The Best Grunge Songs Where the Guy Talks Over the Music

We’re taking a look at the best grunge songs where the guy talks over the music. These are the tracks that made the genre great.

Intro

If you’re a fan of grunge music, then you know that one of the defining features of the genre is the guy Talkin over the music. Whether it’s Kurt Cobain talking about his screwed up life or Layne Staley ranting about society, the guy talkin over the music is a key part of grunge.

In this article, we’re going to count down the best grunge songs where the guy talks over the music. From classic tracks like Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to more obscure songs like Alice in Chain’s “Them Bones”, these are the best of the best when it comes to grunge songs where the guy talks over the music.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

This song was Nirvana’s breakout hit, and it propelled them to the forefront of the grunge scene. The song is full of angst and frustration, and it perfectly encapsulates the feelings of a generation. The thing that makes this song so great is that it doesn’t take itself too seriously. Kurt Cobain’s vocals are snarky and sarcastic, and the music is pure grunge. This is a perfect example of a grunge song where the guy talks over the music.

“Come as You Are” – Nirvana

Nirvana’s “Come As You Are” is one of the best grunge songs where the guy talks over the music. In the song, lead singer Kurt Cobain screams “Come as you are!” over and over again, while the band plays a heavy, distorted riff. The result is a powerful and anguished song that perfectly captures the pain and frustration of teenage angst.

“Lithium” – Nirvana

“Lithium” is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It was released as the third single from their second album, Nevermind, in January 1992.

The song’s lyrics are written by Kurt Cobain and concern his struggle with depression and addiction. The music was composed by Cobain, Dave Grohl, and Krist Novoselic. “Lithium” was one of the last songs to be written for Nevermind. It was developed near the end of the recording sessions and was recorded in one take.

The song received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Lithium” has been included on several of Nirvana’s live albums and greatest hits compilations.

“In Bloom” – Nirvana

“In Bloom” is one of Nirvana’s most enduring songs, and for good reason. It’s a perfect marriage of melody and aggression, with Kurt Cobain’s snarling vocal delivery cutting through the wall of sound created by the band. And, in true grunge fashion, the song features a spoken word section where Cobain talks over the music, adding an extra layer of attitude to the track.

“Heart-Shaped Box” – Nirvana

Grunge music hits hard, and Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” is no exception. The song is full of heavy guitar riffs and Kurt Cobain’s signature angst-ridden vocals. But what really makes “Heart-Shaped Box” stand out is the way Cobain’s vocals are mixed with the music. Rather than being buried in the mix, Cobain’s vocals are front and center, giving the song an immediate, visceral impact. It’s a rare example of a grunge song where the singer actually sounds like he’s talking over the music, rather than being lost in it.

“Pennyroyal Tea” – Nirvana

“Pennyroyal Tea” is a song by American grunge band Nirvana, released as the third and final single from their album In Utero in 1994.

The song is about frontman Kurt Cobain’s battle with stomach pain and illness, which was exacerbated by the stress of touring. Cobain came up with the title while reading the book Foxfire: Confessions of a Girl Gang, in which one of the characters uses pennyroyal tea as an abortifacient.

The song was not originally intended to be included on In Utero, but after drummer Dave Grohl recorded his parts in one take, Cobain changed his mind. He later said that he wished he had put more effort into the song, as he felt it was “one of [Nirvana’s] best.”

The single reached number seven on the UK Singles Chart and number 11 on Billboard’s Modern Rock Tracks chart in the US. The music video, directed by Samuel Bayer, portrays Cobain vomit into a toilet while sitting on a mattress in an abandoned warehouse.

“Drain You” – Nirvana

Nirvana was one of the most influential grunge bands of all time, and “Drain You” is one of their most iconic songs. The song starts with a nearly a minute of Kurt Cobain talking over the music, before the song really gets going. The verses are catchy and Cobain’s voice is hypnotic, making “Drain You” one of the best grunge songs where the guy talks over the music.

“Breed” – Nirvana

“Breed” is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, released as the fifth and final single from their second studio album Nevermind in January 1992.

The song was written by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic, and was produced by Butch Vig. The single’s artwork, designed by Robert Fisher, features a male fetus in the womb with its umbilical cord wrapped around its neck.

“Breed” is one of the most popular Nirvana songs, and has been described as “an anthemic expression of teenage angst”. It is frequently included in best-of lists and is considered one of the band’s signature songs.

“Polly” – Nirvana

Nirvana’s “Polly” is one of the best grunge songs where the guy talks over the music. The song is about a girl who was abducted and raped, and Kurt Cobain uses his characteristic speak-singing to deliver the disturbing story. The music is dark and heavy, providing the perfect backdrop for Cobain’s chilling vocals.

