Smells Like Teen Spirit
by Nirvana
What is “Smells Like Teen Spirit” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana captures the disoriented, rebellious spirit of youth, blending apathy with a yearning for meaning in a world that demands entertainment over substance.
So… what’s this song really about?
At its core, 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' functions as an anthem of teenage disillusionment and a critique of the commercialization of popular culture. The repeated calls of 'hello, how low' suggest a search for depth in the shallow waters of mainstream entertainment, with the narrator feeling 'stupid and contagious' amidst the lights-out haze of conformity. The juxtapositions in the lyrics ('a mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido') illustrate the randomness and chaos of identity within the societal mold, possibly pointing to the arbitrary ways in which society labels and categorizes individuals.
Breaking into the mainstream with a sound that was as gritty as it was catchy, Nirvana's song challenges the listener to confront the commodification of culture while simultaneously being part of that very spectacle. The recurrent demand to be entertained serves as a sarcastic echo to the media's incessant clamor for attention, making the song a paradoxically engaging critique of engagement itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What album is 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' from?
'Smells Like Teen Spirit' is from Nirvana's second album, 'Nevermind,' released in 1991.
Q: What is the meaning behind the title 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'?
The title 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' famously stems from a friend's graffiti that referenced a brand of deodorant, connecting it to the spirit of the youth culture encapsulated in the song.
Lyrics to “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
317 ContributorsTranslations
[Pre-Chorus]
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
[Chorus]
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, yeah
[Post-Chorus]
Hey, yay
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 3]
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, never mind
[Pre-Chorus]
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello, how low
Hello, hello, hello
[Chorus]
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
[Outro]
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial, a denial
A denial