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Sexism In Kurt Cobain's Rape Me

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Kurt Cobain’s song “Rape Me”, composed and first performed live in 1991, has reached 32nd in the UK Singles Chart and received worldwide praise for its purpose to raise awareness on sexism, suggesting that he may be indeed enjoying his song’s success more than his personal life. The lyrics of “Rape Me,” perhaps, might have struck a chord to the youths of 1993. Rolling Stone hit the streets of Aberdeen, Washington State (Kurt’s hometown), asking Kurt’s fans about their response to his song. “I like the song, but it just felt that Nirvana was fishing for controversy with a song that had no meaning to it,” answered one 19-year old, who seemed to capture the same view with others in the area. What we are intrigued about, however, is where in the lyrics do most people find the song “blunt in meaning?” and how is it exactly an “anti-rape anthem?” When first listened to, the lyrics of “Rape Me” may sound a bit shocking. The song opens with the lines “Rape me, rape me my friend, rape me, rape me again.” This particularly submissive attitude is not quite like Kurt’s “alpha-male” and strong, dominant image and personality, an image that most …show more content…

When asked what “I’ll kiss your open sores” means, many victims explained: They will make you regret your decision of raping others, you will have a taste of your own medicine. Identically, the next verses (“Appreciate your concern, You’re gonna stink and burn”) would explain: “You will end up in jail, and you will be raped there yourself,” showing the utter hatred and anger of the victims against the rapists who are their spouses. This call of arms towards an anti-marital rape movement might just be the main theme of the song, which he suggested in the lines: “Hate me, do it and do it again, waste me, rape me, my friend.” Kurt calls on victims of abusive marriages to survive and stay

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