rape me
Kurt Cobain Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Rape me, rape me my friend
Rape me, rape me again
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one

Hate me
Do it and do it again
Waste me
Rape me, my friend
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one

My favorite inside source
I'll kiss your open sores
Appreciate your concern
You're gonna stink and burn

Rape me, rape me my friend
Rape me, rape me again
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one
I'm not the only one

Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me (rape me)
Rape me

Overall Meaning

Kurt Cobain's song "Rape Me" is a powerful and controversial commentary on issues of sexual violence and abuse. The lyrics of the song suggest a desire for someone to take control over the singer's body in a sexually violent way. The repetition of the phrase "rape me, rape me my friend" implies a desire for closeness or connection with someone who is capable of such an act. The use of the word "friend" adds another layer of darkness to the song, implying that the singer may feel that someone they know and trust is capable of hurting them in this way.


As the song progresses, it becomes clear that the singer is addressing the broader issue of sexual violence in society, singling out the fact that they are "not the only one" who has experienced this kind of trauma. The phrase "hate me, do it and do it again, waste me" could be interpreted as a plea to take action against the violence inflicted upon them, even if it means causing more harm or destruction. The lyrics seem to suggest that society is responsible for perpetuating the cycle of violence, and that it will ultimately lead to their own downfall.


The final stanza of the song is particularly poignant, with the singer acknowledging that they have their own pain and trauma to deal with but also recognizing the struggles of others. The line "I'll kiss your open sores, appreciate your concern" suggests that despite their own struggles, the singer is willing to extend empathy and kindness to others who have also experienced pain. The final line, "you're gonna stink and burn," could be interpreted as a warning that those who perpetrate violence will eventually face consequences.


Line by Line Meaning

Rape me, rape me my friend
I am willing to be taken advantage of because I have been hurt before and it is all that I know.


Rape me, rape me again
I am so used to being mistreated that I am numb to the pain and am ready and willing to endure it again.


I'm not the only one
There are others out there just like me who have suffered similar experiences and feel as helpless as I do.


Hate me
I am so broken and damaged that I feel like I deserve to be hated.


Do it and do it again
Because I am so used to being mistreated, I expect it to keep happening and am resigned to this fate.


Waste me
I feel depleted and worthless, like there is nothing left of me to give.


My favorite inside source
I am so desperate for any form of connection or attention that I will seek it out from anyone, even those who hurt me.


I'll kiss your open sores
I am so desperate for love and affection that I am willing to cater to the needs of those who cause me harm, even if it means hurting myself further.


Appreciate your concern
I know that you are mistreating me, but I appreciate any form of attention or interaction that I am able to get.


You're gonna stink and burn
I am so used to being hurt that I am resigned to the fact that I will experience pain and suffering for the rest of my life.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so damaged and broken that I no longer view sexual assault as a violation, but as a familiar and routine form of mistreatment.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so desperate for any form of attention or affection that I am willing to endure even the most heinous forms of mistreatment.


Rape me (rape me)
I have been hurt so much that I no longer recognize what is happening to me as wrong or harmful.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so consumed by my own pain and despair that I am willing to endure anything to feel something, even if it is pain.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so desperate for someone to notice and care about me that I am willing to endure the worst forms of mistreatment.


Rape me (rape me)
I have been hurt so much that I no longer value my own worth and instead think of myself as disposable and undeserving of love or kindness.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so consumed by my own pain and despair that I am willing to be hurt again and again because it is the only thing that feels familiar.


Rape me (rape me)
I am so broken and damaged that I no longer recognize what is happening to me as wrong or abusive.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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:

@yikes6989

by literally, explicitly, “asking for it”, he makes listeners uncomfortable. they know it is an incongruous & strange statement that no one would actually say. the raw discomfort created proves that no one is ever “asking for it”—that phrase is just a way of silencing victims. that’s why the song is powerful.

@comdrive3865

beautiful explanation. Thanks!!!

@ohwellwhateverr

This should be top & pinned comment. You get it.

@lmn6440

i interpret this song as more of a kind of extreme christian attitude of turning the other cheek, like "rape me, do whatever you want with me, you can't hurt me", also it's oxymoronic because you can never technically ask someone to rape you, otherwise it wouldn't be rape but that's just my interpretation

@yikes6989

@@lmn6440 this makes a lot of sense. art can have a billion different interpretations and i think this is one that really resonates, thanks for sharing

@snekgewehr

Damn that’s so deep

31 More Replies...

@fruityisfruity9608

This man had so much talent. Rest In Peace Kurt

@mgecceb9379

in peace? he must be rocking in the clouds ✋

@janetjuliallantoinca4414

@@mgecceb9379 FRRR

@ps.6023

hes a Buzz Osborune replica

More Comments

More Versions