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Kurt Cobain, Nirvana's frontman and the song's author, claimed that this song was inspired by a television report of children suffering from cancer. However, many believe it was really written about his shaky but passionate relationship with his wife, Courtney Love. The lyrics do tend towards this latter interpretation, since they seem to concern themselves with an unstable romance between two individuals. It's worth noting that the lyrics mention Pisces and Cancer, Cobain's and Love's respective astrological signs. Love, after their second meeting sent a small heart-shaped box, containing, among other things, a doll's head, to his hotel room. This is believed to have inspired the song's title. Cobain and Love both shared a love and fascination of dolls.

The "Heart-Shaped Box" could be a reference to a uterus. The lyrics talk about the situation of an aborted fetus from the first-person viewpoint. (thanks Bompsy - Madison, Wisconsin)

There are many possible interpretations for the "Heart-Shaped Box." It could be a box for Kurt's needles, an actual heart, or a box of love letters. There is no clear explanation, which was probably what Cobain had in mind.

According to the book Come As You Are by Michael Azerrad, the idea of the song came from Courtney Love when she presented Kurt with a heart-shaped box full of precious possessions. The song switches meanings between Kurt's feelings over Courtney and his feelings on how women are treated.

A live version appears on From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (1996).

The original title was "Heart-Shaped Coffin. (thanks, Daniel - Wickita, KS)

There is a plastic-fetus collage on the back cover of In Utero that was designed by Kurt Cobain. This contributed to the album almost getting banned at K-Mart and Wal-Mart. The stronger reason that Wal-Mart wanted to ban the album was that it included a song entitled "Rape Me." However, Wal-Mart in the end did NOT ban the song, because Kurt Cobain conceded by providing them with a version that was slightly altered on the exterior, with the song "Rape Me" listed as "Waif Me," and with the image on the back being a zoom-in of one small part of the original back cover, so that it was difficult to tell that the image was of plastic fetuses. Bassist Krist Novoselic has commented that he told Kurt it wasn't worth it to pander to Wal-Mart like that, and recalls that Kurt responded by saying that Wal-Mart was the only store he could go to when he was a kid and that he didn't want any young fans to be unable to buy their album because of this. (thanks, Stefano - Old Bridge, NJ)

Nirvana's songs "Milk It" and "Marigold" also appeared on the single.

The lyrics, "Throw down your umbilical noose so i can climb right back" is Cobain's way of saying that he wants to climb back into his mother's womb and restart his life. Calling it an umbilical noose indicates his suicidal tendencies. (thanks, zac - Brisbane, Australia)

Evanescence recorded an acoustic version that was released on their "Going Under" single in 2003.

The video is rather odd and depicts a little girl in what seems to be a Ku Klux Klan uniform and an old man with a Santa hat on dressed like Jesus and tying himself to a cross. It also shows a rather large woman wearing a suit of meat for the verse "meat eating orchids forgive no one just yet." Later in the video her uniform turns black and she tries to snatch unborn babies from a tree. (thanks, Quentin - Goutier, MS)

Comments:

this song is very facinating meaning or not its good to play along to and listen to very inspirational second best song to me anyway
- steven, winnipeg, MB

I think this song is about nothing and was just some crap that came out of a screwy man's head. People read into Nirvana way too much. Kurt Cobain was kind of a freak and his songs reflect that.
- Alec, Mechanicsburg, SD

I think its about being with someone(courtney)first just for the sex,but then she gets knocked up and he has to put up with her crap because they have a child.I think he is calling her addictive like tar heroin.this song is about everything he thinks about her and wishes he could tell her,but he doesn't. The repetition of the first line of the song in the last song shows that her didnt do anything about it and things remain the same.
- keyondra brooks, Atlanta, GA

The line "She eyes me like a pices, when I am weak" means she looks at me through the corner of her eye because the symbol for pices is two fish and fish's eyes are on the side of thier head. Courtney gave Kurt a Heart Shabed Box before they met, this line could reference how they met
- Alejandro, West Bloomfield, MI

Why does everyone blame Courtney? She's a genius. Love this song.
- Theresa, Murfreesboro, TN

it actually sounds more like a song against abortion, im not really sure, umbilical noose could be condemning the killing of a fetus, forever in debt to your priceless advice is sarcasticly declining bot to have an abortion, i dont really know, just my opinion
- Nate, Syrause, NY

It's about a guy who did a chick and she's pregnant and he likes her so he dosen't just bolt so he's trying to convince her to get an abortion, obviously. "Throw down you ambelical noose?" the babies ambelical cord and he's saying it will ruin her life. C'mon I thought it was obvious.
- Alan, ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!, TX

ummmm.....just throwing this idea out there. A way to treat some cancer patients that they can't cure is by giving them morphine to ease the pain. The old guy in the video is first seen in a hospital room with an IV in him and the band sitting with him. He then appears in the next scene in a field of poppys. Morphine is dirived from the oils found in poppy seeds....so I am gonna say that maybe the video makes sense? That the old man is tripping on the morphine the docs gave him? Then later lyrics would make sense, I wish I could go back and eat your cancer, yadda yadda yadda. Also, if Kurt says he wrote it about cancer patients...maybe someone should just believe him considering he isn't around to ask anymore?
- Ken, Palmer, AK

