American Songbook

# 19 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Lyrics and Music: Kurt Cobian, Dave Grohl, Krist Novoselic

Kurt Donald Cobain (1967-1994) with Krist Novoselic formed a grunge band in Seattle, Washington in 1987and began recording in 1989. Eventually, a fan by the name of Courtney Love, grabbed the rising star. Kurt Cobain had an undiagnosed stomach ailment that was eased by drug use and heroin and other drugs were part of the relationship with Love. This became an issue with their first child and custody battles and the increasing media feeding frenzies. The ability of the media to generate and saturate the world with news stimulated greed and exploitation that affected many famous and not so famous people in the 1990s. In 1991 Nirvana produced their breakthrough album "Nevermind", which included "Smells Like A Teen Spirit". The songs unique sound is based on soft and loud shifts in volume with classic rock/blues four-eight-twelve bar verse and chorus. Cobain claimed that the title was a reference to rebellion rather than the brand of deodorant. It became a huge hit and was labeled as an anthem for the Gen X youth coming of age in the 1990s. In 1994 Kurt Cobain committed suicide at age 27.

Load up on guns
Bring your friends
Its fun to lose
And to pretend
Shes overboard
Myself assured
I know I know
A dirty word

Hello (x 16)

With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea

Im worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end

Hello (x 16)

With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea

And I forget
Just what it takes
And yet I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
Its hard to find
Oh well, whatever, nevermind

Hello (x 16)

With the lights out its less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea