“It’s an anti, let me repeat that, anti-rape song. I got tired of people trying to put too much meaning into the lyrics. I decided to be really blunt and bold.” - Kurt Cobain on the song “Rape Me.”
![9/9/92 - MTV Video Music Awards, Los Angeles, CA.
“We didn’t wanna play “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” So we came into the rehearsals, we were gonna play two new songs [Rape Me & Tourette’s] that fit into the four minute, twenty second slot. So we practiced those and the Stage Manager said “Oh, OK, as long as it fits.” Then we get a call the next day, MTV says we cannot play unless we play “Smells Like Teen Spirit”… Then they told us that we could get on the show if we played “Lithium” later on in the set. They totally rearranged the whole show.” - Dave Grohl.
During the performance, against MTV’s wishes, Kurt started to play “Rape Me,” but stopped and went right into “Lithium.”](http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma2jypua0q1qir6ydo1_500.jpg)
9/9/92 - MTV Video Music Awards, Los Angeles, CA.
“We didn’t wanna play “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” So we came into the rehearsals, we were gonna play two new songs [Rape Me & Tourette’s] that fit into the four minute, twenty second slot. So we practiced those and the Stage Manager said “Oh, OK, as long as it fits.” Then we get a call the next day, MTV says we cannot play unless we play “Smells Like Teen Spirit”… Then they told us that we could get on the show if we played “Lithium” later on in the set. They totally rearranged the whole show.” - Dave Grohl.
During the performance, against MTV’s wishes, Kurt started to play “Rape Me,” but stopped and went right into “Lithium.”
“Basically, I was trying to write a song that supported women and dealt with the issue of rape. Over the last few years, people have had such a hard time understanding what our message is, what we’re trying to convey, that I just decided to be as bold as possible. How hard should I stamp this point? How big should I make the letters. It’s not a pretty image. But a woman who is being raped, who is infuriated with the situation … It’s like “Go ahead, rape me, just go for it, because you’re gonna get it.” I’m a firm believer in karma, and that motherfucker is going to get what he deserves, eventually. That man will be caught, he’ll go to jail, and he’ll be raped. “So rape me, do it, get it over with. Because you’re gonna get it worse.” - Kurt Cobain on the song “Rape Me”, 1993.
6/18/91 - Nirvana performing ” Rape Me ” for the first time live at The Catalyst in Santa Cruz, CA. Krist and Dave were taken by surprise when Kurt launched into the song. They were still talking about it after the show, saying, “What the fuck? We don’t even know that song!”
January, 1994 - Kurt comes to an agreement with Geffen and changes the title of the track “Rape Me” to ‘Waif Me’ after ‘Wal-Mart’ and ‘K-Mart’ had banned the album in their stores, deeming it to be offensive.
“I understand that point of view, and I’ve heard it a lot. I’ve gone back and forth between regretting it and trying to defend myself. Basically, I was trying to write a song that supported women and dealt with the issue of rape. Over the last few years, people have had such a hard time understanding what our message is, what we’re trying to convey, that I just decided to be as bold as possible. How hard should I stamp this point? How big should I make the letters?
It’s not a pretty image. But a woman who is being raped, who is infuriated with the situation … it’s like “Go ahead, rape me, just go for it, because you’re gonna get it.” i’m a firm believer in karma, and that motherfucker is going to get what he deserves, eventually. That man will be caught, he’ll go to jail, and he’ll be raped. “So rape me, do it, get it over with. Because you’re gonna get it worse.” - Kurt Cobain.
December, 1993 - The ‘All Apologies/Rape Me’ split-single is released. United Kingdom censors the title of the song ‘Moist Vagina’ to ‘MV’.
“Rape Me” (first time performed Live), Krist & Dave were taken by surprise when Kurt launched into the song and were still talking about it afterwards saying “What the fuck? We don’t even know that song!”, June, 1991.
3. “Milk It” Of course I like this song! Of course I like it because it’s a total, TOTAL ripoff of a song I wrote called “It’s Shoved.” It’s on our Bullhead record which I think came out in ’91… Listen to both back to back and then tell me if I’m crazy… Well, I am crazy, but not because of…
Sneaky recording of “Rape Me” from “Live At The Paramount” (Filmed at In Bloom: The Nirvana Nevermind Exhibition.)
