Lithium is a drug that is a mood stabilizer, and it is given to people who are bipolar. The song is written from the perspective of someone experiencing extreme highs and lows in mood.

"I'm not gonna crack" .. is such a great lyric because we all face frustrations and temptations that we resist.

Alot of singers just sing. But Kurt sang with his actual pain, emotion, torment, and the rawness of it is unparalleled..

His voice was definitely an instrument🔥

I love the way that Asia was lost deep in her thoughts about the song, lyrics, performance, and Kurt. Yes, do not fight that, music can take you you deep inside yourself, help you to learn about yourself. Music is magic for sure.

This man was a gift. It's a tragedy we lost him but he was a tortured soul.

It’s crack. Not cry. But cry is dope if that was the actual lyric.

And his songwriting abilities are just phenomenal

Nirvana IS my childhood. Never knew how fortunate I was then until I grew up and realized music will never be the same. Thanks for doing Nirvana. I’d recommend “The Man Who Sold The World” next which is a David Bowie cover. Great song 🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏼👏🏼🙌🏼💜🇨🇦

I'm a recovering addict and I think he is talking about heroin, which Kurt got addicted to and tried to get clean. There is hidden drug meanings in this song. His inner thoughts as you said.The temptation is always there. Love you guys ✌& ❤

Welcome to the world of Bipolar people in a relationship? Anyone who has ever dated a person who is really Bipolar knows exactly what the lyrics mean. Kobain hit the nail right on the head. Lithium was heavily prescribed by doctors for bipolar disorder & when I found it in my soon to be X girlfriends pocketbook I quickly understood why she was completely insane sometimes.

He is saying, "I'm not going to crack..." He is trying to be strong while being away from his women.

Whoever you are getting your rock and metal suggestions from keep going to that well. All of the song choices have been excellent.

Great reaction: Watch "What Makes This Song Great" Ep. 44 NIRVANA (2) to get an idea of Kurt's song writing.

I grew up back then, it's hard to describe it. Music literally went from Motley Crue and Poison which were all songs about sex drugs and partying to this seemingly overnight. There was "thrash metal" like Metallica and such but they weren't getting radio time, and you had Guns N Roses which were kinda like a bridge between the likes of Motley Crue to harsher stuff like this but it really was like someone flicked a switch. I graduated high school on 95 so literally my freshman year is when all of this happened, the older kids in the school were still mostly preppy kinda you know polo shirts and Dockers left over from the 80's, my class were literally super baggy jeans, t shirts and yes flannel and did not give a shit about what others thought of us and everyone in our class hung out there was no divisions it was cool.

Nirvana changed my life!

Kurt has the most melodic voice ever!

what you were saying about Kurt's voice blending with the music is actual fact.... each word he sings on this song, especially, is on the bassline beat, as it usually is on Nirvana songs. try listening again and notice that every time Kurt says a word you'll hear Krist plucking a bass note. Krist isn't often hailed as one of the greatest bass players, he doesn't play overly complicated stuff, but what he was really super good at was following Kurt's vocal beat. I must've told over a hundred people to check this out back when this came out... that part of the 2nd chorus when they shift into overdrive changed the game and made grunge.

There are 3 times in my life when the death of a musician really affected me, Kurt was the second. He was truly gifted. Dave Grohl the drummer from Nirvana is also amazing. His career post Nirvana is phenomenal.

watching BJs facial expressions when the song picks up is great

Breed live from this show was good.

Cobain is the only musician to be included in the 100 singers of all time, 100 greatest guitarists of all time and 100 greatest songwriters of all time

He’s not gonna’ “cry”…..He’s not gonna’ “crack”.

Hi Asia and BJ, first RIP Kurt, If you really listen to his music it will reveal his true thoughts about his depression and his drug use, I don't care what conspiracy people say it was heroin and other drugs that took him from us

There is so much more Nirvana that I think you guys would appreciate. Kurt was something special. It's not just his lyrics, song writing or the way he uses his voice in such a way that it is pretty much another instrument in the band. This guy never had guitar lessons, he taught himself to play guitar and he is also a left handed player who plays a right handed guitar, meaning that the strings are upside down for him, compared to a traditional guitar player.

my favorite Nirvana song. I love the contrast between the soft and loud sections and the guitar is super grungy. And you can't even count how many other groups copied Nirvana's style, especially Bush and Nickelback.

