Flower

Soundgarden's 'Flower' delves into the fleeting nature of youth and beauty, encapsulating the struggles of a young woman who is idolized for her appearance but lacks genuine self-worth. The opening lines, 'All of seventeen / Eyes a purple green / Treated like a Queen, she was / On borrowed self esteem,' set the stage for a narrative about a girl who is admired and perhaps even envied, yet her confidence is not her own. The phrase 'borrowed self esteem' suggests that her sense of worth is dependent on external validation rather than an intrinsic belief in herself.

The song continues to explore the superficiality of her existence through vivid imagery and metaphors. 'She would do a dance / A painful masquerade / Spinning you into her web / Along her vain parade' portrays her life as a performance, a 'painful masquerade' where she ensnares others with her charm and beauty. The 'vain parade' indicates a life focused on appearances and shallow interactions, devoid of deeper meaning or sincerity. This is further emphasized in the lines, 'In her uniform / Studded brass and steel / Kissing lipstick, napkin stains / And smearing sincerity,' where her outward appearance is meticulously crafted, yet it masks a lack of genuine emotion and connection.

The final verse, 'Time crept up on her / She's early gray / Her reflection looks concerned / As flowers hit her grave,' brings a somber conclusion to the story. The inevitability of aging catches up with her, and the once-admired beauty fades, leaving her with a sense of concern and perhaps regret. The imagery of 'flowers hit her grave' serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of life and beauty. Soundgarden's 'Flower' is a powerful commentary on the ephemeral nature of youth and the dangers of placing too much value on external appearances.