Smells Like Teen Spirit
Cristiano Cosa Lyrics

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Load up on guns and 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
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
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 mulatto
A mulatto
A mulatto
A mulatto
A mulatto
A mulatto
A mulatto

A mulatto
A mulatto

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana are enigmatic, cryptic, and highly expressive. The song encapsulates the youth angst, disillusionment, and alienation that marked the cultural climate of the early 1990s. The opening line itself, "Load up on guns and bring your friends," can be interpreted in different ways. Some believe it's a satirical take on the glorification of guns and violence in America, while others see it as a metaphor for arming oneself with bravado and companionship to navigate through life.

The line "It's fun to lose and to pretend" may suggest a nihilistic worldview that sees no value in striving or achieving. Instead, the song seems to urge a surrender to boredom, disaffection, and apathy. The reference to a "dirty word" could be a nod to the taboo-breaking of rock music or a veiled reference to Kurt Cobain's disdain for conformity and convention. The recurring lines of "Hello, hello, hello, how low?" suggest a sense of detachment and melancholy that characterizes the teenage psyche.

The chorus of "Here we are now, entertain us" speaks to the desire for instant gratification and distraction that pervades contemporary society. But even as the song seems to embody a sense of despair and hopelessness, the melodic hooks, frenzied guitars, and Cobain's raw vocal delivery create an electrifying energy that makes it hard to resist.

Line by Line Meaning

Load up on guns and bring your friends
Let's gather weapons and allies to face our problems head-on

It's fun to lose and to pretend
Pretending to be carefree and joyful in order to hide our true feelings can be empowering

She's over bored and self assured
She's tired of the monotony of her life and confident in her own abilities

Oh no, I know a dirty word
I'm aware of something taboo or inappropriate and it's weighing on my conscience

Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Greeting someone or something that is feeling down or low-spirited

With the lights out it's less dangerous
When we don't have full visibility, we can sometimes feel more secure and at ease

Here we are now, entertain us
We're restless and in need of distraction, so someone please captivate our attention

I feel stupid and contagious
I feel foolish and like my negative emotions are spreading to those around me

A mulatto
The artist is calling out for someone who is mixed race

An albino
The artist is calling out for someone who lacks pigmentation in their skin or hair

A mosquito
The singer is calling out for a small, pesky insect