so funny how Kurt jokes about Leadbelly's guitar being offered for $500k here and the guitar Kurt is using for this set just sold for $6 million.

i'm old enough to remember when MTV played music and the History channel showed History

Remember when MTV used to show stuff like this instead of dysfunctional clowns?

His exhausted exhale after he sings the final "the whole" always shakes me

Kurt Cobain was pre auto tune. His voice was insane. He could scream with a raspy grungy voice perfectly on key. Super underrated singer

Some say Kurt left his soul on that stage that day.

The 4 main Grunge singers’ strongest attributes; 1) Layne Stayley for his emotion (RIP) 2) Kurt Cobain for his intensity (RIP) 3) Eddie Vedder for his uniqueness 4) Chris Cornell for his range (RIP) Side note: It’s such a shame I had to say rip to 3/4 singers above, such a shame. Rip rock gods ❤️

I cannot watch this without crying. I'm 45. My whole life in Seattle. My first concert was Butthole Surfers, Blood Circus, and Nirvana, at Union Station in Seattle on oct 28 1988 . I was there for butthole surfers, never heard of nirvana (years later I learned it was their first show north of Olympia). I only realized nirvana was an opener at the show a few years later. Then i saw them at the OK hotel, with Fitz of depression and Bikini kill. Total little dive bar in seattle, but was an all-ages show (I was 15 or 16). And may 9, 1989 saw Nirvana with Tad and Mudhoney at Lamefest. To be fair, Nirvana wasn't my favorite local band, Mudhoney was/is. But Kurt (and Layne) ended up running in some of the same circles I did. (we're all familiar with the massive seattle heroin epidemic at the time). All that said, I'll never forget where I was, what I was doing when the news broke that Kurt died. Just as clear as 9/11, years later. This unplugged session was the last thing I remember seeing from him before learning of his death, and it was such an amazingly powerful, and in-character, honest performance. Tears and goosebumps every time.

When you were like “this band seems so chill.” I was thinking “give them about thirty seconds” 😂😂

I have to hold back tears every time Kurt *inhales* Y'all know the bit I mean.

Kurt laid it out there for all on this song. he even said it was "the performance of his life". he wouldn't do an encore.....because you couldn't top it.

Kurt’s version of this Leadbelly song is outstanding. The emotion in this song. Gives me chills.

When I was a small girl we sang this song. I'm 82 so that was a very long time ago. Of course, we didn't sing it like Curt but was one of those-everyone knew and you sat on the porch and the family would all join in.

This is Nirvana's version of Lead Belly's version of an old, old, OLD Appalachian/Southern folk song. A college student of music, history, &/or anthropology could probably build a master's thesis out of trying to find the original iteration of this song.

Please notice the silence and patient respect of the crowd at the end. No one rushing or clamoring. No one yelling or demanding. That was real respect of art and artist alike.

The story of that unplugged and that song is really amazing. Going on unplugged was a big deal at the time, all the top bands were doing it. For Nirvana, it was really a huge deal because they were all about being loud and aggressive, how would they do in a soft and quiet performance? During rehearsals everything went wrong! The band was not in a groove together and it showed. Add to it they were playing many cover songs and the producers worried people wouldn't like this. When it came time to the performance, it all went smooth! The band played great, Kurt was amazing and the songs were all well received. They showed, and Kurt especially, showed his brilliance. This was the last song, as Kurt says, and it was so amazing, so passionate by the time they got off the stage the producers wanted more and asked Kurt for an encore song. Kurt simply replied "No, I can't top that song". Less than a year later Kurt would be dead, but he left his brilliance for us to see in this performance.

Every time someone says Kurt couldn't really sing I show them this and Lake of Fire from the same performance.

Sense of humor from a man in major pain

Also Nirvana “man who sold the world”

It’s crazy to think that Kurt put on this kind of amazing performance. He was withdrawing from heroine for days and was feeling very sick, hadn’t washed his hair in days and he was extremely nervous and doubtful of his ability to pull of the show. But in all his doubt, he pulled it together and put together an iconic performance.

I’ve heard this song a million times and it STILL moves me. Rest easy.

He never looks at the crowd, you can feel his anxiety.

In my humble opinion this is one of the greatest live sets on TV, maybe only bettered by Elvis' 68 comeback special.

I have no words to explain what Nirvana and Kurt and this concert and the moment when Kurt looks up and inhales mean for many of us X-Generation-Kids

Kurt wasn't a heartthrob. He was an addict. But his voice and lyrics meant a lot to to those who were teenagers in the early 90s. Up until then, most teenagers didn't know it was the norm to be sad and depressed and didn't know what to say or how to act as a collective group. He, as much as he didn't want to be, was our voice. He wanted people to hear his music because he knew how relatable it was, but he hated how fame made him feel. It was nice to have nice things. It was nice to have fans. But the worship wasn't so nice and in the end it killed him. Yes drugs did too, and he'd had a problem with them for a decade. But trying to be someone he wasn't trying to be made it worse. A lot of the emotional songs from the 90s were made possible by his basically saying we don't know what to with ourselves, but here we are. I don't think his career could've survived the 2000s. He wouldn't be able to conform and I think pop would've made him jaded. It made all of us jaded, it still does. Fuck man--I'm still waiting for the poppy reign of terror to end tbh. Music has suffered because of the mindlessness of lyrics in today's music. It means nothing. A beat, some synth, and a lot of autotune fronted by a pretty face and you have a hit. It's sad. Getting old and being wise sucks sometimes. But that dark, depressing time was one of the best times to live through with grunge.

He actually made the front row seating for people he knew. He was extremely shy and had bad stage fright.

This is possibly the greatest musical performance ever.

The man who made everyone happy except couldn't do it for himself. RIP

Kurt could have been an incredible blues singer, and in his own way, he was.

The olden days; when there was music on Music Television.

This song makes me burst into tears every time I hear it . . And I'm a 40 year old man. .

This was a *very* famous performance. I vividly remember watching. It was on "MTV Unplugged" Nirvana didn't typically do acoustic. This was a departure from the typical. Which was the whole point of the show. The sweater, Kurt Cobain's wearing is famous too. I heard it was just sold at auction

Dave Grohl tapping on the drums is like Mike Tyson playing Yahtzee

That moment when he looks up at the end and you can just see into his soul always gives me chills.

I was a huge fan of Nirvana. I was 21 when that was recorded, and 22 when Kurt killed himself. It was a very hard time for me emotionally. That performance, of a song that most people didn't even know existed, even though it was some 60 years old at the time, made me cry a little inside every time I heard it. His emotion just blew my mind. After he died I used to drive around and listen to it and bawl my eyes out. I stopped listening to it after a few months and rarely listen to it now even after 25 years. BUT seeing you react. That meant a lot to me. I had no one around me at the time to commiserate with about it - nobody but Nirvana fans really gave a shit and I didn't know any. But tonight, YOU made me feel better about it after all these years. It's not like I think about it often. I grew older and have a good life. But seeing you appreciate it, gave me some closure to something that was always there in the depths of my mind. Thank you,

"I'm going where the cold wind blows." Is the line that gets me cause shortly after this show he was gone

I will never forget that moment when he takes a big breath before the end. It always gives me goosebumps. For you, being the first time listening to Kurt, and actually getting goosebumps really tells how much he was able to transmit in this performance. He died not even 6 months after this was filmed. A real tragedy.

The man who sold the world please bro Same show 🙀🙀🙀

One of the most unique and talented people ever right there. Kurt was the man, and this tune...that look he gives during the last inhale of the song..that’s something to behold, it’s stuck with me since I first saw it when I was 17.

I weep every time I hear this. Kurt Cobain is so amazing.

My favorite musician. His eyes, at the end of the song, when he sings "I'll shiver.. the whole" .. But before he takes a deep breath.. this look comes over him that gives me goosebumps everytime.

The sound in his voice that you're trying to identify is pain. Definitely check out original Nirvana stuff. Their sound is so timeless.

I think Kurt's soul was on the outside of this body. He is just so raw and real and beautiful and broken. R.I.P. Kurt.

I was waiting for his reaction to Kurt's scream. Not disappointed.

The Song that stole the show for Nirvanas Unplugged

The breath before the final note will always be a thing of massive beauty. I dunno why. But it is.

Man, I gotta tell you... some of your videos bring tears to my eyes and i'm a grown-assed 57 year old man. I finally figured out why. I grew up being restricted to christian and pale country/western stuff. I would get punished if caught listening to anything else. So at 16 (1978), first car, first FM/cassette deck... I had a lot of years to catch up on. Watching you react to these songs, some of the same songs that blew me away in my teens, touches me somewhere deep inside. Thank you.

"Sounds like he's got a sense of humor... you know, he's a people person..." Bitter. The word you're looking for is bitter. He was an immensely talented person, and it felt like the world kind of let him down. Sometimes the bitterness came through.