“About a Girl” – Nirvana

“About a Girl” is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third song on their debut album, Bleach, released in 1989. It was also released as the first single from the album in 1991.

The song’s success brought Bleach to the attention of major labels and paved the way for Nirvana’s signing to DGC Records for their next album, Nevermind. “About a Girl” was included on Nevermind as a live recording from MTV Unplugged in New York and has since become one of Nirvana’s most recognizable songs.

“Sliver” – Nirvana

Nirvana’s “Sliver” is one of the most iconic grunge songs where the guy talks over the music. It’s a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled track that features Kurt Cobain’s signature nasal vocals. The song is about a young boy who is left home alone and finds himself in a compromising situation. While some may find the subject matter of the song to be juvenile, there’s no denying the raw power of Nirvana’s music.

“Serve the Servants” – Nirvana

“Serve the Servants” is a song by Nirvana, released as the lead single from their third and final studio album, In Utero, on October 5, 1993. The song was written by Kurt Cobain and produced by Steve Albini. It was the first Nirvana song to be released after the death of bassist Krist Novoselic.

The song’s opening line, “Teenage angst has paid off well/ Now I’m bored and old”, served as a ironic statement on Cobain’s behalf, as he was just 27 years old at the time of In Utero’s release. The rest of the lyrics are similarly self-deprecating, with Cobain taking aim at his own fame and reputation.

Despite its bleak subject matter, “Serve the Servants” is an uptempo song musically, with a driving guitar riff and drumbeat. The song was a commercial success, reaching #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States.

“Very Ape” – Nirvana

From the album In Utero, “Very Ape” is a fast and furious song with a catchy melody. Kurt Cobain’s vocals are harsh and screaming, and the song features some of his most caustic lyrics. The spoken word section in the middle of the song is particularly effective, as Cobain mocks the listener with his high-pitched voice.

“Milk It” – Nirvana

“Milk It” is a song by American rock band Nirvana, released as the third and final single from their third and final studio album, In Utero, in early 1994.

The song was written by frontman Kurt Cobain, and features him on lead vocals and guitar. The rest of the band are credited as co-writers due to their contributions to the track’s instrumentation. “Milk It” is one of the few Nirvana songs where Cobain plays all of the instruments himself.

The song is a reaction to Kurt Cobain’s forced sobriety during Nirvana’s European tour in October and November 1993. He had just come off a four-day heroin binge and was ordered by doctors to detox. As a result, he was not allowed to drink or smoke for the duration of the tour, which made him feel uncomfortable and claustrophobic. “Milk It” was his way of venting his frustration with the situation.

The lyrics of “Milk It” are intentionally cryptic and open to interpretation. Some believe they are about Cobain’s struggles with addiction, while others believe they are about his feeling of being trapped in the grunge scene.

“Negative Creep” – Nirvana

“Negative Creep” is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, released as their second single from the album Bleach in 1992. The song features a heavy, distorted guitar sound and unstable, lurching rhythms. The song’s lyrics are written in a first-person perspective and deal with feelings of inadequacy and teenage angst. Kurt Cobain has said that the lyrics were inspired by his experiences working at a busy pizza restaurant.

The song was released to mixed reviews from critics, who praised its musical style but criticized its lyrical content. “Negative Creep” peaked at number 39 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart and number 12 on the UK Singles Chart. The music video for the song was directed by David Markey and features live footage of the band performing in Europe and the United States.

“Something in the Way” – Nirvana

Grunge music often features a spoken word or shouted vocal performance over the music, and “Something in the Way” by Nirvana is a perfect example of this. The song is about lead singer Kurt Cobain’s struggle with homelessness, and the lyrics are delivered in a deep, raspy voice that sounds like it’s coming from the bottom of a well. The rest of the band provides a quiet, atmospheric backing that allows Cobain’s voice to take center stage.

“Aneurysm” – Nirvana

“Aneurysm” is a song by American grunge band Nirvana. It was first released as a non-album single in 1991 with the B-side “Been a Son”, later appearing on the compilation album Incesticide in 1992. The song was written by Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic and recorded in March 1991 during the Nevermind sessions.

The song reflects Cobain’s growing frustration with his newfound success. In the verse, he sings about how he wishes he could “go back to being poor and ugly”. The chorus features Cobain shouting the word “Aneurysm” over chords played on a distorted guitar.

The bridge features a change in tempo and an acoustic guitar solo played by Cobain. The song ends with Novoselic playing a bass solo over feedback.

“Endless, Nameless” – Nirvana

Endless, Nameless” is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by frontman Kurt Cobain. It is the hidden track on their 1991 album Nevermind. It is notable for its chaotic noise collage ending, which segues into the album’s final song, “Something in the Way”.