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Meaning and Lyrics of Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana

Song Lyrics meaning of Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana

About Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in 1987 by vocalist/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic. The band quickly rose to fame with their unique sound that blended elements of punk and alternative rock. Drummer Dave Grohl joined the band in 1990, solidifying their iconic lineup. Their song “Heart-Shaped Box” was released in 1993 as a single from their third and final studio album, “In Utero.” The song’s dark lyrics and gritty guitar riffs captured the angst and emotion that Nirvana became known for. Despite their success, Nirvana was plagued by internal tensions and the struggles of fame. Tragically, Kurt Cobain died by suicide in 1994, leading to the disbandment of the group. Nirvana’s impact on the music industry and their influence on the grunge movement continue to be felt today.

Meaning of Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana

“Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana is a song that is often interpreted as exploring themes of love, vulnerability, dependence, and inner turmoil. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a complex and tumultuous relationship, offering a raw and intense look into the emotions of the singer.

In the verses, the imagery of being locked inside a heart-shaped box and drawn into a magnet tar pit trap conveys feelings of entrapment and suffocation within the confines of a relationship. The mention of wanting to “eat your cancer when you turn black” hints at a desire to absorb and alleviate the pain or struggles of a partner, showcasing a deep sense of empathy and connection.

The repeated chorus, with the lines “Forever in debt to your priceless advice,” suggests a sense of indebtedness and reliance on the wisdom or guidance provided by the other person in the relationship. This could reflect a power dynamic or a feeling of being emotionally indebted to them for their influence on the singer’s life.

The second verse introduces more cryptic and dark imagery with references to “meat-eating orchids” and cutting oneself on angel hair, creating a sense of fragility and vulnerability. The mention of a broken hymen and the desire to climb back up from a figurative umbilical noose hint at themes of birth, rebirth, and emotional struggles.

The song’s structure, with its repeated chorus and the guitar solo, adds to the intensity and emotional depth of the lyrics. The repetition of certain phrases reinforces the idea of being trapped in cyclical patterns or emotions, unable to break free from the hold of the relationship.

Overall, “Heart-Shaped Box” can be seen as a powerful exploration of love, pain, and dependence, with the lyrics and imagery painting a complex and evocative portrait of a relationship fraught with emotion and turmoil.

Lyrics of Heart-Shaped Box by Nirvana

Verse 1
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak
I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black

Chorus
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Your advice

Verse 2
Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet
Cut myself on angel hair and baby's breath
Broken hymen of 'Your Highness', I'm left black
Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back

Chorus
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Your advice

Guitar Solo

Verse 3
She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak
I've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for weeks
I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap
I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn black

Chorus
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Hey! Wait! I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice
Your advice
Your advice
Your advice

Discography Nirvana

In Utero (30th Anniversary Super Deluxe)

Release: 2023-10-27

Label: Geffen

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Serve The Servants – 2023 Remaster
2. Scentless Apprentice – 2023 Remaster
3. Heart-Shaped Box – 2023 Remaster
4. Rape Me – 2023 Remaster
5. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle – 2023 Remaster
6. Dumb – 2023 Remaster
7. Very Ape – 2023 Remaster
8. Milk It – 2023 Remaster
9. Pennyroyal Tea – 2023 Remaster
10. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter – 2023 Remaster
11. tourette’s – 2023 Remaster
12. All Apologies – 2023 Remaster
13. Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through The Strip – 2023 Remaster
14. Marigold – 2023 Remaster
15. Sappy – 2023 Remaster
16. Moist Vagina – 2023 Remaster
17. I Hate Myself And Want To Die – 2023 Remaster
18. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
19. Drain You – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
20. Breed – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
21. Serve The Servants – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
22. Come As You Are – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
23. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
24. Sliver – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
25. Dumb – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
26. In Bloom – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
27. About A Girl – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
28. Lithium – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
29. Pennyroyal Tea – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
30. School – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
31. Polly – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
32. Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
33. Rape Me – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
34. Territorial Pissings – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
35. Jesus Doesn’t Want Me For A Sunbeam – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
36. The Man Who Sold The World – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
37. All Apologies – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
38. On A Plain – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
39. Heart-Shaped Box – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
40. Blew – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
41. Feedback Jam – Live In Los Angeles, Great Western Forum – December 30, 1993
42. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
43. Drain You – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
44. Breed – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
45. Serve The Servants – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
46. Come As You Are – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
47. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
48. Sliver – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
49. Dumb – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994
50. In Bloom – Live In Seattle, Seattle Center Arena – January 7, 1994

Tracklist Collapse

Nevermind (30th Anniversary Super Deluxe)

Release: 2021-11-12

Label: Geffen

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Remastered 2021
2. In Bloom – Remastered 2021
3. Come As You Are – Remastered 2021
4. Breed – Remastered 2021
5. Lithium – Remastered 2021
6. Polly – Remastered 2021
7. Territorial Pissings – Remastered 2021
8. Drain You – Remastered 2021
9. Lounge Act – Remastered 2021
10. Stay Away – Remastered 2021
11. On A Plain – Remastered 2021
12. Something In The Way – Remastered 2021
13. Endless, Nameless – Remastered 2021
14. Drain You – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
15. Aneurysm – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
16. School – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
17. Floyd The Barber – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
18. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
19. About A Girl – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
20. Polly – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
21. Lithium – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
22. Sliver – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
23. Breed – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
24. Come As You Are – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
25. Been A Son – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
26. Negative Creep – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
27. On A Plain – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
28. Blew – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
29. Love Buzz – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
30. Territorial Pissings – Live In Amsterdam, Netherlands/1991
31. Drain You – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
32. Aneurysm – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
33. School – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
34. Floyd The Barber – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
35. Smells Like Teen Spirit – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
36. About A Girl – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
37. Polly – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
38. Sliver – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
39. Breed – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
40. Come As You Are – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
41. Lithium – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
42. Territorial Pissings – Live In Del Mar, California/1991
43. Aneurysm – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
44. Drain You – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
45. School – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
46. Sliver – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
47. About A Girl – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
48. Come As You Are – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
49. Lithium – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992
50. Breed – Live In Melbourne, Australia For Triple J/1992

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Live And Loud

Release: 2019-07-26

Label: Geffen

Popularity: 👏👏

1. Radio Friendly Unit Shifter – Live & Loud
2. Drain You – Live & Loud
3. Breed – Live & Loud
4. Serve The Servants – Live & Loud
5. Rape Me – Live & Loud
6. Sliver – Live & Loud
7. Pennyroyal Tea – Live & Loud
8. Scentless Apprentice – Live & Loud
9. All Apologies – Live & Loud
10. Heart Shaped Box – Live & Loud
11. Blew – Live & Loud
12. The Man Who Sold The World – Live & Loud
13. School – Live & Loud
14. Come As You Are – Live & Loud
15. Lithium – Live & Loud
16. About A Girl – Live & Loud
17. Endless, Nameless – Live & Loud

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