I was 15 and went into a concert , got to the front...and Kurt brushed by me and put his hand out to steady me then smiled..Greatest moment of my life. ❤
@@danspino1548 bro its not bullshit he saved someone from sexual assault in a concert he litterly stopped singing to save someone else from sexual assault like
Kurt speaks quite a lot in Double Dutch...the UK definition. I am a lyricist and I tried to figure them out. Even asked my teenager who said the lyrics are mostly crap. It's the overall feeling it elicits that matters.
Watching this dude break songs down is actually amazing. He will pick up on things I haven’t heard in songs that I’ve been listening to for years. It’s fascinating what different people can pick up on in song. Music is great
I was thinking the same thing x this song was my life at about 17yrs..we never bothered to even try figure out all the words or even better break it down. We just felt it. But now at close to 50 years old ,I am enjoying reactors and especially you and your analysis of songs. Sometimes I feel like I am hearing them the first time. Thank you for keeping us young
The video concept was "Pep Rally from Hell". Cobain said he wrote this song because he was feeling "disgusted with my generation's apathy, and with my own apathy and spinelessness." This feeling of detachment is what led to lyrics like "Oh well, whatever, nevermind." "Kurt really despised the mainstream. That's what 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was all about: The mass mentality of conformity."
It's not cool making me feel this old. Nirvana was a great band. I was lucky enough to see them live in concert and Kurt was a loss for the entire world.
If you take a second to consider he's been fighting depression from his high school days, the state that eventually led to his suicide, all this seemingly disjointed lyrics seem more understandable, and in no way fun. I know we all headbanged to this back in the day having a blast, but now the sadness creeps in as I listen to it. RIP Kurt
The evidence points to him being murdered. The suicide narrative was put into the media by Miss Love herself. Watch interviews of people that were in his immediate social circle. She had 400 million to lose and they signed a prenup and Kurt was going to divorce her. She would have lost everything, including the success of her new album coming out one week after his death. Around this time, she was back in Billy Corgans arms. Check out the Di Silva case (Frances Cobains) ex-husband and how Miss Love tried to kidnap him over the guitar Kurt played in Unplugged in New York. Unfortunately he accepted a payoff out of fear. All the evidence is available in public records and documentation.
Depression with a huge part of it being his chronic pain from scoliosis, one of the reasons he played guitar left handed. Doctors have even said if he played right handed it would've potential improved his condition some.
I am so THRILLED that you reviewed this. To me, the entire song is Cobain’s take on young adults’ (Gen X) view of society, and how most people live their daily lives. “With the lights out it’s less dangerous…(ignorance is bliss), here we are, now entertain us”. And the various words aren’t random, he is expressing the feeling of how there are so many things to worry about when you’re a teenager
I love that Knox is actually able to pick out the lyrics, since the meme around Nirvana is that no one can tell what Kurt is singing. Weird Al actually made a parody of this song based around that (Smells Like Nirvana)
It is a joy to see you reacting to this more than legendary song. It always stuns me how well it still works and how deep it hits me. That sound, that voice, that energy. So fucking special. RIP Kurt. You will be forever missed.
81 here and Nirvana was the first band I picked for myself. As in not something someone else introduced to me. It was "my band". And with what I was enduring at the time, losing him shattered my entire world
When i was 15, Nirvana played a show near me. I managed to get a ticket and went with a friend of mine. He had a blast in the mosh pit while i kept myself in the stands. I only saw the opening act because i had school the next day and had to leave early. That was the last concert I ever attended. At some level I knew that I was different, and that wasn't really my scene. Nirvana wasn't even close to my favorite band, but something drew me to him. I didn't realize until much later in life that he was a Neuro divergent like myself, that had gone through similar situations to what i was experiencing at the time. Many people can feel like outsiders due to social structures and social norms. This song can resonate with any of them, which is why it was so popular. Not all people who feel like outsiders are Neuro divergent though. It's a whole other class of being outside because we truly are wired differently than most people. That's why his abstractions are so difficult for people to understand. There is a good chance that he is the only one that ever truly understood his lyrics. The rest of us can only guess. In my opinion, the chorus was not just a bunch of words that sounded good together. They create a social boundary that is described from many different sides intended to impart on the listener a feel for where he was. Because there is no description in words that can reach it fully. It can only be felt. Between the lyrics, music and physical expression that was probably the best way he could transmit that feeling. My apologies for being so long winded. But i find that if I'm compelled to transmit a thought it's better to let it go truly. Mad respect for your reaction to this video. Even if it's not your bag you still do it true.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Grunge. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam... you're in for a good time. Edit - oh man, grunge lyrics tend to be pretty impenetrable - best of luck with those break-downs...
You said "I feel like he's just picking words that sound good." That's exactly what he was doing. He was very heavily influenced by Frank Black and The Pixies, where the words are used to paint an aural soundscape. With Nirvana, many times, the words themselves aren't meaningful in the traditional sense, they are picked because of the sounds they make. See also: Beck.
Kurts voice cracking on certain words throughout is supposed to represent a teenage boy going through puberty. I don't see a lot of people comment about that if at all. The layers in this song, and Nirvana in its entirety, is nuts despite how simple their music is.
A lyrical genius, he was gifted The yodel he does in his deliveries is also very iconic, RIP KURT COBAIN ❤️🌹 Also a side note, the drummer is none other than DAVE GROHL, front man for the mighty Foo Fighters band, check them out too
This song perfectly captured the teenage angst of my generation. It was my anthem for a long time. I still remember where I was when I first heard this song. 🔥
Back in the mid 90s, there was no Internet or social media either so few outlets for the depression. Maybe that's what fueled the music. It was an interesting time.
Nice take, Knox. Context is everything with this song. After the amazing birth and progression of hard rock and punk through the 60s and 70s, the 80s had simmered to provide listeners with synth pop (not knocking it!) in the mainstream and a neverending line of Bon Jovi wannabe hair metal bands for the rockers. Thrash was developing nicely in the darker corners but suddenly grunge, and this song in particular, smashed its way into the public realm and made kids feel like ANYONE could do anything they wanted, musically. You could play 2 chords on a beat up old guitar, scream your lungs out and wear an old knitted jumper with holes in it if you wanted and you still had a chance. Possibly the greatest musical middle finger and rallying cry of all time. Kurt really was unique.
