This day in HISTOROCK !! Smells Like Teen Spirit !!

        This day in HISTOROCK !!

               In 1991, on September 10, ''Smells Like Teen Spirit'' was released as the lead single from Nevermind, Nirvana's major label debut on DGC Records. The song didn't initially chart, and sold well only in parts of the United States that had an established Nirvana fanbase. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was not expected to be a hit. The plan was to use "Teen Spirit" as an introduction of the band and to build a fan base. "Come As You Are" was expected to be the song that launched Nirvana to stardom !! The unexpected success of "Teen Spirit" in the mainstream market caught them by surprise. Kurt Cobain, who was a huge Pixies fan,  said that "Smells Like Teen Spirit" was an attempt to write a song in the style of the Pixies". Cobain came up with the song's title when his friend Kathleen Hanna, from the punk band Bikini Kill, spray painted "Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit" on his wall !! The song itself was only written by Cobain two weeks before recording "Nevermind". When he first played it for drummer Dave Grohl and bass player Krist Novoselic, Novoselic called it "ridiculous" !! As a result of their objections, Cobain made the band play the riff over and over again until the band members slowed the riff down so they had fast and slow sections. This would became the only song on Nevermind to credit all three band members as joint composers !! The success of 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' in late 1991 propelled Nevermind to the top of the charts at the start of 1992, and brought alternative rock into the mainstream !! Nirvana performed a great alternate version of "Teen Spirit" on BBC's Top Of The Pops" TV program Kurt sang in a very low deep voice and changed some lyrics and instead of singing "Load up on guns, bring your friends" Kurt sang "Load up on drugs, kill your friends" !! Sadly on on April 8, 1994, Cobain's body was discovered at his Lake Washington Blvd home by an electrician who had arrived to install a security system. Cobain had committed suicide and left a note that said,  "I have not felt the excitement of listening to as well as creating music, along with really writing . . . for too many years now" Dead at the young age of 27 !! In the years following Cobain's death, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' has continued to garner critical acclaimand is still their giggest hit !!  In 2000, MTV and Rolling Stone ranked the song third on their joint list of the 100 best pop songs, trailing only The Beatles ''Yesterday'' and The Rolling Stones ''(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction'' !! Here is the video of the Top Of The Pops performance in 1991 !! RIP Kurt !!

Keep on ROCKIN !!
Trike :-)