12-07-2014, 15:56
SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT
Upon release as a single Nirvanaâs Smells Like Teen Spirit, from their second album Nevermind, only sold amongst the bandâs already established fan base. It was never expected to be a hit and the surprise success in late 1991 brought the album to the top of the charts in early 1992, kick-starting the âAlternative Rockâ craze that dominated mainstream rock music in the 1990s. The song was dubbed an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X.
Kurt Cobain was influenced by the song-writing style of The Pixies. He borrowed their ideas of playing soft and quiet and then loud and hard. After presenting the main riff and chorus melody to the band, they worked on it until they had the song. Itâs the only song on Nevermind credited to all three members. The title comes from a misinterpretation of a spray painted message on Kurtâs wall. "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit". He thought the slogan had a revolutionary meaning, but it actually meant that he smelled like the deodorant Teen Spirit.
Smells Like Teen Spirit follows a Fsus4âB♭âA♭sus4âD♭ (i, iv, III, VI) chord progression. The sus4 of F being the tonic of the approaching chord â B♭, which works almost as a leading note. The same applies to the sus 4 of A♭, leading to the D♭ major chord. Having only one guitarist in the band, the album track is doubled to make it stronger. Although it follows a different chord progression, there has been a comparison to the riff from the 1976 Boston hit More Than A Feeling. Cobain agreed with the observation stating it was âsuch a clichéd riff.â
Cobainâs slurred vocals, along with utter nonsense of the lyrics themselves make it difficult to understand just what the hell heâs talking about. This caused a resistance from radio stations to playing the song. MTV prepared a version of the video that included the lyrics running across the bottom of the screen. It is widely interpreted as a teen revolution anthem, however drummer Dave Grohl stated he doesnât believe the song has any message. "Just seeing Kurt write the lyrics to a song five minutes before he first sings them, you just kind of find it a little bit hard to believe that the song has a lot to say about something. You need syllables to fill up this space or you need something that rhymes.â
The video premiered on MTV's late-night alternative rock program 120 Minutes and became so popular MTV added it to its regular daytime rotation. By the end of the year the song, video, and the album Nevermind had become hits, reaching all the major rock radio formats.
During live performances the band often altered the song's lyrics and tempo. It has been covered in various styles including piano, Jazz, industrial, Moog synthesizer, beat box, a cappella, swing, and techno as well as being sampled and used for Yahoo and as entrance music for wrestlers. Artists who covered the song include Tori Amos, The Bad Plus, The Melvins with former child star Leif Garrett, Xorcit, The Flying Pickets, Paul Anka, and Patti Smith. It has also been parodied by Weird Al Yankovic and Pansy Division
Song Analysis
Smells Like Teen Spiritâs intro consists of a four bar riff. The chords are Fsus4, B♭, A♭sus4, D♭. (Isus4, iv, IIIsus4, VI) The key is F minor. F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E. The intro riff is written over four bars. The first time itâs played is in a clean tone before the distortion kicks in and the riff is repeated twice.
The main riff that plays throughout the verse consists of two notes C and F. The verse is eight bars. The vocals range is G to F, the melody is repetitive and hypnotic.
The pre chorus is straight crochets of F and C. With power chord minims of intro riff chord progression. The vocal range is F to A, monotone, hypnotic. The chorus consists of the same riff as the intro. The vocal range is C to B. Higher, Kurtâs awake now and yelling.
There is now a bridge section. 4 bars, power chords. F, E, G♭, B♭, A♭. Two bars, repeat. Variation at the end.
The solo, if you can call it that, mirrors the vocal melody. There are no accidentals, it just sticks to the key and leads into the breakdown section which is the final note of the solo sustained with feedback. Then the outro. âA denialâ vocal range from F to A.
Song Structure
Intro â 12 bars / Main riff â 4 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Bridge â 4 bars / Main riff â 4 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Solo â 8 bars / Breakdown â 8 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Outro â 11 bars fade out.