I 've heard that song a couple thousands times, still get goose bumps

I’m 41 years old and we were all in shock in HS when we found out that he became part of the 27 club. Damn shame.

One of the greatest performances of all-time. Wasn't a huge fan of Nirvana as a 15 year old in 1990, until I saw this later.

glad that gave you goose bumps..you actually listened to it and felt the emotion...some people get wet and others just feel the rain

Every song on their unplugged album is amazing.

There is nothing more powerful than screaming along with him ”My Girl,my girl..."!😍

It's truly sad that people go that long and never experienced Nirvana. This live show and Neil Young live by himself with his acoustic are the 2 best live concerts you could see. Their performances were unreal. Can't beat those. Nirvana gets addicting my man. If you go down that rabbit hole you're going to have a lot of favorite songs.

What a great soul, Kurt. He's surely missed.

My grandpa used to walk around the house singing this song. He was born in 1911.

I love it when someone who has never experienced the sound of Nirvana, finally listens to them. Nirvana came on the scene and changed music forever. Kurt's pain played with every strum of the guitar strings. He healed a generation with his words, while the music ripped a whole in your soul and left you open, begging for more! Nirvana showed me that I wasn't the only person who was hiding a truckload of pain behind a mask I wore for the world, so no one would see. His death was a punch to the gut that never seemed to go away, because there was finally someone that I could understand. The misfits finally had someone who knew us. For me, it was always Nirvana and all these years later, it's still true. RIP Kurt. ❤️

This is my favourite Nirvana performance EVER! I was so pleased when 'Nirvana Unplugged' was released as an album. This is IMO the best song on there, even though it was a cover - Kurt's voice & charisma took it to a whole new level - the way he looked up at 7:28 - haunting. Kurt was a gentle but troubled soul who hated fame, but what a wonderful legacy he left us ....I wish he'd got to see his daughter grow up. R.I.P. Kurt Cobain 💔

God, I’ll never forget hearing the news he died. I was 11 or 12, my older brother loved them, along with sublime. He was torn up. I was too. He’s a legend and they’re a legendary band!

Hearing Kurt sing "I"m going where the cold wind blows" is just chilling.

It’s a cover of a Leadbelly song called “In the Pines”. Great job by Nirvana, and the original is awesome also!

The emotion he puts into this cover is amazing!

Kurt passed when I was thirteen, I'm now 37 and I love him just the same as ever. He always makes me smile and cry at the same time. Rest in peace kurt and thank you Jamal for your reaction :)

There will never be another scream like Kurt's. A truly devastating loss...RIP Kurt. I still miss you.

Yeah, MTV Unplugged just was the shit back in those days. They really put together amazing performances. I can't watch the Nirvana clip without feeling sadness for Kurt. Really sorry to have lost a great artist and person. Every song on this Unplugged is gold, but go ahead and do tge man who sold the world next. Great memories.

Its still difficult to watch this incredible passionate emotional but tortured soul perform like the genius that he was its heartbreaking to realize he's gone forever from this world love ya Kurt rip

I very highly recommend the entire Nirvana Unplugged in New York album, especially Dumb. Kurt Cobain had amazing talent! Nirvana is my favorite band, Heart is my second favorite. I am truly enjoying your reactions!

I keep 2 CD's in my car for road trips, in case I can't get wifi: Led Zeppelin Mothership and Nirvana on MTV Unplugged. I can listen to these on repeat indefinitely, they never get old, and they really stand the test of time. This song in particular is amazing. I always end up replaying it a few times before I can move on. Also, look at little Dave Grohl on drums! We were so young.

The Man Who Sold the World is another great one from that Nirvana MTV Unplugged concert.

I love this song, and I fkn love the way Kurt sings it, so raw like some folk music. This song still gets me 27 years later ❤️

Lead Belly was an American treasure. You should do some of his music.

I get the chills and goosebumps every time I listen to this. Kurt was just a legendary talent and an extraordinary ordinary human being. He hated the shit that came with fame but he had no other path. He will never be forgotten.

This Unplugged was a masterpiece! Kurt was an immensely sensitive soul...you can see it in that last look when he flashes those intense blue eyes!

Crying alone listening to this masterpiece of Leadbelly howled by Kurt.

This gig has some of the most powerful vocals I have ever heard, not sure anyone can listen and not be moved by that voice

This song is right there with Johnny Cash's "Hurt", as far as the chills I get watching it.

