For some, it's hard to believe that it's been twenty years since Kurt Cobain tragically took his own life. The influence and effect Nirvana has had on music can't be readily quantified, just like the loss of Cobain himself. As Cobain would have probably said, it's not about him but rather the music and the legacy. Here's our five favourite Nirvana tracks...

 

5. HEART-SHAPED BOX

Heart-Shaped Box was one of the lead songs from In Utero and was the first single released from the album. The music video itself was directed by Anton Corbijn, who'd go on to direct Control, the story of Ian Curtis and Joy Division. Corbijn noted during interviews on the film that there was a distinct similarity between Curtis and Cobain.

 

 

4. WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT?

Although it's a cover, Nirvana's performance of Leadbelly's Where Did You Sleep Last Night? was the perfect way to end their Unplugged show. As haunting and dark as anything Nirvana have written themselves, Cobain's growling vocals fit perfectly with the drawling bass and guitar track.

 

 

3. IN BLOOM

If there was one thing Nirvana was able to bottle and sell, it was teenage angst. In Bloom's crunching guitars and talk of "selling the kids for food" undoubtedly resonated with audiences. The "moral panic" that spun out from Nirvana's work was legendary.

 

 

2. YOU KNOW YOU'RE RIGHT

Released in 2002, You Know You're Right proves that Cobain was, at the time of his demise, was not short on creativity or drive to produce music. You Know You're Right might have been seen in some quarters as a vile attempt by Cobain's widow Courtney Love to cash in on her husband's legacy. Indeed, the question of Nirvana's recordings resulted in a legal battle between Love and Grohl. Love would later claim that the Foo Fighters track, Stacked Actors, was written about her.

 

 

1. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT

It's their most recognisable song, yet Cobain would later admit to hating the song and refused to play it live. Catchy and with a distinct pop hook, Teen Spirit was to the 90's what Anarchy In The UK was to the 70's - loud, gutteral and unimpressed with society.