To: Daniel of Montreal... Actually, if Kurt met Jesus (both Pisces, btw...), he'd think he was the most radical person ever...and he was! Forget religion, but, read up on the man and you'd agree this dude was some bad-ass! So, yeah, I can definitely picture Kurt and "J-man" debating issues (that matter) over a goblet of wine. They have more in common than not.
- XyZee, boston, MA

I H8 Guitar Hero and all the rest of the music games ... I play bass in real life ppl need to get of their @$$ and if they like the music so much why can't you guys play for real.. when I first stasrted to play bass i was crappy and had no time I thought it was impossible but then I got a message from my preacher he sed never give up now I play bass for my Church and Metal Rocks ** same with Nirvana is the best band there is Bless Your Soul Kurt
- Scott, Hamburg, --

Right at the top of my all time fave Nirvana songs. I love this interp; The lyrics, "Throw down your umbilical noose so i can climb right back" is Cobain's way of saying that he wants to climb back into his mother's womb and restart his life. Calling it an umbilical noose indicates his suicidal tendencies. (thanks, zac - Brisbane, Australia) This is right on, he absolutely had mommy issues, was weak and obviously suicidal I love the guy but what happened in hois formitive years seemed to have stunted him, he seemed extremely sensitive. I also agree its also a love song for heroin, thats what addicts do.
- susie, Mpls, MN

- Corey, Tulsa, OK SEXUAL INTERCOURSE?? Ok, how the hell old are you? I hope maybe 13 when you wrote this pathetic essay...hope you got an "F". unbelievably immature ideas on sex, you obviously have not had any, this song is about domination and obsession both with a person and a drug. Duh, read the other million comments.
- susie, Mpls, MN

Miasha I studied Latin and Pisces is not derived from the root word for pessimistic, Pisces is the plural form of the word for fish, piscis, And pessimistic is derived from the word pessimus which means worst not evil.
- JC, Cleveland, OH

I could easily see this song being about his addition to heroin, esp. if he kept his gear in a heart shaped box. I know he felt his heroin addition was a weakness of his. Also I could see the "umbilical noose" being the rubber hose used to tourniquet your arm to raise a vein so he could come right back to his addiction. Broken hymen of your highness... I had actually heard that he felt responsible for introducing Courtney to heroin... if that's the case, he could be seen to have taken her heroin virginity and how it left him black or dead inside. If angel hair and baby's breath can be seen as heavenly imagery, he's actually injuring himself with something that seems heavenly to him. Just another option for an interpretation.
- JC, Cleveland, OH

you must be kidding, how could it be any plainer than it is her pussy [or whatever you want to call it], and I assume it is Courtney's. Ditto for tar pit trap. He is talking to the feeling men get when "drugged" on sex, at the same time wanting it again but also wanting freedom, or as Dylan would say "one too many mornings"
- Brian, Cairns, Australia

The 'Heart-shaped box' that Kurt is talking about is supposed to symbolise that person's love being empty and shallow. Like a box, it is supposed to hold something, but her Heart-Shaped Box was only holding him prisoner.
- Z, Somewhere over the rainbow, WA

This song is about abortion. Many people ignore this, but Kurt Cobain was fervently anti-abortion.
- Ruby, New Orleans, LA

This is Nirvana best song along with "In Bloom" and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" I think Kurt Cobain is the most talented musician the world will ever see. He had amazing talent. "Heart-Shaped-Box is the most unique and orginal song I have ever heard. Nirvana is my favorite band. I think the song is partically talking about his realtionship with his nutcase wife Courtney and partically about wanting to start life over (climb right back) The guitar is absoultly amazing in this song. I love this song it is one of my favorites. R.I.P Kurt
- Sadie, Arlington, VA

Ok jus a hint, if the song was originally called heart shaped coffin, but instead coffin was to harsh and sad so he changed it to box.... what the hell does it have to do with a box courtney love gave to him? just a little thought!
- Ashley, Adelaide, Australia

I love his song, the video for it is awesome. When you ask people if they've heard of Nirvana, the first song the mention is "Smells like teen Spirit" don't get me wrong I love that song to, but "Heart-Shaped Box" is prob. my #1 song from the group.
- Chad, Livingston, KY

This is to Sarah, Ontario, Canada not everything is so cut and dry maybe in your life it is however, you need to pay attention to detail most of Kurts songs were NOT about suicide, they actually have a deeper meaning, the ocean isnt just a large body of water but a home to millions of creatures some that we as people dont even know exist. Everyone has a tendancy to pick at the obvious but if you open your mind to new things you may just find new meanings to things, Sarah, sit down, dont think, just write the first things that come to your mind reorganize those thought and you may just learn about poetry. Try to not be so shallow and open your mind!! This is one of my favorite songs.
- Kenderz, Alamosa, CO

This is a cool song. Did you know it's on Guitar Hero 2?
- V-Starr, ?????????, MI

okkay now this could be totally wrong but just by reading in between the lines with the lyrics the opening line (""She eyes me like a Pisces when I am weak"") you could say ""SHE"" as in it aka Heroine or any kinda of addiction eyes me "pieces"" which comes from the Latin word "Pessimistic" which means negative or evil so (IT eyes me EVILY when i am WEAK) even if you disagree this song really does KICKASS
- Miasha, Oklahoma City, OK

to Robyn, Philadelphia, PA and Cliff Keller, Texas, dont be so sure that jesus existed at all, or that kurt believed in jesus. if kurt DID belive in jesus, i do not doubt that he would openly mock him without remorse and is now probably "in hell" or whatever you want to call it.
- Daniel, Montreal, Canada

