Achieving Nirvana / Editorial by Zoe Allen
“Come as you are, as you were, as I want you to be” is one of the most eminent song lyrics written by the legendary Nirvana frontman, Kurt Cobain. He sang it with his classic conviction and drawl, intentionally hooking listeners in with the thing he despised the most: the mold of society.
“...as I want you to be” is the phrase that catches listeners eyes out of one of the 90s grunge band’s most well known tunes, Come As You Are. Cobain took his own life in 1994, only a few years into the immortal success of the band. His suicide was sudden, but not surprising. The singer lulled about depression, madness, teenage angst, among other topics. The journals found after his death showed obvious signs of depression and substance abuse. His life was not one filled with joy, and he did not try to cover it up, but seeked refuge in his music. Despite his mental state, throughout his entire career, he did not attempt to be anything or anyone that he was not.
He embraced his quirky character with open arms and often was controversial and exciting, never afraid to make a statement or create a scene. His quirks were his character--his flaws made him who he was.
Cobain was adored by all who felt his presence. His ability to speak his mind and fight for his beliefs inspired a world of teenagers who felt oppressed by someone or something. His albums and his lyrics spoke volumes, but it wasn’t just his music that touched the hearts of millions, it was his attitude.
He neverendingly supported the rights of people less fortunate than him and embraced anything the world had to offer.
Come As You Are’s infamous lyrics are a complete contradiction throughout the entire 3:39 minute long song. At first, the person welcoming you as a friend appears open minded, but quickly and selfishly changes, trying to mold you into something preferable to them. Another interpretation of this song is that the narrator does not mind what the person does, as long as it satisfies them.
“(if you want) Come as you are, (or) as you were, (but please come) as I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend, (or at least) as an old enemy
(I’m not trying to pressure you) Take your time,
(or) Hurry up, (leaving them the chance to decide)
The choice is yours (but I would love a friend), don’t be late.
Take a rest as a friend
As an old memory.”
The song was written about “people and what they’re expected to act like,” said Cobain.
Interpretations aside, this piece was obviously a device to point out how ridiculous it is to ask someone to come as something they are not.
Cobain left an everlasting legacy that impacts and will continue to impact people over twenty years since his death. Not only is he remembered for his influence on the grunge scene in the nineties, a time where the genre was at it’s peak, but because of how he was able to embrace every single aspect of himself, and show people that it is okay to be who you are and show it off to the world.
Kurt Cobain was a man of countless notions and words. His dogmatic nature earned him the contempt of many but the hearts of many more. The originality and melodramatic atmosphere he brought upon the music scene in the nineties made him skyrocket to the halls of history, but he never forgot what he stood for and where he came from (Aberdeen, Washington). No writer ever purposely tries to sound cliché without valid reason, so here’s my bit: if you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything. Cobain may have seemed cynical, but on most of the arguments he so blatantly alleged for, he was correct. His hatred of homophobes was so forward, so rude, and so, so beautiful. In a fight against modern day oppression and opposition to civil rights, he never stopped battling, and he never changed his opinions, despite the cynicism.
Kurt may be well known for his band, or for his lyrics, or for his suicide, but to me, he should be remembered above all for how he never allowed himself to get lost in other people’s expectations.
The Nirvana singer was worshipped as a God to teens of all shapes and sizes from different backgrounds and cultures, even still today. Kurt Cobain’s legacy still exists, and his flame still burns, because as he so eloquently said in his suicide letter, quoting singer Neil Young, “it’s better to burn out than to fade away”.
Cobain may have taken his life, and while the mourning will be eternal, he sure as hell will never fade away.
