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My Gen X Playlist: Come As You Are – Nirvana

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Daily writing prompt
Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?
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I like unique people. I find unique people interesting. If quirky, even better. I’m so straight laced and vanilla, I appreciate people who are opposite of me. In fact, I’m kind of envious in a way. Unique people have their own personal style. It’s very cool.

I’m not saying I don’t like who I am. I’m perfectly content with myself and my life. I just don’t find myself straying too far off the pathway and nobody would ever mistake me for being unique. It is what it is.

I have an uncle who I consider unique. He has so many interesting views, some even very contrarian. Now, he’s not so far out there that there is reason for concern. I’m certain he wouldn’t go off the grid and author a manifesto. He’s just quirky. He lives in Northern California and we don’t see him very often. For fun, we send him off holiday greeting cards. He says he gets a kick when he opens our St. Patrick’s day, Thanksgiving and Halloween cards. Everybody likes receiving something in the mail, even if they are odd, corny greeting cards.

When I was younger, I may have been quick to judge people who marched to their own tune. One of the great things about entering the working world, you meet all types of people and at the end of the day, you begin to appreciate them for their differences. I also realized we basically are all in the same boat together navigating life. Life is much more enjoyable extending a hand rather than stepping on someone’s head.

My final thought is this. Technically we are all unique in our own right. OK, some of us may have a doppelgänger out there living their best lives. But even under that scenario, that’s far from being cloned. And who is to say Dolly the sheep was an exact replica of the original? My guess is one was probably gamy while the other tasted like chicken. All I’m saying is before we look down on someone else’s differences, we first should glance in the mirror. Hey, man. Let’s embrace each other’s differences. Life’s too short.

Nirvana released Come As You Are in 1991. Some speculate the song is about heroine. Kurt Cobain clarified it’s more about acceptance.

Cobain, however, said the song is “about people, and what they’re expected to act like.” That context is played out in the propositional nature of the lyrics, implying that Cobain – despite being a complicated, self-confessed outsider – is comfortable in the presence of strangers, as long as they are genuine and remain true to themselves. His reassurance of “I don’t have a gun” insinuates that any contempt he has is reserved for the society that promotes assimilation, and not the individuals that comply.

“I think that song is about acceptance, and about misfits,” Butch Vig said. “You’re cool no matter how screwed up you are. ‘Come As You Are’ is an ode to accepting someone for who they are.”

– udiscovermusic

I like that. You’re cool no matter how screwed up you are. You have to admit, we each have a few tiny loose screws. So why throw stones?

–

For a complete playlist, please click here.

For the Spotify playlist, please click here.

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy

Take your time, hurry up
Choice is yours, don't be late
Take a rest, as a friend
As an old enemy, yeah

Memoria
Memoria
Memoria

Come doused in mud, soaked in bleach
As I want you to be
As a trend, as a friend
As a known enemy, yeah

Memoria
Memoria
Memoria

When I swear that I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun

–ria
Memoria
Memoria
Memoria

When I swear that I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun
No, I don't have a gun

Memoria

24 thoughts on “My Gen X Playlist: Come As You Are – Nirvana”

  1. I think a lot of Nirvana’s songs were construed as negative due to the tone of the music, combined with Kurt’s apathy towards a litany of things. No one could fathom that maybe some of the songs carried a positive message. But, hard rock and metal have often been accused of sending negative messages, so that’s nothing new.

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  2. Man, no wonder I like you and followed you immediately. I have always described myself as vanilla and straight-laced. My husband begs to differ and I’m starting to believe i’m more than that. Just a great post today, My.

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  6. I just discovered your blog because you commented on my song VALE OF PAIN on Sleeve Notes. After a quick glance at your post list and having read this one, I’m going to subscribe. I’d like to send you my newest music but can’t see an email address or any place to DM you. If you’d like that, please reach out through my website: http://www.benjamin-russell.com

    Thank you!

    B

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  10. You are unique. You write well and can relate the topic incredibly well to a song you understand rather than simply know the lyrics. I’ve listened to more music you posted lately than anywhere else and I learned something while listening.

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