Dating back to at least 1988, "Polly" stands alongside "About a Girl" and "Been a Son" as one of singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain's earliest forays into unfiltered pop songwriting. It was originally titled "Hitchhiker", and later "Cracker", but was renamed to "Polly" some time in 1989. It was left off Nirvana's 1989 debut album Bleach because Cobain believed it was not consistent with the band's heavy grunge sound of the time. However, it found its way onto the band's second album Nevermind two years later, and remained a part of the band's regular setlist until Cobain's death (and Nirvana's dissolution) in April 1994. It also stands as Chad Channing's only contribution to the album, having left the band before the recording of Nevermind.
The song is about the horrific kidnapping of a 14 year old girl at gunpoint as she left a punk gig in Tacoma. the abducor, Gerald Friend raped her repeatedly and tortured her with razors and a blowtorch in his mobile home. The girl eventually escaped and Friend was imprisoned. Writing from the perspective of the abductor, Cobain manages to convey not just the repugnance of the ordeal, but also something of the abductor ("she's just as bored as me").
Polly
Nirvana Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Think I should get off her first
Think she wants some water
To put out the blow torch
Isn't me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
Got some rope
Have been told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
Polly wants a cracker
Maybe she would like some food
She asks me to untie her
Chase would be nice for a few
Isn't me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Your dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
Got some rope
Have been told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
Polly said
Polly says her back hurts
She's just as bored as me
She caught me off my guard
Amazes me the will of instinct
Isn't me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Your dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
Got some rope
Have been told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Want some help
Please myself
The lyrics to Nirvana’s song ‘Polly’ tell the story of a girl named Polly who is kidnapped, tortured and sexually assaulted. The lyrics are raw and haunting, and paint a picture of a disturbed and deranged mind. The first verse begins with Polly asking for a cracker, but the singer quickly realizes that he needs to get off her first, presumably meaning that he is on top of her or restraining her in some way. Polly then asks for water to put out the blow torch, suggesting that the singer is using a blowtorch to torture her.
The second verse continues with the singer offering to clip Polly’s dirty wings and take her for a ride, but also offering to cut her and help himself sexually. He mentions having some rope and promises that he has been true, but it is clear that he is anything but trustworthy. In the third and final verse, Polly mentions that her back hurts and that she is just as bored as the singer. This shows the twisted nature of the person who has kidnapped her, as he seems to think that this is just a game and that Polly is getting some sort of enjoyment out of it.
Overall, ‘Polly’ is a song that explores the dark, twisted nature of human desire and obsession. It is a powerful and emotional song that makes the listener feel uncomfortable and disturbed, which is exactly what Nirvana set out to achieve.
Line by Line Meaning
Polly wants a cracker
The singer thinks that 'Polly' wants some food.
Think I should get off her first
The singer believes that he needs to release 'Polly' from her restraints before giving her food/water.
Think she wants some water
The singer assumes that 'Polly' is thirsty and needs water.
To put out the blow torch
The artist suggests that 'Polly' might be feeling like her body is on fire and is in need of water to cool down.
Isn't me
The artist is saying that he is not the one responsible for the situation that 'Polly' is in.
Have a seed
The singer has a plan or idea that he wants to share with 'Polly.'
Let me clip
The singer wants to help change 'Polly's' life by removing something from her that is holding her back.
Your dirty wings
The artist is using metaphorical language to describe the negative aspect of 'Polly's' life that needs to be removed.
Let me take a ride
The artist wants to give 'Polly' a different perspective by introducing her to something new.
Cut yourself
The artist is being sarcastic and suggesting that 'Polly' should hurt herself or make a change on her own.
Want some help
The singer is offering 'Polly' assistance towards a positive change in her life.
Please myself
The artist's motivation for helping 'Polly' is to feel good about himself, rather than truly caring about her well-being.
Got some rope
The singer has a tool to restrain 'Polly,' suggesting that he may not have her best interest at heart.
Have been told
The singer has heard a message that he is now passing on to 'Polly,' with the assumption that it will help her.
Promise you
The singer is making a guarantee to 'Polly' that will change her life for the better.
Have been true
The artist is saying that he has been honest with 'Polly' in the past about his intentions, and will continue to be truthful going forward.
Polly said
The artist is quoting what 'Polly' has told him.
Polly says her back hurts
'Polly' is physically uncomfortable and may be in pain.
She's just as bored as me
The singer is identifying with 'Polly' and implying that they are both feeling unsatisfied with their current situation.
She caught me off my guard
The artist was not expecting 'Polly' to open up to him and reveal her discomfort.
Amazes me the will of instinct
The artist is impressed by 'Polly's' natural drive to survive and overcome her difficult circumstances.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oirafa4185
Lyrics;
Polly wants a cracker
I think I should get off her first
Think she wants some water
To put out the blow touch
Isn’t me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
Got some rope
Haven’t told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
Polly wants a cracker
Maybe she would like some food
She asked me to untie her
A chase would be nice for a few
Isn’t me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
Got some rope
Haven’t told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
Polly said
Polly says her back hurts
She’s just as bored as me
She caught me off my guard
Amazes me the will of instinct
Isn’t me
Have a seed
Let me clip
Dirty wings
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
Got some rope
Haven’t told
Promise you
Have been true
Let me take a ride
Cut yourself
Wants some of my help
Please myself
ur welcome :)
@Goatman_Gamer
For those who aren’t up to date: This song is about the actual kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl. In 1987, she was returning from a concert in Tacoma, Washington when she was abducted by a man named Gerald Friend. He took her back to his mobile home and raped her. The girl, whose name was not released, was tortured with a whip, a razor, and a blowtorch. She managed to escape when Friend took her for a ride and stopped for gas. He was arrested and sent to jail.
@emayen23
After reading the comment I can understand the song better
@Ryder-ri7fd
His last name misleading
@themoonisdusty
I know that but I’m sure theirs many people who don’t know that
@Ludithchris
ahh so you saw the video too :)
@Goatman_Gamer
@@Ludithchris what video?
@wistfulechoes
The bass in any Nirvana song just really lets the mood of the song set in, Krist Novoselic did some good bass man.
@flamersshowsandmore3864
Krist is one of the most underrated bassist like this guy has some insane talent
@goatamatix894
Especially when u hear the plain bass in a break
@gristamshackleford2102
@@flamersshowsandmore3864 meh. for other bass players his stuff isnt that outrageous. i mean he sounds great for this style music but for technical skill hes no billy sheehan or john paul jones