Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' Turns 30: Animated Video Tells the Story
An animated video by American filmmaker Drew Christie explains the origin of Nirvana's iconic song 'Smells Like Teen Spirit,' released in 1991 as the first single from the album 'Nevermind.' The video details how the bizarre title came from a phrase written on Kurt Cobain's wall by Kathleen Hanna, lead singer of Bikini Kill, during a drunken night. Hanna wrote 'Kurt smells like teen spirit,' referring to a deodorant brand used by Cobain's then-girlfriend Tobi Vail. Unaware of the commercial reference, Cobain interpreted it as a youthful slogan and turned it into the generational anthem that became synonymous with the grunge movement.
Key facts
- 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was released in 1991 as the first single from Nirvana's album 'Nevermind'.
- The animated video was created by American filmmaker Drew Christie.
- The phrase 'Kurt smells like teen spirit' was written by Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill on Kurt Cobain's wall.
- The phrase referred to a deodorant brand used by Cobain's then-girlfriend Tobi Vail.
- Cobain was unaware of the commercial reference and interpreted it as a youthful slogan.
- The song became a generational anthem and symbol of the grunge movement.
- The video is published on Artribune, an Italian art and culture platform.
- The article was published in 2019, marking the song's 28th anniversary at the time.
Entities
Artists
- Kurt Cobain
- Kathleen Hanna
- Drew Christie
- Tobi Vail
Institutions
- Nirvana
- Bikini Kill
- Artribune