Rape Me

An anti-rape song that sparked controversy, faced MTV performance negotiations, and had its packaging title changed for big-box store sales in 1994.

"Rape Me" is a track by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It serves as the fourth song on the group's third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September 1993. Although often interpreted as a commentary on fame, the song was conceived in 1990 with the specific intent of being a lyrically literal anti-rape anthem, predating their breakthrough record Nevermind.

Quick Facts

Artist: Nirvana
Album: In Utero
B-side: Moist Vagina
Released: 6 December 1993
Recorded: February 1993
Studio: Pachyderm (Cannon Falls, Minnesota)
Genre: Grunge
Length: 2:49

Lore & Background

The history of "Rape Me" is marked by immediate friction with media gatekeepers. Written on an acoustic guitar in 1990, it was first performed live at the Hollywood Palladium on June 29, 1991. Early versions featured a guitar solo rather than the bridge found on the final album. Controversy surrounded the song before its official release, but MTV did not formally block Nirvana from performing it at the 1992 Video Music Awards. The band agreed to play their single "Lithium" instead, though Cobain played the opening riff of "Rape Me" at the start, and MTV did not cut to commercial. Years later, this stance led Walmart and Kmart to initially refuse selling In Utero; the chain stores relabeled the song "Waif Me" only on the packaging of their censored versions released in February 1994—the actual track listing and lyrics remained unchanged, and the title change was a label decision, not Cobain's choice for easy graphic editing.

Reader's Guide

Musically, "Rape Me" opens with pick scratching over a verse chord progression that Pitchfork's Will Bryant described as an "almost direct inversion of the famous 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' riff." Cobain biographer Charles R. Cross noted it shares the same catchy soft/loud dynamic as their 1991 breakthrough hit, though written after it and before Nevermind's release. The song was released as a double A-side single with "All Apologies" on December 6, 1993, in CD, cassette, and vinyl formats, but not commercially in the United States. It reached number 32 on the UK Singles Chart and charted in Belgium and Ireland, standing as the band's final original single before Cobain's suicide in April 1994. Live performances included appearances on Saturday Night Live on September 25, 1993 (the first show with guitarist Pat Smear) and Nulle Part Ailleurs in Paris on February 4, 1994. The final live rendition occurred at Nirvana's last concert at Terminal 1 of Munich-Riem Airport on March 1, 1994.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main theme or meaning behind 'Rape Me'?

While often interpreted as a commentary on the invasion of privacy by fame, Cobain intended the lyrics to be a direct protest against sexual violence. The song also reflects his and Courtney Love's struggles with media harassment after their rise to stardom.

On which Nirvana album does 'Rape Me' appear?

This song is featured as the fourth track on In Utero, the band's third and final studio album released in September 1993. It was produced by Steve Albini during a session that aimed to capture a rawer sound than their previous work.