I’ve always loved rock music, particularly grunge. The loud, lazy, purposefully incorrect, flannel-ridden music has a special place in my heart. Yet my favorite rock song was released a year after Kurt Cobain died, often called the day grunge died. Yet it serves as an ode to grunge music, and as a reassurance of the future. 

The song is Mighty K.C. by For Squirrels. It was their breakout song, and tragically their only major song as their lead singer, bassist, and manager died in a tour bus accident. In many ways, the song reflects this tragedy and the lives taken before they could reach greatness. 

He lies in an empty room

With his hair burnt to the back

It sure sounds funny

When you say his name like that

Within the first 10 lines of the song, we reach the subject of Kurt Cobain’s death. His suicide is portrayed in these lines, a man alone, with hair burnt to his back. They find it ironic to refer to him in this way when his name meant so much more. To them, he was and will always be Mighty K.C. 

Ship me off to the morgue

I’m ready to be buried

Away down in my bed, bed

And I’m alone without the sun

Please just take one

Here they describe how the grunge movement felt, both in general and after his death. They are suffering, some want to die or copy him, others feel dead and alone suffering from depression in their bed. They don’t have their light anymore, they are without hope.

And by the grace of God go I

Into the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

And if we gather, if we fall

Over the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

Yet despite their struggles, despite the all-encompassing depression, For Squirrels have faith in their future. The world is lost, grunge is lost, but they can escape this unknown. It’s a very optimistic outlook on an otherwise depressing topic. The song becomes a sort of happy grunge, which seems like an oxymoron

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600

Oh they are found dead, dead

And I am numb from watching TV

100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600

Oh they are just there, there

And I am numb from watching TV

Please don’t break me

This references many events of the time, and many argue what exactly it means. To me, he is referencing how it feels to hear about the many artists and legends who have died. Or the many fans who copied Cobain and committed suicide themselves. It could also simply reference the negativity of television, how it can break our spirits. Yet again it could be referencing the Rwandan genocide that occurred around this time. How hundreds had to watch but could do nothing to stop it, they were just there. Despite all of this they still sing.

And by the grace of God go I

Into the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

And if we gather, if we fall

Over the great unknown

Things are gonna change in our favor

I’ll always wonder what would have happened if God had allowed them to go past the great unknown. Things were already changing in For Squirrels favor, but now they’re just another number, another life cut short on the road to greatness. But their words will always resonate with me. This is why Mighty K.C. is my favorite rock song. 

-Parker K.