To: Cliff Keller, Texas. Don't be so sure about the approximate age of Jesus at His death. I grew up believing that he died at 33. But just recently I heard some1 say that He may have died somewhere between 28 to early 40's. As for the Nirvana "Heart-Shaped Box" video, can any1 tell me what actually means? Is it in a dream state or what?
- Robyn, Philadelphia, PA

I also have the "Princess Ai" manga collection, & u r right, Christine, Salem, CT. "Ai" is the Japanese word for "Love". In short, the heart-shaped box is made of an unearthly poison called "Tenketsu" which kills. During a robbery, a young pickpocket touched it & was disabled. ("Kent/Kurt" had foiled the pickpocket from stealing it.) L8r, the box "finishes the job" by accidentally killing "Ai's/Love's" best friend, Jen. I believe that the "poison" is a metaphor for "heroin". I do know that the word "Ten" means "heaven" or "heavenly". When I find out what "Ket" & "Su" means, I'll let u know.
- Robyn, Philadelphia, PA

This song is really about When Courtney Love sent Kurt a Heart-shaped-box of candy and she said it was a complete token of her love so he wrote a ong about it
- Tim, Vero Beach, FL

Courtney Love made a manga called 'Princess Ai' in which the main character, Ai (which means Love in japanese), was supposed to portray Courtney Love. She fell in love with a musician named Kent (supposed to ber Kurt) and her cherished possession was a Heart-Shaped Box.
- Christine, Salem, CT

this song has underlying meaning but Kurt's main inspiration in writing this song was his feelings for Courtney. It is not necessarily a negative song as many many think. "Forever in debt to your priceless advice" expresses his appreciation for Courtney inspiring him
- vikki, staten island, NY

I personally think this song is about a purely sexual relationship, with no true love. "Ive been locked inside your heart-shaped BOX for weeks"...or other lines such as: "Meat - eating orchids forgive no one just yet" (which cleary "meat" is reffering to a penis and "orchid" which is a flower which represents a vagina)are two examples.
- Aaron, Pittsburgh, PA

I love this song, it definetly makes you think....unlike those other stupid pop songs that just say outright 'I'm sad.' "I've been locked inside your heart shaped box for weeks"- Infatuation at it's best, we all have crushes. "I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap"- it's the thing we all face but will never get out of, death or maybe, once again, that pesky infatuation feeling. "Meat eating orchids forgive no one just yet."- Deadly, but beautiful. Vengence, our primitive instinct. "Cut myself on angel hair and baby's breath."- Herione, maybe? "Broken heymen of your highness, I'm left black."- I'm stumped, you figure it out. "Through down your umbelical noose so I can climb right back."- I love Kurt's way of writting and symbolism. This part of the song has to do with going back into the past. All the evil of the world is too much to handle, so he wants to go back to were he started. It can also be a cry of suicide. Let's not forget the chorus, "Hey, wait, I've got a new complaint. Forever in debt to your priceless advice."- It's feeling like someone gives you something that can hold no value, yet they say you owe them for it. Thank you Kurt for this lovely song.
- Aleah, New Kensington, SC

AWWWSOME SONG!!! Truely 1 of their best, Kurts voive had the ability to express what mood he was in at the time he composed that particular song. To me his voice seems as if he really believes in this song, and its subject the way he performed live showed that he really loved music and all that it gives he was and still is a legend!
- haylz, sydney, Australia

It Pisses me off that people just ignored Kurt's "cry fo help" all he needed where some friends a reason to live.. i mean come on he talked about suicide and murder all the time in his music...
- Sarah, Ontario, Canada

Thats a coincidence, that website can't be counted because ive used it before and it is used to decode dreams. Only the video was a dream, not the lyrics. And some of you are going crazy about the magnet tar pit trap thing. Dont look so deep into it. Think of something that attracts you and keeps trapping you. Courtney(not sayin she murdered him) was trapping him in a relationship with Frances, because he did not want Frances at first.
- Gregory, Manalapan, NJ

I learned this on a site on what certain words mean and i put in the songs lyrics and i got this Words like eyes: Vision. Consciousness and clarity. You will have a pleasant and profitable business and a congenial companion. Words like box: Want to keep something safe. Enclose. Contain. Words like cancer: Out of control. Preservation. Words like back: Changes in life. Family arguments. Approaching money. Words like new: Change. Time. Ready for a new start. Words like orchids: Unique. Exotic glamour. Looking for something different and uniquely beautiful. Words like angels: Compassion. Revelation. Success in love. Words like hair: Attraction and sensuality. Words like babys: Happiness. Rebirth. Trust. Words like down: Overturned. Confusion. Great disorder. You want to straighten something out.
- Alex, H-burg, OH

Kurt was being sarcastic (eg. Forever in debt to your priceless advice)
- Chris, Arlington, WA

the pics in the vid were disturbing dreams he had and use but it is such a gd song and the heart shaped box was the one courtnay gave to kurt.
- db, England, England

The line "Throw down your umbilical noose so i can climb right back" I don't believe relates to Kurts desire to restart his life in his mothers womb. Since the song is mostly about his relationship with Courtney Love the first part of the lyric, "Throwdown your umbilical noose" may represent his feelings that her life before the pregancy is over, it's dead, it's changed. You can't live the exact same way as you did before, once you have a kid. The second part of the lyric, "so I can climb right back" may represent his amorous desire to get with Courtney during or after her pregnancy. While the lyrics originally might have been about kids with cancer, there is such a thing as rewrites. These were likely done around the time or after the time she was pregnant.
- Tom, Hell, CA

Sorry to Stefano: Being born and raised in Seattle, I can tell you that Kurt never said that about Walmart. There was no such thing as Walmart in Seattle or in washington util well after Kurt had died. There was a Woolworths....M
- Maya, Seattle, United States

Allison I'm so sorry to embarrass you, especially since your theory about black tar heroin has gained you so much support. But it's a fact that Kurt started heroin before he met Courtney, he started it when he was still going out with Tracy Marander. So that denotes your part about her "apparently introducing it to Kurt."
- Lance, Oklahoma City, OK

I think that the contribution Kurt made to the "grunge" scene has had a bigger influence on music of today than ever anticipated. He may Have had a strange persona about him but he is truely a legend and i love the music hes left behind... its like his voice is expressing his mood and the state of mind he was in at the time truely a legend!
- hayley, sydney, Australia

1)this song was origianl written BEFORE he met Courtny for it was on the Nirvana demo album/casset thingy 2)The video is about a dream and the song is just random words put together into sentences and verses
- ARIC, Novi, MI

but thats just what ive gotten off of interviews and i think theres a deeper meaning
- ARIC, Novi, MI

Kurt first wanted to call the song Heartshaped Coffin but Courtney made him change it.
- Erin, fort wayen, IN

Well, i do agree that the cancer doesnt relate to Kurt, but the pisces definatly does to Love in my opinion. Heres what a Pisces is:
Imaginative and sensitive Compassionate and kind Selfless and unworldly Intuitive and sympathetic
On the dark side....
Escapist and idealistic Secretive and vague Weak-willed and easily led
Sounds like a child to me, or atleast not someone who was intimidating. So its not a angery thing to say about Love, or maybe hes talkin about his child. Either way, we know he doesnt just mean fish, because if you notice in SErve the servants he says "I tried hard to have a father, but insted i had a dad." showing hes picky about his words, and theres a certain poetic meaning behind every word in his eyes... im tired of writing, but obviously if it took this much space for one line, this is a pretty deep song. bye
- ty, euless, TX

The line meat-eating orchids forgive no-one just yet is a reference to the traps of sex. Kurt Cobain thought that Orchids looked like virginas
- Elizabeth, London, England

the line "like a pisces" could have been influenced by william burrough's "junky" where someone is described as having "dead fish eyes". Also the term "heart shaped" could be a reference to the symbolic nature and intensity of emotions compared to the actual reality of life and death as shown by the internal organs on the angel on the cover of "in utero". Also, didn't courtney love's father live in and write a history of the haight ashbury district?
- paul, new york, NY

david kurts father is still alive. so no, sorry.
- Matt, Millbrae, CA

this song is about his farthers death and the heart-shaped box refers to his farther cofin
- david, Birmingham, England

maybe he is stuck in love with someone..(locked inside your heart shaped box.."..
- Jacob, Mabelvale, AR

courtney love gave THE heart shaped box to neil strauss (according to neil strauss)
- Edwin, Costa Mesa, CA

I love this song. I personally like Come As you are, but this one is okay too.
- Alex, Loveland, CO

I saw Last Days. It was okay, it just moved way too slowly. And it's not really based on Kurt Cobain. It says that it is very loosely based, but the director just wanted a movie about a heroin-addicted rock star who eventually commits suicide and decided to look to Cobain for an influence.
- Spencer, Los Angeles, CA

Ok,so I have heard this song is about Courtney.This will sound dumb, but is it a good song to Courtney or an attack against her?
- becca, hamilton, Canada

Has anyone seen Last Days yet. That is a pretty good movie based on the last days of Kurt Cobain.
- Carl, Lethbridge, Canada

Corey English 3/ 6th hour January 8, 2006 Interpretive Essay This interpretive essay is over the meaning of 'Heart-Shaped Box' by Nirvana. If you have not heard this song or don't have the lyrics memorized they are at the end of this essay along with my original notes. I believe this song is about sexual intercourse and how it can consume and destroy your life. In the first and third verses, which are the same, Kurt Cobain says, 'She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak/ I've been trapped in your heart shaped box for weeks'. This means that he has had sex and he's now addicted, he can not turn down the offer of sex. He also says 'I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap/ I wish could eat your cancer when you turn back'. This means once he started he wasn't able to get it off his mind. The chorus goes 'Hey!/ Wait!/ I've got a new complaint/ Forever in debt to your priceless advice.' I am not totally sure what this means, it may mean he's mad cause he knows he's totally obsessed with her, or at least the sex. The chorus is repeated three times and then goes to the next verse. The second verse goes 'Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet/ Cut myself on angel's hair and baby's breath.' This verse was the most difficult to figure out. The first sentence is pretty much calling the woman a 'bitch'. The second sentence is talking about him being sensitive. Next he says 'Broken hymen of your highness I'm left black/ Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back.' This may mean she thinks she is so much better than him, hence 'your highness', that in her eyes he is nonexistent. The umbilical noose part probably refers to the womb and sex. The chorus repeats. Then the third verse, same words as the first, plays. The chorus plays again with three extra 'your advice' at the end. The song may have parts that mean multiple things. Tar could stand for black tar heroin, seeing as both Kurt and his wife Courtney were addicted to it. Pisces and Cancer are mentioned. Pisces supposedly have weak personalities and are easily controlled or dominated. Cancers are supposedly are very strong and dominate in personality. The music video to this song just serves to confuse anyone trying to analyze this song. In short the video features the band in an odd world with poppy flowers all about and a red sky. The video also stars an old Jesus-like man on a cross wearing a Santa hat and later a Pope hat. 'Jesus' is also in the beginning and end lying in a hospital bed. To confuse matters even more a little girl in a Ku Klux Klan outfit and a woman with her skin missing are wandering about in scenes in the video. That said Kurt Cobain probably wanted people to be confused and wonder what he was singing about. He was a great poet and a better musician. This song is likely about the physical and mental destructiveness of sexual intercourse and other interpretations could also be right, Kurt seemed to like to have multiple meanings to all his work.
- Corey, Tulsa, OK

The whole song is about sexual addiction.
- Corey, Tulsa, OK

When Kurt says "she eyes me like a pices when i am weak." The Pices symbol is a fish and in 'something in the way' kurt says fish have no feelings. Is there a connection?
- Ben, Lindenhurst, IL

This song will always be debated for interpretation. I dont believe it refers to abortion or children with cancer. I think cancer was in the song because Courtney is a cancer and that isnt entirely unbelievable because Kurt also sites his sign, pisces. Pisces are desribed as emotional and easily manipulated by a more assertive person. Cancer the sign is also believable because cnacers symbol is all white flowers and orchids are white and purple. Also, one of the symbols for cancers is a heart. Tar refering to heroin is probably right on the money. Good one, Arsalan. I've heard different versions of the son... one sayin "buried in a heart-shaped box".....and another saying, "buried in a heart-shaped coffin". I am severly confused by the presense of santa and the pope and jesus and the old guy who played all three on an IV with a fetus inside. Perhaps it represents Kurt and Courtneys relationship being kept alive by a child or child to be.....but Santa????Pope???... like i said, im confused.
- Donald, Festus, MO

Kurt's joy in life was his baby girl. I really don't think she was a scapegoat to get Kurt to stay with Love. Kurt loved Frances, but anyways my interpratation of the song is just him falling in love, but at the same, in the worst state of living he'd ever been in.
- Max, Austin, TX

I love how this song switches from sadness, to suddently getting angry, its genius! The guitar really builds up, and in my opinon, it sounds like Kurt is trying to regret something. *?*
- grunge=dead, nowhereville, CA

There is an obvious reference to Haight Asbury in the lyrics of the song. Don't know what that is all about.
- Roger, Los Angeles, CA

My favorite part about this song is when Kurt says, "Cut myself on Angel hair and baby's breath." That's actually my favorite phrase that Kurt used out of all of his lovely songs!!!!!!!!
- Crystal, Stockton, CA

In an interview in the latest edition of Spin Magazine.. Courtney Loves says that the song was written about her.
- gil, biffville, NJ

This is from Kurt Cobain's journals about heroine use. Just so can see that he used it BEFORE he met Courtney. " I tried heroin for the first time in 1987 in Aberdeen (US) and proceeded to use it about 10 more times from 87-90. When I got back from out second European tour with Sonic Youth I decided to use heroin on a daily basis because of an on going stomach aliment that I had been suffering from for the past five years had literally taken me to the point of wanting to kill myself. For five years every single day of my life. Everytime I swollowed a piece of food I would experience an excruciating, burning nauseaus pain in the upper part of my stomach lining. The pain became even more severe on tour due to lack of a proper and and rejimented eating schedule and diet. I did heroin for about one month and then found myself realizing that I wouldn't be able to get drugs when we go to Australia and Japan, so Courtney and I detoxed in a hotel room."
- Lithium, Kennesaw, GA

Evanescence made a nice acoustic cover of this song. Never expected to hear Amy Lee sing a Nirvana song, heh
- Craig, Guildford, England

the best Nirvana song ever, cool video too
- Jason, Dover, PA

i think there are two versions of this music video. I watched one where during the final verse, Kurt is singing to the camera, and another one when he is lying in a field of poppies.
- Matt, Millbrae, CA

to the person that is mentioning Christ as santa clause and then the pope..I've noticed that too. The old man in the santa hat looks at the cross. Christmas is supposed to celebrate the birth of jesus..and easter is to celebrate the rebirth, kinda. He was old, and too thin because the legends are fading into something they are not anymore. He wasn't quite sure what to do, so he climbed on the cross. As the pope he was taking back his stance as the main religious figure, because the hat of the pope is one of the most recogniziable on the earth. Ravens are scavengers of a sort..not much thoughts on them right now, im a little rusty on my mythology. What I thouhg was interesting also, was the obese woman trying to get the child, and the little girl. well anyway, noone wants to hear my in depth, probablly false theories about the video, so email me nikcool@gmail.com if you wanna discuss, or something.
- Nikki, Remington, VA

