Looking for awesome Kurt Cobain quotes that will give you Nirvana nostalgia?

Who is Kurt Cobain?

Lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter, Kurt Donald Cobain has remained to be one of the most influential American musicians – even after his passing at an early age of 27.

His band, Nirvana, has had its ups and downs before selling more than 75 million copies worldwide.

He was (and remains today) as an inspiration to musicians everywhere for his talent, passion, and belief in freedom through music.

Even though his death is still a subject of conspiracies, he has left the world the gift of incredible music and lyrics.

Are you a musician? Searching for Kurt Cobain quotes to power your work? Here are 50 of his famous sayings to inspire you today.

Don’t forget to also check out our compilation of Ella Fitzgerald quotes for additional motivation from the first lady of song.

Inspirational Kurt Cobain Quotes

1. “Music is first, lyrics are secondary.” – Kurt Cobain

2. “Because there is nothing in the world I like more than pure underground music.” – Kurt Cobain

3. “The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.” – Kurt Cobain

4. “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t after you.”  – Kurt Cobain

5. “I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain

6. “If it’s illegal to rock and roll, throw my ass in jail!” – Kurt Cobain

7. “I am not gay, although I wish I were, just to piss off homophobes.”  – Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain Quotes about Friendship

8. “I’m so happy because today I found my friends – they’re in my head.” – Kurt Cobain

9. “A friend is nothing but a known enemy.” – Kurt Cobain

10. “If you ever need anything please don’t hesitate to ask someone else first.” – Kurt Cobain

11. “I bought a gun and chose drugs instead.” – Kurt Cobain

12. “Drugs are a waste of time. They destroy your memory and your self-respect and everything that goes along with with your self esteem.” – Kurt Cobain

13. “It’s okay to eat fish because they don’t have any feelings.” – Kurt Cobain

14. “I had a really good childhood up until I was nine, then a classic case of divorce really affected me.” – Kurt Cobain

15. “I won’t eat anything green.” – Kurt Cobain

16. “Rather be dead than cool.” – Kurt Cobain

If you’re enjoying these quotes, make sure to check out our collection of cool quotes about keeping a relaxed mind.

17. “At this point I have a request for our fans. If any of you in any way hate homosexuals, people of different color, or women, please do this one favor for us — leave us alone! Don’t come to our shows and don’t buy our records.” – Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain Quotes about Life

18. “Nobody dies a virgin… Life fucks us all.”  – Kurt Cobain

19. “Birds scream at the top of their lungs in horrified hellish rage every morning at daybreak to warn us all of the truth, but sadly we don’t speak bird.” – Kurt Cobain

20. “Thank you for the tragedy. I need it for my art.”  – Kurt Cobain

21. “Practice makes perfect, but nobody’s perfect, so why practice?”  – Kurt Cobain

22. “If you’re really a mean person you’re going to come back as a fly and eat poop.”  – Kurt Cobain

23. “There’s good in all of us and I think I simply love people too much, so much that it makes me feel too fucking sad.”  – Kurt Cobain

24. “You know what I hate about rock? I hate tie-dyed tee shirts. I wouldn’t wear a tie-dyed tee shirt unless it was dyed with the urine of Phil Collins and the blood of Jerry Garcia.” – Kurt Cobain

25. “I knew I was different. I thought that I might be gay or something because I couldn’t identify with any of the guys at all. None of them liked art or music. They just wanted to fight and get laid. It was many years ago but it gave me this real hatred for the average American macho male.”  – Kurt Cobain

26. “I was tired of pretending that I was someone else just to get along with people, just for the sake of having friendships.”  – Kurt Cobain

Also check out these Janis Joplin quotes from the iconic singer.

Kurt Cobain Quotes to motivate you

27. “I mean I like to be passionate and sincere but I also like to have fun and act like a dork. Geeks unite.”  – Kurt Cobain

28. “I don’t care what you think unless it is about me.”  – Kurt Cobain

29. “I started to be really proud of the fact I was gay even though I wasn’t”  – Kurt Cobain

30. “I would like to get rid of the homophobes, sexists, and racists in our audience. I know they’re out there and it really bothers me.”  – Kurt Cobain

31. “Rape is one of the most terrible crimes on earth and it happens every few minutes. The problem with groups who deal with rape is that they try to educate women about how to defend themselves. What really needs to be done is teaching men not to rape. Go to the source and start there.”  – Kurt Cobain

32. “Before I die many will die with me and they’ll deserve it. See you in Hell.” – Kurt Cobain

33. “We’re so trendy we can’t even escape ourselves.”  – Kurt Cobain

34. “Forever in debt to your priceless advice.”  – Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain quotes that will make your day

35. “I use bits and pieces of others personalities to form my own.”  – Kurt Cobain

36. “It’s better to burn out than to fade away.”― Kurt Cobain

37. “I’m worse at what I do best.”― Kurt Cobain

38. “Life is a waste of time and time is a waste of life, so let’s all get wasted and have the time of our lives.”― Kurt Cobain

39. “We have no right to express an opinion until we know all of the answers.”― Kurt Cobain

40. “I don’t need to be inspired any longer, just supported.”― Kurt Cobain

41. “Dreaming of the person you want to be is wasting the person you already are.”― Kurt Cobain

42. “I just hope I don’t become so blissful I become boring. I think I’ll always be neurotic enough to do something weird.”― Kurt Cobain

43. “Life isn’t nearly as sacred as the appreciation of passion.”― Kurt Cobain

44. “The sun is gone, but I have a light.”― Kurt Cobain

More Kurt Cobain quotes and sayings

45. “If my eyes could show my soul, everyone would cry when they saw me smile.” – Kurt Cobain

46. “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of who you are.” – Kurt Cobain

47. “Just because it’s all you want, doesn’t mean it’s all you need.” – Kurt Cobain

48. “No matter what you do or say, there’s nothing that you can do to make people understand you.” – Kurt Cobain

49. “If you die you’re completely happy and your soul somewhere lives on.” – Kurt Cobain

50. “Total peace after death, becoming someone else, is the best hope I’ve got.” – Kurt Cobain

51. “Rap music is the only vital form of music introduced since punk rock.” – Kurt Cobain

52. “Alternative music is no longer alternative once it’s in the mainstream.” – Kurt Cobain

53. “I wanted to be in a punk band before I had even heard any punk music.” – Kurt Cobain

54. “People are coming to shows on the strength of one song. I guess that’s the way it goes.” – Kurt Cobain

You might also like these Frank Zappa quotes from one of the greatest musicians in history.

Which of these Kurt Cobain quotes struck you the most?

Did any of these sayings make you think about your own perspective in life, love, and music?

Kurt Cobain may no longer be with us, but his legacy lives on – especially in those who share his beliefs, ideals, and love of music.

May we all find freedom in our passions like he did with his music.

Which of these Kurt Cobain quotes struck you the most? Do you have any other inspirational quotes to add? Let us know in the comment section below.