Even In His Youth
Nirvana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Even in his youth he was nothing
Kept his body clean going nowhere
Daddy was ashamed he was nothing
Smears the family name he was something

Leave the check before you are through
I've got nothing left to prove
If I die before I wake
Hope I don't come back again





Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nirvana's Even In His Youth speak about a young man who was seen as a disgrace to his family. He was seemingly going nowhere in life, making no progress and not achieving anything of note. His father was ashamed of him and the young man knew it. His very existence was perceived as a blemish that smears the family name, perhaps due to societal or cultural expectations placed on the family.


Despite this, the young man chooses to keep his body clean - a potentially metaphorical statement, as it could mean anything from maintaining personal hygiene to staying away from drugs and alcohol. He doesn't let the negative opinions of his family affect him and continues on his own path while expressing his desire to die without regrets. The final line "Hope I don't come back again" implies that he's entrapped in a never-ending cycle and wants to break free from it.


Overall, the song lyrically serves as a commentary on the pressure society places on individuals to conform to certain standards or ideals, particularly in families where the expectations may be heightened due to cultural or societal factors.


Line by Line Meaning

Even in his youth he was nothing
From a young age, he did not feel like he had any significant purpose or value


Kept his body clean going nowhere
He lived his life responsibly, but without any direction or ambition


Daddy was ashamed he was nothing
His father was disappointed in him for not achieving anything of note


Smears the family name he was something
Despite being viewed as a failure, he still had an impact on the family reputation due to his actions


Leave the check before you are through
Don't wait until the end to settle debts or obligations


I've got nothing left to prove
There is no need for him to demonstrate his worth or abilities to anyone


If I die before I wake
In the event of his death


Hope I don't come back again
He did not want to experience another life if this one had not been fulfilling or meaningful




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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