Come As You Are
Nirvana Lyrics


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Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy

Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old

Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
As I want you to be
As a trend, as a friend
As an old

Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria

And I swear that I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun

Memoria, memoria
Memoria (no I don't have a gun)

And I swear that I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun





(Memoria, memoria)

Overall Meaning

The song "Come as You Are" by Nirvana is a track about the freedom of self-expression, and the idea that no one should change who they are to please someone else. The lyrics "Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be" has a deeper meaning that suggests the main intention of a person or situation should remain constant, regardless of the appearance. The lyrics further develop the idea of non-conformity with "take your time, hurry up, the choice is yours, don't be late" illustrating that being true to oneself takes time and should be done at the individual's own pace.


Kurt Cobain, the lead singer and songwriter of the band, conveyed that the chorus of "Memoria, memoria" does not have a specific meaning, but instead resembles a chant or a mantra. The repetition and emphasis on these words aim to hypnotize and create a meditative state for anyone listening.


Interestingly, the lyrics "Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach" are phrased in a way that doesn't quite make sense. In reality, bleach cancels out mud or dirt rather than soaking it in, which can be interpreted with Kurt Cobain's desire to create a sense of confusion or contradiction through his lyrics.


Line by Line Meaning

Come as you are, as you were
Be yourself, as you were before


As I want you to be
Be yourself, not what someone else wants you to be


As a friend, as a friend
Be yourself, as a friend


As an old enemy
Be yourself, even if I see you as an old enemy


Take your time, hurry up
Don't rush, but don't be too late either


Choice is yours, don't be late
You have the power to choose, but don't let time slip away


Take a rest as a friend
Relax, like a friend would do


As an old
As someone I've known for a long time


Memoria, memoria
Memory, remembrance


Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
Come as you are, no matter how dirty or clean


As a trend, as a friend
Be yourself, even if it goes against the trend


And I swear that I don't have a gun
I promise that I don't have a weapon


No, I don't have a gun
I truly don't have a gun


(Memoria, memoria)
(Memory, remembrance)




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Diego Pimentel

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy
Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest as a friend
As an old
Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria
Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
As I want you to be
As a trend, as a friend
As an old
Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria
And I swear that I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
Memoria, memoria
Memoria, memoria
(No I don't have a gun)
And I swear that I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun
No I don't have a gun



All comments from YouTube:

Mackenson Sparks

incredible how timeless nirvana is.

Andrew Smith

In my opinion the greatest rock band of all time not counting Metal

Dan Peck

It really is. I first heard this when I was 14 and I'm 42 now, and I still feel the same about it 😊👍

Markus Wohlmacher

@Inveriul f

Markus Wohlmacher

@Inveriul Löschen Sie die Ausschnitte durch Wischen.Löschen Sie die Ausschnitte durch Wischen.Löschen Sie die Ausschnitte durch Wischen.

21 More Replies...

Ben Sagal-Morris

My favorite Nirvana song. Has an atmosphere that just is haunting.

Andrew Smith

​@Vortigan07 he knew he would do it the lyrics say "I swear I swear I don't

Geordie McPherson

Vortigan07 couldn’t put it better myself. Pearl Jam is my sound man, but nothing beats the haunting feeling as “come as you are” does. 🤘🏼

Joao Silva

Também é minha preferida! Lembro de ouvir a versão acústica na infância e fiquei impressionado com a atmosfera da música

Vortigan07

Yeah, "haunting", that's the perfect word to describe it! For me, although I probably listened to Pearl Jam far more often at the time, "Come As You Are" is the definitive song of the whole Grunge period"

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