Top quotes by Kurt Cobain

If you die you're completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on. I'm not afraid of dying. Total peace after death, becoming someone else is the best hope I've got. Votes: 36

My body is damaged from music in two ways. I have a red irritation in my stomach. It's psychosomatic, caused by all the anger and the screaming. I have scoliosis, where the curvature of your spine is bent, and the weight of my guitar has made it worse. I'm always in pain, and that adds to the anger in our music. Votes: 32

I'm left-handed, and it's not very easy to find reasonably priced, high-quality left-handed guitars. But out of all the guitars in the whole world, the Fender Mustang is my favorite. I've only owned two of them. Votes: 29

I always wanted to experience the street life because my teenage life in Aberdeen was so boring. But I was never really independent enough to do it. I applied for food stamps, lived under the bridge, and built a fort at the cedar mill. Votes: 22

My generation's apathy. I'm disgusted with it. I'm disgusted with my own apathy too, for being spineless and not always standing up against racism, sexism and all those other -isms the counterculture has been whining about for years. Votes: 21

Rap music is the only vital form of music introduced since punk rock. Votes: 20

I was looking for something a lot heavier, yet melodic at the same time. Something different from heavy metal, a different attitude. Votes: 17

If it's illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail! Votes: 17

There's nothing better than having a baby. I've always loved children. I used to work summers at the YMCA and be in charge of, like, 30 preschool kids. I knew that when I had a child, I'd be overwhelmed, and it's true... I can't tell you how much my attitude has changed since we've got Frances. Holding my baby is the best drug in the world. Votes: 16

I like guitars in the Fender style because they have skinny necks. Votes: 15

I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not. Votes: 15

The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. Votes: 14

I have to admit I've found myself doing the same things that a lot of other rock stars do or are forced to do. Which is not being able to respond to mail, not being able to keep up on current music, and I'm pretty much locked away a lot. The outside world is pretty foreign to me. Votes: 13

Out of all the guitars in the whole world, the Fender Mustang is my favorite. They're cheap and totally inefficient, and they sound like crap and are very small. Votes: 13

I don't blame the average seventeen-year-old punk-rock kid for calling me a sellout. I understand that. And maybe when they grow up a little bit, they'll realize there's more things to life than living out your rock & roll identity so righteously. Votes: 12

I've had this terrible stomach problem for years, and that has made touring difficult. People would see me sitting in the corner by myself looking sick and gloomy. The reason is that I was trying to fight against the stomach pain, trying to hold my food down. People looked me and assumed I was some kind of addict. Votes: 12

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are. Votes: 12

Total peace after death, becoming someone else, is the best hope I've got. Votes: 12

It's okay to eat fish because they don't have any feelings. Votes: 11

My songs have always been frustrating themes, relationships that I've had. And now that I'm in love, I expect it to be really happy, or at least there won't be half as much anger as there was. Votes: 10

What people don't realize is that the so-called Seattle grunge scene grew out of several close-knit gourmet supper clubs - we would only pick up guitars to pass the time while our dishes were simmering, baking, boiling, etc. Votes: 10

I've always had a problem with the average macho man - they've always been a threat to me. Votes: 9

I get a thrill meeting kids who are into alternative music. Votes: 7

I started being really proud of the fact that I was gay even though I wasn't. Votes: 7

When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily I should have been in that band - or at least in a Pixies cover band. Votes: 7

I don't care what you think unless it is about me. Votes: 7

Throughout my life, I've always been really close with girls and made friends with girls. And I've always been a really sickly, feminine person anyhow, so I thought I was gay for a while because I didn't find any of the girls in my high school attractive at all. Votes: 6

I like to make people feel happy and superior in their reaction towards my appearance. Votes: 6

I've always wanted male friends that I could be real intimate with and talk about important things with and be as affectionate with that person as I would be with a girl. Votes: 4

We have no right to express an opinion until we know all of the answers. Votes: 4

Hope I die before I turn into Pete Townshend. It would look ridiculous to do what we're doing now when I'm 40. That's why I want to destroy my career before it's too late. Votes: 0

