Talk:Smells Like Teen Spirit

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Contents 1 A class 2 Influences 3 Naming 4 i love nirvana 5 structure? 6 AWWWWWWWW 7 Misheard Lyrics 8 Diamond Dallas Page 9 Origin of name 10 Citation for anthem statement 11 More than a feeling 12 The key of the song 13 I was wrong 14 Parody? 15 Cover by Type O Negative 16 Video shoot location 17 Single formats 18 GA nomination 19 GA passing 20 Formats and track listing 21 Accolades 22 Religious Interpretations 23 Pixies Similarities? 24 Religious interpretation of lyrics

[edit] A class

Something can only be a-class if its a better than average GA. Andman8 22:19, 23 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Influences

Somebody should add that Cobain has used the riffs of Pixies' "U-Mass" for "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - it really sounds the same - which is a bit disappointing, I must say - but though a VERY important information... (Unfortunately, there is no official source - but just listen) -- EagleSGE 23:39, 17 June 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Naming

Since when was "Nirvana" part of the name of this song? Is there an ambiguity issue that needs to be resolved? --maveric149

You are thinking of the Weird Al parody, "Smells Like Nirvana" CoolKatt number 99999

There is no ambiguity with "Smells," but there is with other song titles. I'm simply being consistent in my naming. How would you propose we distinguish Three Dog Night's "Joy to the World" from George Frederic Handel's "Joy to the World"? --the Epopt

That really is a disambiguation issue with those two songs, not with teen spirit. --maveric149

Okay, you win. Remove the possessive at will. --the Epopt

[edit] i love nirvana

i like love nirvana so much but i can't find n e thin bout themm for this frnch project that were doing in school

[edit] structure?

It seems to me that there's too much stuff before the article has headers. I would like to split up that beginning section some more (without removing any information, of course), but I'm going to wait a few days for suggestions/objections before I do it. --Jacquelyn Marie 04:06, 14 October 2005 (UTC)

[edit] AWWWWWWWW

I shouldn't have read this article. I always thought "teen spirit" meant "semen", as "spirit" is the literary term for that substance, and hence invoked vitality...especially teenage vitality and wildness ...but a brand of deodorant?? Aw crap, I'll never hear the song the same again...--DanielCD 19:53, 29 November 2005 (UTC)

To be fair, Kurt himself misunderstood what the phrase "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit" was supposed to mean. When he titled the song, he was using the phrase "teen spirit" to represent the grunge "revolution" in Seattle. Jeff Silvers 02:36, 12 February 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Misheard Lyrics

I just thought I'd point out the some of the lyrics printed inside the Lithium single were incorrect.

The Lyrics in the Lithium single were correct. The lyric "our little tribe" is what I assume you are talking about. The version on Nevermind is sung incorrectly. If you listen to any bootleg copies of the song, on live proformences such as the one on "From the muddy banks of the Wishkah", or even the original mix by Butch Vig. The lyrics are sung and "our little tribe".

[edit] Diamond Dallas Page

Does anybody know if this was DDP's entrance music in WCW? I seem to vaguely remember the intro, but I'm not sure. Also, if it was, do you think that should be included in the article as some kind of trivia? Fitz221 23:51, 17 April 2006 (UTC)

His song was heavily based on SLTS (and may've been a remix). In WCW Mayhem, the song's title is given as "Self High-Five." Jeff Silvers 19:41, 25 May 2006 (UTC)

WCW didn't have as much money as the WWF did at the time (for theme music anyway, because they were spending all the cash on guys like Hogan and Nash) so they never used any real themes--DDP's theme was simply an instrumental slight modification of the song that was very much based on SLTS. It's exactly the same as how Raven's theme was Come As You Are (but slowed down and with two Skynard riffs added overtop for variety in later parts).

[edit] Origin of name

I'd like to see some reliable sources verifying the Origin of Name section. The story seems consistent, as well as its writing, but let's just say it may sound fishy to some. For that matter, I'm adding a {{fact}} tag at the end of the paragraph. --ViruValge 20:16, 23 April 2006 (UTC)

I don't believe it was a reference to the fact they wore that brand of deodorant, but rather that Kurt wore none at all, I'm pretty sure this fact is alluded too (possibly by Kurt himself) in Come As You Are: The Story of Nirvana by Michael Azerrad, but I read it about 10 years ago so I'm not so sure. Klown 13:55, July 25, 2006 (UTC)

The name of the song "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Does come from the deodorant. Krist Novoselics girlfriend had spray painted "Kurt smells like teen spirit" on his home wall. She was definatly refering to the the deodorant.

[edit] Citation for anthem statement

Obviously citations are good, but this is really just common sense. 203.45.10.31 05:20, 9 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] More than a feeling

Teen spirit does not have "more than a passing similarity" to More Than A Feeling; maybe the poster confused Teen Spirit with Holy Grail, but as it is these two songs do not even share musical sonority. Satchfan 09:56, 5 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The key of the song

I see I've been challenged on the question of what key 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is in. I said it was in F#. Me2Nik claims it's in F.

