The Most Unusual Covers of ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by Nirvana

Nirvana's second album "Nevermind" came out in 1991, and "Smells Like Teen Spirit" became a huge hit. Its popularity decades later continues its legacy as many covers of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" keep introducing the song to new generations.

Nirvana was one of the first Seattle grunge bands in the late 1980s and 1990s to gain tremendous success. It started with the friendship between high school classmates Kurt Cobain and Krist Novoselic. They formed a band together, but it didn't last. As a result, they changed their name to Nirvana in 1988 and tried again.

They went to work on their first album, "Bleach" and then an EP "Blew." They began to get some attention from the industry, but it wasn't until Dave Grohl was introduced that the band started to click. The album "Nevermind" resulted in launching them into the limelight.

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was the first single off "Nevermind." The band skyrocketed to success, but Cobain's problems with addiction and his eventual suicide ended their short run. Released in 1993, "In Utero" would be the band's third and final full-length album. Though, there have been several live albums and compilations over the years.

The hit "Smells Like Teen Spirit" reached 6. on the U.S. Billboard charts and went gold and platinum. It's a 12x platinum record with ARIA. As Nirvana's biggest hit, it's been covered by big names and some up-and-comers.

Explore 19 of my favorite covers of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." They're in alphabetical order and include songs I feel are unique takes on the song that Cobain allegedly wrote about the conflicting ideas that go on in your head. (Read more about Cobain and Nirvana in The Most Successful Rock Stars of the '90s.)

The Croatian duo from 2CELLOS made a name for themselves covering popular songs with their dueling cellos. Stjepan Hauser and Luka Sulic perform a stunning cover of the immensely popular Nirvana song.

• Year: 2011
• Album: 2CELLOS

Canada's award-winning singer/songwriter has a distinct sound and her cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is one of the best known. Her voice builds with its wavering notes as the piano compliments her to the point she suddenly stops, breathes, and the song ends.

• Year: 1992
• Album: Little Earthquakes

Anka's a Canadian crooner well known for his hit "Diana" in 1957. This dark song becomes a happy jazz version under Anka's hands. The '50s/'60s singer is backed by a full band and gives the song a completely different feel.

• Year: 2005
• Album: Rock Swings

This is not a particularly good cover of the song, but it's going on this list as it's an a cappella version that's entertaining. This guy is not a great singer, but his passion is clear. He makes the song fun.

• Year: 2023
• Album: Under the Covers

Take "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and make it a musical. That describes this cover perfectly. Harmonies and drums bring a whole new feel to this song before Captain Hook (Garrett Hedlund) starts singing the solo.

• Year: 2015
• Album: Pan – The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Take "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and make it more of a dance song with techno on the chorus and you have this French artist's cover. I never realized it could be a great electronic dance mix, yet it is.

• Year: 2021
• Album: N/A

This Norwegian alternative rock band offers an instrumental cover that focuses heavily on bass and guitar. It's a different feel when the dark lyrics aren't painting the picture.

• Year: 2022
• Album: N/A

Colbie Caillat's collaborator, Jason Reeves, pairs with Nelly Joy, part of the country due JaneDear Girls in High Dive Heart. The song is stripped down, given a bit of a country feel, with Joy's raw, emotional vocals.

• Year: 2017
• Album: Grunge Lullaby

Creepy is the word that comes to mind with this Nirvana cover that i c ghosts released on TikTok. It focuses heavily on the vocals, organ, and then strings that come in on the chorus. Enter the second verse, and it becomes so much heavier, yet still so creepy.

• Year: 2024
• Album: N/A

As one of the biggest female musicians in the 1970s and 1980s, Jett is just the rocker perfect to fill in for the late Kurt Cobain at Nirvana's 2014 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She's backed by the rest of the band with Dave Grohl's impressive drumming making this version a solid hit.

• Year: 2018
• Album: Bad Reputation Music From the Original Motion Picture

Sweden's Karlberg performs a "Smells Like Teen Spirit" cover that I find soothing. She's a YouTube artist known for her covers of songs. Her "Crazy in Love" (Beyonce) cover has more than 18 million views on YouTube. If you've ever struggled to understand the lyrics, you won't have a problem here.

• Year: 2016
• Album: N/A

The cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Hawaii's Malia J is a slow, piano and violin version produced by Geek Music for the movie "Black Widow." It builds slowly and becomes almost ominous in tone with thundering drums. The Clio award-winning singer's version is one of the best Nirvana covers I've found.

• Year: 2021
• Album: Black Widow Soundtrack

Meneau is an up-and-coming singer currently performing acoustic covers of famous songs. This acoustic version of the popular Nirvana song finds the singer harmonizing beautifully. It's a simple acoustic guitar version that brings a completely different feel to the darker song.

• Year: 2024
• Album: N/A

In 2011's "The Muppets" movie featuring Amy Adams and Jason Segel, a few of the Muppets form a barbershop quartet and perform "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Listen to this one in headsets as it adds to the fun with the "Meep meeps" in one ear and the Muppets singing the lyrics in the other. It's fun.

• Year: 2011
• Album: The Muppets Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Glasper is an Emmy award-winning jazz pianist whose version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a completely different take on it than others. It's spacey while staying true to Grohl's heavier drumming solos.

• Year: 2012
• Album: Black Radio

This Belgian all-female choir is conducted by Stijn Kolacny with Steven Kolacny accompanying the choir on piano. The song is soft and soothing, and they stay in perfect harmony as they go through the verses and chorus. It's mesmerizing.

• Year: 2002
• Album: On the Rocks

This bass-heavy take on the song is a surprise from this 1970s rocker. She's well-known for the song "Because the Night," which was written with Bruce Springsteen. Her gritty, no-nonsense delivery of the lyrics to the heavy bass and banjo stands out. The almost yodeling effect that ends some words and her pronunciation of "dangerous" adds flair.

• Year: 2007
• Album: Twelve

I had a version that was only cellos earlier. There's another instrumental cover that is cello and violins together. Vitamin String Quartet was founded in 1999 and covers music from popular artists on their "VSQ Performs" albums. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a great instrumental cover.

• Year: 2003
• Album: VSQ Performs Nirvana

Yankovic is well known for his parodies of popular songs that he reinvents with the help of his accordion and comical lyrics. Technically, Yankovic's cover is a parody titled "Smells Like Nirvana." He braved what many listeners in the 1990s wanted to ask. Exactly what was Cobain mumbling at points in the song?

• Year: 1992
• Album: Off the Deep End

Those are my favorite unusual covers of "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Find out more about Nirvana's legacy by reading The Most Iconic Concerts in Music History.