Status

Nirvana Song

Song Author

Kurt Cobain

Writing Period

1988

Recording Session(s)

January 23, 1988 Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, WA

December 24 and 29-31, 1988 Reciprocal Recording, Seattle, WA

Notes

This one is about a kid who used to hang out with Kurt's first drug-dealer in Aberdeen. This kid came from a family who tortured their children, and kept them all in one room with black-painted windows and a pile of newspapers for toilet. The authorities later found out and took the kids away.
The lyrics also seem to contain elements from Kurt's relationship with his mother.

Availability

Releases in the Bootography

Alternate/Working Titles

None Documented

Common Mislabels

None Documented

Mislabels in the Bootography

No Idea

Lyrics

Transcribed from official lyric sheets available at emplive.com by Chris Lawrence, and sequenced to best reflect the vocals on the 1988.01.23 demo. In instances where the sung lyrics clearly do not match the written lyrics, an approximation has been made and these unofficial lyrics are detailed in capital letters.

PAPER CUTS

At my feeding time
She'd push food thru the door
I crawl towards the cracks of light
Sometimes I can't find my way
Newspapers spread around
Soaking all that they can
A cleaning is due again
A good hosing down

The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Can not look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate

Why?
I said so.
I said so.
I said so.

Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana

Black windows of paint
I scratch with my nails
I see others just like me
Why do they not try to escape?
They bring out the older ones
They point at my way
They come with their flashing lights
And take my family away

And very later I have learned to
Accept some friends of ridicule
My whole existance is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you

To take
Me with
Your life

Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana



From Kurt Cobain's Journals (page 47-48, transcribed by DN member BleachedBlack)

When my feeding time
She push food thru the door
I crawl towards the cracks of light
Sometimes I can't find my way

Newspapers spread around
Soaking all that they can
A cleaning is due again
A good hosing down


The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Can not look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate

I said so
I said so
I said so
I said so

A reason
A reason
A reason
Try again

Black windows of paint
I scratch with my nails
I see others just like me
Why do they not try to escape?

They bring out the older ones
They point at my way
They come with their flashing lights
And take my family away

And very later I have learned to
Accept some friends of ridicule
My whole existence is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you

To take you - With me to - Your eyes are blue
Relief to Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana