Been A Son by Nirvana Lyrics Meaning – Unraveling the Fabric of Gender Norms in Rock
Lyrics
She should have had more time to spend
She should have died when she was born
She should have worn the crown of thorns
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have stood out in a crowd
She should have made her mother proud
She should have fallen on her stance
She should have had another chance
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
Been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have stayed away from friends
She should have had more time to spend
She should have died when she was born
She should have worn the crown of thorns
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
She should have been a son
In a society bound by the shackles of gender norms and expectations, Nirvana’s stinging track ‘Been A Son’ strikes a chord that reverberates through the confines of these constructed roles. Acting as a mirror to culture, the song portrays the visceral reaction of an artist watching the world undervalue a life simply based on gender.
The sonorous echoes of Kurt Cobain’s voice carry more than just a catchy tune; they speak volumes of the systemic preference for a son over a daughter, encapsulating this raw sentiment in a grunge-punk outcry that demands to be understood. Let’s dive into the layers of this profoundly haunting track and uncover the narrative woven into the aggressively strummed chords.
A Reflection on Societal Expectations
The repetitive structure of ‘She should have…’ in the opening lines isn’t just a musical choice; it’s a deliberate emphasis on the societal pressures that follow women from cradle to grave. Each ‘should have’ is a brick added to the towering expectations placed on the shoulders of daughters, amplifying the relentless message that they must conform to pre-defined roles.
The daughter in the song is chided for not fitting in, not pleasing her mother, and ultimately for not being a son. ‘Been A Son’ articulates the tragic notion that her worth would be automatically higher had she been born male, a disturbing but honest reflection of the gender bias effect.
The Crown of Thorns and a Wasted Life
The biblical allusion of the ‘crown of thorns’ thrusts the listener into a narrative steeped in sacrifice and suffering – a symbol largely associated with Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. Here, it’s worn by the daughter, a juxtaposition that makes us question who society crucifies in the modern age for the simple sin of not meeting expectations.
Cobain’s unsettling suggestion that ‘She should have died when she was born’ unearths the grim reality of female infanticide and the stark value placed on gender. It’s a bleak commentary on how the life of a girl can be considered so expendable in the eyes of a patriarchal world.
A Subversive Shout to Identity and Chances
The chants of ‘She should have been a son’ ring out not just as a wish but as a societal indictment. Nirvana, through this anthem, becomes a mouthpiece for the countless voices muted by the oppressive nature of gender roles. Cobain challenges us to consider what it means to ‘stand out in a crowd’ or to ‘make her mother proud’ absent from the prejudice of gender.
The lyrics mourn the missed opportunities and the ‘chance’ not given, echoing the ultimatum that is hauntingly present in every girl who has been denied her rightful place in the sunlight – solely because she wasn’t a son.
The Visceral Rawness of Cobain’s Cry
The track isn’t merely a collection of words set to chords; it’s a raw expression of frustration and empathy. Kurt Cobain, with his unique grasp of human experience, doesn’t hold back from showcasing the sense of societal imprisonment – an emotional outpouring that listeners can’t help but feel resonate within them.
‘Been A Son’ is less a song and more a vehement protest. Cobain’s repeated cry is both a condemnation of gender conformity and a lament for those lost to the unforgiving judgments of the world. It feels like Nirvana has set out to not only lay bare the prejudice but to challenge it head-on with a defiant howl.
Unearthing the Hidden Meaning in ‘Been A Son’
Embedded between the lines of this seemingly straightforward melody is a deep-seated commentary on what it means to be a valuable member of society. Cobain uses his art to question the construct of worth based on gender, flipping it to shine a light on the suffocation caused by archaic traditions.
The repeated phrase ‘She should have been a son’ serves both as the song’s haunting mantra and its central thesis. It’s a poignant reminder of the continual devaluation of women, and an invitation to the listener to peel back the layers of their own preconceptions in a society fraught with gender-based judgments.