This came out when I was in high school. It was such a powerful exhale and just a scream back at "the system." Nothing felt well defined but it felt great to have these bands with that sort of "fuck you" attitude. Very simple songs that are characterized by aggressive vocals, fast tempo played heavily and loudly. There was also an acceptance and even an artistic use of things that would otherwise be ugly... It was like punk rock in a way. Objectively it was not great musicianship and the lyrics were just nuts but for those that were there, it was life changing. I'd recommend checking out their version of " where did you sleep last night " it's in the MTV unplugged album. All of which is fucking amazing, just saying!
@@gisobo Y'all don't realize that Knox Hill's concept of "reaction" is different than others, he doesn't react to videos, he analyze it. So when you read "reaction" in the title, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the first time he's hearing the song, but that it's his first time analyzing it. That's his style, old subscribers like me know that, so the title isn't a lie, you just don't understand the concept of this channel.
I think 'mosquito' is referring to one of those awkward teenage situations where a kid tries so hard to fit in with a particular clique that they become a nuisance to that group, and the group senses what's going on so they reject that kid even harder. They're annoying like a mosquito so they get swatted down, and are relegated to an even greater outsider status. That's how I tended to interpret that here, and it seems to fit with the general scheme.
I remember hearing this for the first time in like 1991, it was a gamechanger as far as music is concerned. We were just coming out of glam rock and this song set everything on its head. We loved it as teenagers because it was the musical version of flipping off society.
Nirvana was definitely a game changer. Loved head banging to it at school dances. Junior high and high school. I still listen to the unplugged in new York album on the regular.
funny thing is, this was just supposed to be a filler song for one of their albums, it wasn't meant to be popular, and the band even tried to downplay the song, yet it became one of the most influential songs in history.
"im worst at what i do best" and he definitely was, literally f ucked up everything he touched. But made a career of it and made me a HUGE fan as a 10yr English kid brought up around spice girls and take that Kurt was something to rebel and not give a f uck for. Rip dude. Rock in peace 🙏
This video was made after the band had done a successful School Prom. They had such a good time, they asked the kids if they wanted to be in the video, and they said yes. And then Nirvana got famous. And a lot of the same kids (and the Janitor) ended up in Weird Al's Parody of this song, "Smells like Nirvana," also.
Grunge really hit like a freight train for those of us waiting for something to sum up how we felt about the way society was, all valley girls and paris hilton commercialism. We really felt the F YOU and although rock and metal were amazing and I'm definitely a metal head, Grunge really hit the nail on the head
@@zelthaxxDamn I never saw them live. They must be insanely good live. No back vocals I imagine 😂 Not that there is anything wrong with back vocals, just doesnt seem like Foo Fighters style 😅
@@slayra Yeah they were awesome. No backing vocals, no effects or fillers - just pure emotion and love for the arena. Best Of You was magical. 55k people joining together with Dave as he kept losing his voice because he was going so hard
I'm not a huge Nirvana fan, but I recognized the importance of that band in music with the grunge scene. They were a catalyst for music and definitely changed everything. That being said I don't hate them I'm just not a superfan other than radio hits.
I was OBSESSED with Nirvana from like age 11-13. I especially loved "Unplugged" album. Still do. On my playlist. I love seeing Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters so young on the drums! 😊 RIP Kurt 😢
In the early 1990s, four bands emerged from the obscure Seattle underground, and took the world by storm. They were: Alice In Chains Nirvana Pearl Jam Soundgarden Collectively, they were known as “Grunge.” (Yes. There were many more. But this is a starting point.) Please check out all four of these amazing bands.
As a Gen X Rocker we loved all the 70's & 80's " Rock but Nirvana gave our generation its own sound. "Grunge" music reflected our Teenage angst we had for our world that change daily and offered no true purpose. In just the music genre we grew up with LPS and Cassette tapes moved to CD's, DVD's then used Napster now we have RUclips, Apple, Spotify. The world and its new media threw ideas and products at us faster than any culture or education could prepare us for. Kurt Cobain and company are showing you what it all sounds like in a (suburban) teenage mind.
As I grow older, I keep finding myself saying "How have you never heard ???" without realizing that y'all grew up after these artists were a big deal, and had somewhat faded into the "background noise" of commercials and movie soundtracks. For those of us that were there, these were redefining moments in music. For you (and many others) they were history. Thank you for putting as much into your analysis of this as you put into newer works!
I was on my way to school, almost 14, and had been doing my school art project around musical inspirations. Had finished painting Perry Farrell, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder; and was halfway through Kurt. It felt way too resonant, I left it unfinished (and then convinced my art teacher that it was commentary rather than shock and grief)
So much to be said about this song that we’ve all heard so many times; I’m now hearing how brilliantly crafted it is musically. One clever hook after another, one contrast after another, so familiar yet never boring, even after all these years.
Me too, and I’m no spring chicken. I’m still devastated over the death of the brilliant Steve Clark of Def Leppard and Bon Scott from AC/DC. Some of them you just never get over. They are the really special ones!!
Wooo, loving the trip down memory lane! Loving hearing you breaking down the lyrics to this one, considering most people say they can't understand Kurt (RIP).
Ok, now do "Smells like Nirvana." One of the greatest parodies Weird Al ever made. And you can look up exactly how the conversation between Al and Kurt went when permission was asked to do the parody, it's short but hilarious
Please immediately follow this up with Weird Al Yankovic's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to understand Weird Al's genius a bit better. When Al called Nirvana for permission to parody this song, their first question was, "Will it be about food?" But after thinking about it a bit, this is when Cobain said he knew they'd made it.
"simple lyricism written abstractly" is really good way to put it. that's a lot of Nirvana (and similar grunge bands) but the messages and depth within the music is art. Nirvana is one of my favourite bands ever. also started watching Knox cuz i love rap but this is my favourite genre so it's amazing to see him covering more content now ❤🙌
Kurt was definitely one of those special kinds of lyricists, he can say so much in so little. And it can be interpreted in multiple ways. But he can also be very descriptive when using metaphors and words you don't commonly hear or read. Highly reccomend checking out more of their discography, Knox. They have a lot of diamonds in their work.
Weird Al does a classic shot-for-shot re-creation of this video in his masterful parody "Smells Like Nirvana". Both the video and the song are in a word, perfect. And in some ways have lasted longer than the original. Worth a check.
I was 14 when Kurt died and I was blessed enough to met him and it was the most profound meeting of my life. I can honestly say his music saved my life.
I love how much you appreciate lyricism! It seems the appreciation goes to every genre! I think you would really enjoy the band named HURT. The lyricism is some the best I’ve heard in rock music. Story telling is topic notch. Very distinct sound. The lead singer has an great unique voice. Im almost certain you would absolutely love them. I’ll pay you to do a reaction video to a song 😅😊 lol
Now for kicks and giggles, you should react to the Weird Al parody of this, "Smells Like Nirvana". Kurt, on hearing Al wanted to to this, is the one who coined the phrase "When Weird Al parodies you, that's when you know you've made it." RIP
Wow, I got hooked on to this gem in 9th grade when it came out. Man ! Knox !! Thank you for reminding the world of Raw Talent and Grunge vibe. Noone ever touched Kurt Cobain. True legacy always with us, even now. !
Thank you. Now please, *immediately,* before you do anything please, please see Weird Al Yankovic, Smells like Nirvana. These two videos are so alike it’s crazy!! 😂
I’ve seen a lot of interviews where rappers have said they were inspired by Nirvana 😊 He was a lyrical genius (and still is) and this is still my favourite band of all time. RIP Kurt. Nirvana is not just a t-shirt brand. Get out there and listen to Bleach and In Utero too. ❤❤ ‘Our little group has always been and always will until the end’ 🤘🎸🤘🎸
I've loved Nirvana since 2012 (I was 12). This song was one of the many songs that I find putting on repeat from the end of my junior school days all the way through highschool
I know it's just because I'm old, but it's so crazy to think that someone hasn't heard this song. Couldn't escape it (as if I wanted to) back in the 90s.
And now I feel dumb because you address it like a minute into the video that you've heard it some, just never really gave it a listen. Maybe I should watch the video and THEN comment.
You were confused about the random "mosquito" but interestingly a "Mulatto", an "Albino" and a "Mosquito" are all different types of old fashioned cocktails that are capable on enhancing one's "Libido".
It could also be a drug reference. Mulatto and Albino referring to different types (colors) of heroin; Mosquito is drawing blood/shooting up; Libido the euphoria after.
Man he is close to a million. I've been subscribed to him since I think when he was at 700K subscribers or 800K subscribers. I'm glad he is getting recognized by a lot of people
I can't believe that this is the first time that you watch this music video and fully listen to the song🤯 I recommend you to watch the MTV unplugged that they did in 1993, it's amazing, and the cover of "where did you sleep last night" it's so beautiful and heartbreaking. Also, completely unrelated but it would be nice to watch you react to more latin music, would love if you do a video about "los del espacio" a song by Maria Becerra, Rusherking, FMK, Big One, Emilia, Lit Killah, Tiago PZK and Duki. Yeah, they're a lot of artists collaborating in one song😂
With your push to acknowledge and highlight mental health awareness you should really look into Kurt Cobain's life and struggles, even if you don't make more videos covering his music. His story resonates with so so many people to this day. If you do want to react to more I highly recommend their MTV Unplugged set in NY, especially "Where Did You Sleep Last Night." it's a cover but his emotion is raw, and had the crowd enraptured. Much love
Remember when this song dropped... it changed the direction of rock music over night :) You should listen to the Tori Amos cover of this. One of those strange renditions that still captures the rawness of this track.
My favourite band. I grew up listening to Nirvana, never seen them live, we had a flyer about their gig coming soon, but we all know what happend then...I still think he was the most humble and honest musician. Thanks Knox :)
A friend once wrote on a wall that "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit," because it was the brand of deodorant his then-girlfriend used. Cobain, unaware that Teen Spirit was a deodorant's brand name, interpreted the quote as a revolutionary catchphrase and ultimately used it as the title for this song (which was ironically written AFTER his breakup with that same girlfriend). True story.
Nirvana playing Smells like Teen Spirt at the Paramount Theater in Seattle on a rainy night, seems like the most Gen X thing ever... Its so weird how a city, weather and a music genere, can capture a whole generation.
This song embodies the ennui of Gen X. There was an actual deodorant called Teen Spirit and the song is using that to show how capitalism and media simply try to take advantage of youth, and the song screams "entertain us!" Its all very Gen X angst and anger at the world. I'd like to see you check out some older 80's stuff like Ronnie James Dio or Motorhead.
No way you never heard Nirvana lol..well better late than never. Makes me feel old they were my shit as a teenager, I'm only 42 but those days seem so long ago yet not so long at the same time. I am grateful to be in my prime in the 90s it was one of the best decades ever. Music was on another level substance wise, today there's still good artists but IMO they are few. Kurt was a hell of a writer to, he wrote similar to a rapper. Metaphors, entendres all that. They literally changed the course of music similar to the Beatles. A lot of youth today don't know just how big they were in the short time they were on top.
In order to truely disect this, a deeper layer is recommended. The mindset of Kurt was unique to him and to his time only. This was the time of grunge and defiance. This was the rise up of Gen X. We were the latch keys, the stoners, the outcasts, the rebels, the loaners, the goths... We were built different, and there were no rules. Freaks were the name of the game. Word asociation makes more sence when you think from those shoes. The depressed outcast, the lover of filth and Courtney. Who are the freaks and outcasts? The Malato. The Albino. The Mosquito (A mosquito was a person who is a pest who wont leave you the hell alone because they have no friends.), My libido (He was into the swinger life). He was dark. Unappologetically flawed, raw, and often times 1 bump away from an OD. He had a beautiful mind in a twisted brain, living in a time when being alone was all most of us knew how to be. Great breakdown.
To me.. and I lived through this musical era, this song is about Generation X finding their voice... The waves you describe are what makes this sound so popular now and then.. no one knew what he was really saying at that time.. but the vibe was right and the hard hitting drums were our call to let loose...
We Gen Xers are still the forgotten ones. I chuckle thinking about Kurt's concern with our generation (a denial, I read as denying anything is going on worth our time or effort, just play our TVs and leave us to raise ourselves please). Then I see all of the memes and discussion and generation trashing and it is Boomers --> Millennials --> Gen Z. We're just invisible (but we vote!!).
I thought people were sadistic when they wanted you to break down Dü Hast, which was in German. Now people got you to react to this and HOW THE HELL did you get through the first verse and almost the entire chorus before needing to see the lyrics?!? That is INSANE, man! A legendarily gifted, Weird Al's parody's lyrics include "It's hard to bargle nawdle zouss with all these marbles in my mouth", no-way-did-that-just-happen, Rain Man level of insane!!! 🤯🤯
Hey Knox, this is a hard one to analyze, and kudos to you for attempting it. I was in my early 20s when this came out, and it was just a silly song, but catchy enough and edgy enough to become a hit. Thanks for playing it.
I was happily surprised to see this reaction. If you do any others you should consider “Heart Shaped Box” or “Breed”. If you decide to do anything off the “MTV Unplugged” session bear in mind that the show intentionally excluded hit songs and included a number of covers.
Man, this song brings back memories. My buddies and I played this song for our entire school at the last pep rally before we graduated. I played the drums, partly because I was the drummer in the jazz band, and partly because Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl, is my biggest musical inspiration
I grew up with Nirvana during my teen years. They pretty much started the grunge phase of the 90s. Kurt Cobain was amazing; it's a shame he was never able to overcome his demons. Nirvana and grunge completely changed my life. They helped me stop giving af what people thought of me. Also, Nirvana also gave us Dave Grohl. If you hadn't noticed, Kurt is playing his guitar upside down. It's because he was left-handed, and they didn't have left handed guitars at the time.
Im 71 years young and i ve listend to this song so many times but i have never understood it so well as when you have just explained it ,😂 , great work bravo .
this song was my introduction to the whole grunge scene. this wasn't the first song nor was Nirvana the first band... but this was the song that broke grunge out of Seattle and made it the genre of music for the 90's... simultaneously all-but killing 80's metal.
Just in case nobody else thought to mention it, this band was not famous in the least when this song was written, or when the video was made. This song was THE breakthrough that spawned the grunge movement, and opened the world up to all kinds of obscure music. Music executives saw the success of this weird little band that absolutely none of them saw coming, and they spent the next 5 years or so throwing every single artist that had any sort of spark of originality at the world. The result was one of the most diverse periods in music history, if not THE most diverse. The number of artists who have Nirvana's success (literally thanks to this specific song) to thank for even getting a chance at all in the music biz, is immense. Thousands, at minimum, and some of the most enduring artists would never have seen the light of day to the public without this song, It's really quite difficult to overstate how much this one song changed things. Sure, there is more total content available today, but in the mid 90's tons of obscure stuff was getting play on MTV and the radio, pushed out to the masses. These days you have to do a deep dive into the darkest corners of the internet to find anything remotely original or inspired. Hell, you won't even hear 5% of the stuff that was on the radio in the 90's if you specifically search out the 90s on music streaming services.
Only song name I know from them I know a lot of their music, just not the titles. Crazy how it still resonates so many years later🎉 One of those songs where the title is never in the lyrics. Its just the vibe.
He said in an interview once, years ago, that he put the words a mulatto an albino a mosquito my libido in the song to see if people were actually paying attention to the lyrics.
![Ice On My Teeth - ATEEZ エイティーズ 에이티즈 [Music Bank] | KBS WORLD TV 241115](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/c-n92OgbbwA/mqdefault.jpg)
Their drummer is really good. I hope he gets some recognition one day.
😂
XD ❤
😂
Davey wasn't actually on this album... It was their previous drummer who left just after it was recorded...
@JothNny wrong. It was Dave for the entirety of Nevermind. Dave replaced the original drummer right after their debut album was released
I was 15 and went into a concert , got to the front...and Kurt brushed by me and put his hand out to steady me then smiled..Greatest moment of my life. ❤
Your so fucking lucky
what concert was it??
Lucky
i call bullshit. lol. no way kurt is going anywhere near the crowd
@@danspino1548 bro its not bullshit he saved someone from sexual assault in a concert he litterly stopped singing to save someone else from sexual assault like
When I loved Nirvana at age 13 I could never imagine it would still resonate with so many people 30 years later. RIP Kurt.
🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I was 13 too! I discovered both Nirvana & MetallicA in '91.
I was a few years older 🔥
Same. 💯 🤘🏻
Kurt speaks quite a lot in Double Dutch...the UK definition. I am a lyricist and I tried to figure them out. Even asked my teenager who said the lyrics are mostly crap. It's the overall feeling it elicits that matters.
Watching this dude break songs down is actually amazing. He will pick up on things I haven’t heard in songs that I’ve been listening to for years. It’s fascinating what different people can pick up on in song. Music is great
I was thinking the same thing x this song was my life at about 17yrs..we never bothered to even try figure out all the words or even better break it down. We just felt it. But now at close to 50 years old ,I am enjoying reactors and especially you and your analysis of songs. Sometimes I feel like I am hearing them the first time. Thank you for keeping us young
He's the most analytical reactor out there. Great stuff.
me too i used listen to this song with my mom and we always just jam out to nirvana but never actually thought about what kurt was singing about 😂😂
Agreed! Music is awesome! 🎶
same
The video concept was "Pep Rally from Hell". Cobain said he wrote this song because he was feeling "disgusted with my generation's apathy, and with my own apathy and spinelessness." This feeling of detachment is what led to lyrics like "Oh well, whatever, nevermind." "Kurt really despised the mainstream. That's what 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was all about: The mass mentality of conformity."
That's why he hated this song. It went mainstream lol
@@alexrust2252not true
@dojyaan9219 yes it is. He hated playing it live. Look it up
Ya Nirvana was considered the start of the grunge era. But they definitely had a lot of punk rock themes of non conformity and the like.
and TEEN SPIRIT was the deodorant that the preppy girls wore.
It's not cool making me feel this old.
Nirvana was a great band. I was lucky enough to see them live in concert and Kurt was a loss for the entire world.
I was talking to a teenager once. About 2011. I asked him his name. He said “Cobain.”
That made me feel old!!!!
I moshed to this song so many times ❤
Kurt is, was and will always be a idol to lots of us
LONG LIVE KURT🙌
@@comotuabogada
Not if Courtney has anything to say about it.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
If you take a second to consider he's been fighting depression from his high school days, the state that eventually led to his suicide, all this seemingly disjointed lyrics seem more understandable, and in no way fun. I know we all headbanged to this back in the day having a blast, but now the sadness creeps in as I listen to it. RIP Kurt
I will always believe he was murdered
@techraincloud you will always be wrong.
depresija je sranje prijatelju
The evidence points to him being murdered. The suicide narrative was put into the media by Miss Love herself. Watch interviews of people that were in his immediate social circle. She had 400 million to lose and they signed a prenup and Kurt was going to divorce her. She would have lost everything, including the success of her new album coming out one week after his death. Around this time, she was back in Billy Corgans arms. Check out the Di Silva case (Frances Cobains) ex-husband and how Miss Love tried to kidnap him over the guitar Kurt played in Unplugged in New York. Unfortunately he accepted a payoff out of fear. All the evidence is available in public records and documentation.
Depression with a huge part of it being his chronic pain from scoliosis, one of the reasons he played guitar left handed. Doctors have even said if he played right handed it would've potential improved his condition some.
