Nirvana classic ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ recently hit 2 Billion streams. A rock classic from a bygone era has reached a huge milestone as Nirvana’s 1991 smash hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has surpassed 2 billion streams on Spotify. The grunge cornerstone crossed the 10-digit threshold recently.
Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
Nirvana changed the music scene forever. changed the music scene forever. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a track that didn’t just hut the airwaves but exploded them to the scene.
Nirvana released “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to radio on Aug. 27, 1991, and on Sept. 10, 1991 and they released it as the lead single off their breakthrough sophomore album, Nevermind, which came out two weeks later. The song became the clarion call of a generation disillusioned with polished pop and glam metal of the 80s. From the opening riff, Kurt Cobain’s gritty voice and the thrashing drums resonated with teens everywhere. It was raw, real and the band was at their finest.
From the opening riff, Kurt Cobain’s gritty voice, and the thrashing drums of Dave Grohl, the song resonated with teens everywhere. It was raw, it was real, and it was Nirvana at their finest.
Nirvana received great reception
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” slowly gained exposure through college rock and modern rock radio stations. MTV premiered the video on its late-night alternative program 120 Minutes, and it received an overwhelming reception that it quickly moved into the channel’s daytime rotation.
It has been noted that by January 1992, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” had peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, and Nevermind had climbed to the top of the Billboard 200, dethroning Michael Jackson’s Dangerous.
Together, the song and album catapulted grunge into the mainstream, and contemporary releases from the likes of Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots sold millions of copies as well.
Nevermind went diamond in the United States for sales exceeding 10 million, and “Smells Like Teen Spirit” certainly remains Nirvana’s signature song and the definitive anthem of the grunge era. It is by far the group’s biggest streaming hit.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” has been a part of the “Billions Club,” a playlist made by Spotify to commemorate the platform’s biggest streaming hits. Other rock classics on the list include Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Toto’s “Africa,” Oasis’ “Wonderwall,” Linkin Park’s “In the End,” the Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” and three songs from Queen: “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites the Dust” and “Don’t Stop Me Now.”
However, beyond the charts and accolades, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” remains a true classic from the band. Even decades later, the song’s impact reverberates.
