Nirvana’s album Nevermind brought us the haunting track “Polly,” a song that leaves a lasting impression. The lyrics take us into the mind of a kidnapper who vacillates between treating his victim as a pet and subjecting her to torment.
The Cryptic Opening Lines: A Peek into Darkness
Beginning with the lines “Polly wants a cracker / Think I should get off her first,” the song’s music, though pop-infused, sharply contrasts with the disturbing narrative it weaves. Kurt Cobain, the genius behind Nirvana, ventured into a realm of horror rarely explored in his other works.
Voices Against Voyeurism: Cobain’s Feminist Stand
Cobain, a staunch feminist, intentionally delved into voyeuristic themes in “Polly.” Disturbingly, real-life incidents tied to the song came to light after its release. Two men reportedly raped a woman while singing the lyrics, prompting Cobain to address the issue in Incesticide’s liner notes, condemning such actions within the audience.
Polly’s Escape: Real-Life Horrors Inspiring the Song
The character Polly in the song mirrors the harrowing experience of a real person. This person, kidnapped by Gerald Friend in Washington state, managed to outwit her captor. Friend, a Tacoma native with a history of similar crimes dating back to 1960, had a disturbing pattern of abduction and torture.
A Chilling Reality: Gerald Friend’s Reign of Terror
Gerald Friend’s criminal history reveals a pattern of horrifying kidnappings. In 1987, he abducted a 14-year-old girl, subjected her to torture in his mobile home, but she bravely escaped after enduring days of trauma. Friend had a previous arrest in 1960, sentenced to 75 years, but was released on parole. Following the 1987 incident, he was reincarcerated to serve the remainder of his original sentence with additional time.
Cobain’s Reaction: Turning Horrors into Lyrics
Kurt Cobain stumbled upon this chilling tale in a newspaper, possibly the Spokesman-Review. Disturbed by the events, he transformed the story into the lyrics of “Polly.” When questioned about the song, Cobain succinctly stated, “It’s an anti-rape song. There’s really not much more I can say about it. What can I say?”
Resonance Beyond Words: Bob Dylan’s Recognition
The impact of “Polly” extended beyond Nirvana’s fan base. When legendary musician Bob Dylan first heard the song, he remarked, “That kid has heart,” acknowledging Cobain’s ability to infuse genuine emotion into his work. In unraveling the hidden layers of “Polly,” we find a dark narrative inspired by real-life horrors, a testament to Cobain’s commitment to shedding light on societal issues through his music.