I am so THRILLED that you reviewed this.
To me, the entire song is Cobain’s take on young adults’ (Gen X) view of society, and how most people live their daily lives. “With the lights out it’s less dangerous…(ignorance is bliss), here we are, now entertain us”.
And the various words aren’t random, he is expressing the feeling of how there are so many things to worry about when you’re a teenager
The chorus lines are random, this was the song that they said 'If it sounds good you can say anything and people will like it, people are stupid"
@@kahzaaamWhich they actually did.
I love that Knox is actually able to pick out the lyrics, since the meme around Nirvana is that no one can tell what Kurt is singing. Weird Al actually made a parody of this song based around that (Smells Like Nirvana)
I was literally just wowed that he had to pull up lyrics to double-check "a mulatto"
I thought he was saying "I'm a lotto"...
I'm not sure, but he might have subtitles on or lyrics up. I hope he doesn't, but after NF... I think he might
@@cameronjadewallace Why do you hope he doesn't?
@@cameronjadewallace i don't get what's wrong with that?
It is a joy to see you reacting to this more than legendary song. It always stuns me how well it still works and how deep it hits me. That sound, that voice, that energy. So fucking special. RIP Kurt. You will be forever missed.
Don't even try to break down the lyrics, bro. Finding clarity in Kurt's lyrics have driven many people mad over the years
Born in 1984, my brother got me into Rock. Nirvana was my favourite band when I was ten and he was already gone. This band was insanely influential.
81 here and Nirvana was the first band I picked for myself. As in not something someone else introduced to me. It was "my band". And with what I was enduring at the time, losing him shattered my entire world
And having Dave go on to start the Foo Fighters was absolutely amazing
A great song/album will always sound like what’s next. nevermind is no exception to that.
Same
You have got to do “Heart Shaped Box” next, it’s their most controversial music video imagery wise.
only because they never did a video for "Rape Me"
..and KNOX ....PLEASE listen to Nirvana~ All apologies !!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
@@Jos-mc8lxdefinitely
When i was 15, Nirvana played a show near me. I managed to get a ticket and went with a friend of mine. He had a blast in the mosh pit while i kept myself in the stands. I only saw the opening act because i had school the next day and had to leave early. That was the last concert I ever attended.
At some level I knew that I was different, and that wasn't really my scene. Nirvana wasn't even close to my favorite band, but something drew me to him. I didn't realize until much later in life that he was a Neuro divergent like myself, that had gone through similar situations to what i was experiencing at the time.
Many people can feel like outsiders due to social structures and social norms. This song can resonate with any of them, which is why it was so popular.
Not all people who feel like outsiders are Neuro divergent though. It's a whole other class of being outside because we truly are wired differently than most people. That's why his abstractions are so difficult for people to understand. There is a good chance that he is the only one that ever truly understood his lyrics. The rest of us can only guess.
In my opinion, the chorus was not just a bunch of words that sounded good together. They create a social boundary that is described from many different sides intended to impart on the listener a feel for where he was. Because there is no description in words that can reach it fully. It can only be felt. Between the lyrics, music and physical expression that was probably the best way he could transmit that feeling.
My apologies for being so long winded. But i find that if I'm compelled to transmit a thought it's better to let it go truly.
Mad respect for your reaction to this video. Even if it's not your bag you still do it true.
Welcome to the wonderful world of Grunge. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam... you're in for a good time.
Edit - oh man, grunge lyrics tend to be pretty impenetrable - best of luck with those break-downs...
🤟🏻♥️✌🏼🤟🏻
Grunge bands changed music forever.
Facts
You said "I feel like he's just picking words that sound good." That's exactly what he was doing. He was very heavily influenced by Frank Black and The Pixies, where the words are used to paint an aural soundscape. With Nirvana, many times, the words themselves aren't meaningful in the traditional sense, they are picked because of the sounds they make. See also: Beck.
He’s contrasting terms. Mulatto-multiple colors, albino-no color. Mosquito-small, his libido-large.
Arguably up there as one of the most iconic songs ever ❤❤❤
Kurts voice cracking on certain words throughout is supposed to represent a teenage boy going through puberty. I don't see a lot of people comment about that if at all. The layers in this song, and Nirvana in its entirety, is nuts despite how simple their music is.
Less is more 👍
A lyrical genius, he was gifted
The yodel he does in his deliveries is also very iconic, RIP KURT COBAIN ❤️🌹
Also a side note, the drummer is none other than DAVE GROHL, front man for the mighty Foo Fighters band, check them out too
Didn't know Dave grohl was in Nirvana?!
@@ChronicGoblinQueenHey, knowing is half the battle
@@ChronicGoblinQueen Yes, he was the 5th drummer for Nirvana and the last one
@@davidriddick82the best one too
He was also in Queens of The Stoneage for about a year and drummed for the Songs for the deaf album
This song perfectly captured the teenage angst of my generation. It was my anthem for a long time. I still remember where I was when I first heard this song. 🔥
Back in the mid 90s, there was no Internet or social media either so few outlets for the depression. Maybe that's what fueled the music. It was an interesting time.
Nice take, Knox. Context is everything with this song. After the amazing birth and progression of hard rock and punk through the 60s and 70s, the 80s had simmered to provide listeners with synth pop (not knocking it!) in the mainstream and a neverending line of Bon Jovi wannabe hair metal bands for the rockers. Thrash was developing nicely in the darker corners but suddenly grunge, and this song in particular, smashed its way into the public realm and made kids feel like ANYONE could do anything they wanted, musically. You could play 2 chords on a beat up old guitar, scream your lungs out and wear an old knitted jumper with holes in it if you wanted and you still had a chance. Possibly the greatest musical middle finger and rallying cry of all time. Kurt really was unique.
It instantly made hair metal old fashioned and obsolete.
This came out when I was in high school. It was such a powerful exhale and just a scream back at "the system." Nothing felt well defined but it felt great to have these bands with that sort of "fuck you" attitude. Very simple songs that are characterized by aggressive vocals, fast tempo played heavily and loudly. There was also an acceptance and even an artistic use of things that would otherwise be ugly... It was like punk rock in a way. Objectively it was not great musicianship and the lyrics were just nuts but for those that were there, it was life changing.
I'd recommend checking out their version of " where did you sleep last night " it's in the MTV unplugged album. All of which is fucking amazing, just saying!
There’s no way you haven’t listened to this song. Such a classic
He said in the video he’s heard the song, just didn’t realize it’s Nirvana. Did you even watch the video before commenting?
