Pay To Play
Nirvana Lyrics


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Monkey see, monkey do
I don't know why I
Walk around, follow you
I don't know why I
Throw it out, keep it in
I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play

Walk an inch, take a mile
I don't know why I
Never fade, never smiled
I don't know why I
Never mind, eat and run
I don't know why I
Fuck your ass, for the fun
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play

I don't know why I
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play

Monkey see, monkey do
I don't know why I
Walk around, follow you
I don't know why I
Throw it out, keep it in
I don't know why I
Have to have poison skin
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play

I don't know why I
I don't know why I

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play

Pay
Pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play
Pay to play, pay to play




Pay to play, yeah
Yeah, yeah

Overall Meaning

Nirvana's "Pay To Play" implies a sense of feeling like one is being taken advantage of, feeling forced to pay to participate or buy into something. The metaphor of "monkey see, monkey do" suggests that people are blindly following the lead of others without necessarily knowing why they're doing so. The line "walk an inch, take a mile" implies that even when someone is initially taking small steps, they inevitably end up taking more than they intended to. The theme of not knowing why one is doing certain things comes up repeatedly in the song, as does the notion of having to "pay to play" society's games.


The lyrics also have a sense of aggression to them, with lines like "fuck your ass, for the fun." This can be seen as a response to feeling powerless and taken advantage of. The repetition of "I don't know why I" suggests a feeling of confusion and frustration with oneself for being complicit in this situation.


Overall, "Pay To Play" is a commentary on societal pressures to conform and participate, often leading to a cycle of feeling taken advantage of and aggressive in response.


Line by Line Meaning

Monkey see, monkey do
I follow others blindly, like a monkey imitating its peers


I don't know why I
I am unsure why I act this way


Walk around, follow you
I follow you even though I don't know why


Throw it out, keep it in
I express myself inconsistently and act on impulse


Have to have poison skin
I have a toxic personality that pushes people away


Pay
I must give something in exchange for something else


Pay to play
I must pay or offer something to get ahead in life


Walk an inch, take a mile
I take advantage of situations for my own benefit, without regard to others' feelings


Never fade, never smiled
I am stubborn and unwilling to change, even at the expense of my own happiness


Never mind, eat and run
I disregard the consequences of my actions and prioritize my own needs


Fuck your ass, for the fun
I harm others for my own enjoyment


I don't know why I
I am still unsure why I act this way


Pay to play, pay to play
I must constantly pay or give something to get ahead in life


Pay to play, yeah
I acknowledge and accept the reality of the situation, even though it is unpleasant


Yeah, yeah
I affirm and confirm the above ideas




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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abby


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dont hesitate to listen to Marigold, like seriously.

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a-side goes hard from their paramount set tho

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El Hrubcová


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

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