Sappy
Nirvana Lyrics


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And if you save yourself
You will make him happy
He'll keep you in a jar
And you'll think you're happy

He'll give you breathing holes
And you'll think you're happy
He'll cover you with grass
And you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

And if you cut yourself
You will think you're happy
He'll keep you in a jar
Then you'll make him happy

He'll give you breathing holes
Then you'll think you're happy
He'll cover you with grass
Then you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

And if you fool yourself
You will make him happy
He'll keep you in a jar
Then you'll think you're happy

He'll give you breathing holes
Then you will seem happy
You'll wallow in the shit
Then you'll think you're happy now

You're in a laundry room
You're in a laundry room




You're in a laundry room
The clues that came to you, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Nirvana's "Sappy" can be interpreted as a commentary on abuse and manipulation in relationships. When the singer sings, "And if you save yourself/You will make him happy/He'll keep you in a jar/And you'll think you're happy," it seems to be suggesting that the abuser wants to control the victim and that the victim may feel like they are in a better situation by submitting to the abuser's control. The lines, "He'll give you breathing holes/And you'll think you're happy/He'll cover you with grass/And you'll think you're happy now" further illustrate this point of the victim being trapped by the abuser and being made to feel like they are safe and happy in their confinement.


The repeated line "You're in a laundry room" could be a metaphor for the victim being trapped in a cycle of abuse, tirelessly trying to clean and fix something that cannot be cleansed or fixed. The "clues that came to you" are perhaps the subtle hints that the victim initially noticed that something was wrong in the relationship but ignored them in order to feel happy and protected by the abuser.


Overall, the lyrics of "Sappy" seem to be depicting the dark side of relationships and how abuse and manipulation can leave the victim feeling trapped and helpless.


Line by Line Meaning

And if you save yourself
If you are able to save yourself from your troubles


You will make him happy
Your efforts will make someone else happy


He'll keep you in a jar
The person you make happy will confine you


And you'll think you're happy
You may feel content, but it is actually an illusion


He'll give you breathing holes
The person will provide you basic necessities to keep you alive


And you'll think you're happy
Again, you may feel content, but it is not true happiness


He'll cover you with grass
The person will offer some comfort, but not true fulfillment


And you'll think you're happy now
You may believe the slight improvement in your situation makes you happy


You're in a laundry room
You are in a situation where you are being cleaned or washed of something


The clues that came to you, oh
You are aware of hints or signs that something is not quite right


And if you cut yourself
If you harm yourself


You will think you're happy
You may feel a temporary release of emotion, but it won't last


Then you'll make him happy
However, your actions will please the person you are trying to make happy


Then you will seem happy
Once again, you may feel momentary relief, but it is not true happiness


You'll wallow in the shit
You'll be stuck in unpleasant circumstances


Then you'll think you're happy now
Despite the situation, you may still believe you are happy


And if you fool yourself
If you deceive yourself


You will make him happy
Again, your actions will please the person you are trying to make happy


Then you'll think you're happy
You will continue to believe you are happy, even if it is not true


You're in a laundry room
You are still in a process of washing or cleaning


The clues that came to you, oh
You are still aware of the hints or signs that things are not right




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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