Cannot be overstated how much this song changed rock music.

Dave Grohl (drummer) goes on to be the leader and guitarist for the Foo Fighters. He also admits to borrowing the intro to this song from Tony Thompson of Chic and the Power Station

It was time for "Hair Metal" to die. It had become a parody of itself by the late-'80s. The slate needed to be wiped clean to separate the talented from the bands simply cashing in on the look, the trend, and the lifestyle that went along with it. Thank you, Nirvana and the short-lived Grunge scene!

I grew up in Olympia, Washington. Still go home to visit my 91-year-old parents. Kurt wrote most of Nevermind in a house on Pear Street in Olympia. I go by that house every time I'm back home. Out of respect.

Man, this song. It just grabs you by the throat and does not let go. As good as the drumming is....and also Cobain's whisper-to-scream vocals....the production by Butch Vig is also incredible -- doesn't get enough credit.

I was into the hair metal scene & hip hop & when that song came out, people lost their minds. It was so influential that the music industry dropped hair metal & mined the Seattle area of all its bands, both good and bad. The term grunge was invented to give the media a buzz word to use for those Seattle bands, but those bands were not the same. Nirvana was different from Pearl Jam which was different from Soundgarden which was different from Alice in Chains & so on. Lot of great bands came out during that time & a lot of musicians left us way too early. And, out of the ashes of Nirvana rose the Foo Fighters.

You need to watch Dave Grohl explaining to Pharrell, how he came up with the beat for this song. The moment Pharrell recognizes it is classic. Then the epilogue is so wonderful.

The drummer is Dave Grohl, who formed the Foo Fighters after Kurt killed himself. As you know, Dave Grohl moved from the drums to guitar and vocals with the Foo Fighters. 🕊❤️🎼

Once again, admitting your roots are R and B, and Hip Hop, and you guys approach all music! Thank you Fella's

I first saw this video in December of 1991. It's came on MTV as I was walking through the room at an after exam party and it stopped me in my tracks. I had never heard anything like it before. Changed my life.

I remember exactly where I was. Grade 6 in the field at recess on a Walkman. Mind blown. Forever.

Favorite Nirvana lyric - Forever in debt to your priceless advice (Heart Shaped Box)

Weird Al Yankovic did a parody of this song making fun of the fact you can't understand the words, you guys probably knew that

I went to a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in December of 1991. Their opening acts were Nirvana and Pearl Jam. Definitely one of the best shows ever.

I think thats gotta be THE rock song of the 90s!

Ive heard this song 3 million times and didn't know half the lyrics until now.

My definition of Grunge: Evolution of metal: still heavy but less polished, fuzzy and more melodic...Kids were a bit jaded with the fakeness of hair metal. You can see it happening in the late 80ies with Guns & Roses. May also want to check out Janes Addiction (Nothing Shocking or Ritual De Habitual albums)- they were right in that limbo period between metal and grunge in late 80ies early 90ies.

I am 70 and I love this song!!❤

Ned again fellas. I'm an old NYC Punker from the 1980s and remember Dave's teenage band Dain Bramage's advert in Hardcore punk magazines like Maximum Rock n Roll. He was already doing that beat back then which if you listen to it is a kind of half paradiddle between the snare and bass drum. Then he replaced the drummer in Scream who were a pretty legendary Wash DC band. The pre Grohl Nirvana played in NYC at the Pyramid club as the OPENING band for RAT AT RAT R. After they got famous half of the scene swore they were there. I know one or two guys who were there and said they were great. Iggy Pop was there too.

The lyrics speak to a young man standing at the line between leaving his youth and accepting the deep responsibilities of adulthood. He calls out to his mother and father, but they turn a deaf ear to his pain.

I'm 56 years old and this song brings out the teenage rage still buried in my soul EVERY SINGLE TIME. It's such a relief to let it flow. 🤘

The song that started a revolution.

Everyone who loves this song remembers where they were when they first heard it. At my cousins house in his room. We just sat and stared at each other then replayed it about 40 times.

this was the only rock song that was played heavily on the rap radio in the Bay Area California

When this song was released the NO1 song was "working for the weekend" by Loverboy- The grunge sound made Rock Dangerous again

Incredible song and the production by Butch Vig was masterful. Vig is a member of the band, Garbage, their drummer and producer. This song has a classic Garbage sound, exact and clear segments followed by huge industrial chaotic bombastic hooks. Well done by all.

Best song of the last 35 yrs

This saved me from the 80's hair bands! They were trying to rip off the Pixies, one of my fav bands too. Cheers.

The most underrated drummers ever. ❤ top 10 of all time.

Yeah you need to listen to their 3 studio albums in chronological order and their legendary mtv unplugged. Theres a reason their music still his and his words make people smile and tear up.

I was at a point where I was beginning to think that maybe rock was on its last legs when this video popped up. The opening guitar really caught my ear because it was something different. When Dave Grohl came in on the drums, though, my faith in rock was restored. Interesting to hear that this had an impact on the hip hop world. I'd never heard that before. Just goes to show that great music is great music, whatever the genre.

Man! I grew up on. the East Cost and took a 2 week vacation in California right after the Rodney King verdict came out. I brought this back along with some other bands so my friends could give a listen. In 1991-1992 the East Coast got music later than sooner....lost my every loving mind and I'm a hard core Jazz, EWF and Blues and was hooked on the Genre...thanks Gents!

A game change for the direction of music and influential as the a group can be for the next generation. Having not listened to this for some time, I am brought back to a simple time in my life. Young drummer playing in many bands in NYC and opening up for a band called the Bad Brains. Check out, "I against I". Speed, dexterity, brilliance and musicianship all wrapped up in the same ANGST as Nirvana. Put your seat belts on before you listen to this one!

The song that, for me, changed rock and roll and brought grunge to the rest of America outside Seattle . Good call with your rating guys. 🤘

Grohl looks eleven.

The soft verse/loud chorus thing was heavily influenced by The Pixies. And the biggest tragedy of Kurt Cobain dying is that Dave Grohl switched from drums to guitar.

This was the beginning of being more main stream. Before this they were heavy into punk rock which I tried to listen to but I'm not a huge punk fan. Dave is one of the best drummers. I wish he played them more now a days.

Gotta react to some more Nirvana. Countless good songs in their discography

Check out Breed. It is a serious banger. This was 1 of the most important songs of a generation. So much changed because of this album. So much from this album was played on the airwaves. The drums were crazy, hats off to Dave Grohl.

Glad you guys talked about this song. It changed the world of rock music and Butch Vig did a masterful job producing and mixing. Every song on album is fantastic. Keep checking it out in it's entirety. 🤘

Just a monster record. Cobain was super talented.

This is definitely a masterpiece . Also “ Come as you are “ is phenomenal. The guitar sound on that is exceptional.

Great reaction gentleman. Love these guys when they came out in the early 90’s. Saw them in Washington with Jerry Cantral and Layn before they were Alice In Chains. They were called Sleze and a Glam band. Layne started out as a drummer. Keep up the great work La/Che

Gawdamn we rocked to this song in the day!

My brothers. He defined a generation. I remember the exact moment I heard when he died.

ALL time classic! dbl ♥ Still one of the best rock songs ever made!

Nirvana - Smells like teen spirit ; 1,8 billion views ... ,... i like it too!

Did someone say,, GIVE ME SOME BARZ?.. When released,, This one hit different,, But in the best of ways,, Timbuk 3 "Life Is Hard" (Official Music Video A MUST!!) 🔥

In the late 80"s, "grunge" did actually define a sound - high levels of distortion, feedback, fuzz effects, a fusion of punk and metal influences. (Taken from The Origin of "grunge" in Northwest Passage)

There are videos of Dave playing alone to this in tribute to Kurt and you can see exactly what he's doing and how complex his patterns are. Another drummer from that scene who is a game changer is Matt Cameron from Soundgarden, Hater and Wellwater Conspiracy.

The 90s was a blessed era for music. Nirvana, Alice in Chains, Stone Temple Pilots, Soundgarden, Smashing Pumpinkin's, Red Hot Chili Peppers etc All of those great great bands in their bests. It would be fantastic guys if you start dive into this era and these bands. Cheers!

The grunge revolution in the 90's had an incredible impact on music and so many artists there after.

Now that you have this one fresh in your minds you really should do Weird Al's version - "Smells Like Nirvana". Brilliant parody!

I still remember the exact moment when I saw this video. It shook me. I knew this was different, and my jaw dropped. Coincidentally, I still remember the moment I saw the first Foo Fighters video, I'll Stick Around. Seeing "the drummer from Nirvana" singing and shredding on guitar floored me.

Yes guys, Weird Al Yankovic made up his own words too. Same as you both - me too. Als parody uses the same venue and cast of 'extras', even the janitor - it's hilarious. Title is 'Smells Like Nirvana' Cheers✌

The song that changed everything.

Wow! Just wow!! Awesome song. Awesome band.

Awesome reaction, you guys got to do “Weird Al” Yankovic’s smells like teen Spirit. He talks about how you can’t understand the lyrics. It’s a great version of it.

Now you have to do Weird Al’s version “Smells Like Nirvana”. EPIC!

1991……Everything changed…..Paradigm shift in music.

Guys, Nirvana really opened us up to the Grunge Scene. They crossed barriers and broke down walls. The drummer is Dave Grohl. Who started a little band called The Foo Fighters. You’ll eventually get to them. In answer to what grunge is, it’s the sound. And this kicked off an entirely new music category. ❤

Y’all need to do the whole album!!!

