Nirvana made its first music video for an early version of "In Bloom" in 1990, however the song did not appear on a commercial release until the release of the group's second album, Nevermind, in 1991. "In Bloom" became the fourth and final single from the album late in 1992. It was accompanied by a music video which parodied musical performances of 1960s variety shows.
Like many Nirvana songs, "In Bloom" shifts back and forth between quiet verses to loud choruses. Cobain uses a Mesa Boogie guitar amplifier for the verses, and during the chorus he switches to a Fender Bassman amp (suggested by Vig) for a heavier, double-tracked fuzztone sound. The rhythm section of Novoselic and Grohl kept its parts simple; Grohl stated it was "an unspoken rule" to avoid unnecessary drum fills, while Novoselic said he felt his role was about "serving the song". During the choruses, vocalist Cobain and drummer Grohl harmonize while singing "He's the one/Who likes all our pretty songs/And he likes to sing along/And he likes to shoot his gun/But he knows not what it means". The song's intro reappears at the end of each chorus.
Cobain's lyrics address the people outside of the underground music scene that began showing up at Nirvana shows after the release of the group's debut album Bleach. Nirvana biographer Michael Azerrad wrote, "But remarkably, [the song's lyrics] translated even better to the mass popularity the band enjoyed." Regarding the song's chorus, Azerrad commented, "The brilliant irony is that the tune is so catchy that millions of people actually do sing along to it."
In Bloom
Nirvana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Weather changes moods
Spring is here again
Reproductive glands
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
We can have some more
Nature is a whore
Bruises on the fruit
Tender age in bloom
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
The lyrics of Nirvana's 'In Bloom' are about the conflict and irony surrounding Nirvana's early fanbase. The opening lines, "sell the kids for food, weather changes moods, spring is here again, reproductive glands" reflects how society, particularly the music industry, monetizes youth culture. Young people are often viewed as a source of profit and are manipulated by industries looking to use their energy and enthusiasm to make money. The lyrics reflect on the mood swings of young people and how their reproductive urges are exploited during the "spring" of their lives.
The chorus, "he's the one who likes all our pretty songs, and he likes to sing along, and he likes to shoot his gun, but he knows not what it means, knows not what it means", could be interpreted as a commentary on the Nirvana fanbase, who enjoyed singing their songs but did not understand the deep pain and frustration which inspired their music. The song reflects on the sense of paradox and detachment that Nirvana felt from their audience. The line, "nature is a whore, bruises on the fruit, tender age in bloom" alludes to the exploitation of youth culture by profit-seeking industries, and compares the exploitation of natural resources to the exploitation of young people.
Interestingly, the song 'In Bloom' was originally titled 'He Likes Your Pretty Songs' and was inspired by a specific fan who Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain felt was missing the emotional weight of Nirvana's music. The fan in question was a 'jock' from a high school in Washington state, and Cobain felt that this fan was part of a larger group of people who were inexplicably drawn to Nirvana's music without understanding what the band was trying to say. Cobain changed the title of the track to 'In Bloom' to reflect his feelings about the wider issues surrounding youth culture and the commercialization of music.
Line by Line Meaning
Sell the kids for food
Society's desperation is at an all-time high, to the point where people are willing to sacrifice their kids for basic necessities.
Weather changes moods
People's emotions are directly impacted by the climate and environment around them.
Spring is here again
The cyclical nature of life and the changing of seasons are constants that are not affected by human events or emotions.
Reproductive glands
The biological nature of reproduction is a driving force in human existence, both on an individual and societal level.
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
The person being described is superficially interested in the band's music and image, but is ignorant to the deeper meaning and implications of their lyrics and actions.
We can have some more
Nature is a whore
Bruises on the fruit
Tender age in bloom
Humanity is exploiting and abusing the natural world for personal gain, resulting in harmful consequences and the destruction of innocence.
He's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say he's the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means
Knows not what it means
And I say yeah
The repetition of this stanza emphasizes the frustration and disgust the band members feel towards those who consume their music without understanding or appreciating its true meaning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ecmoraes86
"I guess you guys aren't ready for that, yet. But your kids are gonna love it."
@reysharp
Back to the future throwback!
@Contemplation9
@@reysharp yes
@12joaoo
what u talkin bout, i love it and my parents loved it lol
@lunavolenec5775
@@12joaoo is a quote from “back to the future “
@12joaoo
@@lunavolenec5775 i know, but it makes no sense at all here lmao
@tylertuncer
This is probably the best Beatles song
@idontlikeseeinglongusernam4589
If they WERE around in the 1960s then they would of been as big as the Beatles.
if not then bigger
@garethjones3227
Don't agree on that one dude, i think they would have been to avant garde for that early on in music history. The worlds ears just wasn't ready back then. Just take the pixies as an example, they were way ahead of thier time and would have been better recieved between 95-05' imho.
It's the whole back to the future johnny b goode scenario.
@clowntrooper61
No they wouldn't. They weren't british.