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  1. Tracks
  2. Nirvana
  3. In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)
  4. Dumb
Dumb by Nirvana

TRACK

Nirvana

Dumb

Release date: 20th September 1993

From In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)
Track 6
2:32
AlternativeMusicRock
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About This Track

'Dumb' arrives as one of the quieter moments on 'In Utero', built around a simplistic rhyme scheme and a reluctance to stretch the band's dynamic range. Where much of the album leans into abrasion and incoherence, this track pulls back, Cobain repeating the titular self-diagnosis until it blurs into something closer to contentment. The lyrics toggle between broken-hearted repair work and a floating, dissociative pleasure, the refrain cycling through doubt and the possibility of happiness in equal measure.

The song's grudging pleasure sits oddly against the album's broader emotional palette, a moment of fragile levity that never quite resolves whether the speaker is numb, happy, or simply pretending at both. The production stays minimal, the melody unadorned, the whole thing carrying the feel of a sketch that refused to grow more complicated. It remains one of the record's stranger gestures, a lullaby for someone who can't decide whether they're sinking or floating.

"Dumb" is a track by Nirvana, from the album In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition), released 20th September 1993. The track is 2:32 long. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 1 article about Nirvana.

About the Artist

Nirvana

Nirvana

Lyrics

Dumb

I'm not like them, but I can pretend
The sun is gone, but I have a light
The day is done, but I'm having fun
I think I'm dumb

Or maybe just happy
Think I'm just happy
Think I'm just happy
Think I'm just happy

My heart is broke, but I have some glue
Help me inhale and mend it with you
We'll float around and hang out on clouds
Then we'll come down

And have a hangover
Have a hangover
Have a hangover
Have a hangover

Skin the sun, fall asleep
Wish away, the soul is cheap
Lesson learned, wish me luck
Soothing burn, wake me up

I'm not like them, but I can pretend
The sun is gone, but I have a light
The day is done, but I'm having fun
I think I'm dumb

Or maybe just happy
Think I'm just happy
Think I'm just happy
Think I'm just happy

I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb

I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb
I think I'm dumb

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)

2:321993
Listen
Album
In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)
In Utero (20th Anniversary Edition)
Nirvana
21st September 1993
Track number
6
Release year
1993
  1. 1Serve the Servants
    3:37
  2. 2Scentless Apprentice
    3:48
  3. 3Heart-Shaped Box
    4:41
  4. 4Rape Me
    2:50

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In Utero Demo & Outtakes
2024
The Last Fix
2024
Live In Melbourne, Australia 1992
2023
Feels Like The First Time
2020
Live at the Paramount
Live at the Paramount
2019
Secret Songs – The Unreleased Album
2017

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More tracks by Nirvana

  1. (Jam)The Last Fix
  2. About a Girl (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  3. About a Girl (Live Off Ramp Café, Seattle, Washington (November 25 1990)
  4. Aneurysm (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  5. Been a Son (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  6. Big Me (Demo)
  7. Blew (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  8. Breed (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  9. Come As You Are (Live at Roskilde 1992)
  10. Do Re MiIn Utero Demo & Outtakes

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  • 5Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle
    4:10
  • 6Dumb
    2:32
  • 7Very Ape
    1:56
  • 8Milk It
    3:55
  • 9Pennyroyal Tea
    3:39
  • 10Radio Friendly Unit Shifter
    4:52
  • 11Tourette's
    1:35
  • 12All Apologies
    3:56
  • —Rape Me
    2:50

    • Credits

    Production & Engineering

    Writer
    Kurt Cobain
    Producer
    Steve Albini
    Bass
    Krist Novoselic
    Drums
    Dave Grohl
    Guitar
    Kurt Cobain
    Vocals
    Kurt Cobain
    Art Direction
    Kurt Cobain, Robert Fisher
    Artwork
    Alex Gray, Roger Ferris
    Cello
    Kera Schaley
    Graphic Design
    Kurt Cobain
    Mastering Engineer
    Bob Ludwig
    Mixing Engineer
    Scott Litt
    Photography
    Charles Peterson, Karen Mason, Kurt Cobain, Michael Lavine, Neil Wallace, Robert Fisher, Wenndy O’Connor
    Recording Engineer
    Steve Albini
    Remastered At
    Abbey Road Studios
    Remastering Engineer
    Steve Rooke
    Technician
    Bob Weston
    READ MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANA
    READ MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANAREAD MORE ABOUT NIRVANA
    Nirvana's surviving members perform with Post Malone at SNL 50th anniversary concert
    News

    Nirvana's surviving members perform with Post Malone at SNL 50th anniversary concert

    The iconic group's surviving members Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl and Pat Smear performed 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' at the event.

    15 Feb 2025 • 5:46 pm