Have any of you seen Kurt Cobain: A legend of Nirvana? If you haven't, go and buy it. That may change your views about things, TANYA. Hmph.
- Niall, Toulouse, France

This is one of my favourite nirvana songs. it is such a beautiful and moving song. i love the opening tune especially. stay in school and don't do drugs
- Brandon, Saskatoon, Canada

i think the real meaning of this song is that kurt feels courtney trapped him into staying with her by having frances. think about the lyrics closely. "she eyes me like a picses when i'm weak" "i've been locked inside your heart-shaped box for a week" "i've been drawn into your magnent, tar pit trap" all these lyrics are about meeting courtney and her drawing him in. seducing him and him falling in love with her. "i wish i could eat your cancer when you turn black" is him fallen inlove. he wishes he could take all her pain away and place it apon himself. "meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet" this could mean either that he is pissed about the pregnancy. or about the many moods of courtney love. "cut myself on angel's hair and babies breath" "broken hymen of your highness, i'm left black" he knocked her up. "throw down your umbillical noose so i can climb right back" means that to him their relationship was basically over until she got pregnant. she trapped him. made him come right back. "hey! wait! i've gotta new complaint" is how he feels about what courtney did to him. got knocked-up. but the line "forever indebt to your priceless advice" shows that he is greatful that she had frances because he loves her so much.
- zak, elyria , OH

I've read through some things people here have said... and I just have one question. It's about the depiction of Jesus Christ throughout the entire music video. NO one has mentioned it. By putting a santa clause, then later a pope hat on him, are they making fun of him? Are they depicting a Christ figure that's weak and powerless? That, and the numerous crosses throughout the whole thing. There's a cross on the ground in the medical room, the cross itself that the old Jesus person climbs up on (which makes no sesne, as Jesus is old in the music video and was only 33 when he died), and one of the willow trees makes a cross (though that could just be coincidence.) Not only that, but the two crows... I always noticed them, first. Kind of reminds me of the two black birds that were always with Odin in Norse mythology. Even though those were supposedly ravens, that's still what it reminded me of. Maybe I'm just making a bigger deal than I should by pointing these two things out, but it's a really big idea that's been bugging me for a while now.
- Cliff, Keller, TX

I am appalled with most of the comments on here regarding Courtney Love. While I am not a fan Courtney Love, she DID NOT INTRODUCE COBAIN TO HEROIN. Period. Cobain used it well before he met Love. Love is far from an exemplary human being, but these comments about how she "oppressed" him are false. I suggest that you all read "Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana" (the AUTHORIZED biography, I might add) to get a real idea as to what their relationship was like. Cobain was disgusted with the scapegoating of his wife that occured when he was alive, and he would be just as disgusted with it now. "A big 'f*ck you' to those of you who have the audacity to claim that I'm so naive and stupid that I would allow myself to be taken advantage of and manipulated." -Kurt Cobain, Incesticide liner notes.
- Jeanette, New Milford, CT

I heard the song was about Kurt being addicted to heroin. Courtney gave Kurt a Heart- Shaped and it had heroin in it. It got him addicted.
- shelby, l a , CA

Kurt himself has declared that the heroin-thing was his idea, not Courtney's. He hated it that people blamed her for it, because it was not true. I also read that this song is written because Kurt was very moved by cancer-victims. Especially children. Apparently he cried when he told that.
- Tanya, Rotterdam, Netherlands

This song is definetly interpretable in multiple ways. For one example, his use of the word hymen (god of marriage which goes along with the Courtney Love interpretations, or the vaginal definition, which goes along with abortion/children with cancer theories).
- Christopher, City, FL

Arsalan's, Dubai,interpretation of this song is spot on the mark read it its a VERY GOOD INTERPRETATION!!!!!!!!
- chris owens, belfast, Ireland

as for the line "broken hymen of your highness im left black", there are two meanings for hymen. 1.a thin mucous membrane that completely or partially covers the opening of the vagina and 2. in greek mythology, hymen was the god of MARRIAGE, and was often represented as a youth holding a torch. i dont what kurt meant but they both relate to heart shaped box. so u can make your own conclusions.
- chris owens, belfast, Ireland

I hope to God that a religion doesn't come up from Kurt Cobain and Princess Di's deaths. That would be horrible and creepy.
- Jack, St. Paul, MN

kurt made courtney love a heart shaped box before they went out and in the song he mades it clear the box is a curse not a blessing and with other things that single her out (shes a cancer)she was a control freak and she controled his every move this was his only way speak out against her thats why its so misterous he had to get this "code" pass her kurt lives on
- manson, taylor, MI

***-- The reason it's called "Heart-Shaped Box" is because Courtney and Kurt had both recently started to collect Heart Shaped Boxes. Also I read on the internet an inview done with Courtney Love after Kurt's death and she mentioned that he wrote it in their closet, or a motel closet.. something.. and she when she opened on the closet door he replied "f**k you" and slammed the door.. He was trying to be sneaky... lol which was cute.
- Liberty, Ablienish Area, TX

I noticed that the words "pisces" and "cancer" both appear in this song. I then did some research and found that Kurt is a Pisces, and Courtney is a Cancer. I don't think this is a coincidence... I'm not really sure what it means, but I think Kurt did it on purpose.
- Trevor, Leesburg, VA

