Eternity of grunge. A classic by Nirvana (NIRVANA)
Let me introduce some songs by Nirvana, the very definition of grunge rock.
As the band of Kurt Cobain—who, despite his musical success, struggled deeply and died young—they have become an icon of alternative rock worldwide.
Although he passed away in 1994, many artists still cover their songs to this day.
There are countless aspects to their appeal, but surely the greatest is Kurt Cobain’s voice.
Please take this article as an opportunity to once again experience the allure of Nirvana, the band that revolutionized the rock scene.
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The Eternity of Grunge: NIRVANA’s Classic Songs (51–60)
Smells Like Teen SpritNirvana
A song by Nirvana, the three-piece rock band that spread the grunge movement worldwide and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
It’s the track that made Nirvana widely known, with a catchy contrast that flows from a languid, ennui-tinged verse into a loud, explosive chorus.
Despite its dramatic dynamics, the chord progression actually stays the same; the changes come from the guitar’s tone and the rhythm section’s dynamics, making it easy to learn and a sure crowd-pleaser for beginner band members.
It’s such a famous song that even people who don’t know Nirvana have likely heard it at least once, so it’s highly recommended for beginners who want to tackle Western rock in a band.
Where did you sleep last nightNirvana
It’s a cover song of Red Berries by Nirvana, but compared to the original, other versions, and even other songs, this might be my favorite.
Since Kurt took his own life afterward, it’s an incredibly poignant and sad song.
Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana
Nirvana, the legendary band of grunge/alternative rock.
This work is the one that catapulted them to fame.
It was included on their second album, Nevermind, and released as a single.
Its message shines through the rawness, and it was a huge commercial success.
Kurt Cobain’s charisma was already remarkable around this time.
By the way, “Teen Spirit” is the name of a deodorant.
All Apologies (MTV Unplugged)Nirvana
When it comes to Western bands from the ’90s, you can’t talk about them without mentioning Nirvana.
Rather than their hit songs, I’d like to introduce a true classic.
They didn’t just deliver intensity and grit—at times they created sounds of striking beauty.
That’s the MTV version of “All Apologies.”
The Eternity of Grunge: NIRVANA’s Classic Songs (61–70)
Aneurysm (Live at Reading 1992)Nirvana
This is insanely powerful, and the guitars are rocking hard.
For something so simple, there’s no other song that captures the catharsis of a rock band quite like this.
I Hate Myself and Want to DieNirvana
It’s a track that wasn’t included on the album, but it’s very polished and has that quintessential Nirvana vibe.
It feels like it packs in all the best elements of grunge rock.
The guitar noise and the whispers that come in partway through are also fun highlights.
Old ageNirvana
An outtake from the smash-hit album Nevermind.
It seems it was omitted to preserve the overall balance, but its quality is fully on par with the major album.
This was later included in an outtake collection.
It consistently sings about the fear of growing old, which was probably one of Kurt’s enduring themes—especially poignant given his passing at a young age.