Without a doubt, Nirvana was one of the biggest bands of the 90s. While they only put out three albums during their 7-year career, their legacy lives on. This is due in large part to frontman Kurt Cobain’s larger-than-life personality and also his tragic death by suicide.
In this short period, though, Nirvana managed to bring Alternative Rock sounds into the mainstream, compose some unforgettable songs, and more or less become the voice of Generation X.
Cobain’s lyrics were usually strange and indirect, to say the least. So, if you’ve ever wondered about the meaning behind “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana, you’re alone. We’re going to dive deep into this song that was one of the biggest off their third album, In Utero. But trust me; this isn’t a song that’s all that easy to decode.
Background to “Heart-Shaped Box”
If you were alive back in 1993, you’re going to be shocked that Nirvana’s successful third album, In Utero, came out that year. Yes, 30 long years ago! And that makes sense, because they started in 1987, and the earth-shaking Nevermind was released in 1991.
Alright, alright – stop your crying!
In Utero is Latin for “in the womb,” and this already gives you a thematic background for the whole album. The cover art – an angel with her flesh removed – also sets the stage. Nirvana wanted to make a record that was more raw and unadulterated than Nevermind.
They didn’t want to be controlled by their record company’s expectations or radio-friendliness standards. So, they more or less ran away to work in a secluded studio with legendary producer, Steve Albini, to make the record with their own money.
“Heart-Shaped Box” was written by Kurt Cobain in 1992, reportedly in his closet. It was put on the back burner for a while, but eventually, it was fleshed out by the band. Dave Grohl on drums and Krist Novoselic on bass jammed together until they liked what they heard.
It was recorded for the new album…
But, before the release, it was remixed by the band to add more layers of vocals and guitar to the song. That’s because the band wasn’t satisfied with the original mix. And it worked. The song was a big hit on a big hit record.
It was released as a single around the world on August 30th, 1993, but not in the US, so it wouldn’t compete with the album’s sales. It hit the Top 10 in countries around the world and went to #1 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
So, what’s the Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” about? Now, we’re ready to “Dive” into it.
The Meaning Behind “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana
Nothing with Kurt Cobain was ever straightforward and simple, and this song is no exception. The lyrics are filled with images and references to people and feelings. But they’re not tied together to a clear, central narrative. So, that leaves us with the tough job of trying to interpret the meaning behind”Heart-Shaped Box” since we can’t simply ask Kurt.
Or can we?
Turns out, he was asked point-blank by a biographer, “What is the meaning of ‘Heart-Shaped Box’?” Cobain answered that it was a song about kids with cancer and how that makes him feel. He claimed that watching documentaries about kids with cancer was something that affected him emotionally. And, it may be a part of the song because, like most of his work, it’s a mish-mash of feelings.
At the same time, most people think it’s about his wife…
Kurt married fellow musician Courtney Love in February 1992, shortly before the song was written. According to her, he worked out most of the music in their big closet. And she claims that the lyrics are definitely about her, with the “heart-shaped box” a reference to her lady bits.
We might never know the truth about that. But the title is pretty clearly a reference to Love. She kept a collection of heart-shaped boxes at the couple’s LA apartment.
The song has a simple structure of alternating verse and chorus…
There are only two verses, although the first is repeated in the third verse position. The first verse is the most well-known, with references to fish and being locked up, both of which can be seen as sinister or ominous symbols. Then, there’s the darkest of dark color imagery referencing a tar pit and black cancer.
Taken together, this verse seems to reference the dark side of love and relationships. But, despite how dark it is, it has a positive meaning – eating someone’s cancer, thus destroying it, could be the ultimate expression of love!
The second verse comes back…
With some very strange images of the finest, purest things like orchids and baby’s breath flowers. But here, they’re warped into freakish images by Cobain’s acute use of juxtaposition. It seems like he’s again pointing out the dangers inherent in love and relationships, concepts that are usually treated in a purely positive way.
The final two lines of the verse reference motherhood and female anatomy. But, again, juxtapose that with images of death and decay. This could be seen as both a healthy fear of and a reverence for women’s reproductive power. He seems to view life-giving as also intimately related to death.
What about the chorus?
