Rape Me

While I'm inclined to agree that Cobain is serious in the interview you are citing it is important to note that Cobain is known to lie about the meanings of his songs. Cobain also claimed in an interview that Heart-Shaped Box is a song about children with cancer. Interestingly, Cobain has also admitted that some of his lyrics are intentionally non-nonsensical. The technique of randomization adds a sense of powerful (albeit non-existent) symbolism and psychedelia that made a literary "giant" out of author William Burroughs (who incidentally Cobain collaborates with on "The Priest They Called Him".

@wild_horses724 I think this explanation is accurate. KC was earnest to a fault about feminism. He spoke at length about this song and in relation to others on multiple occasions, as opposed to just brushing off the question with a stack remark someone might be happy enough with if they are stupid enough.

@wild_horses724 I agree with you. He was definitely an advocate for women, and gays.

@wild_horses724 this song definitely has the same sentiment as Date Rape by Sublime, only saying less.

"a woman who is being raped, who is infuriated with the situation . . . it's like "Go ahead, rape me, just go for it, because you're gonna get it." I'm a firm believer in karma, and that motherfucker is going to get what he deserves, eventually. That man will be caught, he'll go to jail, and he'll be raped. So rape me, do it, get it over with. Because you're gonna get it worse."<br /> <br /> What a bunch of bull****.

@wild_horses724 <br /> <br /> While I wouldn't argue with his statement, I do think there's more to it. I struggle to believe this song is mostly about rape in the literal sense. There's definitely some ambiguity.<br /> <br /> At the time of its release this was a controversial song, and to make matters worse, a lot of people didn't get it. Some people thought Kurt was condoning rape. He had to defend himself and use his platform properly. Surely, this would have pissed him off enough too where he would make a statement like this. I can't blame him. <br /> <br /> To me, however, this song has always been about "friends" who manipulate and exploit you to no end. The acquisition of success and money surely ruined Kurt's ability to trust people and both establish and keep meaningful relationships. <br /> <br /> This song, to me, always seemed like a half-capitulation, half-fuck you kind of song to the people who used him.

@daBigCheez You can you send me a link of the video where he says this? Thanks.

Problem is, this is on Bleach, which was the first album while Nevermind was the 2nd.

DarkishFriend, Rape Me was on In Utero...not Bleach.

Damn, come to think of it, that's a good theory.

Dearie me...this song wasn't even written when Bleach was released.

I enjoy this theory. heh, and the MTV wouldn't let them play it at the music awards, so they started lithium off with a chorus of 'RAPE MEEE!' just to fuck with them ';D

Yeah this was on In Utero, this is actually a pretty legit theory, Cobain said it was about anti-rape (Appreciate your concern, you're gonna stink and burn), and a metaphor to how the media was invading him and his privacy. But maybe there are more parts he just kept secret.

Yeah this was on In Utero, this is actually a pretty legit theory, Cobain said it was about anti-rape (Appreciate your concern, you're gonna stink and burn), and a metaphor to how the media was invading him and his privacy. But maybe there are more parts he just kept secret.

Totally agreed.

Meh, it could be put that way I guess. But that's not the only thing. This song is about actual rape as well. Kurt himself once said that it's anti-rape, and that the protagonist is saying "Go ahead, rape me, beat me as much as you like, but you'll never get rid of me, cos I'm gonna rape you one day and you won't even know it."

wrong, this song is about how all of the new grunge bands who came out and were stealing nirvanas sound!so he's fells like hes being raped of his creation

i agree....its most probably bout the way the press just took every aspect of his personal and made it news.he didnt have any privacy.fr a man who didnt like all the attention.it felt like being raped.and the anti rape song u r talkin bout is mostly polly not this one .listen to the lyrics of polly.

@beatlesrule Soundgarden was around before Nirvana.

was that a fucking alice in chains reference? XD

@higginite22 Kurt himself said in many interviews thar this song has nothing to do with the press, critics or paparazzi! It is about what the top comment stated, about giving power to women who have gone through this!

Good theory.

Sounds like it's about being in a toxic relationship. Yep.