Smells Like Teen Spirit Lyrics: Here's The Story Behind the Iconic Song

Having sold over 13 million copies worldwide, it has become one of the best-selling songs of all time.

by Gilang Rahmatullah Akbar Modified Date 20 Aug 2025, 02:00 AM
Having sold over 13 million copies worldwide, it has become one of the best-selling songs of all time.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana.

It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records.

Having sold over 13 million copies worldwide, it has become one of the best-selling songs of all time.

Its success propelled Nevermind to the top of several album charts and is often cited as the point at which grunge entered the mainstream.

It was Nirvana's biggest hit, topping the music industry charts worldwide in 1991 and 1992, and reaching number one in Belgium, France, New Zealand, and Spain.


"Smells Like Teen Spirit" Lyrics

Load up on guns, bring your friends

It's fun to lose and to pretend

She's over-bored and self-assured

Oh no, I know a dirty word

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's 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, yeah

Hey, yay

I'm 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, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello

With the lights out, it's 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, yeah

Hey, yay

And I forget just why I taste

Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile

I found it hard, it's hard to find

Oh well, whatever, never mind

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, hello, how low?

Hello, hello, helloWith the lights out, it's less dangerous

Here we are now, entertain usI feel stupid and contagious

Here we are now, entertain usA mulatto, an albinoA mosquito, my libido

A denial, a denial

A denial, a denial

A denial, a denial

A denial, a denial

A denial


What is "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Really Mean?

Guitarist and singer Kurt Cobain described "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as an attempt to write "the ultimate pop song," inspired by the soft and loud dynamics of The Pixies.

The title comes from a phrase written by his friend, Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of the riot grrrl band Bikini Kill: "Kurt smells like Teen Spirit."

Hanna was referring to Teen Spirit deodorant, but Cobain misinterpreted it as a revolutionary slogan.

The music video depicts a high school pep rally that ends in chaos, inspired by Jonathan Kaplan's 1979 film, Over the Edge, and the Ramones film, Rock 'n' Roll High School.

The video won two MTV Video Music Awards and received frequent airplay on MTV throughout the 1990s.

Amy Finnerty, former head of MTV's programming department, said the video "changed the whole face of MTV" by giving the channel "a new generation to market to."

In 2000, Guinness World Records named "Smells Like Teen Spirit" the most-played video on MTV Europe.