Why Did Kurt Cobain HATE 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'?

It was the anthem of a generation, but Kurt Cobain grew to hate Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Loudwire's Jared Linnen explains why.

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[micah]

I think a lot of artists get tired of playing their hits, especially if they are no longer emotionally connected to them.

[Omar_E]

I don't think he hated it. He just hated overplaying it. It's a great song, and anyone who denies that is probably just sick of it as well.

[Danjoker.]

It's pretty obvious. It's a great song that got overplayed to death.

[LadyCoyKoi]

I actually prefer Heartshaped Box and About A Girl. I loved Nirvanas' melancholy songs more so, than that preppy song, Smells like Teen Spirit. Those melancholy songs had more meaning and when you hear him sing those, you could feel the emotions behind them.

[JohnDoe-rtjz]

The reason he didn’t like it is because it is one of the most overplayed songs ever. At the time they created it? They were under ground, and apparently “did not want commercial success by the mainstream.” I can compare it to enter Sandman by Metallica.

[chaotictoast]

At 1:05 as soon as Kurt hears the phrase “teen spirit” you can see his smile instantly go away

[johndoedro]

They have so many great songs. The radio helped kill this one.

[Spooky_R]

I wouldn’t say he hated the song per se, but more so hated what the song would become to him. It would represent his struggle with wanting fame and success but also wanting to remain underground

[b_side]

I hate the fact that some bands are only recognized for one Specific song that catches fire & have to play it a billon times to the point where they get sick of it playing it over & over etc live . They’re are other songs & albums that are absolutely amazing that I love . As a kid I didn’t really like smells like teen spirit. I loved about a girl, in bloom, negative creep, aneurysm, penny royal tea & heart shaped box

[Northafrican]

Just like Radiohead’s creep which they hated a lot and did also write another song to express how much they hate creep

[vlcheish]

The real question is how doesn't Imagine Dragons hate everything they write?

[agostocobain]

That dynamic of Kurt’s personality, makes him much more intriguing, and interesting like “ why don’t you jus enjoy it, I don’t know?” Playing them rockstar seems dead in rock music, but in HipHop clearly its very much alive

[krisfrederick]

Kurt literally sought out to write in his words the "Ultimate Pop Song" and he did. He just didn't want to be limited and bound to it. Hence Unplugged, Do Re Mi was the direction he was heading.

[KingGeorge]

Man, that final line in their about how he didn't know why he couldn't enjoy it; that just really got to me. It's like when you finally get everything you thought you wanted only to realize you're still not happy for some reason. It's so sad.

[thatstangeandunusual]

I think it's pretty obvious why he hated it...

[scottoconnor]

Because he was over-bored. And self-assured he played it enough.

[Ethernet]

I remember watching a 24 hr MTV special in Orlando that was a top 100 best music videos of the year sometime in the mid 90s. SLTS as number 1.

[brookrichardson]

At least Nirvana created it. Imagine being a band that is only known for a cover of someone else's song.

[TeeDohJackson]

Why would people be pissed in Chicago for them not playing Smells Like Teen Spirit? That was the first and only night they ever played "You know you're right" live.
I was at the show the night before in Davenport Iowa.

[thatkid]

I have no idea how many time, I've listened to smells like teen Sprite in the past 30 years. It's my goto song when I'm down!