I think it's a very clever play on words. Its references to his recurring stomach problems are obvious, but there are deeper meanings.
The line "Distill the life that's inside of me" can mean a LOT of different things. If you understand the word distill, it means to purify and strenghten (such as distilled water, or wine distilled into brandy). That line CAN signify that he is becoming more purely and clearly himself - a depressing notion, because he obviously doesn't like who he is becoming.
Then there's the abortion aspect. Personally, I don't take this one literally either. He is referring to suicide, as if foretelling it, a theme occurring in many of his songs and inferred from his contact with the press. He is not aborting a fetus; he is little more than a fetus, and feels helpless to control his environment, emotions, even his actions.
"I'm anemic royalty" probably refers to an insecurity or deep-rooted belief that he is much less than his Holy Icon in the public mind makes him out to be. And the wordplay on the antiquated term "penny royalty" seems to reinforce this - he is a worthless figurehead, more powerful as a symbol than as a man.
This is just my take on the song, and maybe a little over-analyzed, but I can't believe this is simply a song about stomach pains.
@HighPrisstess I agree with a lot of what your saying but its worth noting that this song was written in 1990 before kurt was famous so he couldn't have seen himself then as an icon
@HighPrisstess I agree with a lot of what your saying but its worth noting that this song was written in 1990 before kurt was famous so he couldn't have seen himself then as an icon
You're on the nail with most of your insights. I wonder if since 2003 you've come to put all your observations together.
"Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me"
By now- that is if your affection for Nirvana perpetuated- you know that Kurt had scoliosis as a child, hence his bad posture. The life he was trying to distill was not only all he had become but all he had ever been. By performing some sort of magical thinking self-abortion he yearns to start all over again, no more pain,...
You're on the nail with most of your insights. I wonder if since 2003 you've come to put all your observations together.
"Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea
Distill the life that's inside of me"
By now- that is if your affection for Nirvana perpetuated- you know that Kurt had scoliosis as a child, hence his bad posture. The life he was trying to distill was not only all he had become but all he had ever been. By performing some sort of magical thinking self-abortion he yearns to start all over again, no more pain, no more guilt, no more mistakes, just a clean slate and a fresh start.
It's deceptively simple to the ear, even kind of clumsy sounding at time, but in my opinion "Pennyroyal Tea" represents one of Kurt's finest set of lyrics.
@HighPrisstess That is a really good overall perspective. I believe this was written before he was in a relationship with Courtney Love, however. The tea part makes sense. You really put that in perspective. It is hard for me to find favorite songs for Nirvana - I like so many, but this one is one of those certain songs. Heart-shaped Box as well. Those two.
@HighPrisstess That is a really good overall perspective. I believe this was written before he was in a relationship with Courtney Love, however. The tea part makes sense. You really put that in perspective. It is hard for me to find favorite songs for Nirvana - I like so many, but this one is one of those certain songs. Heart-shaped Box as well. Those two.
@HighPrisstess Again he was a great song writter, it means a lot of things, not all dark, far from it. A lot of jokes and making fun of fame....Very Punk!!
@HighPrisstess Again he was a great song writter, it means a lot of things, not all dark, far from it. A lot of jokes and making fun of fame....Very Punk!!
I think it's a very clever play on words. Its references to his recurring stomach problems are obvious, but there are deeper meanings.
The line "Distill the life that's inside of me" can mean a LOT of different things. If you understand the word distill, it means to purify and strenghten (such as distilled water, or wine distilled into brandy). That line CAN signify that he is becoming more purely and clearly himself - a depressing notion, because he obviously doesn't like who he is becoming.
Then there's the abortion aspect. Personally, I don't take this one literally either. He is referring to suicide, as if foretelling it, a theme occurring in many of his songs and inferred from his contact with the press. He is not aborting a fetus; he is little more than a fetus, and feels helpless to control his environment, emotions, even his actions.
"I'm anemic royalty" probably refers to an insecurity or deep-rooted belief that he is much less than his Holy Icon in the public mind makes him out to be. And the wordplay on the antiquated term "penny royalty" seems to reinforce this - he is a worthless figurehead, more powerful as a symbol than as a man.
This is just my take on the song, and maybe a little over-analyzed, but I can't believe this is simply a song about stomach pains.
@HighPrisstess I agree with a lot of what your saying but its worth noting that this song was written in 1990 before kurt was famous so he couldn't have seen himself then as an icon
@HighPrisstess I agree with a lot of what your saying but its worth noting that this song was written in 1990 before kurt was famous so he couldn't have seen himself then as an icon
@HighPrisstess -
@HighPrisstess -
The song, purification, the abortion angle, etc:
The song, purification, the abortion angle, etc:
You're on the nail with most of your insights. I wonder if since 2003 you've come to put all your observations together. "Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea Distill the life that's inside of me" By now- that is if your affection for Nirvana perpetuated- you know that Kurt had scoliosis as a child, hence his bad posture. The life he was trying to distill was not only all he had become but all he had ever been. By performing some sort of magical thinking self-abortion he yearns to start all over again, no more pain,...
You're on the nail with most of your insights. I wonder if since 2003 you've come to put all your observations together. "Sit and drink Pennyroyal Tea Distill the life that's inside of me" By now- that is if your affection for Nirvana perpetuated- you know that Kurt had scoliosis as a child, hence his bad posture. The life he was trying to distill was not only all he had become but all he had ever been. By performing some sort of magical thinking self-abortion he yearns to start all over again, no more pain, no more guilt, no more mistakes, just a clean slate and a fresh start. It's deceptively simple to the ear, even kind of clumsy sounding at time, but in my opinion "Pennyroyal Tea" represents one of Kurt's finest set of lyrics.
@HighPrisstess That is a really good overall perspective. I believe this was written before he was in a relationship with Courtney Love, however. The tea part makes sense. You really put that in perspective. It is hard for me to find favorite songs for Nirvana - I like so many, but this one is one of those certain songs. Heart-shaped Box as well. Those two.
@HighPrisstess That is a really good overall perspective. I believe this was written before he was in a relationship with Courtney Love, however. The tea part makes sense. You really put that in perspective. It is hard for me to find favorite songs for Nirvana - I like so many, but this one is one of those certain songs. Heart-shaped Box as well. Those two.
@HighPrisstess Again he was a great song writter, it means a lot of things, not all dark, far from it. A lot of jokes and making fun of fame....Very Punk!!
@HighPrisstess Again he was a great song writter, it means a lot of things, not all dark, far from it. A lot of jokes and making fun of fame....Very Punk!!