- - '90s Rocker Reveals Story Behind Famous Nirvana Song Title

Olivia KlimekJanuary 8, 2026 at 12:25 AM

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You'd have to be living under a rock to not know Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. Released in 1991, the track was the lead single on Nirvana's breakthrough album Nevermind. After its release, the song quickly became a hit, dominating radio stations and propelling the alt-rock genre into the mainstream.

While a popular song, many people might not know the story behind its infamous name. Back in December, punk rock legend Kathleen Hanna opened up on a Music Makes Us podcast episode with pop star Olivia Rodrigo. In the episode, Hanna revealed that she was actually the one who wrote the line for Nirvana, shocking Rodrigo.

Hanna explained that the line stemmed from a drunken story involving Kurt Cobain, Nirvana's lead vocalist, from their youth.

"When I was younger, me and Kurt got super drunk and went into the woods," Hanna said. "And then we went around town, we did all this stuff, and we ended up back at his apartment. And we, like, broke all this stuff in the dark. And then I started writing stuff on the walls with Sharpies, and I wrote, 'Kurt is the keeper of the kennel' which is just a drunken thing to do. And then I wrote, 'Kurt smells like teen spirit.'

NirvanaPhoto by Michel Linssen on Getty Images

"And so, when they went away to work on their record, he called me and was like, 'Hey, can I use that line?' And I was like, I have no idea how you're going to use 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' in a song. And then it ended up being the title ..."

"... Of the biggest song ever," said Rodrigo, finishing Hanna's thought.

Hanna called the story "embarrassing" and offered an important reminder: "Kids, don't drink!"

Back in the '90s, there was a popular deodorant brand called Teen Spirit, which might have inspired her during her drunken haze. Little did she know that it would become one of the most famous titles in the alternative rock genre.

Related: Rock Hall of Famer Sidelined by ‘Bizarre Gardening Accident,’ Will Miss Tour Dates

This story was originally published by Parade on Jan 7, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”