Few songs in history carry a legacy as massive as Nirvana‘s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”
Released 35 years ago today as the opening track for Nirvana’s legendary Nevermind album, the song crowned Kurt Cobain as the voice of Generation X. What began as an attempt to write the ultimate pop song ended up shattering cultural boundaries and cementing Nirvana’s place in music history.
When Nirvana released their debut album, Bleach, in 1989, few expected the Seattle trio to become rock’s next big phenomenon. Recorded on a shoestring budget of just $600, the record went on to sell 30,000 copies. It was a massive win for an underground indie act that set the stage for their major-label breakthrough, according to History.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the album’s kickoff single, wasn’t expected to become a massive hit. In fact, all the record company hoped for was continued success among indie radio listeners and college students.
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“None of us heard it as a crossover song,” Nirvana’s manager, Danny Goldberg, said, as reported by History. “But the public heard it, and it was instantaneous. They heard it on alternative radio, and then they rushed out like lemmings to buy it.”
Interestingly, Cobain almost held the track back. After refining the song during rehearsals with Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl, the frontman feared it sounded too much like alt-rock band Pixies and was reluctant to release it.
Per U Discover Music, the song’s name originated after Cobain’s friend, Kathleen Hanna, wrote the sentence ‘Kurt smells like Teen Spirit’ on his wall. It referred to a popular deodorant of the era.
“I mean, who names a deodorant Teen Spirit?” Hanna asked. “What does teen spirit smell like? Like a locker room? Like pot mixed with sweat? Like the smell when you throw up in your hair at a party?”
Ironically, Cobain had never heard of the product. It was widely reported that he believed it was more of a rebellious statement.
Novoselic said of the lyrics, as reported by U Discover Music, “I just didn’t get them the first time I read them. And then I started listening to it in the song format, and then I had an idea of what he was talking about.”
He continued, “[Kurt] was talking about kids, commercials, Generation X, the youth bandwagon. How he’s really disappointed in it, and how he doesn’t want anything to do with it.”
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” was recorded in just three takes. The second was ultimately remastered and released 35 years ago today, instantly changing the sound of mainstream radio and ushering in the grunge era overnight.
Nirvana has been named the 2026 Video Vanguard recipient at the MTV VMA’s. According to Billboard, the award will be presented on Sept. 27 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.
Related: Evan Dando Claims Kurt Cobain Died Not Knowing the ‘Truth’ About His Relationship With Courtney Love