Wow.. when it all changed! RIP KC 🕊 THX’s A & BJ, ❤️‍🔥 yawl

Nirvana unplugged concert was great, a lot of great songs

Been decades since I listened to this, and I like your take on it, gives me some new perspective on a great song.

Kurt said the story of the song is about a guys whose girlfriend died and he is depressed about. Going through life always feeling her there wanting to be true and faithful to their love even after she is gone.

Thankyou darlings! Hope to see Some Queen again soon. They were epic live! I suggest One Vision live at Wembley or Somebody to Love live at Montreal. Much bless to you ❤️

Love Nirvana, thanks guys for reviewing them❤

I got this CD when it came out and I've always mistaken "CRACK" for "CRY" as well. ;)

BJ is feeling it!

It’s amazing how people hear different lyrics than are actually being said.

I always heard “not coming back” but he says “I’m not gonna crack” I guess you hear what hits home. React to papercuts by nirvana

I've said it like a thousand times but Live at the Paramount was an incredible set. Breed! Dave Grohl can still beat on some drums. Gotta try some Foo Fighters at some point.

I have enjoyed watching BJ really seem to get into whatever music type he listens to! Good music is good music!! Love it!

When he is in the slow parts.. its a lot of things you should be excited about or show a ton of emotion but its suppressed...when it speeds up he is isnt suppressed he is trying to explain everything all frantic at once

Great reaction guys - honestly nirvana have so many amazing performances, definitely recommend their mtv performance of ‘where did you sleep last night’. Appreciate you guys and have a great day :)

*Asia* look confused throughout whether it was the lyrics or the young men antics going on in the video *Asia* was confused while *BJ* was smiling & nodding along

I loved Nirvana. I missed Kurt 😭. He looks amazing

The song is structured to illustrate a bipolar disorder. He goes from depressed to frantic in a flash before getting his Lithium dose so he doesn't crack. Paul McCartney called him a genius. That is pretty high praise from such a source.

I love Nirvana 😁 Rip Kurt Cobain 🖤

ONE of my favorite songs ever, but especially if Im in a mood.

He got some videos from mtv unplugged accoustic 🔥

Great song and great reaction!

Kurt said in interviews that his lyrics were open for interpretation. There was usually no definitive meaning to most of Nirvana's songs as a whole but of coarse individual lines or choruses had obvious meaning, not always abstract which is what music can always be as an art form

The drummer for Nirvana is Dave grohl (may have misspelled his last name) is the lead singer of a band named Foo Fighters. You might like them too

Tons of Nirvana haters in this world, But a hell of a lot more Nirvana lovers out there, fuck the haters. Nirvana forever!!!

He's not saying "I'm not gonna cry"... he's saying "I'm not gonna *crack* "... meaning he's not going to give into his emotions and demons.

Their drummer looks so much like the lead singer of the Foo Fighters! "I've been looking for Dave Grohl"

And who's on the drums ? the one and only Dave Grohl lead singer for Foo Fighters .

What's really funny is that the drummer from Nirvana looks like the lead signer from the Foo Fighters.

En verdad como me hubiera gustado estar en un concierto de nirvana esa adrenalina la vos de Kurt, y como tocaban el grupo era una loquera total.

I think “I can’t wait to meet you there” you read too much into. I’m 41 and always super excited to see old friends I haven’t met up with in months. So it’s always exciting to see old friends 😂😜

Oh this is great I'm from Washington state I grew up on all these bands grunge rules don't get me wrong love Metallica and favorite group of all time The Mighty Led Zeppelin but these songs are full of so much anxste and energy I just wanna run a 1,000 mph

For a completely different Nirvana vibe, listen to "Something In The Way". There were a lot of rumors that Kurt wrote it about sleeping under a bridge or something like that.

@DennisVass I hear you! I'm to the point I dont think any of the stars are who we think they are and they sure as hell didnt die in the ways that we were told.

