Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” is enjoying a resurgence thanks to its inclusion in The Batman soundtrack. Fans are rushing to listen to the song, which has enjoyed a staggering 1200% increase in streams on Spotify. The track is played twice in the Warner Bros. superhero spectacular. At the beginning of the film, it accompanies an early sighting of Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne. We hear the song once more towards the end, as Batman heroically fights a pack of the Riddler’s loyal followers. As such, Nirvana’s grunge track is the ideal accompaniment to Pattinson’s alternative, eyeliner-wearing take on Batman. Below, discover the sad meaning behind “Something in the Way.”
Originally released as part of Nirvana’s 1991 LP “Nevermind,” the track has a darker background than you might think. “Something In The Way” is more than just a song, it’s a story, and a personal one at that. Opening with the line “Underneath the bridge, tarp has sprung a leak,” Kurt Cobain narrates the dark story of the homelessness he experienced in his youth. He narrates the mundanity of his existence after being kicked out of the family home. “The animals I’ve trapped have all become my pets, and I’m living off of grass,” he reveals. The chorus’ repeated phrase, “something in the way,” signifies Cobain’s emotional turmoil. Although he’s seeking to find a way out of his bleak situation, he’s held back by something blocking his way.
