Nirvana Butchers 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' On Purpose

Nirvana was set to perform their recent hit single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" on the British music chart television program "Top of the Pops." At the time, the show had a policy that required artists to sing live vocals over pre-recorded back tracks. As you would expect, Kurt Cobain and his bandmates would not let this go without having some fun.

What resulted was, and still is, one of the greatest middle fingers and live performances ever -- the band literally made its own shred video.

Cobain opts for slow, exaggerated strums during the few times he touches his guitar, sings an octave lower (he later confirmed he was imitating Morrisey from The Smiths), and attempts to eat his microphone at one point. He also changes some of the lyrics, exchanging the opening line "load up on guns, bring your friends," for "load up on drugs, kill your friends." Dave Grohl hits cymbals and skins at random, doing more dancing than drumming. Krist Novoselic even swings his bass above his head. And despite these ridiculous antics, the crowd goes absolutely insane.

[TheLuci]

Those zooms on his hand literally just floating over the guitar are making me absolutely lose it

[Logan-zljh]

this looks like what happens in the background of guitar hero when youre missing all of the notes

[traceofbodypaint]

"How was the concert?"
"Deep"

[AdamJ_]

imagine if this was the only nirvana performance you saw

[seal]

i love how the fans are literally so confused but still love it

[BabyJesus]

"Tastes Like Used Microphone" - Nirvana

[lmisgay]

It sounds like he's trying to fight back a yawn

[kairoday]

The way Kurt is "playing" the guitar and how the cameraman is trying his best to make it look natural is making me lose my shit

[healthydoseofpersonas]

"Load up on drugs, kill your friends."
Dave and Krist are shaking

[petergriffin]

The bass player is literally just flailing his bass around lol

[keeperofthecheese]

Notice how the cameras are frantically trying to find an angle that doesn't make it obvious. Otherwise they just stay pinned to Cobain.

[leopumarejo]

Lol he actually doesn’t sing it that bad, he just channeled his inner morissey

[daytonmux]

There's at least one person who was there that is now convinced Nirvana is just trash live.

[zamboslambo]

The way he waves his flat hands in front of the strings gets me every time

[GnuSnu]

1:25 Magnificient performence! Truly touched my soul

[paigehendrix]

I love how the crowd was like “oh yeah nothing weird is going on here”

[lammylalalajammy]

I love how the audience still claps to the song

[roadkillmoth]

His guitar wasn't even plugged in.

[approachingthesky]

the fact that kurt sings great even trying to mess it up is amazing lmao

[RobynL]

When you put together your presentation the night before💀