Don't Want It All
Nirvana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

To hope is admittance
Feed before beginning
Double-sided cynics
Reflected image
Don't be so selfish
Leave in me this
Follow it far
To find where you are
You haven't grown
Go on alone

Never finished his sentence
Remained in seclusion
For the next few days
The family circle noose
He had removed us
All the styles of heresy




Finally he appeared unexpectedly
Looking for company

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nirvana's song "Don't Want It All" suggest the ideas of hope and self-discovery, while also alluding to a sense of loneliness and isolation. The line "to hope is admittance" implies that in order to have hope for something, one must first admit that it is possible or exists. This connects to the following line, "feed before beginning", which suggests that before starting something, one must first nourish oneself in order to be successful. The phrase "double-sided cynics" is a reference to people who are skeptical or cynical about things, but also hold a sense of hope or belief in something.


The next line "reflected image" suggests that the singer is looking at themselves, perhaps seeing a reflection of themselves in someone else. The following line, "don't be so selfish, leave in me this, follow it far" implies that the singer is asking someone to trust them and follow them on their journey of self-discovery. The next line, "to find where you are" suggests that the singer is trying to find themselves and their place in the world. Finally, the last two lines "you haven't grown, go on alone" suggest that the singer is telling someone that they haven't grown or changed enough to continue on the journey with them, and that they should go it alone.


One interesting fact about the song "Don't Want It All" is that it was originally released on a cassette tape compilation called "Teriyaki Asthma Volume One". The compilation was released in 1989 by C/Z Records and featured a variety of Seattle-based bands, including Nirvana. Another interesting fact is that the song was later released on the "Incesticide" album in 1992, which was a compilation of B-sides and rarities.


Another interesting fact is that the song features Jack Endino on guitar in addition to Kurt Cobain. Endino is a well-known producer who worked with Nirvana on several of their albums, including "Bleach" and "In Utero". Additionally, the song was played live by Nirvana at several of their concerts throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s.


The chords for "Don't Want It All" are as follows:


Verse: E5, A5, G#, C#5
Chorus: E5, A5, G#5, C#5


Overall, "Don't Want It All" is a thought-provoking song that touches on themes of hope, cynicism, and self-discovery. Its inclusion on a rare cassette tape and later on a compilation album speak to its status as an intriguing piece of Nirvana's musical catalog.


Line by Line Meaning

To hope is admittance
Acknowledging hope signifies making a wish


Feed before beginning
First, nourish yourself before starting a task


Double-sided cynics
People who are skeptical about everything


Reflected image
The image in the mirror which reflects oneself


Don't be so selfish
Do not prioritize oneself over others


Leave in me this
Let this thought be with me for a while


Follow it far
Pursue the goal with commitment


To find where you are
The quest to discover one's place or purpose


You haven't grown
You have not progressed or developed


Go on alone
Carry on without any support from other people


Never finished his sentence
He did not complete his statement


Remained in seclusion
Staying in isolation for some time


For the next few days
In the coming days


The family circle noose
The encircling and suffocating pressure from family members


He had removed us
He distanced himself from the people around him


All the styles of heresy
Different ways of deviating from accepted norms and beliefs


Finally, he appeared unexpectedly
He showed up without any prior notice


Looking for company
Seeking someone or some people to accompany him




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

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

@sexyhazelnut1844

To hope is admittance
Feed before beginning
Double sided cynics
Reflected image
Don’t be so selfish
Leaving me this
Follow it far
To find where you are
You haven’t grown
Go on alone
Never finished his sentence
Fame and seclusion
For the next few days
Family circled him
He having moved on
All the sides of admittance see
Finally he appeared unexpectedly
Looking for company



All comments from YouTube:

@viverine

Kurt actually did bass on this, and it's great.

@viverine

I totally agree.

@goaway7902

***** left handed bass?

@viverine

Zoe Adams Probably. I don't know which one he used. 

@viverine

Zoe Adams He probably used a right handed bass and restrung it the other way. 

@goaway7902

i think I've seen it in pics before, but i never see him play bass in a vid

15 More Replies...

@cyrahmays2494

I don't think any of Kurt's demos touch my soul the way this one does. There's something about it, I dunno what it is but I absolutely love this song.

@dugp1862

This song is the most cryptic song Kurt has wrote. There are many meanings to this song. The one thing that stands out is that there is no guitar...only bass and minor percussion. 

@redwolftrash

:0

@andifyousaveyoursoul7271

listen to sad (early sappy)

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