Oh The Guilt
Nirvana Lyrics


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She seems to think, she seems too weak
She takes a week to get over it
She likes the sea, she likes to see
She likes to think she has all of it

She likes the sound, she likes the sand
She likes to stand, she can't afford to sit
She likes to be, she likes to be
She likes to be, she's into guilt, guilt, guilt, guilt

She likes to think, she likes to drink
She seems too weak, she takes all the rent
She likes the time, she owns the time
She borrows time to self-invent

She seems too weak, she likes to see
She likes to think she has all the rent
She likes the sand, she likes to stand
She likes to sit, she likes to go, go, go, go

She seems to think, she seems too weak
She takes a week to get over it
She likes the sea, she likes to see
She likes to think she has all the rent

She likes to stand, she likes the sand
She likes to stand, she can't afford to sit
She likes to be, she likes to be




She likes to be, she likes to go, go, go, go
Go, go, go, go!

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nirvana's song "Oh The Guilt" are open to interpretation, but one possible reading is that they describe a person who is both attracted to and overwhelmed by the ocean. The singer seems to be a woman who is portrayed as weak and dependent. She takes a week to recover from something and she can't afford to sit, suggesting that she is always on the move. At the same time, she is fascinated by the sea and the sound and sand of the beach, which she likes to stand on. She is also into guilt, which may refer to her feeling guilty about her dependency or about something else entirely.


The repeated line "she likes to think she has all of it" could signify her desire for control and ownership, but it also suggests that she is deluding herself. She may not have all of it, whatever "it" may be. The line "she borrows time to self-invent" suggests that she is trying to create a new version of herself, but she is not entirely successful. The sea and the beach may represent a kind of escape for her, but they are also a reminder of her limitations.


Overall, "Oh The Guilt" is a somewhat enigmatic song, with lyrics that offer more questions than answers. The singer seems to be observing someone else's struggles, but it is unclear what his or her relationship is to the person. The sense of ambivalence is heightened by the alternation between the singer's attraction to the sea and her sense of weakness and guilt.


Line by Line Meaning

She seems to think, she seems too weak
She appears to believe she's in control, but in reality, she's not strong-willed enough to make a significant impact.


She takes a week to get over it
She is easily affected by things and takes a long time to recover from emotional setbacks.


She likes the sea, she likes to see
She finds comfort in nature and enjoys looking out onto the vastness of the ocean.


She likes to think she has all of it
She likes to believe she has everything under control and is living the life she wants to lead.


She likes the sound, she likes the sand
She takes pleasure in the sensations of being near the ocean and being engulfed by its surroundings.


She likes to stand, she can't afford to sit
She needs to constantly be on the move and feel like she's taking action, as she can't afford to be idle.


She likes to be, she's into guilt, guilt, guilt, guilt
Although she wants to appear like she has everything under control, she has a tendency to feel guilty about her choices and actions.


She likes to drink, she seems too weak
She relies on alcohol to help her cope with her insecurities and emotions for which she doesn't have the strength to confront.


She takes all the rent, she likes the time
She takes others for granted and is more interested in benefiting herself and her own interests than those around her.


She owns the time, she borrows time to self-invent
She feels like she needs to create an identity for herself and is exploring who she truly is, even if it means trying on different personas and lifestyles.


She likes to see, she likes to think she has all the rent
She seeks validation from others and wants to appear successful and well-off.


She likes the sand, she likes to stand
She enjoys being in the moment and alive, taking in all the pleasures that life has to offer.


She likes to sit, she likes to go, go, go, go
She is indecisive and can't settle on anything for too long, constantly searching for a new experience or adventure.




Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: DAVE GROHL, DAVID GROHL, DAVID ERIC GROHL, KRIST NOVOSELIC, KURT COBAIN, KURT D. COBAIN, NOVOSELIC KRIST

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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