Okay, so here I will post my opinion of the top 25 Nirvana songs. Don't forget, this is all MY OPINION. Don't criticize opinions. Comment, and tell me what you agree with or disagree with. Any questions, go ahead, I'll explain anything that's on here. By the way, all credit of this idea goes to Hellfire21, check out his list as well. Thanks Hellfire21!
Nirvana Kurt Cobain (1967 - 1994) - Lead Vocals, Guitars Krist Novoselic - Bass Guitars Dave Grohl - Drums, Back Vocals
And now, numbers 25 to 21:
25. Dive - This was tough; I had to knock out a number of songs for this. However, Dive seemed most worthy of getting the last mark on the Top 25 list. A song that represents Nirvana's style a lot, it not only features great guitar riffs and lyrics, but the unique vocals of Kurt, as well as the simple yet unbelievably creative drum beats of Dave, and the matching bass line of Krist. A great mix, and one that truly deserves its position on this list.
24. Been A Son - Incredibly unique lyrics, along with the melody, guitar riff, Kurt's vocals, the drum beats and the bass line make it a great song to listen to. Questionable whether or not this song really does belong on the Greatest Hits album whilst many other great songs were left out, but a fantastic song nonetheless.
23. Even In His Youth - This song is perhaps Kurt describing himself from a 3rd person point of view, and in a different way, much like in Been A Son; I have taken great liking to this song, as simple as it is. The meaningful lyrics of the verse, the melodic chorus, and the unique outro; this song is fantastic.
22. Anorexorist - A very good song in its own way, and very unique. Kurt's vocals are great, and the lyrics cannot be matched. This is a great song.
21. Stain - Extremely unique lyrics, a great melody, a non-existant guitar riff prior to this, and a great melody. Kurt's vocals are fantastic on this. I especially like the beginning of this song, in which the guitar starts, the drums follow, they both ring, and then it picks up from there. Another very underrated Nirvana song.
Now we enter the top 20 zone:
20. Lithium - I know, I know, theoretically, this should be one of their best. But after all, this is all opinion, isn't it? I tried to keep it as far away from the top as I could, because as far as I'm concerned, the guitar riffs are great, but altogether not as good as it is exaggerated to be, the lyrics in the verse are great, yet in which Nirvana song are they not? And the order is great, but then look at On A Plain and Come As You Are; are they not great? The bridge is way too simple, and I'll admit it is melodic and grungy, but what makes it soooo much better than the other songs? The chorus is brilliant, but in what Nirvana song is it not? My point is, this is their most overrated song, and whatever the case, it is not as good as it is exaggerated to be. I like it, but there is a limit to overrating something.
19. About A Girl - Could this possibly be one of the few pieces of music Kurt ever wrote that got anywhere close to a love song? Very unique, yet the early Nirvana still resembles the iconic rock heroes they were to be in a few years time. The unplugged version of it is the first one of the concert, and Kurt introduces it as a song that "not many people know". However, it also deserved its place on the Nirvana Greatest Hits album, and this song was the only representative of Bleach.
18. Dumb - A very interesting song, especially the lyrics. Also performed live on their unplugged album, this song is always interesting to listen to. The bridge is my favorite part, yet the simple chorus and outro are also great. "I think I'm dumb." Strange, but for some reason stunning lyrics.
17. Sliver - An unavoidable choice, isn't it? The odd counts of it, the meaningful lyrics, the escalation of the verses, and the final strums, followed by Kurt screaming "I woke up in, my mother's aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarms!" with the chorus continuing..... This song is brilliant. So simple, yet so meaningful, and so good. Everything is perfect; the riff, the chorus, the order of the lyrics, the story being told inside it..... An outstanding, very unique track.
16. Polly - How many versions of this are there again? There's the raw one on Bleach, the soft one on Nevermind, the fast, Nu Wave version of it on Incesticide, and the acoustic live version of it on Unplugged In New York, and also one of the many live performances of it in the live performance collection, From The Muddy Banks Of The Wishkah. I like the Nu Wave version of it best, as it matches most with their style, but I also enjoy listening to the softer versions of it as well.
15. You Know You're Right - It may have been better to list in the top 10, but I find it could have been a lot better, if Kurt had lived to change it. In the original acoustic demo for it, though, instead of screaming "PAIN!", Kurt sings "Breeeeathe....." in what he must have wanted a slightly softer song, which he later changed to one of their harder tracks. Nevertheless, a great song.
14. Stay Away - I may have like their earlier, "Pay To Play" version a bit better, but there have been very few changes. The drum beat is great, the bass line sounds fantastic, and Kurt's lyrics are brilliant. This song is also underrated in my opinion. Very intersesting end line, too..... "God is gay!".....
13. In Bloom - A very Nirvana-like song, in which Kurt's lyrics match with the simple yet heavy style of this song. The guitar playing is unbelievably simple, yet good. The drums and bass are fantastic, especially Dave's break into the chorus, as Kurt shouts his way to it. Very well earns its place on the Greatest Hits album.
12. Pennyroyal Tea - The soft verse, the strumming and relaxing which breaks into a scream in the chorus, the beautiful solo, the outstanding lyrics, this song is excellent. The live versions are my favorite, especially the ones in which Pat Smear takes part in the back vocals. The unplugged version of it is also good, even though I find the break into the chorus of the original version vital for this song.
