Smells Like Teen Spirit
Various Artists Lyrics


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Load up on guns, bring your friends
It's fun to lose and to pretend
She's overbred and self-assured
I know, 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
Yay!
I'm worse at what I do best
And for that gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will until the end
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; Nevermind
(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
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; Nevermind
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
A denial

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana are filled with contradictory themes and emotions that capture the essence of the disillusioned and angst-ridden youth culture of the 90s. The opening line "Load up on guns, bring your friends" is a sarcastic commentary on American gun culture and the glorification of violence. The next line "It's fun to lose and to pretend" conveys a sense of apathy and nihilism popularized by grunge culture. The next line "She's overbred and self-assured, I know, I know, a dirty word" criticizes the social conformity and the lack of individuality in the mainstream culture.


The chorus "Here we are now, entertain us, I feel stupid and contagious" highlights the feelings of boredom and anxiety among the youth. The lines "A mulatto, an albino, a mosquito, my libido" do not necessarily have a literal meaning but can be interpreted as Kurt Cobain's attempt to critique the arbitrary categories society imposes on individuals. The final lines "Oh well, whatever, nevermind" signify the acceptance of disengagement and resignation.


Overall, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a powerful commentary on the contradictions and hypocrisies of the mainstream culture and the frustration and disillusionment felt by the youth of the time.


Line by Line Meaning

Load up on guns, bring your friends
Bring your army of friends, for it's exhilarating to lose and deceive


It's fun to lose and to pretend
There's a pleasure in losing and pretending


She's overbred and self-assured
She's bred to perfection and confident


I know, I know, a dirty word
I'm aware, I'm aware of the obscenity


Hello, hello, hello, how low?
Greetings, greetings, greetings, how pathetic?


With the lights out, it's less dangerous
When the lights are low, it's less hazardous


Here we are now, entertain us
Here we are now, please amuse us


I feel stupid and contagious
I'm stupid and infectious


A mulatto An albino A mosquito My libido Yay!
A mixed-race person, An individual with white skin and hair, A small blood-sucking insect, My sexual desire Hooray!


I'm worse at what I do best And for that gift, I feel blessed
I'm terrible at what I do best, and I find it a blessing


Our little group has always been And always will until the end
Our tiny group has been and will be until the conclusion


And I forget just why I taste Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile
And I can't remember why it tastes good, oh wait, I think it makes me happy


I found it hard, it's hard to find Oh well, Whatever; Nevermind
I had a tough time; oh well, whatever; it doesn't matter




Writer(s): KRIST ANTHONY NOVOSELIC, DAVID GROHL, KURT D COBAIN

Contributed by Bentley F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@jhonnycagexrage7458

I wish Kurt would see this

@a-nolelamor1029

Jhonny Cage X Rage this is a huge honour to Nirvana and their fans..the legend will never die..

@OtoMagaldadze

Le'me guess... He wouldn't give a fuck! Just a type of person.

@jhonnycagexrage7458

Oto Magaldadze

Ok :C

@billybutcher9838

Jhonny Cage X Rage he would be disappointed

@lilyanabernstein9339

Jhonny Cage X Rage true 😥

52 More Replies...

@MrTeeks2011

They didn’t just play this. They felt it. They lived it. The rock song that defined a generation.

@bboy2738

And still is

@vitorfernandes1904

Ok chimp

@GenesisSaturna

THE WAY EVERYONE'S JUMPING AROUND AND VISIBLY HAVING THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES MAKES ME SO HAPPY

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