The song is a cover: the original version is by Young Marble Giants, released in 1980.
When applied to the context of Hole, most of “Credit in the Straight World”’s lyrics seem to speak of how, with the less “ugly” sound and more pop-oriented songwriting Hole started exploring on Live Through This, they would get attention from mainstream rock fans. The lyrics allude to getting high, something Courtney Love is infamous for, and includes images of losing a leg and an eye, perhaps referencing the extremes Courtney Love went, and continues to go, to please her audience at live shows — such as careless stage diving and ruthless destruction of stage equipment.
The song is notable for its sudden shift in sound, with the intro being slower and more dramatic — then suddenly changing to a faster, grunge sound: this is because the song’s intro is cut from another song.
The song’s intro is taken from another song titled “Old Age” which was cut from Live Through This. “Old Age” was originally written by Kurt Cobain for Nirvana’s album Nevermind in 1991, however, it was never completed. It was given to Courtney Love who, along with the rest of Hole, re-worked the song and released it as a B-side to the non-album single “Beautiful Son” in 1993. Another version of the song was recorded later in 1993 during the sessions for Live Through This and this version was intended to feature on the album, but it was cut and instead was used as a B-side to “Violet” when that song was released as a single in 1995. It would later be included in the compilation My Body, the Hand Grenade in 1997.
Credit In The Straight World
Hole Lyrics
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Your highness, I'm so high I cannot walk
And I will awake
You cripple, you take away my time, my peace, my empathy
No babies sleep on atrophy
Your unborn love and fetal's dress
My bitter candy fated less caress
Look a dealer in the eye
Go for credit in the real world, won't you try
I got some credit in the straight world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
Go for credit in the real world you will die
It's the credit in the straight world
Leave your money when you die
Lots of credit in the real world gets you high
I got some credit in the straight world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
Go for credit in the real world, you will die
In "Credit In The Straight World," Hole's frontwoman Courtney Love sings about various themes such as substance abuse, power dynamics, and societal expectations. The opening verse depicts a state of being high, and the subsequent chorus suggests the futility of chasing financial success in our current capitalist society while holding a cynical view of the "real world." The second verse juxtaposes the idea of sleeping babies with a bleak outlook on love and its potential for disappointment. The contrast of the innocent and the jaded emphasizes one of the song's underlying themes, which is the loss of idealism as one navigates the complexities of life.
The song's chorus, which encourages one to pursue credit and success in the "straight world," is almost mocking in its tone. Love's lyrics imply that society values shallow materialism and the ability to conform over true fulfillment and self-actualization. The song's title can also be interpreted in multiple ways, as "credit" could refer to financial credit or to societal credit that is gained by conforming to societal norms. The repetition of the chorus throughout the song emphasizes the emptiness of these pursuits.
Overall, "Credit In The Straight World" is a poignant commentary on the pitfalls of capitalist culture and societal pressures to conform. Love's raw vocals and dark lyrics make the song an impactful addition to Hole's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
And I will awake
I will come to awareness/ consciousness
Your highness, I'm so high I cannot walk
You, the one I address as highness, I'm high to the point that I can't walk
And I will awake
I will come to awareness/ consciousness
You cripple, you take away my time, my peace, my empathy
You, the one I address as cripple, take away my time, peace, and empathy
No babies sleep on atrophy
No newborn babies rest on a state of decline or wasting away
Your unborn love and fetal's dress
Your yet-to-be-born love and the clothes that fit an unborn fetus
My bitter candy fated less caress
My caress of bitter candy is without the fate it should have had
Go for credit in the straight world
Gain recognition in the conventional/normal world
Look a dealer in the eye
Face a dealer and take responsibility
Go for credit in the real world, won't you try
Attempt to gain recognition in the real world
I got some credit in the straight world
I have gained some recognition in the normal world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
I have lost a limb and an eye
Go for credit in the real world you will die
If you try to gain recognition in the actual world, you will fail and be ruined
It's the credit in the straight world
Recognition in the conventional/normal world is what matters
Leave your money when you die
Your money has no use when you're dead
Lots of credit in the real world gets you high
Gaining recognition in the actual world gives you a high feeling
I got some credit in the straight world
I have gained some recognition in the normal world
I lost a leg, I lost an eye
I have lost a limb and an eye
Go for credit in the real world, you will die
If you try to gain recognition in the actual world, you will fail and be ruined
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Stuart Moxham
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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