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 Greatest Songs (1–10)
Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana
When asked to name Nirvana’s signature song, this is the track most people would mention first.
With an intro built on a simple power-chord riff, it’s a masterpiece whose sheer impact reshaped the music scene from the ’90s onward.
At the same time, it’s true the band disliked being so strongly tied to the image of this one song.
Listening again, you’re reminded how outstanding Kurt Cobain’s songwriting and vocals are, how strong the melody is, and how the powerful rhythm section underpins a simple yet carefully constructed band ensemble.
It’s a song that was destined to be a hit, and one that just feels straightforwardly cool.
LithiumNirvana
“Lithium” is a medication used by doctors and psychiatrists to treat patients with manic-depressive illness, also known as bipolar depression.
This song is about a great deal of self-loathing.
It’s a track that Nirvana performed at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.
You Know You’re RightNirvana
This song is a new Nirvana track that was released after Kurt Cobain’s death.
It was met with surprise—people said, “I can’t believe a recording like this was still out there.” The greatest hits album that includes this track became a big hit.
It’s a classic Nirvana-style song that starts quietly and builds to an intense finale.
Come As You AreNirvana
The chords of this song are very similar to Killing Joke’s 1985 track “Eighties,” and it’s said that Nirvana refrained from releasing it as a single.
Later, Killing Joke considered legal action, but after Kurt Cobain’s death, they decided not to file a lawsuit.
SliverNirvana
A semi-autobiographical song written by Kurt Cobain about being abandoned by his parents.
It predates Dave Grohl’s joining Nirvana as their drummer, with Mudhoney’s Dan Peters playing drums.
It is also known for having influenced Weezer’s track “Heart Songs.”
Heart-Shaped BoxNirvana
Released in 1993 and featured on what would be Nirvana’s final album, In Utero, this track is one of their signature songs.
Its dramatic structure—masterfully shifting between quiet and loud dynamics—along with a melody quintessentially Kurt Cobain and lyrics open to multiple interpretations, epitomizes the classic Nirvana sound of ’90s grunge.
The gritty sonic texture shaped by producer Steve Albini is markedly different from Butch Vig’s work on the previous album, Nevermind, yet it never becomes overly obscure; its strong sense of accessibility comes down to the intrinsic quality of the song itself.
Hairspray QueenNirvana
It’s one of Nirvana’s early songs.
It was recorded in early 1988 and included on the compilation album Incesticide, released in 1992.
There’s a story that when Nirvana performed the song for the first time, a girl who heard it approached Kurt Cobain and asked whether he had made up the lyrics about her on the spot.