Sifting
Nirvana Lyrics


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Afraid to grade
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cross, self-loss
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Some felt numb
Wouldn't it be fun?

Your eyes
Teacher said
Your eyes
Teacher said
Your eyes
Teacher said
Preacher said

Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you

Spell the smell
Wouldn't it be fun?
Search for a church
Wouldn't it be fun?
Wet your bed
Wouldn't it be fun?
Cold and coals
Wouldn't it be fun?

Your eyes
Teacher said
Your eyes
Teacher said
Your eyes
Preacher said
The Preacher said

Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you

Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you




Don't have nothing for you
Don't have nothing for you

Overall Meaning

Nirvana's song Sifting, from their album Bleach, explores the feeling of disconnection and isolation from society. The lyrics present a series of dark and unsettling images that depict a person overcome by an overwhelming sense of emptiness and detachment. The song's lyrics emphasize the desire to rebel against societal norms and expectations, with the line "afraid to grade, wouldn't it be fun?" portraying the idea of rejecting conformity and the pressure to succeed. The song also touches on themes of religion, with the reference to searching for a church and the Preacher's words of "Don't have nothing for you" highlighting feelings of disillusionment and disconnect with religious institutions.


The repetition of "Your eyes, teacher said" suggests a feeling of being constantly judged and scrutinized, with the teacher acting as a representative of societal expectations. The phrase "wet your bed" serves as a metaphor for a failure to live up to those expectations, with the image of bedwetting symbolic of shame and embarrassment. Similarly, "spell the smell" and "cold and coals" both present graphic and unpleasant images that emphasize the sense of discomfort with the world around them.


Overall, Sifting is a bleak and unsettling portrayal of disconnection from societal norms and the desire to rebel against them. The repeated refrain of "Don't have nothing for you" suggests a feeling of hopelessness and resignation, emphasizing the sense of isolation and lack of belonging.


Line by Line Meaning

Afraid to grade
Scared of being evaluated or judged


Wouldn't it be fun?
Sarcastic question expressing disdain or disgust towards the previous line


Cross, self-loss
Sacrificing oneself for a cause or belief


Wet your bed
Possibly referring to humiliation or defeat


Some felt numb
Indifferent or apathetic towards something


Your eyes Teacher said
Possibly a reference to criticism or judgment from authority figures


Preacher said
Referring to religious condemnation or criticism


Don't have nothing for you
Lack of support or assistance from others


Spell the smell
Surrealistic imagery with possible themes of confusion or disorientation


Search for a church
Desperation or seeking for something to believe in


Cold and coals
Contrasting feelings of emptiness and intensity




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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