Top Ten Songs by Nirvana
My Favorite Band
10 - Dive is on the live disc From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah, but its best version is on the first track on the band's disc of B-sides. In many ways, it is similar to "Blew" in that it kicks off the album with big dose of grungy bass guitar. Cobain seesaws from a Beatles-like voice to his regular voice on the verses. Sample lyric: "Everyone speaks German."
9 - School is one of the best songs on "Wishkah." Cobain's voice goes soaring off into crazy-land as he wails "you're in that school again!" This song features some of the best rhythm guitar on a Nirvana song. Sample lyric: "Just my luck: no recess."
8 - Heart-Shaped Box is the biggest hit and best song on In Utero. The live version on Wishkah is almost identical to the studio version, but that's not a bad thing. Although Nirvana had tasted artistic and commercial success, its follow-up hit song didn't sell out in any way. Sample lyric: "Throw down your umbilical noose, so I can come right back."
7 - Lithium is easily the funniest Nirvana song ever. Cobain's self-deprecation is on full display, but he invites everyone to the pity party, saying "I'm so ugly; that's OK, 'cause so are you." The bass guitar provides a good segue from the "Yeaaaaah Yeah" chorus to the lithum-addled verses. Sample lyric: "Today I found my friends They're in my head."
6 - Blew is the first song on the group's first album, Bleach. The bass line gets the song going before the guitars kick in. This song establishes what Nirvana is all about with its moody tone and energetic guitars and vocals. Sample lyric: "Is there another word that rhymes with shame?"
5 - All Apologies is a slow, introspective song, but it still evolves into a full-blown rock-out before it winds down. I think Nirvana was always at its best in its fastest, most out-of-control songs. That's why "Polly" ranks as my least favorite Nirvana song. "All Apologies" is best found on the MTV Unplugged album, but it's quite good on In Utero as well. Sample lyric: "I wish I was like you - easily amused."
4 - Aneurysm is an epic rocker that is the best song on the live Wishkah CD. Everyone in the band is just going nuts on this song, and it makes me wish I could have seen the band live. Sample lyric: "Beat me out of me!"
3 - Negative Creep is the fastest, most machine-gun like speed metal song in the entire Nirvana catalog. There is a wilder vocal version on Wishkah, but this song moves so fast, that it's best for the lyrics to be under control like they are on Bleach. Sample (often-repeated) lyric: "Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more."
2 - Smells Like Teen Spirit is Nirvana's biggest hit and the opener of its classic album, Nevermind. The song keeps bouncing between calm verses and a wild chorus. Basically this song is a barely controlled freak-out by Kurt Cobain with driving guitars. Sample lyric, which sums up the entire grunge era: "Oh well, whatever, nevermind."
1 - Come As You Are is my favorite song of all time, barely beating "No Rain" by Blind Melon. I guess I dig '90s bands whose lead singers didn't survive the decade. Anyway, the bass guitar at the beginning indicates that this will not be a barely controlled freak out. It's just a perfectly crafted rock song. Sample lyric: "And I swear that I don't have a gun."
As much as I miss Nirvana and wish I could hear new material from the band, I'm glad they never went into a downslide and produced songs that couldn't crack this top 10 list.
Published by Jeff D Gorman
Jeff Gorman is a journalist for a local newspaper, editor for BleacherReport.com and a legal writer for CNP. When he isn't writing he's pursuing his sports broadcasting career. When you need a profession... View profile
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55 Comments
Post a CommentJohnR22 - that is also my favorite Nirvana lyric. It seems like a simple lyric at first but if you think about it it means a lot, which is part of what makes it great.
Nirvana in general had some of my favorite lyrics though, Kurt was one of the most talented songwriters IMO.
nirvana is GREAT!!!!!!!
What about the 10 most UNDER RATED Nirvana songs? Here's my list starting with the MOST under rated: 1. D-7 2. Dive 3. Even in his youth 4. Old age 5. Very ape 6. Lounge act 7. I hate myself and want to die 8. Verse chorus verse 9. Token eastern song 10. Scentless apprentice.
No such thing is an "incorrect" top 10 Nirvana list. This is a fine list, but I particularly like the author's choice lyrics for each songs; he really nails it each time. My favorite lyric? I find it hard..., it's hard to find...oh well, whatever, nevermind.
#1 - Lithium
#2 - Come As You Are
#3 - Heart-shaped Box
#4 - About A Girl
#5 - Polly
#6 - In Bloom
#7 - Smells Like Teen Spirit
#8 - All Apologies
#9 - Breed
#10 - Pennyroyal Tea
Smells Like Teen Spirit is overrated, still good compared to the rest of the music industry.
And to the guy who said we are wanna bes, seriously? it isnt even on my list but it still is a great song. I think its a little overrated and got to popular but it still is a great song. Quit calling people wannabes because Kurt didnt like it and they do. Even though he didnt like it (because of the popularity), he probably would want the fans to have their own opinions instead of following him like lost sheep and saying if Kurt hates it, then we should to. Get a life dude
I say this
#10 - Lithium
#9 - On a Plain
#8 - In Bloom
#7 - Heart Shaped Box
#6 - About a Girl
#5 - Come As You Are
#4 - Drain You
#3 - The Man Who Sold the World
#2 - Pennyroyal Tea
#1 - You Know You're Right - One of the most underestimated Nirvana songs.
In My Opinion, smells Like Teen Spirit, Heart-Shaped Box, Sliver, Lithium And Breed Are The Top 5 Nirvana Songs. But There are Sooo Many Brilliant Songs. Nirvana Was The Greatest Band Of The 90's, Case Closed.
In Bloom + "What about his cover of where did you sleep last night"
That's why Nirvana was so great - many enduring songs that didn't make the top 10.
What about his cover of where did you sleep last night