More nirvana guy’s please 🙏👏❤️🙂

Billie Eilish reminds me of him...Not musicaly but some vibe she has is very similar..Maybe the darkness inside her and how she pulls you in the song. Captivating people.

Reggae legend Little Roy did an album of Nirvana covers, Lithium probably being the highlight. You should check it out, so familiar but so different.

u know the Nirvana drummer here is now the lead singer,writer and guitarist for Foo Fighters right? should check them out, "the pretender" is a good one .

More Nirvana!!

Have you all reacted/seen the "Nirvana - Come as you are" video? One of my favorites from that era. Loving your content, keep it up! ☮

Where Did You Sleep Last Night," Nirvana unplugged. Finish the triad of Unplugged grunge!

Straight up song about manic depression… it’s genius how his voice represents the ups and downs of Bipolar disorder (quite and Loud)

Drug addicts can be really deep and philosophical but unfortunately that same thing that frees their mind also is the death of them too early!

Yea I like bands where the vocals are more like another instrument

Nirvana is still a shooting star going a million miles an hour.🌠

Best reactors on KZfaq hands down! Just love you guys. So intelligent! :)

Asia's to beautiful

“My will is good” 😂❤

You're exaclty right with the comparison to Tool. So many of these bands that came after Nirvana in the 90s were influenced by Nirvana and say so themselves. That's not a criticism of those later bands; everyone is influenced by others. But the more you listen to these 90s rock bands, the more you will hear Nirvana's influence including the voice of the singer, the music, lyrics, etc. Another good video, guys. You two are my fav react channel.

You want to react to their live performance of Territorial Pissings from The Jonathan Ross Show from around the same era. Now THAT was good.

Come as you are - my favorite song‼‼‼‼‼

One of the greatest. Still a tragedy, was in such pain

Kurt Cobain has a different way of writing lyrics, many people would misinterpret them when they heard them, that or just not be able to understand them, lol. He was a gifted man, RIP.

u think he said im not gonna cry, but whats funny is any misheard nirvana lyric is always still in line with the meaning. its like he nailed the context so hard that u can mishear it and it still makes perfect sense.

Try "my curse" by the Afhgan Whigs" to hear a female voice by the only soul based grunge- alternative pioneers and do you diggg into truly deep lyrics: "Hurt me baby, i flinch so when you do"...

Please check out Pixies! Huge admitted influence on Nirvana. Love you guys.

------STAIND ------ 🎶 outside- 🎶 with Linkin park....live version!!! Plz plz plz! Or same band- something to remind you! Or lost and lonely.... PLZZZZZ

One of the biggest cover ups ever can't prove me otherwise

Nirvana MTV UNPLUGGED is a must watch .

Thats not a song its an experience! They had so many bangers but if i absolutely had to pick a fav i think it would be this.

Ok this is SUPER WEIRD! Because I never even heard of Lithium until literally YESTERDAY in Britney Spears testimony to the court and she said that her dad put her on it against her will. And now this song. Strange! WAIT!!! LOL he just said IM OK I SHAVED MY HEAD. OK OK OK! just watching all these Britney Spears videos about her life that part just reminds me when she shaved her head. WEIRD!!!

Dave Grohl on the drums. I don't really dig Foo Fighters much but in Nirvana he was a true indie rock star turned ROCKSTAR. Well Kurt was bigger at the time. But all 3 of Nirvana fv

NEED to react to the Unplugged version of " Where did you sleep last night?" By Nirvana

just subbed keep up the good work

5:09 best part

Excellent tune

YEAH YEAH YEA YYYEEEEAAAAHHHH!

Kurt and the crew sound so much better live. Wild

@2:28 - I would argue that that is a very astute observation.

Sooooo good

Dr. Dre said Nirvana is the greatest rock band of all time.

"I'm not gonna crack" is the phrase.

The lyrics in "Lithium" are far simpler than you think. The lyrics are intended to convey a sensation - in this case, being unbalanced. That's how lines like "I'm so excited, I can't wait to meet you there/ I don't care" that idea fits with the title too; "Lithium" is a mood-altering substance.

Y’all should react to nirvana mtv unplugged Man who sold the world

1K likes! Yay!