Serve the Servants
Nirvana椀 Lyrics

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Teenage angst has paid off well
Now I'm bored and old
Self-appointed judges judge
More than they have sold

If she floats than she is not
A witch like we had thought
A down payment on another

One at Salem's lot

Serve the servants - oh no
That legendary divorce is such a bore

As my bones grew they did hurt
They hurt really bad
I tried hard to have a father
But instead I had a dad

I just want you to know that I
Don't hate you anymore
There is nothing I could say
That I haven't thought before

Serve the servants - oh no
That legendary divorce is such a bore

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nirvana's "Serve the Servants" delve into themes of disillusionment, aging and disillusionment with one's upbringing, as well as a critique of popular culture and celebrity. The song begins with the line "teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old," a reflection on the singer's youth and the disillusionment that often comes with aging and the realization that one's rebellious ideals of youth may not have been satisfying or lasting.

The lyrics "self-appointed judges judge more than they have sold" can be interpreted as a critique of those who are quick to judge others without having experienced the same situation themselves, as well as those who use their personal opinions to make decisions that may not be based on fact. The line "if she floats than she is not a witch like we had thought, a down payment on another one at Salem's lot" alludes to the historical witch trials in Salem and the disturbing tendency for people to repeat past mistakes.

The chorus, "serve the servants - oh no, that legendary divorce is such a bore," can be interpreted as a reference to the struggles of those who have to serve others in a menial capacity, and how their stories and struggles are often overlooked or dismissed. It may also be a critique of the way that high-profile celebrity divorces are treated in the media, with little regard for the actual emotions and experiences of those involved.

The lines "as my bones grew they did hurt, they hurt really bad, I tried hard to have a father but instead I had a dad," convey a personal struggle with the disconnect between the singer and their father figure. The song closes with the lines "I just want you to know that I don't hate you anymore, there is nothing I could say that I haven't thought before," reflecting on a journey of forgiveness and understanding.

Line by Line Meaning

Teenage angst has paid off well
The frustration and rebellion of youth have resulted in success.

Now I'm bored and old
Despite achieving success, life has lost its excitement and the singer is now aging.

Self-appointed judges judge
People with no formal authority or expertise criticize others.

More than they have sold
Critics have not achieved as much as those they critique.

If she floats than she is not
An archaic test for witchcraft involved dunking someone in water; if they floated, they were considered guilty. This line questions the effectiveness of this test.

A witch like we had thought
The singer once believed in mythical beings but now realizes that they do not exist in reality.

A down payment on another
The financial transaction of a down payment is compared to sacrificing a life at Salem's lot, referencing the witch trials in which innocent people were killed.

One at Salem's lot
Salem's lot is the site of the witch trials, where innocent people were killed for being accused of witchcraft.

Serve the servants - oh no
The artist becomes aware of their position of privilege and acknowledges the importance of serving those who have worked for them.

That legendary divorce is such a bore
The media attention surrounding a high-profile divorce is tiresome and uninteresting.

As my bones grew they did hurt
Growing up is painful and difficult.

They hurt really bad
Growth is accompanied by significant pain.

I tried hard to have a father
The singer longed for a positive father figure but did not have one.

But instead I had a dad
The singer had a father who did not fulfill their needs, highlighting the distinction between being a biological father and being a nurturing parent.

I just want you to know that I
The singer wants to communicate something important.

Don't hate you anymore
The artist has let go of negative feelings toward someone, signifying emotional growth.

There is nothing I could say
The artist has exhausted all words to express themselves in this situation.

That I haven't thought before
The singer has already considered all possible statements in this context.

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KURT COBAIN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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