Smells Like Teen Spirit

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the song that brought Nirvana and grunge music to the attention of teenagers around the world. While melodically and harmonically simple, it featured a minimalistic, moody verse with stream of consciousness lyrics rising to a ferocious chorus, and Kurt Cobain's voice showing its range from tuneful melancholy to primal scream. It is based around a riff using four power chords (F-Bb-Ab-Db) with more than a passing similarity to a section of Boston's AOR classic "More Than a Feeling", as well as Blue Öyster Cult's "Godzilla". But the starkest similarity is with a song called "Mr Chips" recorded by Crazy Horse, Neil Young's backing band. It should be noted that Kurt Cobain was a big fan of Young's music.

Covered by

• 1992 by Tori Amos on Crucify (EP)
• 1992 by "Weird Al" Yankovic as Smells Like Nirvana on Off The Deep End.
• 1993 by Xorcist on Shut Up Kitty compilation
• 2000 by The Melvins (Vocals by guest star Leif Garrett) on The Crybaby.
• 2003 by Metallica, during the MTV Video Music Awards. Metallica played short instrumentals of this and other songs.
• 2005 by Paul Anka, on Rock Swings.