Top 10 Nirvana Songs: A Definitive List of Their Greatest Hits
Nirvana was one of the most influential and successful rock bands of the 1990s. Their music combined elements of punk, metal, pop, and alternative rock. It created a distinctive and powerful sound that resonated with millions of fans around the world. Raw and honest lyrics, which often dealt with themes of alienation, angst, and rebellion, characterized Nirvana’s songs.
Their singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain’s tragic death in 1994 cut short Nirvana’s career. Though they left behind a legacy of unforgettable songs that have inspired countless musicians and listeners. In this article, we will rank the top 10 Nirvana songs based on their popularity, impact, and quality. We will also explore the stories behind each song and why they are considered among the best of Nirvana’s catalog.
10. About a Girl
One of the earliest examples of Nirvana’s pop sensibility, About a Girl is a simple but catchy song. It showcases Cobain’s knack for writing melodies and hooks. The song was inspired by Cobain’s relationship with his then-girlfriend Tracy Marander, who felt that he never wrote any songs about her. Cobain later said that he wrote the song in about 20 minutes after listening to The Beatles’ Meet the Beatles! album.
Butch Vig, who would later produce their breakthrough album Nevermind, produced the only song from Nirvana’s debut album Bleach: About a Girl. The song came out as a single only in 1994, after Nirvana played a stripped-down acoustic version of the song on MTV Unplugged. The song reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 28 on the UK Singles Chart.
9. Heart-Shaped Box
The lead single from Nirvana’s third and final studio album In Utero, Heart-Shaped Box is a dark and complex song. It reflects Cobain’s inner turmoil and dissatisfaction with fame. The song features heavy guitar riffs, distorted vocals, and a haunting chorus. It repeats the line “Hey, wait, I’ve got a new complaint”. The lyrics are full of metaphors and references to Cobain’s personal life. For example, his marriage to Courtney Love, his drug addiction, and his stomach problems.
The song was accompanied by a controversial music video directed by Anton Corbij. The video depicted surreal images such as a crucified Santa Claus, a girl in a Ku Klux Klan hood, and a fetus in a tree. The video won two MTV Video Music Awards for Best Alternative Video and Best Art Direction. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart.
8. Come as You Are
The second single from Nevermind, Come as You Are is one of Nirvana’s most iconic songs. Killing Joke’s Eighties inspired the memorable guitar riff of the song. The chorus catches the listener’s attention with “come as you are”, and the bridge contrasts quiet and loud. The lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation, but some have suggested that they are about acceptance, identity, or sexuality.
Kevin Kerslake directed the music video for the song. It showed Nirvana playing in a dark and watery setting with images of guns, bullets, chandeliers, and dogs. The video got three MTV Video Music Award nominations for Best Alternative Video, Best New Artist in a Video, and Best Group Video. The song reached number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number nine on the UK Singles Chart.
7. Lithium
The third single from Nevermind, Lithium is a song about bipolar disorder and religion. The title refers to the medication used to treat mood swings. The lyrics describe the narrator’s coping mechanisms such as joining a cult or pretending to be happy. The song has a dynamic structure that alternates between soft verses and loud choruses, punctuated by Cobain’s exclamations of “yeah”. It also features one of Nirvana’s most anthemic hooks: “I like it/I’m not gonna crack”.
The song was originally written in 1990 during Cobain’s brief stay with his friend Jesse Reed in Olympia, Washington. Cobain later said that he wanted to write a pop song in the style of The Pixies. Nirvana performed at various live shows mixed with footage of fans stage diving and moshing in a music video that Kevin Kerslake directed. The song came out as a single in 1992. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 11 on the UK Singles Chart.
6. All Apologies
The final single from In Utero, All Apologies is a beautiful and poignant song. It expresses Cobain’s regrets and apologies to his wife, daughter, and fans. The song features a simple but effective chord progression, a melodic bass line by Novoselic, and a cello accompaniment by Kera Schaley. The lyrics are sincere and heartfelt, with lines such as “What else should I be?/All apologies” and “In the sun I feel as one/In the sun I’m married”.
Cobain wrote the song in 1990 and Nirvana first performed it live in 1991. The song came out as a double A-side single with Rape Me in 1993. It featured a music video that Steve Hanft directed, showing Nirvana playing in a distorted mirror. Nirvana also played the song on MTV Unplugged in a more acoustic and subdued version. The song reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.
