Paper Cuts

Track 6 on Bleach

Produced by

This is track number six on Bleach. “Paper Cuts” is arguably the most intense song on the album, with jarring rhythms and screeching vocals. The song depicts a child… Read More

Jun. 15, 19891 viewer93.9K views

Paper Cuts Lyrics

[Verse 1]
At my feeding time
She'd push food through the door!
I crawl towards the cracks of light
Sometimes I can't find my way!
Newspapers spread around
Soaking all that they can!
A cleaning is due again
A good hosing down!

[Pre-Chorus 1]
The lady whom I feel maternal love for
Cannot look me in the eyes
But I see hers and they are blue
And they cock and twitch and masturbate

[Chorus 1]
Why?!
I said so!
I said so!
I said so!

[Post-Chorus]
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana

[Verse 2]
Black windows of paint
I scratch with my nails!
I see others just like me
Why do they not try to escape?!
They bring out the older ones
They point at my way!
They come with their flashing lights
And take my family away!

[Pre-Chorus 2]
And very later I have learned to
Accept some friends of ridicule
My whole existence is for your amusement
And that is why I'm here with you

[Chorus 2]
To take!
Me with!
Your life!

[Post-Chorus]
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvana

About

This is track number six on Bleach. “Paper Cuts” is arguably the most intense song on the album, with jarring rhythms and screeching vocals.

The song depicts a child growing up in a house which has black windows. According to liveNIRVANA.com’s archives, the song is about an abused boy trapped in the basement of their parent’s house:

This kid came from a family who tortured their children, and kept them all in one room with black-painted windows and a pile of newspapers for [a] toilet. The authorities later found out and took the kids away. The lyrics also seem to contain elements from Kurt’s relationship with his mother.