Floyd the Barber
Nirvana Lyrics

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Bell on door clang, come on in
Floyd observes my hairy chin
Sit down chair, don't be afraid
Steamed hot towel on my face

I was shaved
I was shaved
I was shaved

Barney ties me to the chair
I can't see, I'm really scared
Floyd breathes hard, I hear a zip
Pee-pee pressed against my lips

I was shamed
I was shamed
I was shamed

I sense others in the room
Opie, Aunt Bee, I presume
They take turns and cut me up
I die smothered in aunt Bee's muff

I was shamed

I was shamed
I was shamed

Overall Meaning

The song "Floyd The Barber" by Nirvana is a dark and twisted tale that tells the story of the singer's experience with his barber, Floyd, and his associates. The song begins with the singer entering the barber shop and sitting in the chair. Floyd observes his hairy chin, and then places a steamed hot towel on his face. As he receives a shave, the singer begins to feel increasingly uneasy. Suddenly, Barney ties him to the chair and he can't see what's happening. Floyd begins breathing heavily, leading the singer to hear the sound of a zipper. The singer then describes a disturbing encounter where someone presses their genitals against his lips. He is then cut up by others in the room, including Opie and Aunt Bee.

The lyrics describe a bizarre and unsettling scenario that leaves the listener questioning what is real and what is a figment of the singer's imagination. The references to characters from the television show "The Andy Griffith Show" add to the surreal and absurd nature of the song. It is a surreal and haunting song that leaves a lasting impression on the listener.

Line by Line Meaning

Bell on door clang, come on in
The doorbell rings, inviting someone inside

Floyd observes my hairy chin
Floyd notices the hair on the singer's chin

Sit down chair, don't be afraid
The singer is instructed to sit in the chair and not be frightened

Steamed hot towel on my face
A hot towel is placed on the artist's face

I was shaved
The artist was given a shave

I was shaved
The singer was given a shave

Barney ties me to the chair
Barney restrains the artist in the chair

I can't see, I'm really scared
The artist is blindfolded and feels frightened

Floyd breathes hard, I hear a zip
Floyd makes an uncomfortable noise and the artist hears a zipper

Pee-pee pressed against my lips
Something (likely a penis) is pressed against the singer's lips

I was shamed
The artist was humiliated