Download "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Album Nevermind
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Release Date
Performed by
NirvanaProduced by
Butch VigWrited by
Krist Novoselic & Dave Grohl & Kurt CobainAbout
Considered by many to be the ultimate grunge anthem, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was the lead single for Nirvana’s second studio album and major label debut, September 1991’s Nevermind. The song’s success and omnipresence in the early ‘90s brought the band unrivaled popularity. Eventually, Kurt Cobain...
Smells Like Teen Spirit Lyrics
[Verse 1]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
[Chorus]
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
[Post-Chorus]
Yeah, hey, yay
[Verse 2]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
[Chorus]
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
[Post-Chorus]
Yeah, hey, yay
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
[Chorus]
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
[Outro]
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial
Smells Like Teen Spirit Q&A
Who wrote Smells Like Teen Spirit's ?
Smells Like Teen Spirit was written by Krist Novoselic & Dave Grohl & Kurt Cobain.
Who produced Smells Like Teen Spirit's ?
Smells Like Teen Spirit was produced by Butch Vig.
When did Nirvana release Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Nirvana released Smells Like Teen Spirit on Tue Sep 10 1991.
Did Kurt want this song to be popular?
It’s not exactly clear whether Cobain wanted to famous or not. He was quoted as saying, “I’m too stubborn to allow myself to ever compromise our music or turn us into big rock stars. I just don’t feel like that.”
However, Courtney Love has tried to dispell the “myth” that Cobain didn’t want to be f...
What makes the song important?
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” was Kurt Cobain’s ironic commentary on teenage/college party culture and how devoid of culture everyday life had become. It was meant to poke fun at the jocks and the meatheads, however, as the song began to reach critical acclaim, they started coming to shows to see them p...
Was there a chorus effect on Smells Like Teen Spirit?
Boss DS-1/DS-2, an Electro Harmonix Small Clone and poly Chorus and a Tech21 sanamp were the main pedals kurt used :)
What did Nirvana say about "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?
In a January 1994 Rolling Stone interview, Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain revealed that “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was an attempt to write a song in the style of the Pixies, a band he greatly admired. He explained:
I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixi...
Live Performances:
Live at The Paramount 1991
Live at Reading 1992
Were there any lyrics that didn't make the cut?
Yes! Courtney Love shared some previously unpublished lyrics with NME:
Come out and play
Make up the rules
I know I hope
To buy the truth
Who will be the king and queen
Of all the outcasted teens
We’re so lazy
And so stupid
Blame our parents
And the cupids
A deposit, for a bottle
Stick it inside
N...