I Believe In Magic
Nirvana Lyrics


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Listen up
What′s the time said today
I'm gonna speak my mind
Take me up
To the top of the world
I wanna see my crime

Day by day
There′s a man in a suit
Who's gonna make you pay
For the thoughts
That you think and the words
They won't let you say

One fine day
Gonna leave you all behind
It wouldn′t be so bad
If I had more time

Sailing down a river alone
I′ve been trying to find
My way back home
But I don't believe in magic
Life is automatic but I don′t mind being on my own
No, I don't mind being on my own

Sailing down a river alone
I′ve been trying to find
My way back home
But I don't believe in magic
Life is automatic
But I don′t mind being on my own
I said that I don't mind
Being on my own




No, I don't mind being on my own
I said I don′t mind being on my own

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nirvana's "I Believe in Magic" are about the difficulties of being oneself in a society that values conformity above all else. The song starts with a vague sense of urgency, as the singer notes that time is running out and he needs to speak his mind. He then sings about the way that those in positions of power seek to control and punish those who express dissenting opinions. The chorus is a celebration of independence, with the singer proclaiming that he does not believe in magic, but that he is happy to be on his own.


The second half of the song expands on this theme, with the singer describing his journey through life as a difficult one that he has undertaken alone. He has been trying to find his way back home, but he rejects the idea that there is any mystical force that will guide him there. Instead, he acknowledges that life is "automatic" and that he is content to be on his own.


Line by Line Meaning

Listen up
Pay attention to what I'm about to say


What's the time said today
What is going on in the world currently?


I'm gonna speak my mind
I'm going to express my true opinions


Take me up
Show me something new


To the top of the world
To the highest point of experience


I wanna see my crime
I want to understand the mistakes I have made


Day by day
Every single day


There's a man in a suit
A powerful figure who holds authority


Who's gonna make you pay
Will punish for speaking out against the norm


For the thoughts
For the ideas you hold in your head


That you think and the words
The things you want to say aloud


They won't let you say
Are not permissible by society


One fine day
In the future at some point


Gonna leave you all behind
I will no longer be affected by the opinions of others


It wouldn't be so bad
It would not be terrible


If I had more time
If I had more opportunity to figure everything out


Sailing down a river alone
Traveling by myself through life


I've been trying to find
I've been in search of


My way back home
My path leading me back to where I belong


But I don't believe in magic
I don't trust in miracles or luck


Life is automatic but I don't mind being on my own
Life is deterministic, but I'm okay with being independent


No, I don't mind being on my own
I am content with being alone


I said that I don't mind being on my own
I repeat that I am comfortable with being by myself


No, I don't mind being on my own
I emphasize that solitude is not a problem for me




Writer(s): Alex Spyropoulos, George Alex Spyropoulos, Patrick Campbell-lyons

Contributed by Grayson M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Johnny


on Lithium

Nice

robin


on Stay Away

love this

CHR!S


on Drain You - Live (1991/Del Mar Fairgrounds)

a-side goes hard from their paramount set tho

El Hrubcová


on Endless, Nameless

That's crazy song! Oh my god...I can't listen it!!!

El Hrubcová


on Territorial Pissings

It's dangerous... That's my drug!! <3

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