I use bits and pieces of others personalities to form my own. Votes: 0

There are some pop songs I hate but I can't get them out of my head. Our songs also have the standard pop format: Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, solo, bad solo. All in all, I think we sound like The Knack and the Bay City Rollers being molested by Black Flag and Black Sabbath. Votes: 0

My father is incapable of showing much affection, or even of carrying on a conversation. I didn't want to have a relationship with him just because he's my blood relative. It would bore me. Votes: 0

I really haven't had that exciting of a life. There are a lot of things I wish I would have done, instead of just sitting around and complaining about having a boring life. So I pretty much like to make it up. I'd rather tell a story about somebody else. Votes: 0

It's better to burn out than fade away. Votes: 0

I don't have the passion anymore, and so remember, it's beter to burn out than to fade away. Votes: 0

A miserable, self-destructive, death rocker...better to burn out than to fade away. Votes: 0

I had a really good childhood up until I was nine, then a classic case of divorce really affected me. Votes: 0

I never really knew about my ancestors until this year, when I learned that the name Cobain was Irish. My parents had never bothered to find that stuff out. Votes: 0

I was accepted by cool people because the cheerleaders thought I was cute. The jocks knew the jock-girls thought I was cute. I just chose not to hang around with them. Votes: 0

There's nothing more comfortable than a cosy flower pattern. Votes: 0

The worst crime is faking it. Votes: 0

I mean I like to be passionate and sincere but I also like to have fun and act like a dork. Geeks unite. Votes: 0

I called Leo Fender, the dead guy, a dork. Now I'll never get an endorsement. Votes: 0

Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with with your self-esteem. They're no good at all. Votes: 0

The worst crime I could think of would be to pull people off by faking it, pretending as if I'm having 100% fun. Votes: 0

I thought I would try to be gay for a while, but I'm just more sexually attracted to women. But I'm really glad that I found a few gay friends, because it totally saved me from becoming a monk or something. Votes: 0

I knew I was different. I thought that I might be gay or something because I couldn't identify with any of the guys at all. None of them liked art or music. They just wanted to fight and get laid. It was many years ago but it gave me this real hatred for the average American macho male. Votes: 0

I hate myself, and I want to die Votes: 0

Rather be dead than cool. Votes: 0

If you're a sexist, racist, homophobe, or basically an asshole, don't buy this CD. I don't care if you like me, I hate you. Votes: 0

I would like to get rid of the homophobes, sexists, and racists in our audience. I know they're out there and it really bothers me. Votes: 0

I'm not gay, although I wish I were, just to piss off the homophobes. Votes: 0

America may be the land of the free, but there are definitely more ignorant people there. Most of the population are semi-retarded. Votes: 0

Every time I see documentaries or infomercials about little kids with cancer, I just freak out. It affects me on the highest emotional level... Anytime I think about it, it makes me sadder than anything I can think of. Votes: 0

If you're really a mean person you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop. Votes: 0

Looking back on the production of 'Nevermind,' I'm embarrassed by it now. It's closer to a Motley Crue record than it is a punk rock record. Votes: 0

I wish there had been a music business 101 course I could have taken. Votes: 0

Oh well, whatever, nevermind. Votes: 0

When I listen to 'Nevermind,' I hate the production, but there's something about it that almost makes me cry at times. Votes: 0

I never listen to 'Nevermind.' I haven't listened to it since we put it out. That says something. Votes: 0

dreaming of the person you want to be is wasting the person you already are. Votes: 0

I've never been a very prolific person, so when creativity flows, it flows. I find myself scribbling on little notepads and pieces of loose paper, which results in a very small portion of my writings to ever show up in true form. Votes: 0

Punk is musical freedom. It's saying, doing and playing what you want. In Webster's terms, 'nirvana' means freedom from pain, suffering and the external world, and that's pretty close to my definition of Punk Rock. Votes: 0

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you. Votes: 0

I would love to be erased from our association with Pearl Jam or the Nymphs and other first time offenders. Votes: 0