The MTV: Unplugged set, whilst not entirely representitive of the Nirvana 'sound' on the whole, is definitey representitive of the talent they possessed and gives a very deep insight into their influences and personalities. I think the most devastating thing about this, is that in hindsight, it almost looks like the whole performance was arranged by Kurt as his funeral procession, the flowers, the candles, the choice of songs (heavy spiritual themes, which wasn't necessarily a stable of the Nirvana catalogue). Definitely has to go down as one of the best performances ever recorded.

I’m glad that you highlighted Kurt Cobain‘s underrated sense of humor. Sadly, because of his tragic demise, his name is synonymous with heroin and suicide. Many people who knew him would talk about his sense of humor and his kindness to his fans. Thanks for highlighting that and keep on listening to great music.

When i first listen to this concert, about 20 years ago, i was stuned... Then i grabed 3 friend -none of us were playing music at that time- and we started a band ! Still playing. Love from France.

I love Nirvana 🖤🖤 I used to near Aberdeen, WA where he was born and raised. I lived in Westport. Love it there, surfed out there.💙🌲🌊🏄🏽‍♀️

Original version of song is "Black Girl"/"In the Pine" by Lead Belly early 20th century blues musician, Kurt loved the song and wanted to do a cover of it and changed it from "black girl" to "my girl". This song is one of the most emotionally gutting songs for me as I grew up in Seattle during the 80s/90s, Kurt was sorta the town hero. The entire album "Nirvana: Unplugged" is one of the best examples of (for me at least) the last really amazing grunge/rock unplugged style albums. I saw a documentary where people that knew Kurt were commenting on his life after he had killed himself, I don't remember who it was, but when Kurt takes that last deep breath and looks up from his guitar the person commented almost to himself "God damnit Kurt". Looking back it is very easy to see that Kurt was saying goodbye in this performance, that last grindy tone he makes in his throat was physically painful to hear him make, and emotional agony to people going through depression themselves. He gave this performance his all and it showed and I get filled with such vitriolic hate for Courtney Love for her enabling of his addiction.

There will never be another Kurt..... this performance was so masterful... yet so painfullll.

Poor kurt.. 😭😭😭😭 this still gives me chills. You can just hear the pain in his voice. Look how young and how simply gorgeous he was..

This song still gives me chills after 25 years

That growl/scream that Kurt does at the end of the song is kind of his trademark. Kurt had chronic stomach pain and said that it was the source of that sound. The whole Unplugged concert is great, especially the cover of "The Man Who Sold the World," although when the album was first released I was really into their cover of the Vaseline's "Jesus Doesn't Want Me for a Sunbeam." Of course, you probably should also check out Nirvana's own music (I've always loved "About a Girl" and "All Apologies").

The band members are being so gentle with him. They know it’s about to get real, and they are encouraging him.

This song gives me goosebumps like nothing else. Possibly the best Kurt's voice ever sounded. So haunting. Just incredible.

He was in serious pain at this moment yet gave everything he had throughout the entire unplugged show just like he did with every song he ever wrote. Not a perfect man (no such thing) but a loving and intelligent man. When he signs those few autographs at the end what you see is a depressed man in pain but still very appreciative of his fans.

Yeah man. There was no one like Kurt. And there never will be again. One of his last performances before he left us. And it was an absolute doozy. Brilliant as always. Hearing and watching where did you sleep last night for the first time is almost a spiritual experience. I remember seeing it live. He was our generations Lennon and always will be.

This whole concert is amazing. Takes my breath away every time.

I swear we astral travel with Kurt on another plane every time we watch him open his eyes at the crescendo.

"River of Deciept" by Mad Season, It's Layne Staley's Second band, great song

I’m so happy you reacted to this. Nirvana’s entire Unplugged performance is pure gold.

Nirvana was the only Unplugged performance to do it all in one take..Also widely regarded as the best unplugged and performances ever

My favorite track by them. Few songs have as much heart and soul as this gem. RIP Kurt...

And to think he used to have to call local radio stations and request his own music to be played. A total and complete legend ❤

One of the most underrated singers ever. At the end, when he opened his eyes, I figure that was a world wide Sploosh moment

Amazing band and an amazing man. Love this song, the pure emotion and pain on his face at the end is insane.

Goosebumps. This is the musical equivalent of leaving in all out on the field. Every breath and ounce of emotion. And MTV unplugged was like an event, every new episode was highly anticipated and then watched and rewatched and then albums... and it was awesome. LL Cool J did one that was really unique.