Upon release as a single Nirvanaâs Smells Like Teen Spirit, from their second album Nevermind, only sold amongst the bandâs already established fan base. It was never expected to be a hit and the surprise success in late 1991 brought the album to the top of the charts in early 1992, kick-starting the âAlternative Rockâ craze that dominated mainstream rock music in the 1990s. The song was dubbed an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X.
Kurt Cobain was influenced by the song-writing style of The Pixies. He borrowed their ideas of playing soft and quiet and then loud and hard. After presenting the main riff and chorus melody to the band, they worked on it until they had the song. Itâs the only song on Nevermind credited to all three members. The title comes from a misinterpretation of a spray painted message on Kurtâs wall. "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit". He thought the slogan had a revolutionary meaning, but it actually meant that he smelled like the deodorant Teen Spirit.
Smells Like Teen Spirit follows a Fsus4âB♭âA♭sus4âD♭ (i, iv, III, VI) chord progression. The sus4 of F being the tonic of the approaching chord â B♭, which works almost as a leading note. The same applies to the sus 4 of A♭, leading to the D♭ major chord. Having only one guitarist in the band, the album track is doubled to make it stronger. Although it follows a different chord progression, there has been a comparison to the riff from the 1976 Boston hit More Than A Feeling. Cobain agreed with the observation stating it was âsuch a clichéd riff.â
Cobainâs slurred vocals, along with utter nonsense of the lyrics themselves make it difficult to understand just what the hell heâs talking about. This caused a resistance from radio stations to playing the song. MTV prepared a version of the video that included the lyrics running across the bottom of the screen. It is widely interpreted as a teen revolution anthem, however drummer Dave Grohl stated he doesnât believe the song has any message. "Just seeing Kurt write the lyrics to a song five minutes before he first sings them, you just kind of find it a little bit hard to believe that the song has a lot to say about something. You need syllables to fill up this space or you need something that rhymes.â
The video premiered on MTV's late-night alternative rock program 120 Minutes and became so popular MTV added it to its regular daytime rotation. By the end of the year the song, video, and the album Nevermind had become hits, reaching all the major rock radio formats.
During live performances the band often altered the song's lyrics and tempo. It has been covered in various styles including piano, Jazz, industrial, Moog synthesizer, beat box, a cappella, swing, and techno as well as being sampled and used for Yahoo and as entrance music for wrestlers. Artists who covered the song include Tori Amos, The Bad Plus, The Melvins with former child star Leif Garrett, Xorcit, The Flying Pickets, Paul Anka, and Patti Smith. It has also been parodied by Weird Al Yankovic and Pansy Division
Song Analysis
Smells Like Teen Spiritâs intro consists of a four bar riff. The chords are Fsus4, B♭, A♭sus4, D♭. (Isus4, iv, IIIsus4, VI) The key is F minor. F, G, A♭, B♭, C, D♭, E. The intro riff is written over four bars. The first time itâs played is in a clean tone before the distortion kicks in and the riff is repeated twice.
The main riff that plays throughout the verse consists of two notes C and F. The verse is eight bars. The vocals range is G to F, the melody is repetitive and hypnotic.
The pre chorus is straight crochets of F and C. With power chord minims of intro riff chord progression. The vocal range is F to A, monotone, hypnotic. The chorus consists of the same riff as the intro. The vocal range is C to B. Higher, Kurtâs awake now and yelling.
There is now a bridge section. 4 bars, power chords. F, E, G♭, B♭, A♭. Two bars, repeat. Variation at the end.
The solo, if you can call it that, mirrors the vocal melody. There are no accidentals, it just sticks to the key and leads into the breakdown section which is the final note of the solo sustained with feedback. Then the outro. âA denialâ vocal range from F to A.
Song Structure
Intro â 12 bars / Main riff â 4 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Bridge â 4 bars / Main riff â 4 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Solo â 8 bars / Breakdown â 8 bars / Verse â 8 bars / Pre-chorus â 8 bars / Chorus â 12 bars / Outro â 11 bars fade out.