Here we are / now entertain us - meaning of “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
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
A mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey, yay
I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift, I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
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
A mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey, yay
And I forget, just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it's hard to find
Oh well, whatever, never mind
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Hello, hello, hello
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
A mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial
In a lyric analysis of Nirvana’s breakout hit, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," one encounters a maelstrom of image, feeling, and expression that epitomizes the restlessness and disenchantment of the youth culture in the early 1990s. The thematic construction is rife with references to boredom, confusion, frustration, and disaffection, embodying the Gen X disillusionment that has come to characterize the grunge movement. This paper takes the starting point of the lyric, "Here we are now, entertain us," as a springboard into the deeper symbolism of the song and its cultural relevance.
The lyric, "Here we are now, entertain us," encapsulates a poignant nihilism that captures the essence of Generation X. In a world over-saturated with media and shallow entertainment, the refrain is an ironic plea, a challenge thrown at the empty glamour and glitz that had come to define mainstream entertainment. It succinctly communicates the sense of ennui, the feeling of being disoriented and lost amidst the spectacle of modern society. This ethos resembles the existential musings of French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, whose philosophy argues that we are condemned to be free and left to create meaning in a world devoid of inherent purpose.
In addition to Sartrean philosophy, this lyric also reflects a common trope found in dystopian fiction, most notably in the work of Aldous Huxley. In "Brave New World," citizens are pacified by an endless stream of entertainment and superficial pleasure to distract from the vacuous nature of their existence. The demand for entertainment in "Smells Like Teen Spirit" evokes the pacifying 'feelies' of Huxley's dystopia, further illustrating a critique of a society over-reliant on entertainment as a means of control and distraction.
The refrain of "I feel stupid, and contagious" serves to underline the singer’s sense of awkwardness and alienation, a reflection of the so-called 'slacker' persona that many from Generation X adopted. This is more than just a personal sentiment; it represents the collective identity crisis of a generation straddling the technological evolution, grappling with societal norms, and often feeling out of sync with their own identities. This bears a resemblance to Salinger's protagonist Holden Caulfield in "The Catcher in the Rye," whose constant struggle with society and his place in it echoes the conflict and unease portrayed in Nirvana's lyrics.
The repeated chorus, "A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido," defies literal interpretation but serves to create a jarring, dissonant image, highlighting the chaotic, disparate elements of a society in flux. These seemingly unrelated images serve to produce a mood of fragmentation and confusion, in line with the disoriented and disillusioned spirit that underpins much of the grunge genre. One can draw parallels with the modernist literature movement, wherein writers like T.S Eliot employed a similar fragmented style in works like "The Waste Land" to convey a sense of disillusionment and despair in post-World War I Europe.
In the final verses, Cobain repeats the phrase, "A denial," hinting at an effort to reject or dismiss the realities he confronts. This is a powerful embodiment of the disillusionment of the youth culture of the time, a generation that felt disconnected and disenchanted with the world handed down to them. It echoes the themes of denial and escapism found in works like Jack Kerouac's "On The Road," which captures a post-war generation's search for meaning and fulfillment in a society they find increasingly confining and mundane.
To summarize, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," particularly the line "Here we are now, entertain us," represents a significant cultural critique of society, marked by alienation, disillusionment, and a deep sense of ennui. Its symbolism and thematic constructions draw parallels with existential philosophy and modernist and Beat literature, serving as a powerful commentary on the societal and cultural conditions of its time. By adopting an approach of combining personal experiences with broader cultural tropes, the lyrics transcend the personal and acquire a universal quality that allows listeners to connect with them at a deeper level. The song is more than a tune—it's an anthem for an entire generation, one that encapsulates a uniquely Generation X brand of disillusionment and ennui.