Me2Nik is right, in that according to my digital tuner the song is in F. However, F is a very awkward key to play this song in. The song is far easier to play in F# on a guitar that's been tuned a semitone below concert pitch. Moreover, other Nirvana songs show evidence of having been recorded on guitars tuned down a semitone; 'Rape Me', played on a guitar tuned to concert pitch, is in A flat, 'All Apologies' on the same guitar is in C#. Both songs sounds far more natural (and are way easier to play) played on a semitone-detuned guitar in the keys of A and D respectively. (Admittedly one is actually playing in A flat and C sharp, but both songs rely on the characteristic sonority of the traditional A minor and D major open chords.) Either Cobain used a capo or he habitually tuned his guitars down a semitone in the manner of Jimi Hendrix, a practice which has become commonplace with nu-metal bands.

Maybe Nirvana fans can confirm whether or not Kurt detuned his guitars a semitone. All I can say is, I have to detune my guitars to play along with Nirvana. And I tune to concert pitch. So I was wrong to say that the song is in F# - but Me2Nik should point out that Cobain may have detuned his guitars.

Incidentally, I submit that a powerchord is simply a chord struck at full volume on a distorted guitar. It doesn't have to be any sort of chord in particular. The end of Starless by King Crimson features G minor power chords. The Art Bears song In Two Minds has powerchords that are essentially 9ths.

Lexo 23:17 18 August, 2006 (UTC)

SLTS was recorded in standard pitch. It has to be, because of Cobain's employ of open strings strummed during the riff that wouldn't sound the same when tuned down. A few songs from Nevermind ("Come As You Are", "Lithium") were tuned down a whole step, but the album is predominantly in standard pitch. Everything on In Utero is tuned down a half-step, with some songs also employing a drop-D tuning.

By the way, a "power chord" specifically means a root-fifth chord. WesleyDodds 11:05, 19 August 2006 (UTC)

"By the way, a "power chord" specifically means a root-fifth chord." The C major chord displayed here [1] is not a root-fifth chord. Lexo 15:06, 22 August 2006 (UTC)

It seems that's more the name of the site rather than an attempt to define "power chord". If you notice, major, minor, and diminished chords are listed. WesleyDodds 15:27, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] I was wrong

On reflection, I don't think my contributions to this article or this discussion have been worth the time it's taken to make them (I don't even like the damn song), so I withdraw 'em, and if nobody objects I'll go through the article picking them out where I can determine that they were genuinely mine. Oh, except for the Dave Marsh bit. That was the only bit of hard info I contributed. Sorry. Lexo 15:02, 29 August 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Parody?

The text of the article implies (unsourced) that the Red Hot Chili Peppers parodied this Nirvana video for their Dani California video... I just watched it (Dani California) on YouTube and DID observed a parody of the /Nirvana Unplugged/ event ...but nothing related to the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video...

Yeah, they didn't even play "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at the Unplugged concert. Nevermind the fact that even if they did, it wouldn't be referring to the actual "Smells Like Teen Spirit" music video. Fixed.

The Dani California video is reminiscent of the video for In Bloom.

[edit] Cover by Type O Negative

On this article, it says that Type O Negative has covered "Smells Like Teen Spirit":

"The song has been covered by numerous artists, including Tori Amos on the Crucify EP, the jazz band The Bad Plus, Pearl Jam, Type O Negative, and the industrial act Xorcist." Section "Cover Versions".

However this is incorrect. A version of the song appeared on internet, and was incorrectly attributed to Type O Negative. On the Type O Negative article (Section "Trivia", "Covers"), the misunderstanding is stated:

"Incorrectly attributed covers include: Sarah McLachlan's "Possession"; Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"; and Britney Spears' "Hit Me Baby One More Time"."

The recording in question is actually a live version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" played by Nirvana at Top Of The Pops:

"4 - Smells Like Teen Spirit Gothic Version - Top Of The Pops - Kurt sings the vocals to the bands smash hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with a DEEP, SLOOOOOOOOOOOW voice. This has been dubbed the "Gothic" version. The band pretends to play ( puposely doing a poor job miming song) to the recording that is being played in the background. It's funny the first time you hear it, but not worth repeated listening."

(Source: http://www.livenirvana.com/bootography/review3378.html?filename=outcesticideiv -- This source is also used for the Outcesticide article on wikipedia. This page is about the 4th release of the Outcesticide series of Nirvana bootleg CD's.)

Other places on wikipedia talk about this recording, but I just can't find them. So this is the reason why I will take off the part about how Type O Negative made a "Smells Like Teen Spirit" cover.

