Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana

About Smells Like Teen Spirit

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was Nirvana's biggest hit in most countries, placing high on music industry charts around the world in 1991 and 1992, including topping the charts of Belgium, France, New Zealand and Spain. The unexpected success propelled Nevermind to the top of several albums charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point where grunge entered the mainstream. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" received critical plaudits, including topping the Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics' poll and winning two MTV Video Music Awards for its music video, which was in heavy rotation on music television. The song was dubbed an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X, but the band grew uncomfortable with the attention it brought them. In the years since Kurt Cobain's death, listeners and critics have continued to praise "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as one of the greatest songs in the history of rock music. 


Year:
1991
5:02
270,096 
#514

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's over-bored and self-assured
Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey

I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey

And I forget just why I taste
Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard, it's hard to find
Oh well, whatever, never mind

Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain us
A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido
A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial, a denial
A denial, a denial, a denial, a denial

 The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com


Nirvana

Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. more »

24 fans

Written by: Chris Novoselic, David Grohl, Kurt Cobain

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Creation & Inspiration
The song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was written by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl of the rock band Nirvana.
Release Date
The song was released as the lead single from Nirvana's second studio album, "Nevermind", in September, 1991.
Title Inspiration
The title came from a phrase Kathleen Hanna, the lead singer of the punk band Bikini Kill, sprayed onto the wall of Cobain’s apartment - "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit" a reference to the deodorant brand, Teen Spirit, Cobain’s then-girlfriend Tobi Vail used.
Music Video
The iconic music video for the song, directed by Samuel Bayer, is based on the concept of a school gym, full of anarchic teens and a janitor who resembles a joyous Cobain.
Commercial Success
The song became a worldwide hit, reaching the top ten of the charts in various countries, and often cited as the point where alternative rock entered the mainstream.
Genre Influence
Considered one of the greatest songs in the history of rock music, it is largely credited with bringing the grunge movement to the masses and putting the Seattle music scene on the map.
Awards & Recognition
The song won Best Hard Rock Video and Best New Artist at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Parodies & Covers
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, and parodied by Weird Al Yankovic as "Smells Like Nirvana".
Lyrics Interpretation
Cobain said that he was trying to write the "ultimate pop song", and was intentionally trying to sound like Pixies. The lyrics are purposefully indecipherable, representing the fact that Cobain often felt misunderstood.
Legacy
In 2000, VH1 rated "Smells Like Teen Spirit" the third greatest rock song ever and Rolling Stone ranked it as the ninth greatest song of all time in 2004. It entered the Grammy Hall Of Fame in 2017.

Discuss the Smells Like Teen Spirit Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Smells Like Teen Spirit Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Mar. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/2547264/Nirvana/Smells+Like+Teen+Spirit>.

    Missing lyrics by Nirvana?

    Know any other songs by Nirvana? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    Smells Like Teen Spirit

    1.1B
    7.6M     215.4K

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1992

    Billboard #6


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Who replaced Paul Di'Anno as lead singer of Iron Maiden?
    A Adrian Smith
    B Steve Harris
    C Dave Murray
    D Bruce Dickinson

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Nirvana tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!

    Movies soundtrack

    Smells Like Teen Spirit

    »