The video for this song is a frighteningly prescient prediction of Kurt's death. It is definitely my favorite video ever, especially at the very end where Kurt, on his knees, falls forward on his face while Dave Grohl makes a crying face. Also, the moment at the end when Kurt suddenly opens his piercing blue eyes is eerily similar to what happens at the end of the last song of the Unplugged set. I always said "Kurt died for our sins." He represents the moment in our history when the glorification of fame collapsed in on itself: this thing called fame that everyone thinks they wants is now actually a nightmarish hell for those who actually achieve it. I expect a religion to spring up around him and Princess Di within a few decades.
- Rob, Santa Monica, CA

found the following on a fan-site, dont exactly remember where. Heart Shaped Box Analysis This song is about the love-hate relationship between Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, which some believe is the root cause of Cobain's suicide. Heart Shaped Box is possible a very cryptic suicide note left by Cobain, which can be easily solved with a little insight. The first line [She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak] refers to the fact that Courtney expected too much out of Cobain, and that she was always too controlling. According to astrologists, most pisceans have a particular personality trait, which allows them to be so easily controlled. The next verse [I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks] refers to the heart shaped box that Courtney made and gave to Cobain before they started dating. It talks about how that Cobain fell for that box (which Courtney admits was to draw Cobains attention) and got locked inside a very damaging relationship. The 3rd verse [I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit trap] is about Courtney inroducing Cobain to Heroin, which was the main cause of his depression in the last few years of his life. "Magnet tar pit trap" refers to Tar Heroin here, which is very addictive and depressive. Also, the video of the song shows poppies, which opium and in turn, Tar Heroin is derived from. The line [I wish I could eat your cancer when you turn back] is a lot more than cryptic, but it probably is about Cobain wanting to kill himself because he felt guilty of something. It also reeks of low self esteem, and Cobain's lack of courage to confront Courtney with his desire to take his own life. The chorus [Hey! Wait!//I've got a new complaint//Forever in debt to your priceless advice] is about a close friend of Cobain warning him not to hook up with Courtney. [Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet] refer to several species of carnivorous orchids, which look quite beautiful and tempting from the outside, but are dangerous and deadly from the inside. This line is also about Courtney, and maybe even women in general. It reveals a great deal about the change in Cobain's perception of women after his marriage to Courtney. The next line [Cut myself on angel's hair and baby's breath] is Cobain's first reference to his and Courtney's child, Frances. In conjuntion with the next line, it speaks of how Courtney hurt Cobain and how Cobain was trapped in thier relationship because of Frances. [Throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back] is another reference to Frances. It is about Cobain not being able to leave Courtney because of Frances, whom he deeply loved and cared about. Frances is referred to as an 'umbilical noose' here probably because Courtney used her as leverage to get Cobain back together with her when he left.
- Arsalan, Dubai, Other

The title is definently coinsiding with the "Heart-Shaped box" given to him by Courtney, and there talk of "pricless advice" Courtney gave him.
- Mike, Cincinnati, OH

Kurt recieved a heart shaped box from courtney before they were even going out, and that's where the title comes from. The line "forever in debt to your priceless advice comes from a fax that Kurt sent Courtney saying "I am eternally grateful for your priceless opinions and advice". Courtney actually co-wrote this song, or at least helped Kurt in the coordination of the lines. Another little story: Krist Novoselic thought that the static-filled, dissonant solo by Kurt was an attempt to sabotage their career, though he didn't mention this until after Kurt's death.
- Matt, Millbrae, CA

Anyway..I think we got the point. Evanecsence does an acoustic version of this song. You should check it out..it's great!
- T.j, Atlanta, GA

the song is about courtney love and Kurts relationship. he was trapped in her heart shaped box meaning they were "in love" but he felt trapped by this love and who wouldnt with the way she made the group go. she had kurt request to get more money from the band. it was split into 90% for him and 5 for the other two. it shows in a scence that she had total control over him and that he knew it and accepted it.
- Kelly, Orange, CA

I think heart shaoed box is just kurt expressing his feelings. I mean although we probably will never know exactly what its about its a great song and what its about adds to how good it is. If we knew surely it would be boring right?
- zoe, uk, England

Hey wanted to add that on the kurt cobain journals u all so hav eto see his art work its amazing!
- zoe, uk, England

the lyrics may have been brought by his subconcious mind speaking through him when he was writing..when he pours out the lyrics into the music as if it was saying something about his life...
- Reisan, Manila, United States

I remember reading something (kurt's diary/notes) which basically explained what this was about. It's about the love/hate relationship between Kurt + Courtney. The line "forever in debt for your priceless advice" refers to something someone said to Kurt when someone gave him advice about dating or marrying her, which he regretted.
- Bez, Here, England

madison is right. courtney love actually gave kurt a heart-shaped box once. the song is basically about their relationship and how courtney was a little controlling and always expecting something.
- Randi, Linton, ME

I agree about this whole censorship thing except for one tiny detail and that is that a young child shouldn't be listening to Nirvana at age 7,8,9... Kurt was a genius but his songs were twisted and depressing and if all that Wal-Mart is doing is protecting the kids... then why not.. It don't really matter.
- Rob, Castaic, CA

allison, I have to say you're onto something
- Ed, Victoria, Canada

This song was pure genius. Kurt Cobain was definately the John Lennon of the 90s. Courtney actually reviewed the song over with Kurt and told him that the lin "I've been buried in your Heart-Shaped Coffin for weeks" was a little to dark and got him to change it to "Heart-Shaped Box"
- Chris, San Antonio, TX

