Nirvana – Serve the Servants

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Teenage angst has paid off well
Now I'm bored and old
Self-appointed judges judge
More than they have sold

If she floats than she is not
A witch like we had thought
A down payment on another
One at Salem's lot

Serve the servants - oh no
That legendary divorce is such a bore

As my bones grew they did hurt
They hurt really bad
I tried hard to have a father
But instead I had a dad

I just want you to know that I
Don't hate you anymore
There is nothing I could say
That I haven't thought before

Serve the servants - oh no
That legendary divorce is such a bore

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Lyrics submitted by knate15, edited by Mellow_Harsher

Track duration: 03:37

"Serve the Servants" as written by Kurt Cobain

Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

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Serve the Servants song meanings
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83 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:Just wondering is this section
    'As my bones grew they did hurt
    They hurt really bad'
    About his scholiosis? (Probably didn't spell that right)
    Any body else got a different opinion?
    Flag Nirvana365on May 14, 2013   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about is life and his father
    Flag Thunder64on May 06, 2013   Link
  • +1
    My Interpretation:"Teenage angst has paid off well now im bored and old". In an interview with kurt he said this statement was how he felt about the whole idea of grudge music and how much of a bore it had become . He also said that "In utereo " was less personal than his previous recorded albums , which is only half right . Kurt had become bored and old his whole life , his beliefs , ideas were being overly analysed by the media . Of course francis and courtney became a spectacle and for kurt to have to stand by and watch how everything he helped create and love was becoming everything he would eventually come to loathe . This song is about the power of success over an artist trying to break down old barriers . Inside kurts mind his parents divorce always haunted him , he brings in blunt insight into this but in a less serious way , he was coming to terms with it in this song . While other artists were still belly aching about there own personal lives and kurt was the leader of this sadly , so the barriers could never be brought down so to speak . Serve the servants oh no is very vague in context really , the servants being himself and his family serving the media and want they want , to watch him and his wifes career and marriage fall apart . Kurt couldnt help but relieve the horrors of his past in that aspect , so hes giving in to what the media wants to hear , hes became to bored to fight against it like he use too .
    Flag Madatheearth88on May 28, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Salem's Lot is a book by Stephen King. But I dont know if the book had anything to do with the song.
    Flag nirvanaloveron February 22, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:According to Charles Cross' biography, Heavier Than Heaven, most of this song is about Kurt's relationship with his father
    Flag JasperBon December 21, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Not to do with the song, but why does every discussion on Nirvana lyrics always just turn into 'KURT DIDN'T KILL HIMSELF, COURTNEY DID IT!!!!!!11' Grow up.
    Flag xAngelxDustxon December 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think the song is about his life post-nevermind.

    His anger at the media attacking Courtney and trying to make his life into a huge big thing: "If she floats than she is not,
    a witch as we had thought.A down payment on another.
    One at Salem's lot.

    Serve the servants - oh no.
    That legendary divorce is such a bore."



    Smells like teen spirt and Nevermind: Teenage angst has paid off well.
    Now I'm bored and old.

    The record companies: Self-appointed judges judge.
    More than they have sold.


    Flagged FranceFarmershaloon July 29, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:'i tried to hav a father but instead i had a dad' is a verse about his relationship w/ his dad, his dad tried to be a good dad but failed bc he was too busy hating kurts mom
    Flag robertmichealplanton July 26, 2009   Link
  • 0
    My Opinion:Ok, my opinion is that anyone who believes he DID kill himself obviously doesn't know anyone personally who's overdosed on heroin, i do! it doesn't matter your tolerance to the drug, there is a lethal dose for even the heaviest users. THIS is why they overdose and DIE, cuz they THINK they can handle a heavier dose, but they can't. So, with that said in response to DOWNER (which is one of my fav. songs), the amount of heroin found in his system would deffinately NOT have allowed him to lift the fucking shot, let alone pull the trigger. Heroin acts WAY too fast once it's in your veins. No way, not possible. HE WAS MURDERED!!!
    Flag mEnTaLiTy6on March 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:'Serve the servants - oh no.
    That legendary devise is such a bore.'

    In the liner notes it's 'divorce' not 'devise'. If the punnery was intended (there are know accidents). So it could be about how the invisible heirarchy tries to split families up like splitting atoms or a persons mind.
    Flag vogonjron November 29, 2008   Link

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