Oh What a Performance
Nirvana Lyrics


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Load up on guns and bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over bored and self assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low? Hello, hello, hello!

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yay! I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group (tribe?) has always been
And always will until the end

Hello, hello, hello, how low? Hello, hello, hello!

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My Libido
Yay! And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind

Hello, hello, hello, how low? Hello, hello, hello!

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito




My libido
A denial!!

Overall Meaning

"Oh What a Performance" is one of Nirvana's most iconic and influential songs. The lyrics are full of contradictions and paradoxes, but they reflect the confused and often contradictory emotions that many teenagers and young adults experience. The song begins with the famous line "Load up on guns, and bring your friends," which has been interpreted as a commentary on the gun culture prevalent in America. The line "It's fun to lose and to pretend" is also significant, as it suggests that the singer is willing to engage in risky behavior, perhaps to numb the pain of life.


The lyrics also touch on themes of identity and self-awareness. The lines "She's over bored and self-assured/Oh no, I know a dirty word" suggest that the singer is familiar with social norms and expectations, but is also willing to challenge them. The repetition of the word "hello" is another example of the singer's desire to make a connection, but the repetition also suggests that he is disconnected and alone.


The verse about the "mulatto, albino, mosquito, and libido" has been interpreted in several ways. Some believe that the verse is a tribute to the Black and Latino communities, who were marginalized at the time. Others see it as a way of poking fun at traditional gender roles and expectations. Still others think that the verse is simply a nonsense sequence of words that sound good together.


Overall, "Oh What a Performance" is a powerful and timeless song that has resonated with generations of music fans.


Line by Line Meaning

Load up on guns and bring your friends
Let's gather and bring our resources as a group to face the world


It's fun to lose and to pretend
It's amusing to act out a fantasy or escape reality


She's over bored and self-assured
She is restless and completely confident in herself


Oh no, I know a dirty word
I know a word that is seen as bad or unacceptable in society


Hello, hello, hello, how low? Hello, hello, hello!
A greeting to someone or something that's at a low state of being


With the lights out, it's less dangerous
In the dark, things seem less threatening


Here we are now, entertain us
We are here for your amusement


I feel stupid and contagious
I feel foolish and easily spreadable


A mulatto, An albino, A mosquito, My libido
A mix of different people, my sexual drive


Yay! I'm worse at what I do best
I'm happy that I'm not very good at what I'm skilled at


And for this gift, I feel blessed
I feel grateful for this ability, even if it comes with negative side effects


Our little group (tribe?) has always been, And always will until the end
Our small community has been and will persist forever


And I forget just why I taste, Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I don't remember why I have this particular flavor, but it makes me happy


I found it hard, it was hard to find, Oh well, whatever, nevermind
I had a difficult time locating something, but I'm over it now


A denial!!
A strong statement of refusal or rejection




Writer(s): Alex Spyropoulos, Patrick Campbell Lyons

Contributed by Alyssa N. 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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