I heard that Courtney Love gave Kurt Cobain a heart shaped box and in return he gave her a song:)
- Madison, Redondo, CA

i think the what meant when he said"I've been locked inside your Heart-Shaped box for weeks" means when love gave him the "gift" was he was obssesed and whe he says "Meat-eating orchids forgive no one just yet" means how on the outside women can be delicate and beutiful but can be cruel and vicious aswell
- dino, adelaide, United States

Allison! when courtney met kurt, courtney had been "clean" for a while. Kurt abused Heroin long before he met courtney. and actually you could say that kurt "introduced" the drugs to courtney (made her start again). Courtney And Kurt wrote heart-shaped box together. (and yes, courtney sent a heart shaped box to kurt right before they got together)
- Indigo, Monevideo, South America

he used to tell his family "forever in debt to your pricless advice" when was young
- AimÃ?e, leicestershire, England

I agree with Tessa all the way. Kurt wasnt afraid to express himself and people shouldn't try and take that away. *r.i.p cobain*
- Ashley, Wasilla, AK

The line "She eyes me like a pisces when I am weak" was probably inserted because Kurt himself was a pisces. Pisces are generally drawn to weak people. Whether they be drug addicts, depressed, poor, etc..
- Nicole, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I think people are really stupid for trying to ban a CD or band. It's freedom of speech and just because Kurt was a little messed up and His songs were a little twisted doesn't give any one the right to take away freedom of speech. People just need to loosen up and wind down because that's a really stupid thing to try to do!! I think Kurt was the best song writer in the history of music. His songs are great, His music is great, and I love His voice. The bands that the stores should ban are the ones that have no talent and don't know what they are doing and are only in it for the money!
- Tessa, Louisville, KY

Ok, listen. The heart shaped box thing was right, but the rumor is that Kurt was writing a poem, and courtney being the competitive woman that she is, added some things and the poem ended up being heart shaped box. In case anyone is wondering, the heart shaped is in a CObain memorial museum type thing, and the box still smells of her perfume which she sprayed in the box.
- Kelly, houston, TX

Courtney gave Kurt valentine candy box "heart-shaped" in which kept heroin,needles,etc.
- tom, sunnyvale, CA

It is a fact that Courtney's heart shaped box worked on Kurt cuz (i know it doesn't seem like it) but he's an artsy person inside. Just look at all those awesome covers he did (check out the Kurt Cobain Journal n' the drawings in it). He also thought up the concept of the video. Orchids were used in the video b/c Kurt referred to them as "vagina flowers" and Kurt used the song to mock Courtney but i guess she was just to stupid 2 notice it at all... or maybe she did, is tat why Kurt is no longer with us? hmmm...
- April, Houston, TX

I heard that the title was inspired by the fact that women's genitals are commonly called a 'box' and she had her pubic hair trimmed into the shape of a heart, thus heart-shaped box. Just a rumor...
- Lee, Morenci, MI

i read once in an article that, the "heart shaped box" was courtneys given to her by BILLY CORGAN, when those two were going out ... and kurt was jealous of this possession courtney had from one of her ex's... its a thought to ponder.
- Lily, Central Coast, Australia

Everything Dustin said is right...except about the box NOT getting Kurt's attention. He did infact call Courtney and thank her for the box but didn't see her again for awhile- then started dating her. Hey Mike Truitt- it's "throw down your umbilical noose so I can climb right back"...reference to Kurt being pulled back to Courtney by their child.
- Abby, Altoona, IA

Ok, here's what this song is REALLY about. It's about Kurt's final years in which he was oppressed deeply by Courtney. The "Heart-Shaped Box" refers to a box that Courtney gave Kurt when she first met him. Kurt refers to the stranglehold she had on him in the time by use of Frances (their baby for you losers who don't know) the "Umbilical Noose" she had by being the mother of the child Kurt so dearly loved. Courtney, being so ignorant to the fact that songs do contain thought, probably didn't notice all of the references to her. God rest poor Kurt's poor soul.
- Dustin, Zirconia, NC

Oh,and the "Heart-Shaped Box" that is referred to actually never got Kurts attention.He ended up blowing her off, but the met again in later years (obviously) and that vile woman and Kurt were married.
- Dustin, Zirconia, NC

The song is about Courtney, "Forever in debt to your priceless advice" .. and the heart shaped box courtney made wasnt made with seashells, but had little trinkets and seashells in it.
- Rachel, Dearborn Heights, MI

This song is taken by many to describe the reliance of a mother to her child, and likewise the child to the mother. It also hits on the subject of Kurt's view of abortions.... "Throw down your medical noose so I can climb right back"
- mike truitt, Cincinnati, OH

"I've been drawn into your magnet tar pit and trapped" is most likely referring to black tar heroin, which apparently Courtney introduced to Kurt. The video shows poppies, which opium is derived from.
- Allison, Somewhere, NJ

Courtney did give Kurt a heart shaped box. It was made of seashells and it was given to him before they were dating. She did it to get his attention, and obviously, it worked.
- Nicole, Lynchburg, OH