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artistsong
Crate record
Nirvana

Smells Like Teen Spirit

1991 · via JAŸ-Z and 1 more

Nirvana’s 1991 recording of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is the earliest release on file. Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic of Nirvana are credited as its writers. Also recorded by Tori Amos (released 1992), Abigail (released 1994) and Scala & Kolacny Brothers (released 2004), among 837 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz. JAŸ-Z’s “Holy Grail” (2013) samples it, per MusicBrainz. It is on the album Nevermind (1991).

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
From the counter

"Holy Grail" carries Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic on its credits because it samples "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Put the Nirvana record on next and hear the stretch of it that JAŸ-Z built on.

Three guys from Nirvana wrote it, and by 1992 Tori Amos had already put it on tape under her own name. Play hers right after the band's and listen to how much of the song survives the handoff.

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▶Smells Like Teen Spirit
Liner notes

Credited writers: Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic.

Earliest release on file: this one, 1991.

On the album Nevermind (1991).

Built on this record

JAŸ-Z’s “Holy Grail” (2013) samples it, per MusicBrainz.

Other recordings on file · first release year

837 recordings of this work on MusicBrainz.

From the regulars

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How you get here
JAŸ-Z's "Holy Grail" samples a 1991 song, and that song's three writers share the credit on it. Who first recorded that earlier song?Nirvana
a knot from JAŸ-Z · next: Nirvana
Kurt Cobain, Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic wrote "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Which artist had already recorded their own take on it by 1992?Tori Amos
a knot from Nirvana · next: Tori Amos
Pull a thread from Nirvana →

or start at JAŸ-Z on a different knot →

Facts from MusicBrainz and the Rabbit Hole Records crate. The counter notes are written by the clerk, an AI, from those facts only. General Admission 4 Us: start with an artist, leave with a rare cut.