Sappy
♪ Nirvana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

And if you save yourself
You will make him happy
He'll keep you in a jar
And you'll think you're happy

He'll give you breathing holes
And you'll think you're happy
He'll cover you with grass
And you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

And if you cut yourself
You will think you're happy
He'll keep you in a jar
Then you'll make him happy

He'll give you breathing holes
Then you'll think you're happy
He'll cover you with grass
Then you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

And if you fool yourself
You will make him happy
He'll keep you in a jar
Then you'll think you're happy

He'll give you breathing holes
Then you will seem happy
You'll wallow in the shit
Then you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room




You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nirvana's song "Sappy" evoke feelings of entrapment, delusion and self-deception. The song is about a person who believes they are happy because they are being kept in a jar by someone who is taking care of them. This person has convinced themselves that they are happy and that they need to stay in this jar in order to maintain their happiness. The person who is taking care of them is controlling them and keeping them in this jar, and they are unable to leave.


The lyrics of the song are a commentary on the human psyche and how we can deceive ourselves into believing that we are happy, even when we are not. The jar that the person is being kept in represents the restrictions that we put on ourselves and the walls that we build around ourselves to protect ourselves. These walls can become our prison, and we can convince ourselves that we need them to be happy.


The laundry room in which the person finds themselves represents the dirty, confined space that they have been confined to. The clues that they have been given represent the small signs that they may have missed that would have led them to question their situation. Ultimately, the song is about the human need for freedom and the dangers of self-deception.


Line by Line Meaning

And if you save yourself
If you only care about yourself


You will make him happy
It may bring temporary happiness to someone else


He'll keep you in a jar
The person you've pleased will attempt to control and contain you


And you'll think you're happy
You'll be under an illusion of happiness


He'll give you breathing holes
They'll allow you to have a sense of freedom


And you'll think you're happy
You'll continue being under an illusion of happiness


He'll cover you with grass
The manipulator will try to hide the reality from you


And you'll think you're happy now
You'll be fooled into thinking that everything is fine


You're in a laundry room
You're in a place where dirty things are washed and made clean


The clues that came to you, oh
You've been warned but ignored the warning signs


And if you cut yourself
If you inflict pain on yourself


Then you'll think you're happy
You'll once again be under an illusion of happiness


Then you'll make him happy
Your pain and suffering will please the manipulator


Then you will seem happy
You'll appear to be happy even though you're not


You'll wallow in the shit
You'll be stuck in a bad situation


Then you'll think you're happy now
You'll continue to believe in a false happiness




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: KURT COBAIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

@MicTheSnare

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health, suicide or substance use crisis or emotional distress, reach out to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Access is free and runs 24/7.

@MicTheSnare

(Sidenote: captions are still being worked on and should be up in the next day or so)

@BugVlogs

Mic the Snare, you are a wonderful human being and I hope you are doing ok 😊

@maryannappiagyei4277

Amazing band. Nirvana. Rest peace Kurt Cobain. Love you and miss you

@Shrimpy08

@@MicTheSnare thanks mic your the coolest ps guided by voices ddd

@serjtankian5474

🤯

13 More Replies...

@brandonmclendon5368

It’s honestly kinda sad how Dave Grohl has been part of 2 bands, and two of his best friends died.

@JPproductions303

And it’s sadly poetic drummer losing his singer and a singer loosing his drummer

@philly_sports1558

Dave must have had flashbacks when he found out about Taylor. It must’ve been worse for him actually because he knew Taylor for about 25 years and only knew Kurt for about 5. I really feel for the guy.

@TheAndradeCS

I can't imagine how Pat Smear must feel, he was in 3 bands where his friends died, 2 of those being the same Dave Grohl was in. It's tragedy all around.

More Comments

More Versions