Smells Like Teen Spirit
Nirvana
1991
Year stated by the cited source; original mix or regional release can differ.
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More by this artistEditorial all-time selection from cited sources / existing catalog
Release: 1991
Release: 1991Source checked
V3.6 reconciles the original release year with the reviewed Artist Essentials entry for this exact retained recording ID. Year precision is used; an album-first release is not silently replaced by a later single, reissue or annual-list year. Year verified for the selected original studio-album recording. Earlier demos, later live performances and anniversary remixes are not substituted. A same-year advance single is not assigned the later album day.
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Owner-supplied release annotations
Reported dates in 1992.html. Not independently established; neighboring dates can reflect album/single or regional differences.
Nevermind - official original release entry
Original 1991 album year and its twelve tracks. Original album recordings are selected, not earlier demos or later live versions.
Nirvana - official release timeline
Original Bleach, Nevermind and In Utero release years; later compilation and televised live performance dates remain separate.
Inspiration and background
Documented songwriting inspiration
Kurt Cobain wanted to write a compelling pop song and drew on the Pixies' contrast between quiet passages and loud sections. The title grew from a wall message by Kathleen Hanna that referred to a deodorant; Cobain initially understood it differently. The band developed the riff together, with all three members credited.
Evidence scope: Reviewed secondary account; scope is limited to this paragraph
Sources for this information
Smells Like Teen Spirit - writing and composition
Background/composition section; paraphrased, not a quotation | Retrieved 2026-10-11
Other appearances and versions
catalog version unspecified
Textual identity reconciliation, not audio-fingerprint or exact-pressing verification. Version labels are catalog safeguards.
An annual chart year and an original release date are different. Similar titles may be covers or different masters; no audio fingerprint has been performed.
Sources and scope
Source-scoped curated selection; not an official all-time ranking or complete recording review.
Song-specific genre labels located in the cited catalog or secondary source; genre is not a universally fixed classification.
Billboard year-end 1992 table (Wikipedia transcription)
Secondary chart transcription reviewed for title, artist and annual association. Not proof of release date, genre or inspiration.
Nirvana official/museum song catalog
Named song and listed year; not necessarily the earliest album appearance or exact regional version.
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