@@justinpitcock5312video title is a lie
Edit: Don't panic! His analysis is are great, just this one title is misleading.
@@gisobo it's not if he said listening to nirvana for the first time it would be but he's reacting for the first time understand terminology
@@gisobo Y'all don't realize that Knox Hill's concept of "reaction" is different than others, he doesn't react to videos, he analyze it. So when you read "reaction" in the title, it doesn't necessarily mean it's the first time he's hearing the song, but that it's his first time analyzing it.
That's his style, old subscribers like me know that, so the title isn't a lie, you just don't understand the concept of this channel.
@@gisobotitle says first reaction. Not first time hearing
I think 'mosquito' is referring to one of those awkward teenage situations where a kid tries so hard to fit in with a particular clique that they become a nuisance to that group, and the group senses what's going on so they reject that kid even harder. They're annoying like a mosquito so they get swatted down, and are relegated to an even greater outsider status. That's how I tended to interpret that here, and it seems to fit with the general scheme.
I remember hearing this for the first time in like 1991, it was a gamechanger as far as music is concerned. We were just coming out of glam rock and this song set everything on its head. We loved it as teenagers because it was the musical version of flipping off society.
I personally loved the “glam” rock bands that grunge killed, but by ‘91 that scene was saturated with subpar bands that were awful.
Nirvana was definitely a game changer. Loved head banging to it at school dances. Junior high and high school. I still listen to the unplugged in new York album on the regular.
Same. This came on the radio and top 40 was dead to me less than a minute later.
And then Spice Girls ended the grunge era. Remember that? lol
funny thing is, this was just supposed to be a filler song for one of their albums, it wasn't meant to be popular, and the band even tried to downplay the song, yet it became one of the most influential songs in history.
"im worst at what i do best" and he definitely was, literally f ucked up everything he touched. But made a career of it and made me a HUGE fan as a 10yr English kid brought up around spice girls and take that Kurt was something to rebel and not give a f uck for. Rip dude. Rock in peace 🙏
This video was made after the band had done a successful School Prom. They had such a good time, they asked the kids if they wanted to be in the video, and they said yes. And then Nirvana got famous. And a lot of the same kids (and the Janitor) ended up in Weird Al's Parody of this song, "Smells like Nirvana," also.
I think the best thing about this song is it’s f you vibe. The style of this song flew in the face of everything else at the time.
Grunge really hit like a freight train for those of us waiting for something to sum up how we felt about the way society was, all valley girls and paris hilton commercialism. We really felt the F YOU and although rock and metal were amazing and I'm definitely a metal head, Grunge really hit the nail on the head
Rest in Peace Kurt, also gotta love Dave Grohl just going to town on that drum set!!, I believe he’s an underrated musician.
So underrated, he smashed those drums. Great musician all around. Man, I love Nirvana, still one of my favorite bands to this day
Couldn't agree more. Saw Foo Fighters live in Gothenburg in 2018. He's a legend
underrated? NO HE'S NOT! wtf dude.
@@zelthaxxDamn I never saw them live. They must be insanely good live. No back vocals I imagine 😂 Not that there is anything wrong with back vocals, just doesnt seem like Foo Fighters style 😅
@@slayra Yeah they were awesome. No backing vocals, no effects or fillers - just pure emotion and love for the arena. Best Of You was magical. 55k people joining together with Dave as he kept losing his voice because he was going so hard
I'm not a huge Nirvana fan, but I recognized the importance of that band in music with the grunge scene. They were a catalyst for music and definitely changed everything.
That being said I don't hate them I'm just not a superfan other than radio hits.
I was OBSESSED with Nirvana from like age 11-13. I especially loved "Unplugged" album. Still do. On my playlist. I love seeing Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters so young on the drums! 😊 RIP Kurt 😢
In the early 1990s, four bands emerged from the obscure Seattle underground, and took the world by storm. They were:
Alice In Chains
Nirvana
Pearl Jam
Soundgarden
Collectively, they were known as “Grunge.”
(Yes. There were many more. But this is a starting point.)
Please check out all four of these amazing bands.
The 4th band is?? Is it STP?
@@eds8507 edited
As a Gen X Rocker we loved all the 70's & 80's " Rock but Nirvana gave our generation its own sound. "Grunge" music reflected our Teenage angst we had for our world that change daily and offered no true purpose. In just the music genre we grew up with LPS and Cassette tapes moved to CD's, DVD's then used Napster now we have RUclips, Apple, Spotify. The world and its new media threw ideas and products at us faster than any culture or education could prepare us for. Kurt Cobain and company are showing you what it all sounds like in a (suburban) teenage mind.
Hard to believe you've never heard this. This song was playing everywhere. Movies, radio, people covering it. Wow, it's iconic!!
As I grow older, I keep finding myself saying "How have you never heard ???" without realizing that y'all grew up after these artists were a big deal, and had somewhat faded into the "background noise" of commercials and movie soundtracks. For those of us that were there, these were redefining moments in music. For you (and many others) they were history. Thank you for putting as much into your analysis of this as you put into newer works!
I was a teenager in the 2000’s and all kids knew this song
I had this song on my saints row 2 playlist and brings me back to my childhood every time
I remember exactly where I was when the news hit of Kurt's passing. This album still gives me goosebumps 30+ years later
at a friends graduation party who was a gigantic green day fan... Bummed us all the fuck out...
I was on my way to school, almost 14, and had been doing my school art project around musical inspirations. Had finished painting Perry Farrell, Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder; and was halfway through Kurt.
It felt way too resonant, I left it unfinished (and then convinced my art teacher that it was commentary rather than shock and grief)
So much to be said about this song that we’ve all heard so many times; I’m now hearing how brilliantly crafted it is musically. One clever hook after another, one contrast after another, so familiar yet never boring, even after all these years.
In 1993, I saw Nirvana Live in Concert...BEST CONCERT EVER!
It's been years but I'm still grieving for Kurt. Thank you for checking out this song ❤
Me too, and I’m no spring chicken. I’m still devastated over the death of the brilliant Steve Clark of Def Leppard and Bon Scott from AC/DC. Some of them you just never get over. They are the really special ones!!