She eyes me like a pisces. Votes: 0

I write poems for myself and I write poetry that gets torn apart and becomes songs. I have a lot of respect for words, the power of words. Votes: 0

Practice makes perfect, but nobody's perfect, so why practice? Votes: 0

I wanted to be in a punk band before I had even heard any punk music. Votes: 0

Punk rock should mean freedom, liking and excepting anything that you like. Playing whatever you want. As sloppy as you want. As long as it's good and it has passion. Votes: 0

I wanted to have the adoration of John Lennon but have the anonymity of Ringo Starr. I didn't want to be a frontman. I just wanted to be back there and still be a rock and roll star at the same time. Votes: 0

My generation's apathy. I'm disgusted with it. I'm disgusted with my own apathy too, for being spineless and not always standing up against racism, sexism and all those other -isms the counterculture has been whinning about for years Votes: 0

We have no right to express an opinion until we know all of the answers Votes: 0

I was tired of pretending that I was someone else just to get along with people, just for the sake of having friendships. Votes: 0

I'm really interested in smells. I think I'd like to own a perfumery someday. Votes: 0

Words suck. I mean, every thing has been said. I can't remember the last real interesting conversation I've had in a long time. Words aren't as important as the energy derived from music, especially live. Votes: 0

They laugh at me because I'm different; I laugh at them because they're all the same. Votes: 0

You can't buy happiness Votes: 0

Music is energy. A mood, atmosphere. Feeling. Votes: 0

Do your own thing. Others own their own thing. If you copy too much, you'll find yourself in late night cocktail lounge cover band limbo. Votes: 0

I decided that in order to become a big famous rock star, I would need to write my very own songs instead of wasting my time learning other peoples music too much. It may act as an obstruction in developing your very own personal style. Votes: 0

Art is sacred.Punk rock is freedom. Expression and right to express is vital. Anyone can be artistic. Votes: 0

It's better to burn out than to fade away. Votes: 0

Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are Votes: 0

I didn't know how to deal with success. If there was a Rock Star 101, I would have liked to take it. It might have helped me. Votes: 0

Ever since the beginning of rock and roll, there's been an Axl Rose. And it's just boring. It's totally boring to me. Votes: 0

I never wanted to sing. I just wanted to play rhythm guitar - hide in the back and just play. Votes: 0

Maybe we can change some kid's life & stop him from becoming a welder or a sleazy lawyer. Votes: 0

Frances and Courtney, I'll be at your altar. Please keep going, Courtney, for Frances, for her life will be so much happier without me. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. [Suicide note. ] Votes: 0

We're so trendy we can't even escape ourselves. Votes: 0

There is nothing I like more than pure underground music Votes: 0

Life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life, so let's all get wasted and have the time of our lives. Votes: 0

Married, Married, Married! Buried! Yeah yeah yeah yeah Votes: 0

I'd like to live off the band, but if not, I'll just retire to Mexico or Yugoslavia with a few hundred dollars, grow potatoes, and learn the history of rock through back issues of Creem magazine. Votes: 0

Zits are beauty marks. Votes: 0

John Lennon was definitely my favorite Beatle, hands down. Votes: 0

I definitely feel closer to the feminine side of the human being than I do the male - or the American idea of what a male is supposed to be. Just watch a beer commercial and you'll see what I mean. Votes: 0

I like to have strong opinions with nothing to back them up with besides my primal sincerity. I like sincerity. I lack sincerity. Votes: 0

If I wouldn't have found Courtney, I probably would have carried on with a bisexual lifestyle. Votes: 0

I really miss being able to blend in with people. Votes: 0

Sometimes I wish I had taken the Bob Dylan route and sang songs where my voice would not go out on me every night, so I could have a career if I wanted. Votes: 0

I sing and play the guitar, and I'm a walking, talking bacterial infection. Votes: 0

I'm too busy acting like I'm not Naive. I've seen it all, I was here first. Votes: 0

My mother encouraged me to be artistic. It was written in a contract at an early age that I would be an artist. Votes: 0

