Rape Me – English Lyrics

• By: Nirvana

Lyrics & Translation

Dive into Nirvana's "Rape Me," a song that challenges with its provocative title and raw emotion. This track is a masterclass in direct, impactful English, using simple yet powerful vocabulary to convey complex themes of defiance and social critique. Its stark dynamic shifts from quiet verses to explosive choruses offer an engaging way to experience the intensity of spoken English in a rock context, making it a unique and unforgettable piece for language learners.

[English]

Rape me

Rape me, my friend

Rape me

Rape me again

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

Hate me

Do it, and do it again

Waste me

Rape me, my friend

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

My favorite inside source

I'll kiss your open sores

Appreciate your concern

You're gonna stink and burn

...

Rape me

Rape me, my friend

Rape me

Rape me again

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

I'm not the only one

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me (Rape me)

Rape me

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
rape /reɪp/ C2	verb - to force someone to have sex when they are unwilling
friend /frend/ A1	noun - a person you know well and like
again /əˈɡen/ A1	adverb - another time
only /ˈoʊnli/ A1	adjective - single or solitary
hate /heɪt/ A2	verb - to dislike intensely
waste /weɪst/ B1	verb - to use or expend carelessly
favorite /ˈfeɪvərɪt/ A2	adjective - preferred above all others
source /sɔːrs/ B1	noun - a place or thing from which something comes
kiss /kɪs/ A1	verb - to touch with the lips as a sign of love or affection
open /ˈoʊpən/ A1	adjective - not closed or fastened
sores /sɔːrz/ B2	noun - painful infected places on the skin
appreciate /əˈpriːʃieɪt/ B1	verb - to recognize the worth of
concern /kənˈsɜːrn/ B2	noun - something that interests or involves someone
stink /stɪŋk/ B2	verb - to have a strong unpleasant smell
burn /bɜːrn/ A2	verb - to be on fire or damaged by fire

Key Grammar Structures

• Rape me

  ➔ Imperative mood

  ➔ The "imperative mood" is used to give a direct command or instruction. The subject "you" is implied.

• Rape me, my friend

  ➔ Vocative case / Direct address

  ➔ "My friend" is a "vocative", a noun or noun phrase used to directly address someone. It is typically separated by a comma.

• I'm not the only one

  ➔ Negative statement with 'the only one'

  ➔ This is a "negative statement" using the common phrase "the only one", which means "not unique" or "not alone in this situation".

• Do it, and do it again

  ➔ Compound imperative with conjunction and adverb of repetition

  ➔ Two "imperative clauses" are joined by the "coordinating conjunction" "and". "Again" is an "adverb of repetition".

• My favorite inside source

  ➔ Noun phrase structure (possessive adjective + adjective + adjective + noun)

  ➔ This is a complex "noun phrase" where multiple "adjectives" ("favorite", "inside") modify the noun "source", preceded by a "possessive adjective" ("My").

• I'll kiss your open sores

  ➔ Future simple (will) for intent/prediction + possessive adjective + adjective + noun

  ➔ "I'll" is a contraction of "I will", indicating the "future simple tense" for an action the speaker intends to do or predicts. "Your open sores" is a noun phrase with a "possessive adjective" and an "adjective".

• Appreciate your concern

  ➔ Elliptical sentence (implied subject 'I')

  ➔ This is an "elliptical sentence" where the subject "I" is omitted, common in informal speech, song lyrics, and headlines. It implies "I appreciate your concern."

• You're gonna stink and burn

  ➔ Informal future ('gonna' = going to) + compound verbs

  ➔ "Gonna" is an "informal contraction" of "going to", used to express the "near future" or a prediction. "Stink" and "burn" are two verbs joined by "and", forming a "compound predicate".