Very Ape
Nirvana Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I am buried up to my neck in
Contradictionary lies
I take pride as the kind of illiterature
I'm very ape and very nice

If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first

Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt

If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first

Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the ground
Out of the ground
Into the sky




Out of the sky
Into the dirt

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Nirvana’s song “Very Ape” present a series of perplexing and enigmatic statements that can be interpreted in many ways. The first line of the song “I am buried up to my neck in contradictionary lies” suggests that the singer is trapped in a situation where conflicting information and expectations surround him. The line “I take pride as the kind of illiterature” points to the idea that the singer feels that his existence is characterized by a kind of ignorance or lack of knowledge. He revels in this lack of understanding because it sets him apart from others who are too invested in conforming to society’s expectations.


The second stanza of the song is a repetition of the idea that the singer is too busy pretending to be world-weary to admit his naivety to anyone else. He sees himself as an experienced traveler who has “seen it all” and is therefore skilled in the art of survival. However, his self-important posturing is betrayed by the need to ask for help when needed by someone else.


The chorus introduces a metaphorical motif that seems to suggest a kind of cyclical movement in the singer’s life. The progression from “out of the ground, into the sky” represents a kind of ascent towards enlightenment, while “out of the sky, into the dirt” represents a fall from grace. This pattern continues throughout the song, perhaps suggesting the singer's feeling of helplessness as he moves through life unaware of the forces that control his destiny.


Line by Line Meaning

I am buried up to my neck in
I am deeply immersed in


Contradictionary lies
conflicting and inconsistent falsehoods


I take pride as the kind of illiterature
I boast about the type of ignorance I possess


I'm very ape and very nice
I resemble a primitive, yet am well-mannered


If you ever need anything, please don't
In case you require assistance, kindly refrain


Hesitate to ask someone else first
Delay before seeking help from another


I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I'm preoccupied with appearing experienced


I've seen it all, I was here first
I've witnessed everything and arrived earliest


Out of the ground
Emerging from below


Into the sky
Ascending to the heavens


Out of the sky
Descending from above


Into the dirt
Plunging into the earth


Out of the ground
Emerging from below


Into the sky
Ascending to the heavens


Out of the sky
Descending from above


Into the dirt
Plunging into the earth




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kurt Cobain

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

@krtzcobain

I am buried up to my neck in
Contradictionary lies
I take pride as the kind of illiterature
I'm very ape and very nice
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the ground
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt



@ZeenmaGod

"I am buried up to my neck in
Contradictionary lies
I take pride as the kind of illiterature
I'm very ape and very nice
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the ground
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt"



All comments from YouTube:

@RepaidGold58

That drummer will never fight foo

Edit: guys you won’t believe this

@Stumpstump

The first fuckin thing I see too lmfao

@opiumBIGGESTFAN2

that foo was a fighter

@Pantorama2

No way guys he did it

@phillemon7664

He became the balls of lights seen frequently by fighter pilots on all sides of the conflict in WW2 themselves 🤟🏽

@SuperRetro64

I've heard he's got a pocket watch that runs late! 😉

7 More Replies...

@CamInABand

“If you ever need anything please don’t, hesitate to ask someone else first”

Words can’t describe how much I love Kurt’s writing

@LocalCoot

''Lack of iron and/or sleeping.'' I was hoping, but never expected to hear "and/or" in a rock song in my lifetime.

@krtzcobain

I am buried up to my neck in
Contradictionary lies
I take pride as the kind of illiterature
I'm very ape and very nice
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt
If you ever need anything, please don't
Hesitate to ask someone else first
I'm too busy acting like I'm not naive
I've seen it all, I was here first
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the ground
Out of the ground
Into the sky
Out of the sky
Into the dirt

@cockyplopsnigga

This is a song about the carbon cycle

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