Don't Play Boring Songs. Join MUSICletter
My Wedding Songs
  • Song Ideas
    • Ceremony
      • Groom Processional
      • Walk Down the Aisle
      • Bride Entrance
      • Unity Songs
      • Exit Songs
    • Reception
      • Entrance
      • Cut the Cake
      • Bouquet Toss
      • Garter Toss
      • Slow Dance
    • Dances
      • First Dance
      • Father-Daughter Dance
      • Mother-Son Dance
      • Mother-Daughter Songs
      • Anniversary Dance
  • Charts
    • New Wedding Songs
    • Hot 50 Wedding Songs
    • Best Wedding Songs
    • Wedding Playlist
    • Modern Love Songs
  • Playlists
    • Wedding Playlists
      • Wedding Song Lists
      • Ballroom Dance Songs
      • Era Song Lists
      • Genre Song Lists
      • Love Song Lists
    • Unique Playlists
      • Songs by Year
      • Artists & Bands
      • Multicultural Songs
      • Holiday Songs
      • Word Themes
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Subscribe
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
Home > Music Artists & Bands > Best Nirvana Songs Top 10 All-Time
Nirvana Top 10 Songs

Best Nirvana Songs Top 10 All-Time

Last Updated: May 31, 2022 | Written by Matthew Campbell

Nirvana peaked in a new music genre – Grunge. However, they popularized alternative rock as a whole. Nirvana will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2014.

Nirvana Top 10 Songs

 

Nirvana only released three albums before the lead singer Kurt Cobain’s death in 1994. The albums were Bleach (1989), Nevermind (1991), In Utero (1993). However, several albums were released posthumously.

Band Members:

  • Kurt Cobain – lead vocals, guitar
  • Krist Novoselic – bass guitar
  • Dave Grohl – drums, backing vocals (Dave is also the founder of the Foo Fighters)

Former Members:

  • Aaron Burckhard – drums
  • Dale Crover – drums
  • Dave Foster – drums
  • Chad Channing – drums
  • Jason Everman – guitar
  • Dan Peters – drums

Best Nirvana Songs List

My Wedding Songs is a reader-supported website.  As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases.

#1 Smells Like Teen Spirit
Released in 1991
On Album Nevermind
Curt said the song was about teenagers because they don’t follow the guidelines of what’s expected as adults.

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


#2 Come As You Are
Released in 1992
On Album Nevermind
The song is about people and what they’re expected to act like.

Come as you are, as you were
As I want you to be
As a friend, as a friend
As an old enemy


#3 Heart-Shaped Box
Released in 1993
On Album Utero
With multiple theories as to the meaning of the song, one is that the song is about the saddest thing he knows – cancer in children.

Hey
Wait
I got a new complaint
Forever in debt to your priceless advice


#4 The Man Who Sold the World (Live – MTV Unplugged)
Released in 1994
On Album MTV Unplugged in New York
The song was originally released by David Bowie.

For years and years I roamed
I gazed a gazeless stare
We walked a million hills
I must have died alone
A long, long time ago


#5 Lithium
Released in 1992
On Album Nevermind
The song is about a man who, after the death of his girlfriend, turns to religion as a last resort to keep himself alive.

Broke our mirrors
Sunday morning is everyday for all I care
And I’m not scared, light my candles
In a daze ’cause I’ve found God


 

#6 In Bloom
Released in 1992
On Album Nevermind
The song is addressed to the people outside of the underground music scene that began showing up at Nirvana shows after the release of the group’s debut album Bleach.

And I say he’s the one
Who likes all our pretty songs
And he likes to sing along
And he likes to shoot his gun
But he knows not what it means


#7 Rape Me
Released in 1993
On Album In Utero
Rape Me is a life-affirming, anti-rape song.

I’m not the only one
I’m not the only one
I’m not the only one


#8 Lake of Fire (Live – MTV Unplugged)
Released in 1994
On Album MTV Unplugged in New York
The song was first released by the Meat Puppets in 1984.

People cry and people moan
Look for a dry place to call their home
Try to find someplace to rest their bones
While the angels and the devils try to make them their own


#9 You Know You’re Right
Released in 2002
On Album Nirvana
The song was written in 1993, making it one of the last known Kurt Cobain compositions.

She just wants to love herself
I will move away from here
You won’t be afraid of fear
No thought was put into this


#10 About A Girl
Released in 1994
On Album MTV Unplugged in New York and Bleach
The song is about Curt’s relationship with then-girlfriend Tracy Marander.

I do hope you have the time
I do pick a number too
I do keep a date with you


If you have a favorite Nirvana song not on our list, please share it below so that it can be added.

Nirvana’s Highest-Ranking Songs – U.S. Alternative

  • #1 Smells Like Teen Spirit, 1991
  • #1 Heart-Shaped Box, 1993
  • #1 All Apologies, 1993
  • #1 About a Girl, 1994
  • #1 You Know You’re Right, 2002
  • #3 Come as You Are, 1992
  • #19 Silver, 1990
  • #25 Lithium, 1992

Other rock group song lists to read:

  • Pearl Jam songs
  • Guns N Roses songs
  • Metallica songs

Hot New Songs Delivered Monthly!


About Matthew Campbell

Matthew (Matt) Campbell is a veteran wedding DJ. He is the founder of My Wedding Songs and became a leader in the music industry by curating hundreds of wedding song lists for over 20 years. Matt’s work has been referenced in Rolling Stone, DJ Life Magazine, Forbes, Style Me Pretty, and The Knot. He hosts the Wedding Songs Podcast and is the author of the Wedding Music Playlist. Matt lives in Las Vegas, NV with his wife and cat, Katniss. Read Full Bio.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Just For You!

Grab a free copy of our "100 Greatest Wedding Songs".
    I agree to receive amazing song ideas. I have read and understood My Wedding Songs' Privacy Policy.

Popular Wedding Playlists

Anniversary Songs
Background Music
Bouquet Toss Songs
Cake Cutting songs
Entrance/Introduction Songs
Father-Daughter Dance Songs
First Dance Songs
Garter Toss Songs
Last Dance Songs
Mother-Daughter Songs
Mother-Son Dance Songs
Best Party Songs
Processional Songs
Recessional Songs
Unity Ceremony
2010s Music
2000s Music
1990s Music
Country Music
Hip Hop Music
Indie Music
Pop Music
R&B Music
Rock Music

Playlist Categories

  • Ceremony & Reception
  • Love Song Lists
  • Era Song Lists
  • Ballroom Dance Song Lists
  • Genre Wedding Songs
  • Multicultural Song Lists
  • Music Artists & Bands
  • Songs By Year
  • Word in Song Title Lists
  • Offbeat Song Lists

Connect With Us

My Wedding Songs on Facebook My Wedding Songs on Pinterest My Wedding Songs on Instagram My Wedding Songs on YouTube

Wedding Songs Podcast

spotify-podcast-badge
Apple-Podcasts

Sister Site

Top Wedding Songs

The Company

  • FAQ
  • VIP Newsletter
  • Promote Your Wedding Song
  • Our Story
  • Contact Us
  • Reviews

Giving Back

In 2022, we will donate $0.25 for every 1,000 website visitors to help our local youth.

© 2003-2022 My Wedding Songs All Rights Reserved.
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
We've worked hard to implement tools and processes to help you maintain your privacy. Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Affiliate Disclosure
Scroll to top