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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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

비정한세상

Even in his youth (x3)
He was nothing
Kept his body clean (x3)
Goin Nowhere
Daddy Was Ashamed (x3)
He was something
Disgraced The Family Name (x3)
He was something

The thief is born before you're through
Ive Got Nothing Left To Prove
If I Die Before I Wake
Hope I Dont Come Back a slave
Yeah Yeah Yeah!
Even in his youth (x3)
He was nothing
Kept his body clean (x3)
Goin Nowhere
Daddy was ashamed (x3)
He was nothing
Disgraced the family name (x3)
Goin nowhere
The thief is born before you're through
Ive Got Nothing Left To Prove
If I Die Before I Wake
Hope I Dont Come Back a slave
Oh, ah, yeah!
The thief is born before you're through
Ive Got Nothing Left To Prove
If I Die Before I Wake
Hope I Dont Come Back Again!!
Oh, ah, yeah!
Even in his youth (X2)
Yeah, yeah
Even in his youth(X2)
Yeah, yeah
Even in his youth
Yeah, yeah
Even in his youth
Yeah, yeah (x4)



I Don't Know What My Name Should Be

Jim's Mom: Polly
Jim's Dad: Mr. Moustache
Mood: Sappy
Local Barber: Floyd
Biggest Nightmare: School
Weakness: Paper Cuts
Favourite Foods: Big Cheese & Mexican Seafood
Favourite Smell: Teen Spirit
Favourite Saying: Come as You Are
Favourite Hobby: Serving Servants
Favourite Insult: Downer
Favourite Song: Token Eastern Song
Personality: Dumb
Started Drawing: In His Youth
Disability: Tourettes
Cause Of Death: Aneurysm
Location Of Death: On a Plain



All comments from YouTube:

Tristen Spindler

Had the local record store (Dr rock's in Lewiston Idaho) special order this CD for me when I was in 8th grade (prolly 97' or 98') it cost me $75 bux , which was alot for a jr high school kid. The inside booklet is all Japanese writing. I ordered knowing it had two songs never released in America (d7 and even in his youth) I loved this CD even if it did only have 6 songs on it. Today's kids have it sooooo easy. Man I feel old

Noise Pollution

Grunge's pin up boy don't flatter yourself

david rule

I bought it in early 1991 Never cared for Nevermind. Bleach I got in1989 Had no idea who the heck these guys were. Insectside is a good one.

Petros Stefanou

Kurt didn't live long but he created something that will.

Looney Loon

He's still alive

andrewoid

@Looney Loon No

Looney Loon

@andrewoid Through his music I mean.

And in another realm spiritually🎶

Daniel Vazquez

Yea no lie his music stood the test of time and it’s gonna keep going

Deliver Eyes

♾️ Peace Love & Empathy -Kurt Cobain

9 More Replies...

TheObsoleteModel

I am 43 in 2021. I listened to this song daily on a tape recorded from a tape recorded from a record when I was in High School and it was my favorite song, probably still is.

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