking about what it might mean.

The feeling I got was that someone very close to Kurt Cobain earlier in his life had hurt him very badly, perhaps by choosing another person, and he was struggling with conflicting emotions, love, respect, hate, anger, towards this person. He wished things to be as they used to be, for the person to come back and be a friend to him. When he insists that he doesn't have a gun, he's not telling the truth; his anger is leading to murderous thoughts, and he's trying to get the person to meet with him so he can express to them how badly he was hurt.

I no longer think this is really what the song is about, but I still think of it as an interesting interpretation. It came to me because that is the situation I am in in my life. I know the pain and the anger and the sorrow every day, and the twisted turns it takes in my mind make me feel ashamed that I am not able to accept and be stronger.

In any case, many of the comments have suggested far more likely interpretations of the song, about acceptance and specifically how many groups, some of them well-known and mainstream, want very much to think that they are benevolent and all-accepting when really, sometimes even as a policy, they accept only those who conform to their narrow beliefs and views.

On the topic of mud vs. bleach -- I don't think anybody suggested the idea that a person covered in mud would look black while a person exposed to bleach would look pale and white. If the song is perhaps truly about some groups of people who claim to be accepting and kind and friendly but are actually, whether overtly or in secret, very intolerant of other, different groups, then this could be a reference to racial clashes that have caused great conflict and anguish, as much in recent years as in the past.

So many fucking self-absorbed fucks. God! I had to read through 14 pages filled with completely irrelevant banter to find out if anyone had had similar ideas to me about this song. Honestly -- this site is about Song Meanings, and it is completely off-topic to post your opinions about what Kurt Cobain thought or how Kurt Cobain died. Whatever. After reading through the posts (and resorting to blindly skipping the ones with the words "Kurt" or "death" or "suicide" in the first 3 lines), I've seen some insight into the song that rings more truly for me than the idea I had when I started. Still, I figured I'd share the impression I got from the song when I initially started thinking about what it might mean. The feeling I got was that someone very close to Kurt Cobain earlier in his life had hurt him very badly, perhaps by choosing another person, and he was struggling with conflicting emotions, love, respect, hate, anger, towards this person. He wished things to be as they used to be, for the person to come back and be a friend to him. When he insists that he doesn't have a gun, he's not telling the truth; his anger is leading to murderous thoughts, and he's trying to get the person to meet with him so he can express to them how badly he was hurt. I no longer think this is really what the song is about, but I still think of it as an interesting interpretation. It came to me because that is the situation I am in in my life. I know the pain and the anger and the sorrow every day, and the twisted turns it takes in my mind make me feel ashamed that I am not able to accept and be stronger. In any case, many of the comments have suggested far more likely interpretations of the song, about acceptance and specifically how many groups, some of them well-known and mainstream, want very much to think that they are benevolent and all-accepting when really, sometimes even as a policy, they accept only those who conform to their narrow beliefs and views. On the topic of mud vs. bleach -- I don't think anybody suggested the idea that a person covered in mud would look black while a person exposed to bleach would look pale and white. If the song is perhaps truly about some groups of people who claim to be accepting and kind and friendly but are actually, whether overtly or in secret, very intolerant of other, different groups, then this could be a reference to racial clashes that have caused great conflict and anguish, as much in recent years as in the past. Reason: Edit Cancel ❤️ 💯 😂 🔥 😢 🤯 🤔 +2 Users: Reply · 0 Share 123...5657Next »
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Tag » Come As You Are Lyrics Translation