5. In Bloom
The fourth single from Nevermind, In Bloom is a song. It criticises the mainstream audience that embraced Nirvana after their success. The song features a heavy and catchy guitar riff, a groovy drum beat by Grohl, and a sarcastic chorus that mocks the clueless fans. “He’s the one who likes all our pretty songs/And he likes to sing along/And he likes to shoot his gun/But he don’t know what it means”. The lyrics also reference Cobain’s childhood in Aberdeen, where he felt out of place and misunderstood.
Cobain wrote the song in 1990 and recorded it first with Chad Channing on drums. The song got a re-recording with Grohl for Nevermind. It came out as a single in 1992 with a music video that Kevin Kerslake directed, mocking The Ed Sullivan Show and The Beatles’ appearance on it. The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video. The song peaked at number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 28 on the UK Singles Chart.
4. Rape Me
The second single from In Utero, Rape Me is a controversial and provocative song. It challenges the notions of victimhood and empowerment. The song features a simple but effective chord progression that resembles Smells Like Teen Spirit. It uses a distorted guitar tone, and a defiant chorus that repeats the title phrase four times. The lyrics are ambiguous and open to interpretation. Some have suggested that they are about Cobain’s experience of being raped by the media, his resistance to censorship, or his support for women’s rights.
Cobain wrote the song in 1991 and Nirvana first performed it live in 1992. The song came out as a double A-side single with All Apologies in 1993. It had no music video because of its sensitive subject matter. Many radio stations and retailers banned or censored the song, objecting to its title and lyrics. The song reached number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 32 on the UK Singles Chart.
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit
The first single from Nevermind, Smells Like Teen Spirit is arguably Nirvana’s most famous and influential song. Boston’s More Than a Feeling inspired the catchy guitar riff of the song, Grohl played a powerful drum intro, and the chorus exploded with the spirit of rebellion and youth. “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”. The lyrics are nonsensical and cryptic, but they reflect Cobain’s frustration with the music industry and society.
Cobain wrote the song in 1991 when he saw “Kurt smells like Teen Spirit” spray-painted on his wall by his friend Kathleen Hanna, who meant a brand of deodorant that his girlfriend used. Cobain later said that he wanted to write the ultimate pop song in the style of The Pixies. The song came out as a single in 1991 with a music video that Samuel Bayer directed. It showed Nirvana playing in a high school gymnasium with cheerleaders and students rioting. The video became an instant hit on MTV and helped to launch Nirvana into superstardom. The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and number seven on the UK Singles Chart.
2. Dumb
The fourth single from In Utero, Dumb is a melancholic and introspective song. It explores Cobain’s feelings of isolation and depression. The song features an acoustic guitar strumming pattern, a cello accompaniment by Kera Schaley, and a soft vocal delivery by Cobain. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, but they convey a sense of resignation and self-deprecation. “I’m not like them/But I can pretend/The sun is gone/But I have a light/The day is done/But I’m having fun/I think I’m dumb/Or maybe just happy”.
Cobain wrote the song in 1990 and Nirvana first performed it live in 1991. The song came out as a single in 1994 with a music video that Kevin Kerslake directed. It showed Nirvana playing on MTV Unplugged. It also appeared on the soundtrack of the documentary Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. The song reached number 11 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 34 on the UK Singles Chart.
1. Where Did You Sleep Last Night
The final song on Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged album, Where Did You Sleep Last Night is a haunting and powerful cover of a traditional folk song. It dates back to the 19th century. The song tells the story of a man who suspects his lover of being unfaithful and asks her where she slept last night. The song features an acoustic guitar, a bass, a cello, an accordion, and a harmonica. The vocals are raw and emotional, with Cobain delivering one of his most memorable performances. The song ends with a chilling scream that leaves the listener speechless.
The song was popularized by blues musician Lead Belly, who recorded several versions of it in the 1940s. Cobain was a fan of Lead Belly and owned one of his guitars. Cobain chose to perform the song as the last song of Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged session in 1993. He said that he wanted to end with “something that’s very special to me”. The song was released as a single in 1994 with no music video. The song reached number five on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.
The Bottom Line
Nirvana was a band that changed the course of music history with their songs. Their songs were innovative, influential, and timeless, blending different genres and styles to create a unique and powerful sound.
Nirvana’s songs were also honest, expressive, and meaningful, reflecting their personal experiences and views on life. These are the top 10 Nirvana songs that we think are their greatest hits. However, there are many more that deserve recognition and appreciation. What are your favourite Nirvana songs? Let us know in the comments below.