SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT LYRICS - NIRVANA | NEVERMIND

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana — the 1991 Nevermind lead single that dragged grunge into the global mainstream and defined a generation.

Image: Nirvana / official music video still (NirvanaVEVO)

Smells Like Teen Spirit Song Credits

Song: Smells Like Teen Spirit
Artist: Nirvana
Writers: Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl
Producer: Butch Vig
Album: Nevermind
Music Label: DGC
Release Date: September 10, 1991

Did you know? The official music video was directed by Samuel Bayer, won Best New Artist and Best Alternative Video at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, and is widely credited with carrying grunge into the mainstream.

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

[PreChorus]
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, yeah

[Bridge]
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

[PreChorus]
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, yeah

[Bridge]
Hey
Yay

[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, nevermind

[PreChorus]
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

Watch the Official Music Video

Frequently Asked Questions

When was "Smells Like Teen Spirit" released?
The single came out on September 10, 1991 as the lead single from Nevermind, which followed on September 24, 1991.

Who wrote "Smells Like Teen Spirit"?
Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl wrote the song, and Butch Vig produced it.

How did the song perform?
It climbed to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its Samuel Bayer-directed video won two trophies at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards.

Why is the song considered so important?
It is widely credited with bringing grunge and alternative rock into the mainstream, turning Nirvana into a global phenomenon.

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