11. Serve The Servants - For some reason, this is actually a song that I love no matter how many times I listen to it. It goes against the common soft verse, loud chorus pattern, because the chorus is the softest, most tender part of the song, of which the verse is the louder, grungier part. The live performances of this song are brilliant as well.
And now, numbers 10 down to 6:
10. Lounge Act - I wondered whether or not this song beat the ones I labeled 11 and 12, but I must say, I do not know too many songs as underrated as this one. Lounge Act is often considered one of the "weaker" tracks on Nevermind, but in my opinion, it is not at all weak, but is only thought of that way due to the existance of megahits on the very same album, which maybe hide this song in the shadows a bit. Yet his song is definitely one of their best.
9. Sappy - This song had to be released. It was taken off the album Nevermind, but I personally think it's great. Very similar to the structure of Drain You in the beginning, the way the beginning of the verse starts of clean, then resumes distorted. The clean interlude is great, and despite the lack of lyrics in the chorus, it still is a very representative Nirvana song.
8. On A Plain - In my opinion, a very underrated song. The lyrics are the best part, and the bridge, the melody, the guitar riff and the outro all form together to make a purely excellent song. This song is very unique, and the lyrics "I love myself, better than you" really stick to you.
7. All Apologies - For sure not only one of the best tracks on In Utero, but also one of the highlights of Nirvana's music. The guitar riff, the grunge- filled chorus, the ending..... A great song altogether.
6. Rape Me - Just barely missed the Top 5. This one is musically one of Nirvana's most representative songs; A simple, clean intro, a picking of power chords for the verse, and the distorted chorus featuring Kurt's unique vocals and repetitive lyrics, as well as the following of Nirvana's often-used soft-loud pattern. The song is actually of good meaning as well.
And now finally, the TOP 5:
5. Drain You - Another clean intro, breaking into a fantastic song. The empty, yet so important interlude, and the main riff are just fantastic. I love Kurt's vocals on this song, especially on the live versions of it.
4. Heart-Shaped Box - A very unique Nirvana song; a great riff, though it does not seem to match with the majority of Nirvana songs. The fantastic chorus, the screeching guitar solo and the hard drum beats, the melodic bass and Kurt's vocals and lyrics, this song is one of their best ever.
3. Smells Like Teen Spirit - A song you can try your best to leave out, but still not manage; I chose this over Heart-Shaped Box for several reasons: for one thing, I only thought of choosing Heart-Shaped Box over this because I've overplayed this song so much, and so has the world. For another thing, the clean intro which is matched with the drums and bass, and then explodes out is something that you can love from your first time hearing it to the last time. The lyrics and the verse, the simple yet ingenious pre-chorus, and the breaking explostion of the incredible chorus; this song is a legend. It is a shame it was played to death; it really is a brilliant song, if you try to think about it from a neutral standpoint.
2. Come As You Are - This is a hit you just have to pick. The damp intro, the way Dave's fantastic drum riff joins in, and then the great lyrics; and, as Hellfire21 said, the ironic chorus of "And I swear that I don't have a gun"... The "memory.....ah" bridge, the completely simple but unbelievably beautiful solo; this song truly deserves its number 2 position.
1. Aneurysm - Simply amazing. It has everything. The clean intro, the catchy riffs, the distorted riff, the palm muted verse riff that breaks open; the Kurt Cobain-like lyrics, brilliant outro, the fantastic melody, and the speed and lively action of it all; this outstanding song has everything.
Well, that's it! Again, I'd be more than happy to answer any questions and receive comments, but this is opinion, so criticism is not appreciated too much. Thanks for taking a look. So for now, see ya!
Hey people! Just wanted to say, I should make things clear. First of all, I did not put in cover songs, because that would mean none of the Nirvana members created it first. And another thing; questions and comments are always welcome. Constructive criticism as well.
Here are the few that just barely missed it :
32. I Hate Myself And Want To Die
31. Something In The Way - Nevermind
30. Big Long Now - Incesticide
29. Spank Thru - One of Nirvana's first songs, existing from the Fecal Matter days.
oh crap I screwed up, that little list above was supposed to be from rank 26 upwards..... and by the way I Hate Myselft and Want To Die is the B-Side of the single Pennyroyal Tea.
NO MILK IT?? btw did you know drain you is a love song? so is milk it (imo) :O no Radio friendly unit shifter either? I also would've put paper cuts an floyd teh baber n prolly love buzz n verse chorus verse (not sappy) tbh i could go on a while i dont know if u wanna know what i'd have put in replace of sum of them im not sure what kinda comments u want but mayb u forgot about some of the ones i mentioned :-) nirvana are the best band in the world
When i say (not sappy) i dont mean i wouldnt have put sappy on the list I LOVE SAPPY i just mean the other verse chorus verse i bet you know which one im on about anyway
well, it takes long to make a list like this, and after all it is possible to forget some songs. You never made a list like this yourself, so start talkin' once you make somethin like this too.
I think that you Know You're right should be higher, and also, how could you not include Verse Chorus Verse? I'm talking about the one that is on With the Lights Out, not Sappy. It's one of their best songs, and I would have liked to see that maybe in the 15-10 range, but hey, it's your list. Otherwise though, its awesome.