Nirvana, R*pe Me | Outlandish Rock

On the 5^th edition of Outlandish Rock , we explore the outlandishness behind the song “Rape Me” performed by Nirvana.  

B

ring on the outlandishness! Outlandish Rock is a column that falls under the umbrella of Controversial Tunes .  Like its parent column, Outlandish Rock provides background information and insight into rock and metal songs that raise eyebrows and stir the pot.  The records featured on Outlandish Rock can be classic or brand new. On the 5^th edition of Outlandish Rock , we explore the controversy behind the song, “Rape Me” performed by Nirvana.

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Theme & Lyrics  

“Rape me / Rape me, my friend / Rape me / Rape me again.” Say what? Good intentions don’t always deliver the intended results if that makes sense.  For Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, “Rape Me” had good intentions.  The fourth track from the band’s 1993 album, In Utero, is intended as a message against abuse/sexual abuse towards women.  However, the song title is bold and unapologetic, while the offensive titular lyric is repeated a lot.  Yes, Cobain intends anti-sexual-abuse messaging, yet doubling down didn’t necessarily strip the negative energy and courted controversy.  That Outlandish Rock can be something else!

Anti-abuse has been confirmed as the intent of Cobain, period.  That said, many continue to question and speculate that “Rape Me” is metaphorical.  Could Kurt have been referencing his own personal life in some regard? On the second verse, it seems clearer abuse isn’t being encouraged, but rather a sense of activism and seeking to ultimately take power back from the abuser:

“Hate me
Do it again and do it again
Waste me
Rape me, my friend.”

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Final Thoughts

It never gets comfortable hearing “Rape Me.”  I understand Kurt Cobain/Nirvana’s intent, and perhaps, they desired a strong reaction (I’m pretty sure they did).  Still, this is one of those Outlandish Rock records that leaves the listener with more questions than answers.  Of course, we’ll never get those answers, sadly.

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Nirvana • In Utero • Geffen • 1993 
Nirvana, “Rape Me”: Outlandish Rock No. 5 [: Brent Faulkner, Geffen, The Musical Hype, Paul Brennan on Pixabay, Pexels, Sebastian Ervi, SHVETS production, Vinícius Caricatte]

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