What Makes This Song Great? 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Nirvana

In this episode we continue to explore the Nirvana song that changed the direction of Rock music "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

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[RickBeato]

Or you can become a member of the Beato Club. My Beato Club is exactly like Patreon.

[jeffreyhamilton]

“It doesn’t matter if people know what they are doing if they can just do it intuitively” this applies to so much of life.

[zappafan]

"He doesn't know what he's doing... that doesn't matter. I know what he's doing and I'm gonna tell YOU what he's doing" it's something I would like to ear from every teacher

[dustandashes]

I remember reading Kurt Cobain's biography, and to my surprise and delight, that despite his disheveled appearance and don't-care persona, i learned that he was absolutely meticulous with his music. There was a segment that described how their band practices were very serious and that Kurt wld be obsessive and intentional about every note and nuance. That he wld force the band to restart the song if there even a slight mistake. I feel like I needed to add this little detail bc Rick does address the fact that many incorrectly think Kurts music was all intuition. The man was an extremely hard working genius. For me it makes me respect and admire his work even more.

[TheSuedeUzi]

For anyone who critisises Kurt Curbain for 'not knowing what he's doing' consider it like this. He was able to create these melodies organically without knowing that they had a name. Without spending 4 years of his life learning music theory. Plus let's face it, most of the people who've studied these melodies couldn't write a song that comes close to Smells Like Teen Spirit. I think that makes him a true songwriting genius.

[Nevets]

"And then they went around two times. Why? Because it's cool."

This is the content I live for, Rick.

[gabriel]

When Rick is air drumming I just know it’s going to be a good day. 2:46

[hrvojepratezina]

"It doesn't matter if people know what they are doing, if they can just do it intuitively". Right on.

[rexx]

Three decades later I'm still waiting for that Teen Spirit moment to come around again. To hear a song that just blows everyone's doors off and becomes a cultural phenomenon. I don't know if I'll ever experience something quite like that again.

[Jeffball]

I don't understand 98% of what Rick says because I have no musical talent or training. However, when I watch these videos, it's more like "this is why you like this song". I also get to hear all of those nuances we all know are there, but are hidden in the mix. I love watching these even though it's way over my head :-)

[krbmsw]

I love how genuinely excited Rick is while talking about this song.

[feedbackcoverbanduk]

An interviewer once said to Tori Amos, 'I love how you were able to make that song beautiful'. She responded "oh, I didn't add the beauty, that was already there"

[Glaamdring]

It always amazes me, whenever I hear Kurt's voice soloed, just how strong and full his vocals are. Many rock singers rely on the sonics of the rest of the band to cover up a lack of strength, or a certain awkwardness, but Kurt's vocals sound exactly the same soloed as they do unsoloed.

[dovic]

sometimes you hear a song so many times that you forget why it's so good, but this brought me back to when I was 12 or 13 yo and listened to Smells Like Teen Spirits for the first time. now I remember why it completely blew me away

[reneortega]

The local hip hop station I listened to in the '90s played this song. I remember the DJ saying, "We don't play this kind of music but we've getting so many requests for it."

[wenjinhuang]

I swear - The thing that makes this series even better is when the songs have great drum parts and Rick brings out his drummer face

[BERNARJE]

This last words “a denial!” Made me cry. How powerful and gore perfectly executed. I’m an opera singer and this is raw feeling the falling off the scream at the end… OMG!!! Hering him singing alone in your explanation… Jesus goosebumps… what an incredible song.

[edwardteach]

"Kurt didnt know what he was doing"
"I know what he was doing and im gonna tell you"

Literally the reason why i watch your videos! <3

[PooleyX]

It's such a familiar song but when you hear it critiqued like this it brings into perspective just how great it is. I wish I could hear it again for the first time.

[massib.]

Tears in my eyes at 8.27... Kurt was an incredible melody composer. The fact he probably didn't know what he was doing elevates his natural genius. Grazie Rick!