When the frontman Nirvana Kurt Cobain When he was in high school, he read a scandalous biography of a Seattle actress. Frances Farmer . Cobain was fascinated by Farmer's tragic life and even became more empathetic to her when his own life began to change thanks to the fame gained through Nirvana's success. Cobain's interest in Farmer was so strong that Courtney Love She wore a satin lace dress that had previously belonged to the late artist to their wedding, and they named their only daughter after her.
But who is Frances Farmer?
Frances Farmer was an actress and performer from Seattle, Washington, who enjoyed fame in Hollywood and Broadway in the mid-1930s and early 1940s. After reports of erratic behavior and atheistic and communist leanings began to surface, Farmer was arrested and involuntarily committed to a treatment facility in Lakewood, Washington, for more than five years. There, she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and was held there at the request of her mother and other family members.
In his autobiography,« Will the morning really come?» Farmer claimed she was subjected to horrific abuse at the hospital, claiming «"I was raped by orderlies, torn to pieces by rats, and poisoned with rotten food. I was kept chained in padded cells, shackled in straitjackets, and half-drowned in ice-cold baths.".
Farmer was discharged from the hospital in 1950, and she fought to end her mother's guardianship and return to her acting career. At age 56, Farmer was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and died in 1970.
Cobain wrote the song "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle," based on Farmer's life, in 1982. Cobain wrote the composition first, saving the lyrics for last while he refined the song. "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" was included on the album In Utero , the third and final studio album by Nirvana.
In the 1993 biography "« Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana"» Cobain spoke about his thoughts behind the creation of this song: «"Frances Farmer's story is very sad, and it could happen to anyone, and at that moment I almost felt like it was happening to us... but mostly I just want to tell people Frances Farmer's story.".
Over the years, "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle" has been included on numerous Nirvana best-of lists. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it at number 25 on his list "No Apologies: All 102 Nirvana Songs Ranked," and The AV Club — at number 23 on his list of "The 30 Greatest Nirvana Songs.".
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This article was originally published by Parade on June 2, 2026, in the Entertainment section. Add Parade to your list of recommended sources by clicking here.