--Zouavman Le Zouave 18:29, 14 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Video shoot location

The article currently says the video was shot at Fairfax High School, but Come As You Are says it was shot on a soundstage in Culver City. Unless someone can corraborate that it was indeed a real high school and Fairfax in particular, I'll have to change it. WesleyDodds 08:46, 18 October 2006 (UTC)

(WesleyDodds - I was an extra in the "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video, and I can confirm that it was shot in a soundstage in Culver City, and not Fairfax High. Also, the Weird Al parody video was shot on the same soundstage, using many of the same extras, including myself. Interestingly, L7 were in the soundstage next door shooting the video for "Pretend We're Dead")

[edit] Single formats

Does anyone want to take care of putting the "Formats and tracklistings" into order, akin to how "This Charming Man" or "The Beautiful People" are arranged? Knowing the nuances of Nirvana's singles discography isn't really my forte. WesleyDodds 13:25, 23 October 2006 (UTC)

[edit] GA nomination

at first glance, there should be more images.. i.e. a frame of the music video. (i have a few frames in mind that would do!). Mlm42 13:33, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

If you can upload a fair use image from the video for the "Music video" section that would be great. WesleyDodds 14:29, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

i think any low resolution screenshot is fine, under {{Musicpromo-screenshot}}. Mlm42 15:24, 2 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] GA passing

An awesome article for an awesome song, not much more I can say than that. Good job everyone

†he Bread 03:46, 7 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Formats and track listing

Is that really necessary on this page ? There are probably over 50 different releases of the single you would need to list to do that properly.

Yes, it is. I tried to keep it to commcercial releases that were released on Geffen. WesleyDodds 18:20, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

Do you know anything about what you are talking about ? There wern't any copies that were not released on Geffen. 18:07, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

In other countries, other companies are sometimes responsible for record distribution. WesleyDodds 17:55, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Accolades

Its really ashame that these had to go:

• Melody Maker magazine Single of The Year #1 (1991)
• Rolling Stone Critics Singles Pick #2 (1991)
• Kerrang! magazine Greatest 100 Rock Tracks Ever #1 (1999)
• Kerrang! magazine Greatest Singles of All Time #1 (2002)
• List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time #9 (2002)
• In 2002 NME magazine ranked the song number two on its list of "100 Greatest Singles of All Time."^[1]
• In 2003, VH1 placed "Smells Like Teen Spirit" at number one on its list of "100 Greatest Songs of the Past 25 Years."^[2]
• The song also ranked third in a Q Magazine poll that year.^[3]
• VH1's 100 Greatest Songs from the Past 25 Years #1 (2003)
• Q magazine 100 Greatest Guitar Tracks Ever #4 (2005)
• Australian count down show '20 to 1; Greatest Songs Ever' #17 (2006)
• Q Magazine Top 20 best pop songs of the last twenty years #1 (2006)

It's just a list, and an incomplete one at that. It's better to put the informaiton in prose and in an appropriate context. Not to mention with citations. WesleyDodds 10:16, 30 November 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Religious Interpretations

Just a suggestion to the editor on the idea, as expressed in this article, that a specific rock song/track could be used by a deity or spirit for announcing something important to the world. You might or might not want to include this information, as it is tangental but interesting. The Beatles were mentioned in the article as having been accused of making anti-religious statements but one interesting fact not mentioned is that Charles Manson, the notorious leader of the Manson family that murdered actress Sharon Tate and others, claimed that the Beatles were the four angels mentioned in the book of Revelations, which are supposed to announce the beginning of the events which will lead to the final struggle between good and evil, resulting in the apocalypse. Manson specifically referred to the Beatles 'white album' and the track Revolution #9 as the announcement itself, that the end times were about to start. He also claimed that it was 'revealed' to him that his part in the final judgement was to start a race war that would more or less get things going by the murders he and his followers committed, which he hoped would be blamed on black people. So the idea that Smells Like Teen Spirit is an announcement by a supernatural force of the coming end times and final judgement(whether by God, Satan, angels or whatever) is also not new. 65.171.135.50 22:27, 1 December 2006 (UTC) TKP

[edit] Pixies Similarities?

I'm a big Pixeis fan and the song "U-Mass" from their album Trompe le Monde has a similar riff to the main Smells Like Teen Spirit riff. Right at the time their singer yells "It's Educational!" in the song you can hear the riff. Think it should be mentioned considering that Cobain was a huge Pixies fan and that it came out a few months before this song?

No, because comparions in print are often made simply with the Pixies sound in general. Plus most would consider the "U-Mass" similarities a coincidence due to their close release dates. WesleyDodds 10:19, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Religious interpretation of lyrics

Someone put a bunch of stuff about how the lyrics could be interpreted as Satanic here; I removed it as it contained no sources and seemed to be original research. Comments? Veinor (ヴエノル^(talk)) 17:25, 4 December 2006 (UTC)

Indeed, I keep removing it. It's nonsense and original research. CloudNine 17:31, 4 December 2006 (UTC)