Serve the Servants
Nirvana Lyrics


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Teenage angst has paid off well
Now I'm bored and old
Self-appointed judges judge
More than they have sold
If she floats then she is not
A witch like we thought
A downpayment on another
One at Salem's lot

Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore

As my bones grew, they did hurt
They hurt really bad
I tried hard to have a father
But instead, I had a dad
I just want you to know that I
Don't hate you anymore
There is nothing I could say
That I haven't thought before

Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore

Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no




Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Serve the Servants" by Nirvana, from their album "In Utero", can be interpreted in various ways. However, one interpretation could be that the song is a reflection on the life of the lead singer Kurt Cobain, who had achieved fame and success with the band but was no longer happy with it. The opening line of the song, "Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old," suggests that Cobain's youthful rebelliousness has brought him success but now he feels disillusioned and jaded with his life.


The lines "Self-appointed judges judge, more than they have sold" could be directed towards critics who try to analyze and criticize for the sake of it without actually understanding the artist's intentions. The reference to witches and the down payment on another one at Salem's Lot could be a metaphor for the way the entertainment industry and media feasted on the lives and misfortunes of celebrities.


The second stanza of the song could be seen as a reflection on Cobain's troubled family life and the impact his relationship with his father had on him. The lines, "As my bones grew, they did hurt, they hurt really bad, I tried hard to have a father but instead, I had a dad," could suggest that while his father was there physically, he was not emotionally present in his life. Additionally, the line "There is nothing I could say, that I haven't thought before" could be seen as a metaphor for the pressure and expectations Cobain felt from his fans to constantly put out new and unique music.


Overall, "Serve the Servants" is a song that touches on themes of disillusionment and frustration with the music industry and fame, as well as personal struggles and family relationships.


Line by Line Meaning

Teenage angst has paid off well
The struggles of youth have resulted in an advantageous outcome


Now I'm bored and old
Despite that victory, life now feels mundane and uneventful


Self-appointed judges judge
People who have taken it upon themselves to pass judgement on others


More than they have sold
Critics who have not achieved as much as those they critique


If she floats, then she is not a witch like we thought
An allusion to the Salem witch trials and the innocence test involving water


A downpayment on another one at Salem's lot
A suggestion that another witch trial and execution is imminent


Serve the servants, oh no
The repeated phrase implies the importance of appreciating and supporting those who serve, rather than judging them


That legendary divorce is such a bore
A reference to the publicized and tedious split of fellow musicians


As my bones grew, they did hurt
The physical pain of growing up and maturing


They hurt really bad
Bearing an intensity that cannot be ignored


I tried hard to have a father, but instead, I had a dad
A comparison between a father figure and a dad who is less present or involved


I just want you to know that I don't hate you anymore
A message of forgiveness and resolution


There is nothing I could say that I haven't thought before
All thoughts and feelings have already been considered and addressed




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@mrfoxsox1

Teenage angst has paid off well
Now I'm bored and old
Self-appointed judges judge
More than they have sold
If she floats then she is not
A witch like we had thought
A down payment on another
One at Salem's lot
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore
As my bones grew they did hurt
They hurt really bad
I tried hard to have a father
But instead I had a dad
I just want you to know that I
Don't hate you anymore
There is nothing I could say
That I haven't thought before
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants, oh no
Serve the servants
That legendary divorce is such a bore

(im just looking for damn comment with the lyrics so making my own 😭)



All comments from YouTube:

@dannydufresne4159

Just about every time you see Krist he seemed so happy, like "I am totally in an awesome band, with my best friend, and we rock."

@kurtpountney5747

Well, they do rock pretty hard

@Cairo98_

Always dancing. 😂

@Cairo98_

Look at Pat enjoying life. 😂

@tomgreenfan

its sad but at the same time its way more just great.

@marked4death076

Sad really cuz now everytime you see him he just seems like a shell of his old self.

147 More Replies...

@raithrover1976

"Teenage angst has paid off well, now I'm bored and old".  One of the greatest opening lines ever in my opinion.

@thisstillchangesnothing

Glen Haig yep just true to his soul

@pabloconchetumare1753

it's about his thinking on grunge music

@Defrap22

Nah.. "rape me" is

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