I still cry over specific moments of the MTV live performance 💔😢
Wooo, loving the trip down memory lane! Loving hearing you breaking down the lyrics to this one, considering most people say they can't understand Kurt (RIP).
should really try out polly-nirvana
extremely dark at times but crazy good writing
Ok, now do "Smells like Nirvana." One of the greatest parodies Weird Al ever made. And you can look up exactly how the conversation between Al and Kurt went when permission was asked to do the parody, it's short but hilarious
Please immediately follow this up with Weird Al Yankovic's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" to understand Weird Al's genius a bit better. When Al called Nirvana for permission to parody this song, their first question was, "Will it be about food?" But after thinking about it a bit, this is when Cobain said he knew they'd made it.
It's wild to remember that this iconic band existed for nearly 7 years! It still gets views, reactions, streams.. Etc. Undeniably unique band.
"simple lyricism written abstractly" is really good way to put it. that's a lot of Nirvana (and similar grunge bands) but the messages and depth within the music is art. Nirvana is one of my favourite bands ever.
also started watching Knox cuz i love rap but this is my favourite genre so it's amazing to see him covering more content now ❤🙌
You need to listen to the Foo Fighters - Monkeywrench, you'll love it, especially the way it ends. Lead singer David Grohl is the drummer for Nirvana.
Please, please keep going with Nirvana! And there are so many more bands to dive into. I love it.
Kurt was definitely one of those special kinds of lyricists, he can say so much in so little. And it can be interpreted in multiple ways. But he can also be very descriptive when using metaphors and words you don't commonly hear or read. Highly reccomend checking out more of their discography, Knox. They have a lot of diamonds in their work.
Weird Al does a classic shot-for-shot re-creation of this video in his masterful parody "Smells Like Nirvana". Both the video and the song are in a word, perfect. And in some ways have lasted longer than the original. Worth a check.
I was 14 when Kurt died and I was blessed enough to met him and it was the most profound meeting of my life.
I can honestly say his music saved my life.
I was a sophomore in HS when grunge took over! It was wikd rad then & it still is! ✌️🖤
I love how much you appreciate lyricism! It seems the appreciation goes to every genre! I think you would really enjoy the band named HURT. The lyricism is some the best I’ve heard in rock music. Story telling is topic notch. Very distinct sound. The lead singer has an great unique voice. Im almost certain you would absolutely love them. I’ll pay you to do a reaction video to a song 😅😊 lol
This group is seriously slept on. Too bad they stopped so soon
Now for kicks and giggles, you should react to the Weird Al parody of this, "Smells Like Nirvana". Kurt, on hearing Al wanted to to this, is the one who coined the phrase "When Weird Al parodies you, that's when you know you've made it." RIP
Wow, I got hooked on to this gem in 9th grade when it came out. Man ! Knox !! Thank you for reminding the world of Raw Talent and Grunge vibe. Noone ever touched Kurt Cobain. True legacy always with us, even now. !
Thank you.
Now please, *immediately,* before you do anything please, please see Weird Al Yankovic, Smells like Nirvana.
These two videos are so alike it’s crazy!!
😂
That’s my teenage band,I’m 40 now and still lovee Nirvana
I can remember when this was released and I was driving home when it came on the radio..it blew me away totally and still does all the years later.
I’ve seen a lot of interviews where rappers have said they were inspired by Nirvana 😊 He was a lyrical genius (and still is) and this is still my favourite band of all time. RIP Kurt. Nirvana is not just a t-shirt brand. Get out there and listen to Bleach and In Utero too. ❤❤ ‘Our little group has always been and always will until the end’ 🤘🎸🤘🎸
This just sets up "Smells Like Nirvana" by Weird Al Yankovic for a perfect back-to-back video
would love to see more nirvana reations. love hearing your interpretations of the lyrics and musical production
2:28 "ya know... it's got a very, I could care less vibe..."
You literally just described Gen X in one short sentence
He’s one of the greatest vocalists of all time. It was the 90s. A very different time. RIP Kurt Cobain.
I've loved Nirvana since 2012 (I was 12). This song was one of the many songs that I find putting on repeat from the end of my junior school days all the way through highschool
RIP Kurt Cobain 🕊️🙏💯
I know it's just because I'm old, but it's so crazy to think that someone hasn't heard this song. Couldn't escape it (as if I wanted to) back in the 90s.
And now I feel dumb because you address it like a minute into the video that you've heard it some, just never really gave it a listen. Maybe I should watch the video and THEN comment.
Great bands in the 90’s but this is THE sound of a generation. This is Gen X and the 90’s without question
Yes
You were confused about the random "mosquito" but interestingly a "Mulatto", an "Albino" and a "Mosquito" are all different types of old fashioned cocktails that are capable on enhancing one's "Libido".
It could also be a drug reference. Mulatto and Albino referring to different types (colors) of heroin; Mosquito is drawing blood/shooting up; Libido the euphoria after.
Okay, now do Weird Al's "Smells Like Nirvana". You won't be disappointed! XD
Absolutely, Nox needs some Weird Al on this channel!
Man he is close to a million. I've been subscribed to him since I think when he was at 700K subscribers or 800K subscribers. I'm glad he is getting recognized by a lot of people
This is so iconic .
I can't believe that this is the first time that you watch this music video and fully listen to the song🤯
I recommend you to watch the MTV unplugged that they did in 1993, it's amazing, and the cover of "where did you sleep last night" it's so beautiful and heartbreaking.
Also, completely unrelated but it would be nice to watch you react to more latin music, would love if you do a video about "los del espacio" a song by Maria Becerra, Rusherking, FMK, Big One, Emilia, Lit Killah, Tiago PZK and Duki. Yeah, they're a lot of artists collaborating in one song😂
With your push to acknowledge and highlight mental health awareness you should really look into Kurt Cobain's life and struggles, even if you don't make more videos covering his music. His story resonates with so so many people to this day. If you do want to react to more I highly recommend their MTV Unplugged set in NY, especially "Where Did You Sleep Last Night." it's a cover but his emotion is raw, and had the crowd enraptured. Much love
Remember when this song dropped... it changed the direction of rock music over night :)
You should listen to the Tori Amos cover of this. One of those strange renditions that still captures the rawness of this track.
Dave Grohl is the drummer I think…
My favourite band. I grew up listening to Nirvana, never seen them live, we had a flyer about their gig coming soon, but we all know what happend then...I still think he was the most humble and honest musician. Thanks Knox :)
A friend once wrote on a wall that "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit," because it was the brand of deodorant his then-girlfriend used. Cobain, unaware that Teen Spirit was a deodorant's brand name, interpreted the quote as a revolutionary catchphrase and ultimately used it as the title for this song (which was ironically written AFTER his breakup with that same girlfriend). True story.
