The Ballad of Kurt and Courtney
Love in '93: A Grunge Romance Echoing Kurt and Courtney
Lyrics
She met him at the nightclub dancing to Teen Spirit
Meeting at a nightclub while dancing to Teen Spirit
She thought he looked a little bit like River Phoenix
Perceiving a resemblance to River Phoenix in his appearance
She liked the way he smiled when she told him why
Appreciating his smile when discussing preferences
She liked Pretty on the Inside more than Nevermind
Preferring "Pretty on the Inside" over "Nevermind"
In his Husker Du T-shirt and his shirt of flannel
Describing his attire, Husker Du T-shirt, and flannel shirt
Like he'd flown into the neighbourhood straight from Seattle
Imagining him arriving from Seattle, the music scene
Lips tasting of Mad Dog and Marlboro Lights
His lips tasting of Mad Dog and Marlboro Lights
It was 1993 and it was Friday night
Setting the scene in 1993 on a Friday night
She wrote their names on every desk in school
Writing their names on school desks, a symbol of commitment
And they agreed they'd rather be dead than cool
Expressing a shared preference for authenticity over coolness
She loved him from his bleached hair to his DM boots
Loving him from bleached hair to DM boots
Pretending to be cynical but they both knew
Both pretending to be cynical, understanding each other
That their love would last forever
Believing their love will last forever, like Kurt and Courtney
Just like Kurt and Courtney
Referencing the famous couple as a symbol of eternal love
They'd grow old together
Anticipating growing old together without becoming boring
But they'd never be boring
Emphasizing the uniqueness of their love story
It was 1993 and they were both 16
Recalling the year 1993 when they were both 16
And so much more in love than anyone had ever been
Exaggerating the intensity of their love
And this was just the start, just like Courtney and Kurt
Seeing the beginning of a love story, parallel to Kurt and Courtney's
Pissed on 2020 at the indie disco
Dismissing the year 2020 at an indie disco, rebellious spirit
He sang, 'Girlie so groovy I want you to know'
Quoting a song lyric, "Girlie so groovy I want you to know"
She laughed and threw her hair around to hide the cringe
Laughing and hiding discomfort with hair toss
Changed the subject every time he mentioned buying rings
Avoiding talk of commitment, especially marriage
So pleased to find a friend who wasn't in her head
Relieved to find a friend who understands without judgment
She forgave those disappointing afternoons in bed
Forgiving disappointments in their relationship
They could plant a house, they could build a tree
Imagining building a life together, planting a house, and growing a tree
She prayed they wouldn't get a little Frances Bean
Expressing fear of parenthood, hoping to avoid it
She still saw their names on every desk in school
Continuing to see their names on school desks, nostalgia
And she still swore she'd rather be dead than cool
Maintaining a rejection of mainstream "coolness"
But the bleach grew out and now his hair was short
Noting the change in appearance as bleach grows out
She hated to be cynical but wasn't sure
Feeling uncertain about the longevity of their love
That their love would last forever
Questioning the eternal nature of their love
Just like Kurt and Courtney
Referencing Kurt and Courtney's enduring love again
They'd grow old together
Reiterating the desire to grow old together without being boring
But they'd never be boring
Emphasizing the uniqueness of their love story, repetition
It was 1993 and they were both 16
Recalling the year 1993 and their intense love
And so much more in love than anyone had ever been
Exaggerating the intensity of their love, repetition
And this was just the start, just like Courtney and Kurt
Seeing the beginning of a love story, repetition
She starts to think that maybe this is going badly
Doubting the progress of their relationship
She thinking it's all dumb, but he still seems quite happy
Feeling skeptical about the relationship, partner's happiness
She fears their love is doomed but it's best to smile
Fearing the inevitable failure of their love but maintaining a facade
What else can she do when she's living in denial
Accepting denial as a coping mechanism for relationship struggles
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