Polly
Nirvana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Polly wants a cracker
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
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 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

Overall Meaning

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
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Comments from YouTube:

paper cut

I'm liking this Dave's back vocal so much, "let me take a ride", he sings it higher than Kurt, this gives me goosebumps and I don't know why

Mike Smeltzer

That’s how he sings it on the record too.

T'so

@the only gannon you know very interesting!

the only gannon you know

@T'so on Nevermind it was both Kurt and Dave on backing vocals, but In Utero was all Kurt

cainpitt

More on this needs to be written. We need history damnit

T'so

The studio versions were almost always Kurt on all the vocals, but I agree I especially enjoy seeing the live versions when Dave sings harmonies and backup. Awesome combo

17 More Replies...

TimeandMonotony

My favorite Nirvana song! So glad I grew up in the Seattle area in the '90s so I got to experience all this great music.

Felix

I have a question was that really like we see in movies (like IT)?

wom

@daisy xx you called me babe so I’m your gf now, sorry man that’s how it is also merry Christmas

daisy xx

@wom who said i was having a melt down? grow up babe🤣

More Comments

More Versions