Nirvana playing Smells like Teen Spirt at the Paramount Theater in Seattle on a rainy night, seems like the most Gen X thing ever... Its so weird how a city, weather and a music genere, can capture a whole generation.
This song embodies the ennui of Gen X. There was an actual deodorant called Teen Spirit and the song is using that to show how capitalism and media simply try to take advantage of youth, and the song screams "entertain us!" Its all very Gen X angst and anger at the world. I'd like to see you check out some older 80's stuff like Ronnie James Dio or Motorhead.
No way you never heard Nirvana lol..well better late than never. Makes me feel old they were my shit as a teenager, I'm only 42 but those days seem so long ago yet not so long at the same time. I am grateful to be in my prime in the 90s it was one of the best decades ever. Music was on another level substance wise, today there's still good artists but IMO they are few. Kurt was a hell of a writer to, he wrote similar to a rapper. Metaphors, entendres all that. They literally changed the course of music similar to the Beatles. A lot of youth today don't know just how big they were in the short time they were on top.
this is not your first time listening to this😭
He said in the video he’s heard the song, just didn’t know it was Nirvana.
@@justinpitcock5312 i still call bullshit
It's his first time reacting to it, as said in the title
Nirvana is THE BEST band EVER. Being listening since high school in 1990. And I'm now 47. Kurt is a pure legend. Love him to bits.
There's no way this is the first time you've ever heard this..
Okay, there we go.. I had a feeling you'd recognise it. :D
In order to truely disect this, a deeper layer is recommended. The mindset of Kurt was unique to him and to his time only. This was the time of grunge and defiance. This was the rise up of Gen X. We were the latch keys, the stoners, the outcasts, the rebels, the loaners, the goths... We were built different, and there were no rules. Freaks were the name of the game. Word asociation makes more sence when you think from those shoes. The depressed outcast, the lover of filth and Courtney. Who are the freaks and outcasts? The Malato. The Albino. The Mosquito (A mosquito was a person who is a pest who wont leave you the hell alone because they have no friends.), My libido (He was into the swinger life). He was dark. Unappologetically flawed, raw, and often times 1 bump away from an OD. He had a beautiful mind in a twisted brain, living in a time when being alone was all most of us knew how to be. Great breakdown.
To me.. and I lived through this musical era, this song is about Generation X finding their voice... The waves you describe are what makes this sound so popular now and then.. no one knew what he was really saying at that time.. but the vibe was right and the hard hitting drums were our call to let loose...
We Gen Xers are still the forgotten ones. I chuckle thinking about Kurt's concern with our generation (a denial, I read as denying anything is going on worth our time or effort, just play our TVs and leave us to raise ourselves please). Then I see all of the memes and discussion and generation trashing and it is Boomers --> Millennials --> Gen Z.
We're just invisible (but we vote!!).
@@Mhantrax I recently heard the Term Generation Star-Wars for everybody born between '78 and '83 :)
I appreciate seeing you listen to different genres throughout the week! Loving this content and the breakdowns Knox 🔥
I thought people were sadistic when they wanted you to break down Dü Hast, which was in German. Now people got you to react to this and HOW THE HELL did you get through the first verse and almost the entire chorus before needing to see the lyrics?!?
That is INSANE, man! A legendarily gifted, Weird Al's parody's lyrics include "It's hard to bargle nawdle zouss with all these marbles in my mouth", no-way-did-that-just-happen, Rain Man level of insane!!! 🤯🤯
Hey Knox, this is a hard one to analyze, and kudos to you for attempting it. I was in my early 20s when this came out, and it was just a silly song, but catchy enough and edgy enough to become a hit. Thanks for playing it.
I was happily surprised to see this reaction. If you do any others you should consider “Heart Shaped Box” or “Breed”. If you decide to do anything off the “MTV Unplugged” session bear in mind that the show intentionally excluded hit songs and included a number of covers.
How is it possible that someone has not heard this song? This song was the anthem of my youth.
what a great dad! I caught that second smile at the end!
have a great day Knox!
Man, this song brings back memories. My buddies and I played this song for our entire school at the last pep rally before we graduated. I played the drums, partly because I was the drummer in the jazz band, and partly because Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl, is my biggest musical inspiration
Definitely take a look at Sabaton.
To Hell and Back
Dreadnought
Stormtroopers
Great War
Shirioyama
All are great choices.
I grew up with Nirvana during my teen years. They pretty much started the grunge phase of the 90s. Kurt Cobain was amazing; it's a shame he was never able to overcome his demons. Nirvana and grunge completely changed my life. They helped me stop giving af what people thought of me.
Also, Nirvana also gave us Dave Grohl. If you hadn't noticed, Kurt is playing his guitar upside down. It's because he was left-handed, and they didn't have left handed guitars at the time.
Im 71 years young and i ve listend to this song so many times but i have never understood it so well as when you have just explained it ,😂 , great work bravo .
"its got like an "i dont care" way of singing" dude this is grunge, the rock genre about not giving a shit
this song was my introduction to the whole grunge scene. this wasn't the first song nor was Nirvana the first band... but this was the song that broke grunge out of Seattle and made it the genre of music for the 90's... simultaneously all-but killing 80's metal.
Just in case nobody else thought to mention it, this band was not famous in the least when this song was written, or when the video was made. This song was THE breakthrough that spawned the grunge movement, and opened the world up to all kinds of obscure music.
Music executives saw the success of this weird little band that absolutely none of them saw coming, and they spent the next 5 years or so throwing every single artist that had any sort of spark of originality at the world. The result was one of the most diverse periods in music history, if not THE most diverse. The number of artists who have Nirvana's success (literally thanks to this specific song) to thank for even getting a chance at all in the music biz, is immense. Thousands, at minimum, and some of the most enduring artists would never have seen the light of day to the public without this song, It's really quite difficult to overstate how much this one song changed things.
Sure, there is more total content available today, but in the mid 90's tons of obscure stuff was getting play on MTV and the radio, pushed out to the masses. These days you have to do a deep dive into the darkest corners of the internet to find anything remotely original or inspired. Hell, you won't even hear 5% of the stuff that was on the radio in the 90's if you specifically search out the 90s on music streaming services.
Only song name I know from them
I know a lot of their music, just not the titles. Crazy how it still resonates so many years later🎉
One of those songs where the title is never in the lyrics. Its just the vibe.
He said in an interview once, years ago, that he put the words a mulatto an albino a mosquito my libido in the song to see if people were actually paying attention to the lyrics.
My daughter is listening to this and taking guitar lessons. As a gen x father I approve 👌