Top 5 Grunge Songs of All Time

Check out our top 5 grunge songs of all time! From Nirvana to Pearl Jam, these songs defined a generation.

Smells Like Teen Spirit- Nirvana

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a song by American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band’s second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success propelled Nevermind to the top of the charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point where grunge entered the mainstream. The song was dubbed an “anthem for apathetic kids” of Generation X and is considered one of the greatest songs of all time.

Nirvana was one of the most popular bands of the early 1990s. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was written by Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic, and Dave Grohl and produced byButch Vig. The song’s success catapulted Nevermind to widespread critical and commercial acclaim. Reviewers dubbed it a turning point for alternative music and praised its combination of pop melodies with grunge aesthetics. Commercially, the single was an enormous success, reaching number six on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart and becoming a global hit. It peaked at number one in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Spain; as well as spending five weeks atop Billboard’s Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in January 1992.”

The video was directed by Samuel Bayer and first aired on MTV’s late-night alternative show 120 Minutes on September 29, 1991. In it, a nude girl (played by Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hanna) wanders through a suburban neighborhood before entering a school building where Nirvana is playing. As the band performs, teenagers in various states of undress dance in the mosh pit or around the stage.”

Come As You Are- Nirvana

Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” is one of the most iconic grunge songs of all time. The song was released as a single in 1992, and it quickly rose to the top of the charts. The song is about accepting yourself for who you are, and it resonates with many people who feel like they’re different from the mainstream. The song has a catchy riff and Nirvana’s signature sound, and it’s one of the most memorable grunge songs ever recorded.

Lithium- Nirvana

Nirvana’s “Lithium” is a classic grunge song that always finds its way onto lists of the best grunge songs of all time. The song is about mental illness and how it can take over someone’s life. The lyrics are dark and depressing, but there is also a sense of hope in the song as well. The distorted guitars and Kurt Cobain’s anguished vocals make “Lithium” a powerful and enduring track.

Heart-Shaped Box- Nirvana

Heart-Shaped Box is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. The song was released as the first single from the band’s third and final studio album, In Utero, in September 1993. It was one of two songs from the album mixed by Scott Litt to augment the original production by Albini. The music video, directed by Anton Corbijn, features television footage and operation brain surgery.

“Heart-Shaped Box” was nominated for several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Rock Song and MTV Video Music Awards for Best Alternative Video and Best Direction. Cobain placed it as his third favorite Nirvana song.

In Bloom- Nirvana

In Bloom is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It was released as the fourth single from the band’s second album, Nevermind, in March 1992. The song was written by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and produced by Butch Vig. The single reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and number eight on the UK Singles Chart.

The song’s music features a similar chord progression to that of Chuck Berry’s “You Can’t Catch Me”, while its lyrics criticizing those who misunderstood Nirvana’s earlier work were Cobain’s response to his perception that many people did not understand the message of their debut album Bleach. The song features a guitar solo by Cobain, which was recorded in one take.