I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd. Votes: 0

I'm a spokesman for myself. It just so happens that there's a bunch of people that are concerned with what I have to say. I find that frightening at times because I'm just as confused as most people. I don't have the answers for anything. Votes: 0

If you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask someone else first. Votes: 0

I'm so happy because today I found my friends - they're in my head. Votes: 0

A friend is nothing but a known enemy. Votes: 0

Absolutely. Slade! A band that would never bend over. Votes: 0

After I reached my teens I decided I didn't want to hang out with anyone. I couldn't handle the stupidity. Votes: 0

all i want...is mac and cheese Votes: 0

All In All Is All We Are Votes: 0

All my life, I never believed most things I read in history books and a lot of things I learned in school. But now I've found I don't have the right to make a judgment on someone based on something I've read. I don't have the right to judge anything. That's the lesson I've learned Votes: 0

Alternative music is no longer alternative once it’s in the mainstream. Votes: 0

And I swear that I don't have a gun. Votes: 0

And I swear that I don't have a gun...no I don't have a gun Votes: 0

Before I die many will die with me and they'll deserve it. See you in Hell. Votes: 0

Believe everything you read Votes: 0

Birds scream at the top of their lungs in horrified hellish rage every morning at daybreak to warn us all of the truth, but sadly we don't speak bird. Votes: 0

By definition pop is extremely catchy, whether you like it or not, Votes: 0

Don't expect me to cry for the wrong reasons. Votes: 0

Don't expect me to die for you. Votes: 0

Don't read my diary when I'm gone, Votes: 0

Expression and the right to express is vital, anyone can be artistic. Votes: 0

For the first seven years of my life, I listened to nothing but The Beatles. Votes: 0

Forever in debt to your priceless advice. Votes: 0

Here we are now, entertain us. Votes: 0

Holding Frances in my arms is the best drug in the world. Votes: 0

Humans are stupid. I'm ashamed to be human. Votes: 0

I am not read well, but when I do read, I read well. Votes: 0

I bought a gun and chose drugs instead. Votes: 0

I don’t wanna have any other kind of job. I can’t work among people. I may as well try & make a career out of this. All my life my dream has been to be a big rock star - just may as well abuse it while you can. Votes: 0

I don't need to be inspired any longer, just supported. Votes: 0

I don't want to be a spokesperson. Votes: 0

I have very bad posture. Votes: 0

I just can't believe that anyone would start a band just to make the scene and be cool and have chicks. I just can't believe it. Votes: 0

I just don't like to get intimate. I don't want anyone to know what I feel and what I think, and if they can't get some kind of an idea of what sort of person I am through my music, then that's too bad. Votes: 0

I just hope I don't become so blissful I become boring. I think I'll always be neurotic enough to do something weird. Votes: 0

I like the comfort in knowing that women are the only future in rock and roll. Votes: 0

I like to complain and do nothing to make things better. Votes: 0

I like to feel prejudice towards people who are prejudice Votes: 0

I liked anything that was a little bit weird, a little bit different. I always went for the psychotic, weird, 'dingey' bands. Votes: 0

I never wanted to sing. I just wanted to play rhythm guitar – hide in the back and just play. But during those high school years when I was playing guitar in my bedroom, I at least had the intuition that I had to write my own songs. Votes: 0

I only remember a few things about Jimmy Carter. He had big lips and liked peanuts. I now know that Jimmy Carter was and is a good man. Votes: 0

I remember feeling ashamed, for some reason. I was ashamed of my parents. I couldn't face some of my friends at school anymore, because I desperately wanted to have the classic, you know, typical family. Mother, father. I wanted that security, so I resented my parents for quite a few years because of that. Votes: 0

I respect people who promote the way they feel sexually Votes: 0

I want to do something different, really different, and if it alienates people that's too bad. Votes: 0

I wasn’t thriving socially, so I stayed in my room and played guitar all the time, at the time, I thought I was inventing a new sound that would change the whole outlook of music. I’ve discovered in the last few years that it was just the Seattle Sub Pop sound. Votes: 0

I will get stoned and worship Satan. Votes: 0

I wish I would tell our audience that we don't hate them without sounding cheesy. Votes: 0

