Swap Meet

Album: Bleach (1989)
Play Video
  • They lead a lifestyle that is comfortable
    They travel far to keep their stomachs full
    They make their living off of arts and crafts
    They kind with seashells driftwood and burlap
    They make a deal when they come to town
    The Sunday swap meet is a battle ground
    She loves him more than he will ever know
    He loves her more than he will ever show

    Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart
    Keeps her photographs close to her heart
    Keeps the bitterness close to the heart

    They lead a lifestyle that is comfortable
    They travel far to keep their stomachs full
    They make their living off of arts and crafts
    The kind with seashells, driftwood and burlap
    They make a deal when they come to town
    The Sunday swap meet is a battle ground
    She loves him more than he would ever know
    He loves her more than he would ever show

    Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart
    Keeps her photographs close to her heart
    Keep the bitterness close to the heart

    They lead a lifestyle that is comfortable
    They travel far to keep their stomachs full
    They make their living off of arts and crafts
    The kind with seashells, driftwood and burlap
    They make a deal when they come to town
    The Sunday swap meet is a battle ground
    She loves her more than he would ever know
    He loves her more than he would ever show

    Keeps his cigarettes close to his heart
    Keeps her photographs close to her heart
    Keep the bitterness close to the heart Writer/s: Kurt Cobain
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 6

  • Ceedubya from NcThe line "keeps his cigarettes close to his heart" makes me think about a man who carries his smokes in a pocket on the front of his shirt, or close to his heart. I think the song is probably about a couple that Kurt saw at a swap meet who stuck out to him for some reason, or maybe just about the type of people he saw there in general. He would write about anything. He cared more about writing a well crafted song than he did about deep lyrics. Yet a lot of his lyrics are really good
  • Jedi Master Baiter from DisneylandI think this song suffers from the name change. Had it been retained as "Swap Meat" it's interpretation would've changed entirely.
  • Rad Elane from NyFun fact: The lyrics in this song are in iambic pentameter.
  • Bronte from Sydney, Australiai thought it was about a couple in trouble.
    eg. "keeps the ciggereettes close to the heart.
    keeps the photograph close to her heart, keep the bitterness close to the heartt"
    LOVE this song.
    reminds me of my parents though.
  • Andreu from Homer, NyThis song is actually about what the title says a "swap meet" aka flea market, and the couple that sell their cratfs to make a comfortable living. As well as the wifes love for her husband and business/ crafts, and though he loves his wife he loves his smokes more.
  • Justme from Nyc, Nygreat song. one of my favs from bleach
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Edie Brickell

Edie BrickellSongwriter Interviews

Edie Brickell on her collaborations with Paul Simon, Steve Martin and Willie Nelson, and her 2021 album with the New Bohemians.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Grateful Dead Characters

Grateful Dead CharactersMusic Quiz

Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?

Angelo Moore of Fishbone

Angelo Moore of FishboneSongwriter Interviews

Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," Kiss

Director Paul Rachman on "Hunger Strike," "Man in the Box," KissSong Writing

After cutting his teeth on hardcore punk videos, Paul defined the grunge look with his work on "Hunger Strike" and "Man in the Box."