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.
heart-shaped box
Kurt Cobain Lyrics
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Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice
...your advice
Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet Cut myself on Angel Hair and babys breath Broken hymen of your highness I'm left black Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice ...Your advice
*SOLO*
She has me like a pisces when I am weak I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap I wish I could Eat your cancer when you turn black
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Your advice Your advice Your advice
The lyrics to Kurt Cobain's song "Heart-Shaped Box" are quite enigmatic but are considered to be a commentary on the nature of relationships, particularly the toxic and controlling nature of certain relationships. The opening line "She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak" is a reference to the zodiac sign Pisces which is symbolized by a fish, and the gaze of the woman in the song is seen as predatory, like a fish poised to strike when its prey is weak. The line "I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks" is a metaphor for being trapped in a relationship where the other person has complete control over your emotions and actions.
The lyrics also use vivid imagery to describe the intensity of the relationship; "I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap" is a reference to the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, which have trapped and preserved animals for thousands of years. The singer then wishes to "Eat your cancer when you turn black", which can be interpreted as wanting to take away the negativity or toxic aspects of the other person or relationship. However, the use of a violent image like cancer eating suggests that this desire may also be destructive in nature.
The chorus of "Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint, forever in debt to your priceless advice" seems to be a repeated admission of the singer's powerlessness in the relationship, always having to turn to the other person for guidance and wisdom. The final image of throwing down the "umbilical noose" creates a sense of escape or breaking free from the relationship, but it is unclear whether this is accomplished or not.
Line by Line Meaning
She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak
When I feel vulnerable, she sees through me as if she knows me inside and out.
I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks
I've been trapped in your controlling and suffocating love for a long time, unable to escape.
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
Your charisma and pull are as strong as a magnet, but it's all a trap that's slowly wearing me down.
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black
I care for you so much that I would bear your pain and sickness, fixing it for you and protecting you in the process.
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice
I'm frustrated and resentful about your influence and control over me, but at the same time, I feel indebted to your guidance and wisdom.
...your advice
This line reinforces my dependence on her advice, even if it's not always what I want to hear.
Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet
The people around us are vicious and unforgiving, making it hard for us to trust each other and the world.
Cut myself on Angel Hair and babys breath Broken hymen of your highness I'm left black
I've fallen victim to your fragile and delicate beauty and left myself vulnerable, only to be left feeling hurt and empty.
Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back
I'm willing to risk being trapped by your controlling love again, just so I can feel close to you one more time.
She has me like a pisces when I am weak
I am powerless and vulnerable to her whims and desires, like a fish under the spell of a seductive mermaid.
I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks
I'm still trapped and suffocating in your love, unable to break free.
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I'm still under the spell of your magnetic pull, even though I know it's slowly draining me of my energy and life.
I wish I could Eat your cancer when you turn black
I love you so much that I would rather take on your pain and struggles than see you suffer alone.
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice
My resentment and indebtedness to your influence over me still lingers, even though I know I need your guidance to survive.
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice
No matter how frustrated or resentful I may be, I cannot deny how much I value and rely on your wisdom.
Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint Forever in debt to your priceless advice Your advice Your advice Your advice
No matter how much I complain or resist, I am deeply indebted and committed to following your guidance, as I cannot imagine life without you.
Writer(s): KURT COBAIN
Contributed by Lily W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@aestheticaltwat
Director: “So how saturated do you want the music video to be?”
Kurt: “Hold on a minute, what’s that on the TV?”
TV: Playing music video for Black Hole Sun.
Director: “...so you want me too-“
Kurt: “Yes.”
(Yes, I’m aware that this music video was made in ‘93 and Black Hole Sun was made in ‘94, but just pretend it works for the sake of the joke.)
@mjsnyc83
“Are people still listening to this in...” yes, we are
@don1913
Forever and ever
@lordholzi
of course we are
@youssefrayan460
always
@Paul-gf6kp
Always have been
@Mailenheuberger
always has been
@himalia7884
Director: so Kurt,-
Kurt: CRUCIFY SANTA
@avy6153
I'm pretty sure it is Jesus
@himalia7884
The Red Terror I don’t remember Jesus having a Santa hat.. 🤨 but still
@yoda5436
Shook Eth he had a Santa hat cuz Christmas is his birthday, it’s definitely Jesus though.