Cobain and Nirvana were highly influential, popularizing what came to be known as "grunge music". In 1991, the arrival of Cobain's best known song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit", marked the beginning of a dramatic shift of popular music away from the dominant genres of the 1980s: glam metal, arena rock, and dance-pop. The music media eventually awarded "Smells Like Teen Spirit" "anthem-of-a-generation" status, and, with it, Cobain ascended as the reluctant "spokesman" for Generation X. Kurt Cobain changed the course of music forever even though it was never his intention.
About a girl
Kurt Cobain Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I do... with an ear to lend
I do... think you fit this shoe
I do... but you have a clue
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
I'm standing in your line
I do... hope you have the time
I do... pick a number too
I do... keep a date with you
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
Free
I need an easy friend
I do... with an ear to lend
I do... think you fit this shoe
I do... but you have a clue
I'll take advantage while
You hang me out to dry
But I can't see you every night
But I can't see you every night
Free
The song "About a Girl" by Kurt Cobain is about a guy who has a crush on a girl who is his friend. He appreciates her companionship and wants her to be his girlfriend, but he knows he cannot have her every night. He sees her as an "easy friend," someone he can confide in and depend on. The lyrics portray his desire to take advantage of the situation, but also his acknowledgement that he cannot control everything, and that he is willing to accept whatever comes.
The opening lyrics suggest that the guy needs a friend who is willing to listen, indicating that he feels alone and wants someone who will empathize with him. He also thinks that the girl would be perfect for this role, as he feels she "fits this shoe." However, the guy knows that the girl is aware of his feelings for her, as he ends the verse with "but you have a clue." This line shows that he does not want to hide his feelings and is being honest with her.
In the chorus, the guy says that he wants to take advantage of the girl while she is hanging him out to dry (leaving him waiting and uncertain), but acknowledges he cannot expect her to be with him every night. The line "free" may mean that he is not expecting anything in return for his feelings or that he is reminding himself to be open and honest.
Overall, "About a Girl" shows the complicated feelings and desires that come with a crush and the complications that may arise when your friend is also the object of your affection.
Line by Line Meaning
I need an easy friend
I want a friend who is easy-going and won't cause me any trouble or drama.
I do... with an ear to lend
I want someone who will listen to me when I need to talk.
I do... think you fit this shoe
I think you have qualities that make you a good match for what I'm looking for in a friend.
I do... but you have a clue
I hope you understand and realize that we could be good friends.
I'll take advantage while
I'll make the most of the opportunity when...
You hang me out to dry
You leave me alone, without any support or help when I need it.
But I can't see you every night
But I don't want to be too reliant or clingy, and understand that you have your own life too.
Free
I want to have the freedom to be myself and not feel constrained by my actions or worries about what others think.
I'm standing in your line
I'm waiting for you, hoping to be noticed and given a chance.
I do... hope you have the time
I hope that you are not too busy to consider spending time with me.
I do... pick a number too
I'm willing to be flexible and accommodating to make it work for us.
I do... keep a date with you
I will make a plan and keep my promise to meet and spend time with you.
Writer(s): Kurt Cobain
Contributed by Zachary J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ferociousbung
Can we talk about how Dave looks like your high school art teacher who is also a part-time free-form jazz artist?
@deneesherpather9686
🤣🤣
@shaggymotionless4269
🤣🤣🤣👌🤣🤣🤣👌
@theevildrummingsithlord1492
That is very accurate
@skankinmike
I think he looks just like the front man of the foo fighters!
@myleshall4300
Or a yoga instructor
@Dakillinmachin3
This song was drug through a puddle of mudd yesterday
@MetroplexBias
ty Jared Dines
@henrymullins4592
Train wreck was actually embarrassed for the guy
@Cruz474
LMAOOO