Nirvana's appearance at the 1992 Reading Festival was the band's second performance at the annual music festival and their first since the success of their second album Nevermind had elevated them to the position of what Pitchfork called the "biggest" rock band in the world. It was also their final concert in the United Kingdom. The band's first appearance at Reading had been on 23 August 1991, when they played an approximately 40-minute set on the afternoon of the first day of the festival, during their two-week European tour with American rock band Sonic Youth.
Breed
Nirvana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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, mind, don't have a mind
Get away, get away, get away
Get away, away, away from your home
I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid
I'm afraid, afraid, 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, she said
I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
I don't care, care, care if it's old
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind
I don't mind, mind, don't have a mind
Get away, get away, get away
Get away, away, away from your home
I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid
I'm afraid, afraid, ghost
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
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
She said
Said, good
The lyrics of Nirvana's song Breed do not follow a cohesive narrative, but rather repeat certain phrases and ideas to create a sense of anxiety and detachment. The repetition of "I don't care" and "I don't mind" suggests a disregard for consequences or emotions, while the repetition of "get away" and "I'm afraid" hints at a fear of something that cannot be specified. The reference to "ghost" in the second verse deepens this sense of unease.
The chorus involves a particularly cryptic set of lyrics that are open to interpretation. The line "even if you have, even if you need / I don't mean to stare, we don't have to breed" could be read as a rejection of societal expectations and norms, as the singer suggests that "breeding" (or reproducing) is not necessary for happiness or fulfillment. The reference to planting a house and building a tree adds to this idea, as it implies finding alternative ways of achieving stability and growth beyond traditional family structures. However, the exact meaning of these lyrics remains ambiguous and subject to varying interpretations.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't care, I don't care, I don't care
I am indifferent and apathetic towards whatever situation or topic is being discussed.
I don't care, I don't care, care if it's old
The age of something does not affect my level of interest or concern towards it.
I don't mind, I don't mind, I don't mind
I am tolerant and lenient, and do not have any objections.
I don't mind, mind, don't have a mind
I do not think much or have a fixed opinion on the matter.
Get away, get away, get away
I want to be distanced and removed from the current situation.
Get away, away, away from your home
I want someone to leave their comfort zone or home environment.
I'm afraid, I'm afraid, I'm afraid
I am fearful or anxious about something.
I'm afraid, afraid, ghost
I am scared of something haunting or affecting me, either physically or mentally.
Even if you have, even if you need
Regardless of your situation or needs,
I don't mean to stare, we don't have to breed
I do not intend to scrutinize or judge you, and we do not have to reproduce or multiply.
We could plant a house, we could build a tree
We have the potential to create and build something new and permanent.
I don't even care, we could have all three
I am nonchalant about the outcome, even if we have all three options or possibilities.
She said, she said
The female in this scenario has spoken and expressed her thoughts or opinions.
Said, good
She has made her point or comment, and it is viewed positively.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, O/B/O DistroKid
Written by: Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Johnny
on Lithium
Nice
robin
on Stay Away
love this
CHR!S
on Drain You - Live (1991/Del Mar Fairgrounds)
a-side goes hard from their paramount set tho
El Hrubcová
on Endless, Nameless
That's crazy song! Oh my god...I can't listen it!!!
El Hrubcová
on Territorial Pissings
It's dangerous... That's my drug!! <3