Because it’s so sparse and bare, the chorus is probably the most difficult part of this song to interpret. The “new complaint” is something that Cobain spoke about. He explained that the first part of the chorus came from how Nirvana was depicted in the media. As though they were just a disaffected band that wrote songs complaining about one thing after another.
So, then we’re left with “priceless advice”…
Whose advice? About what? And why was it so useful? This is a part of the song that’s very hard to understand. If the song is about Courtney Love, then maybe it’s just honest, and she gave him some crucial advice once. Knowing Cobain, it probably goes a lot deeper, to a point I can’t even guess. But, hey, it sounds cool when he wails this in the chorus.
The Music Behind “Heart-Shaped Box”
The music for “Heart-Shaped Box” is based around a basic structure that Nirvana employed regularly. Cobain claims he wanted to write songs like the band The Pixies, who used big dynamic changes between verses and choruses to create lots of depth in their songs. So, this song, like so many of Nirvana’s, has a quiet verse and loud, explosive chorus structure.
The verses use a slow and very minimal drum beat. The bass strums a few notes, and the guitar plays arpeggios on basic chords. Cobain sings low and gravely over top. Then, the chorus explodes into a heavy beat while the guitar hits power chords and the bass slams. Cobain bends the chords giving them an extra dissonance. Instead of singing, he turns to wailing, almost screaming or screeching the lyrics.
There’s also a little guitar solo before the third verse. This solo simply mimics the vocals in the chorus, but the notes are bent and twangy, giving it a weird and kind of creepy sound. The song ends in a repetition of the last part of the chorus, and then a little guitar outro and distortion. And, once it’s done, you feel like putting it right back on again.
The “Heart-Shaped Box” Music Video
The video for “Heart-Shaped Box” is pretty intense and might be too much for some people. So, viewers beware! This is a song that deals with deep and dark themes, so you have to expect the visual side of things to be just as intense. The video was directed by Anton Corbijn and ended up being a #1 video and winning two MTV Video Awards in 1994.
The video features a combination of images that are often described as beautiful and terrible. There’s an old man in the hospital, then seen being crucified and wearing a Santa hat. A little girl runs around in an apparent KKK outfit. Fetuses hang from leafless trees, some hung with nooses around their necks. A large woman with no skin walks through the eerie landscape.
Interestingly, the whole video was shot in color, then changed into black and white and re-colored by hand to make it surreal. The whole thing is something of a dreamscape.
Or, a nightmare…
The band is seen both as visitors in the hospital and playing in the weird dreamscape. Especially in the choruses, they play hard and heavy in their full-on style while Cobain charges into the camera to wail the lyrics.
The video doesn’t tell a story so much as combine images to create a sort of overall feeling. The flayed walking woman is meant to represent the Earth Mother, and the hung fetuses are lives that ended soon, representing lost innocence.
Likewise, the little girl, first in white and then in black robes, is an image of corrupted innocence but also a recognition and rejection of evil. The old man is receiving an IV drip with a fetus inside, showing how older people feed off and damage the young. There’s just a whole lot more to unpack here, but the video is meant to stimulate reaction, and you can see in it what you will.
Has this Article Renewed Your Interest in Grunge and 90s Music?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Best 90s Grunge Songs, the Best Grunge Bands of the 90s, the Best 90s Rock Songs, the Best 90s Rock Bands, the Best 90s Love Songs, and the Best 90s Songs for more incredible song selections.
The Meaning Behind “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana – Final Thoughts
Nirvana’s hit song “Heart-Shaped Box” from their third album, In Utero, is a big, intense, and serious song. While the band often injected their songs with humor, there’s none to be seen or heard here.
The song is generally considered to be a consideration of love and relationships, both romantic and between parents and children. It’s also thought that the song was primarily about Courtney Love. So, as you can see, it’s hard to pin down what the Nirvana song “Heart-Shaped Box” means.
The music for “Heart-Shaped Box” is Nirvana encapsulated in a song. Quiet verses explode into loud and wild choruses that hit hard and heavy. And the video is a surreal and very intriguing creation. Overall, this is a song that made a big splash and remains one of the band’s most-loved hits. Even if very few people know the true meaning of “Heart-Shaped Box” by Nirvana.
Until next time, happy listening.
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