- published: 16 Jun 2009
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"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. Written by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl and produced by Butch Vig, the song uses a verse-chorus form where the main four-chord riff is used during the intro and chorus to create an alternating loud and quiet dynamic.
The unexpected success of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in late 1991 propelled Nevermind to the top of the charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point where alternative rock entered the mainstream. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was Nirvana's biggest hit, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and placing high on music industry charts all around the world in 1991 and 1992.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" received many critical plaudits, including topping the Village Voice Pazz & Jop critics' poll and winning two MTV Video Music Awards for its music video, which was in heavy rotation on music television. The song was dubbed an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X, but the band grew uncomfortable with the success and attention it received as a result. In the years since Cobain's death, listeners and critics have continued to praise "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as one of the greatest rock songs of all time.
Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic (pronunciation: /ˈjæŋkəvɪk/; born October 23, 1959) is an American singer-songwriter, music producer, accordionist, actor, comedian, writer, satirist, and parodist. Yankovic is known for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and that often parody specific songs by contemporary musical acts. Since his first-aired comedy song in 1976, he has sold more than 12 million albums (as of 2007), recorded more than 150 parody and original songs, and has performed more than 1,000 live shows. His works have earned him three Grammy Awards among nine nominations, four gold records, and six platinum records in the United States. Yankovic's first top ten Billboard album (Straight Outta Lynwood) and single ("White & Nerdy") were both released in 2006, nearly three decades into his career.
Yankovic's success comes in part from his effective use of music video to further parody popular culture, the song's original artist, and the original music videos themselves, scene-for-scene in some cases. He directed later videos himself and went on to direct for other artists including Ben Folds, Hanson, Black Crowes, and The Presidents of the United States of America. In addition to recording his albums, Yankovic wrote and starred in the film, UHF, and television show, The Weird Al Show. He has also made guest appearances on many television shows, in addition to starring in Al TV specials on MTV.
Load up on guns
And 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
Hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello.
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
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
Hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello.
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
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
Hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello, hello, how low
hello, hello.
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
A denial
A denial
A denial
A denial
A denial
A denial
A denial