Smells Like Teen Spirit
Rockabye Baby! Lyrics
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It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word
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
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
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
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
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
The opening verse of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a statement of nihilism and rebellion, setting the tone for the rest of the song. The singer suggests that it is fun to act out, to be reckless and to pretend that there are no consequences, escalating that boredom and listlessness into a dangerous game. The repetition of "hello" underscores the feeling of emptiness and the need for communication, even if it's only in greeting. The verse closes with a provocative statement that hints at taboo - the singer knows a "dirty word," one which isn't repeated or defined, leaving listeners curious.
The chorus of the song is the most memorable part, with the two lines repeated throughout. The first line is a reference to the fact that it's safer to be in the dark, out of sight, where one can act without fear of scrutiny or judgement. The second line is an invitation or a demand to be entertained, to distract oneself from the sense of being disconnected and alienated. The singer then describes their own feelings of inadequacy and infectiousness, that they're unable to shake off something that has taken ahold of them. The third line is a series of words thrown together for their sound, but which also introduce a theme of others who are different, who stand out because of their appearance or ethnicity.
The song's final verse maintains the same basic structure, with the chorus repeated at the end. The singer admits to feeling conflicted, that they sometimes forget what they stand for or believe in, but that in those moments they try to find something that makes them smile. The final line is a repetition of the word "denial," something that can translate as either denying or living in denial, and which reinforces the sense of being disconnected from reality. Overall, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a bleak commentary on youthful ennui and angst, with a heavy dose of disaffection.
Line by Line Meaning
Load up on guns, bring your friends
Prepare yourself for a wild ride with weapons and friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
It's enjoyable to abandon reality and act out fantasies
She's over-bored and self-assured
She is extremely bored and confident in herself
Oh no, I know a dirty word
Expressing knowledge of profanity
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Repeated greeting and a reference to a state of feeling low
With the lights out, it's less dangerous
When visibility is low, danger is reduced
Here we are now, entertain us
We are present and ready to be amused
I feel stupid and contagious
I am unintelligent and have a contagious quality
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
References to different races and a mosquito, followed by an admission of sexual desire
Yeah, hey
Exclamation of agreement or affirmation
I'm worse at what I do best
I am less skilled in the activity at which I excel
And for this gift I feel blessed
I feel fortunate for my natural talent
Our little group has always been
Our close-knit clique has always existed
And always will until the end
The group will remain together until their demise
And I forget just why I taste
I have forgotten why I find pleasure in this experience
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
Oh yes, I suppose it elicits a smile from me
I found it hard, it's hard to find
I found this experience to be difficult to come by
Oh well, whatever, never mind
An expression of apathy or disregard
A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial, a denial
Repetition of the word 'denial'
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Chris Novoselic, David Grohl, Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind