Kurt Cobain Quotes
158 Quotes to Inspire and Challenge with Profound Words

Discover the profound and thought-provoking words of Kurt Cobain, the iconic musician and songwriter. From his insights on individuality to his reflections on the human condition, these quotes will inspire and challenge you in equal measure.

Kurt Donald Cobain was a highly influential American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder and lead vocalist of the rock band Nirvana. With his angsty songwriting style and rebellious image, he expanded the thematic boundaries of mainstream rock. Often regarded as a spokesperson for Generation X, Cobain's impact on alternative rock is widely recognized.

Forming Nirvana in 1987 alongside Krist Novoselic and Aaron Burckhard, Cobain played a significant role in establishing the band as part of the flourishing Seattle music scene, later known as grunge. Their commercial breakthrough came with the release of their critically acclaimed second album, Nevermind, which featured their hit single "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Despite being celebrated as the voice of his generation after this sudden success, Cobain felt misunderstood and resented this label. He penned numerous other popular songs for Nirvana, including "Come as You Are," "Lithium," and "Heart-Shaped Box".

Cobain faced personal struggles throughout his life, battling heroin addiction, chronic health issues like depression, and dealing with pressures arising from fame. His turbulent relationship with fellow musician Courtney Love added to his challenges. Tragically, Cobain passed away in 1994 at the age of 27 from a self-inflicted shotgun wound. Despite his untimely demise, Cobain's impact remains strong. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside his bandmates in 2014 and is consistently ranked among the greatest songwriters, guitarists, and singers of all time by publications such as Rolling Stone and MTV.

✵ 20. February 1967 – 5. April 1994
Kurt Cobain photo

Works

Journals
Journals
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain: 158   quotes 690   likes

Famous Kurt Cobain Quotes

“I would rather be hated for what I am, then loved for what I am not.”

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

“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.”

Journals (2002)
Context: Birds... scream at the top of their lungs in horrified hellish rage every morning at daybreak to warn us all of the truth. They know the truth. Screaming bloody murder all over the world in our ears, but sadly we don't speak bird. [p. 224]

Kurt Cobain Quotes about thinking

Kurt Cobain quote: “I don't care what you think unless it is about me.”

“I don't care what you think unless it is about me.”

Variant: I don't care what you think unless it is about me

“I think I'm dumb
or maybe just happy
think I'm just happy…”

Variant: I think I'm dumb or maybe just happy.

“Neither side is sacred; no one wants to win
Feeling so sedated; think I'll just give in.”

Verse Chorus Verse.
Song lyrics, Posthumously released (post-1994)

Kurt Cobain: Trending quotes

“All in all is all we are.”

All Apologies
Song lyrics, In Utero (1993)
Variant: All in all is all we are.

“Rather be dead then cool”

Variant: I'd rather be dead than be cool.

Kurt Cobain Quotes

Kurt Cobain quote: “We're so trendy we can't even escape ourselves.”

“Just because you're paranoid, does not mean they're not out to get you.”

Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)
Variant: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.
Source: This quote is generally attributed to Joseph Heller from his novel Catch-22, although it appears to be from the film version only (screenplay by Buck Henry.) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AParanoia Territorial Pissings.

“She loves him more than he will ever know
He loves her more than he will ever show”

Swap Meet.
Song lyrics, Bleach (1989)

“Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are”

Variant: Wanting to be someone else is the waste of who you are

“I miss the comfort in being sad.”

Song lyrics, In Utero (1993)

“If you're really a mean person you're going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”

As quoted in Monk Magazine (1992-10).
Interviews (1989-1994), Print

“It's OK to eat fish
'Cos they don't have any feelings”

Something In The Way
Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)
Variant: It's OK eat fish 'cause they don't have any feelings.

“I am not well read, but when I do read, I read well.”

Source: Journals (2002), p. 124

“Peace, love, empathy”

Variant: Peace, Love, Empathy...

“I’m worse at what I do best.”

Variant: I´m worse at what I do best and for this gift I feel blessed.

“I'm so happy 'cause today I've found my friends…. They're in my head. I'm so ugly, but that's okay, 'cause so are you.”

Lithium.
Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)
Variant: I'm so happy
'Cause today I found my friends
They're in my head.
I'm so ugly, that's okay
'Cause so are you,
Broke our mirrors.
Source: Nirvana

“Rape is one of the most terrible crimes on earth. And it happens every few minutes.”

As quoted in New Musical Express (1991-11-23).
Interviews (1989-1994), Print

“I wouldn't have been surprised if they had voted me Most Likely To Kill Everyone At A High School Dance.”

As quoted in Howl (1993-07-22).
Interviews (1989-1994), Print

“Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self esteem.”

As quoted in Rolling Stone (1992-04-16).
Interviews (1989-1994), Print
Context: All drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with your self-esteem. They’re no good at all. But I’m not going to go around preaching against [them].

“Forever in debt to your priceless advice.”

Variant: Hey! Wait! I've got a new complaint! Forever in debt to your priceless advice.

“Load up on guns, bring your friends.”

Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)

“I'm not like them
But I can pretend”

Song lyrics, In Utero (1993)

“Jocks have completely taken over music… And just to get back at them, I’m going to start playing basketball.”

As quoted in Musician (1993-10).
Interviews (1989-1994), Print

“We're Nirvana and we really don't particularly like heavy metal.”

1990-08-17 at the Palladium, Hollywood, California
Stage banter

“I found it hard,
It was hard to find
Oh well, whatever, never mind.”

Smells Like Teen Spirit.
Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)

“A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido.”

Song lyrics, Nevermind (1991)

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