Oh my god I never knew the words. Thank you guys!!!

This song will stand the test of time. Love it!🤩

I stay occasionally in a hotel right near Sound City where Nirvana and Pearl Jam recorded in Panorama City. It was perfect, backstreet, sketchy neighborhood. Took some photos, you couldn't imagine what went on in there.

It's so sad that the lead singer's depression and drug abuse led him to commit suicide. He apparently couldn't stand the fame and attention. Very heart wrenching story.

Grunge started in Seattle. Where it rains a lot and depression is widespread. Somebody I know from there said you had to take a Prozac with your morning coffee. The band was from the poorer side of town and they wore that style clothing, which was always old, until manufacturers started making them that way and went on to set a trend. At least some of the band members had troubled home lives. Grunge: dark, gritty, and with attitude.

To me, grunge is raw. That's the distinction.

We didn’t have cheer leaders like that in high school👍👊😉💥

The drummer is Dave Grohl.

IT WAS THEIR "MASTERPIECE" 😎😎😎👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Theres a handful of Grunge Rock groups to go through. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots

Cobain and Nirvana were at the forefront of an onslaught of bands out of the Seattle area…that introduced the world to the looks and sounds of grunge…which ended the era of ‘Hair Bands’ basically…overnight. Accompanying them were the likes of Pearl Jam, Alice In Chains, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, the Smashing Pumpkins and a slew of others. The drummer of Nirvana, David Grohl, went on to form (& front) the Foo Fighters as both guitarist and lead vocalist.

When this song hit, it ended so many 80’s bands and it was a shot between the ears…

This album marked the death of 80s hair metal. You should react to their MTV unplugged performance. They were beyond greatness and I don't think we realized it.

Dave Grohl, drummer here & founder/guitarist/singer for the Foo Fighters, admitted that he took this drum riff from The Gap Band drummer Tony Thompson. He told Pharell this, which blew his mind. Dave said Tony came to his house for a party & Dave told Tony thank you, I totally used your riffs for Nirvana and Tony said, 'I know'. 🤣 When you listen to some Gap Band songs with this in mind, it totally becomes clear!!

October 1991, my best friend and I were bored so we headed downtown (Detroit). There was always something going on at St. Andrew's Hall or the Shelter. Nirvana was playing and we had no clue who they were. We actually thought they were going to be some leftover 80s hairband wannabes. We found out quiçk how wrong we were. That still stands as the loudest concert I had ever been to. We all knew when we left that music had just changed. Their lyrics spoke to all us GenXers. Sadly, that was the only time I saw them live.

That drum n bass sound is amazing

This track is so great, for all time (and a couple others of theirs) that even though at the time I wasn’t paying close attention to pop (sometimes life demands attention)😉 its one of those you don’t have to be paying attention but it penetrates and turns your head “Wait. What is this?” Before I knew who they were “This. is. great. Hands down.”

Grunge was firstly a sound and later a style. I think Mark Arm, of Mudhoney, called his guitar tone Grunge or grungy in an interview and the description caught on. Then it fit that all of the band's happened to dress in flannel shirts abused boots ripped pants etc...the style caught on to the sound terminology. Bam. Grunge. It was probably Alt Rock or Alt Hard Rock to a record business type.

Structurally this song is incredible

I can’t even watch this anymore without hearing/seeing the Weird Al version. 😂

I've been waiting for this❗🎵🎵🎵

Kurt hung out w the Melvin’s who were one of the earliest grunge bands he called Jack Endino one day and the rest as they say is history

I wasn’t the only one making up my own lyrics? 😂😂😂😂 Great reactions👍😎

Check out Nirvana “where did you sleep last night” live unplugged for Kurt’s voice on full display. And check out “Aneurysm” for one of the most underrated hard hitting songs. Great drums by Grohl

I went skiing the weekend after this album dropped. Someone in our group played it non-stop all weekend. Never stopped.

Outstanding fellas! Thanks!

Grunge is like Black flag - Black sabbath - Hendrix with a forever youthful modern sound

Most important song of the 90s.

"OH well! Whatever! Nevermind!" - the mantra of the young misunderstood GenXer! I seriously need a flux capacitor and a DeLorean. I'd stay in the 90s

Grohl is a monster on the kit!!

The seattle sound remains undefeated 😌

The whole Never-ending album is awesome - as you started with the initial track yu may as well carry on

Everyone remembers where they were or what they were doing the first time they heard this song...

Love how y’all love music

This song came out when I was 15 and it blew my mind! No more motley crue or Bon jovi or whatever. Love it my kids love it

One of your very best reactions gentlemen 👍

Thanks guys,great song

First time seeing this back in the day was such an amazing experience! Seeing the lyrics included is great and truly appreciate your insights. Thank you! 😽🎶