I won't eat anything green. Votes: 0

I wouldn’t wear a tie-dyed tee-shirt unless it was dyed with the urine of Phil Collins and the blood of Jerry Garcia. Votes: 0

I’m not going to say a damn word about it being tough; I’m having the best time of my life! Votes: 0

I’m not mad. I’m in a perfectly happy mood, you asshole. Votes: 0

I’m worse at what I do best. Votes: 0

I'd rather hang out with the losers that would sit and smoke a cigarette than the ones who wanted to throw a baseball. Votes: 0

If chasing cool is important to you, you're an idiot! Votes: 0

If I could get that girl to publish her poetry, the world would change. (On Courtney Love) Votes: 0

If I went to jail, at least I wouldn't have to sign autographs. Votes: 0

If it was up to me, I'd get more oil tanker drivers drunk. I don’t value music much. I like the Beatles, but I hate Paul McCartney. I like Led Zeppelin, but I hate Robert Plant. I like the Who, but I hate Roger Daltrey. Votes: 0

If my eyes could show my soul,everyone would cry when they saw me smile. Votes: 0

If you die you're completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on. Votes: 0

If you guys throw one more shoe or one more coin, I'm just going to leave my guitar next to my amp and there's going to be massive feed back for an hour. Votes: 0

If you read, you'll judge. Votes: 0

I'll be the first to admit we're the 90's version of Cheap Trick or the Knack Votes: 0

I'm a much happier guy than a lot of people think I am. Votes: 0

I'm all for stage diving, but just don't step on my pedals Votes: 0

I'm going to be a superstar musician, kill myself, and go out in a flame of glory. I want to be rich and famous and kill myself like Jimi Hendrix. Votes: 0

I'm not like them But I can pretend Votes: 0

I'm not well-read, but when I read, I read well. Votes: 0

I'm not worried about what's going to happen when I'm thirty, because I am never going to make it to thirty. You know what life is like after thirty - I don't want that. Votes: 0

I'm on my time with everyone. Votes: 0

I'm thought of as this pissy, complaining, freaked-out schizophrenic who wants to kill himself all the time. Votes: 0

In the sun I feel as one. Votes: 0

It must be one of those narcissists who only appreciate things when they're gone. I'm too sensitive. I need to be slightly numb in order to regain the enthusiasms I once had as a child. Votes: 0

It's really not hard to keep your dignity and sign to a major label... Most people don't have any dignity in the first place. Votes: 0

I've always quit jobs without telling the employer that I was quitting; I just wouldn't show up one day. Votes: 0

I've never been more confused in my life, but at the same time I've never been more satisfied with what we've done. Votes: 0

I've never considered musical equipment very sacred. Votes: 0

Just because it's all you want, doesn't mean it's all you need. Votes: 0

Life isn't nearly as sacred as the appreciation of passion. Votes: 0

Live music is the most primal form of energy release you can share with other people besides having sex or taking drugs. Votes: 0

Load up our guns Bring your friends It's fun to lose and to pretend Votes: 0

Music is first, lyrics are secondary. Votes: 0

My heart is broke, but I have some glue, help me inhale and mend it with you. Votes: 0

My lyrics are a big pile of contradictions, Votes: 0

My mother always tried to keep a little bit of British culture in our family. We'd drink tea all the time! Votes: 0

My songs have always had frustrating themes - relationships I've had Votes: 0

Never met a wiseman if so its a woman! Votes: 0

No matter what you do or say, there's nothing that you can do to make people understand you. Votes: 0

None of you will ever know what I am thinking. Votes: 0

Once you fall in love... It's different. Votes: 0

People are coming to shows on the strength of one song. I guess that's the way it goes. Votes: 0

People ask me what's like to hear our song on the radio. I don't know, I don't listen to the radio Votes: 0

People think of life as being so sacred and they feel like this is their only chance and they have to do something with their life and make an impact As far as I'm concerned, it's just a pitstop for the afterlife. It's just a little test to see how you can handle reality. Votes: 0

Please read my diary, look through my things and figure me out. Votes: 0

Rape is one of the most terrible crimes on earth and it happens every few minutes. The problem with groups who deal with rape is that they try to educate women about how to defend themselves. What really needs to be done is teaching men not to rape. Go to the source and start there. Votes: 0

Rock & roll is dying. It’s frightening to think about the music scene 20 years from now. Votes: 0

Thank you all from the pit of my burning, nauseous stomach for your letters and concern during the past years. Votes: 0

Thank you for the tragedy. I need it for my art. Votes: 0

That's what music is: entertainment. The more you put yourself into it, the more of you comes out in it. Votes: 0

The day is done. I'm having fun. I think I'm dumb. Or maybe just happy. Votes: 0

The finest day i ever had was when tomorrow never came Votes: 0

The future of rock belongs to women. Votes: 0

The sun is gone, but I have a light. Votes: 0

The world sucks, people are not true Votes: 0

There is nothing I can say that I haven't thought before. Votes: 0

There is plenty of Hühnerfleisch in the Kühlschrank. (There is plenty of chicken in the fridge) Votes: 0

There's definitely some pieces in there that reflect on my personal life, but really, they aren't as personal as everybody thinks they are. I would like them to be more personal. The emotions, the songs themselves are personal. I can't do it - I've tried to write personally and it just doesn't seem to work. It would be too obvious. Some things that you could read in could fit into anyone's life that had any amount of pain at all. It's pretty cliche'. Votes: 0

To be positive at all times is to ignore all that is important, sacred, or valuable. To be negative at all times is to be threatened by ridiculousness and instant discreditability. Votes: 0

Vadalism: beautiful as a rock in a cop's face. Votes: 0

We can plant a house, we can build a tree Votes: 0

We were just amazed we were putting out a record. We were, and are, still learning. But we've never cared much for professionalism as long as the energy was there. Like our live shows: We're out of tune and use a lot of feedback. That's not on purpose or because we don't care, we're just musically and rhythmically retarded and we play so hard that we can't tune our guitars fast enough. Votes: 0

We were the chosen rejects. We chose not to be apart of the popular crowd. I mean, I can rember a lot of times the more popular people, the 'jock type' of people who were into sports, and staying clean, and brushing there teeth all the time, they always asked me if I wanted to join their little club, and i decided not to, you know, I would rather hang out with the people who didn't get picked for the baseball team, you know, who smoke cigarettes and listen to rock 'n' roll music. Votes: 0

Wearing a dress shows I can be as feminine as I want. I'm a heterosexual...big deal, but if I was a homosexual, it wouldn't matter, either. Votes: 0

We're just musically and rhythmically retarded. We play so hard that we can't tune our guitars fast enough. People can relate to that. Votes: 0

When I was younger I knew I could do anything - I could be the president if I wanted to, but that was a stupid idea - I'd rather be a rock star. Votes: 0

Why in the hell do journalists insist on coming up with a second rate Freudian evaluation on my lyrics when 90 percent of the time they've transcribed the lyrics incorrectly? Votes: 0

With the lights out, It's less dangerous. Here we are now, Entertain us. I feel stupid, And contagious. Here we are now. Entertain us. Votes: 0

You create attention to attract attention. Votes: 0

You do learn things and one of them is that happiness has nothing to do with validation from other people, the important thing is being happy with yourself ... finding something that is important to you and sticking with it no matter what anyone says. The truth is you've got to really be tough because there are all kinds of forces that are always trying to get you to do things their way ... trying to tell you that you are throwing your life away if you don't follow their advice. Votes: 0

You know what I hate about rock? I hate tie-dyed tee shirts. I wouldn't wear a tie-dyed tee shirt unless it was dyed with the urine of Phil Collins and the blood of Jerry Garcia. Votes: 0

Who needs action when you got words? Votes: 0

I don't understand anything technical about music at all. I don't understand any of it, why you can't put these sounds together with those sounds. I only know what sounds good. Votes: 0

I wasn't thriving socially, so I stayed in my room and played guitar all the time.. Votes: 0