“I was trying to write a song that supported women and dealt with the issue of rape. It’s not a pretty image. But 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 going to 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 going to get it worse.””Kurt Cobain (558)

“”Here we are now, entertain us,” came from something I used to say every time I used to walk into a party to break the ice. A lot of times when you’re standing around with people in a room, it’s really boring and uncomfortable. So it was, “Well here we are, entertain us. You invited us here.””Kurt Cobain (558)

“It’s about hey brother, especially sister, throw away the fruit and eat all the rind… No longer is it taboo for the tattooed to take their generational solidarity and shove it up the ass of The Byrds and Herman’s Hermits-loving disgraces we call parents… Posing as the enemy to infiltrate the mechanics of the system, to slowly start its rot from the inside. It’s an inside job, it starts with the custodians and the cheerleaders.”Kurt Cobain (753)

“[Why is the album called ‘Nevermind” – Ed]? Because most people would just as soon forget or say ‘never mind’ than to take a can of spray paint, or start a band, make up excuses for not starting a band. People just don’t do things very often anymore. I’m kinda disturbed by it. It’d be just as easy to spray-paint ‘Kill George Bush’ over and over again. Whether that would have an impact on anything or not, it doesn’t matter, it’s still fun to do. Which is one of the lines in ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’; ‘It’s more fun to lose than to pretend’.”Kurt Cobain (753)

“When I wrote the song, I had no idea what I was writing about. The majority of the lyrics are just pieces of poetry I had written that I threw together. I’m sure there are a lot of people my age that are doing great things. It’s more of a personal idea, mainly just me dealing with my own apathy rather than attacking my generation and accusing them of being apathetic. [You point the gun at yourself throughout the record. You’re pretty self-deprecating- Ed]. Yeah, I don’t know. I just think everyone should be hard on themselves instead of claiming to have all the right answers. And to be totally conclusive on their ideals and how they think. I mean, no one has the answers, so everyone should question themselves before they question anyone else.”Kurt Cobain (754)

“It’s the first time that I’ve ever really dealt with parental issues. I’ve hardly ever written anything that obviously personal. I was very isolated [growing up – Ed]. I had a really good childhood, until the divorce. Then, all of a sudden, my whole world changed. I became antisocial. I started to understand the reality of my surroundings, which didn’t have a lot to offer. Aberdeen was such a small town, and of, or who were compatible with me, or liked to do the things I liked. I liked to do artistic things and listen to music.”Kurt Cobain (755)

“There are more songs on this album that are thematic, that are actually about something rather than just pieces of poetry. Like, ‘Scentless Apprentice’ is about the book Perfume by Patrick Süskind. I don’t think that I’ve ever written a song based on a book before.”Kurt Cobain (755)

“It’s an anti-rape song. There’s really not much more I can say about it. What can I say? It’s a story about a rapist who captures a sadomasochist and this woman Polly is having sex as a way to develop a relationship. He rapes her at first, they have a relationship and they fall in love, and then she eventually kills him and runs away.”Kurt Cobain (754)

“[‘Lithium’ seems to compare religion to a drug – Ed]. Oh sure, religion is a fine sedative for the masses. It’s not necessarily about religion; it’s about depression and turning to religion as a last resort. [It’s all just a way to keep your mind off dying, right? Or buffer yourself against reality – Ed]. Most people don’t deal with reality; it’s just so worthless. People think of life as being so sacred, like it’s their only chance and they have to do something with their life and make an impact on everyone because the threat of dying is just so vital. As far as I’m concerned it’s just a little pitstop for the afterlife. It’s just a little test to see how you can handle reality.”Kurt Cobain (754)