← Back to Bands

Nirvana

Nirvana were one of the most influential rock bands of the 1990s. Led by Kurt Cobain, the band helped bring grunge music into the mainstream and reshaped alternative rock forever.

Shop Merch Play Music Games
Formed 1987
Origin Washington, USA
Frontman Kurt Cobain
Most Famous Album Nevermind

About Nirvana

Nirvana formed in Washington state in 1987 and quickly became the defining band of the grunge movement. Their music combined punk energy, heavy guitar distortion and emotional lyrics.

Their breakthrough album Nevermind became one of the biggest albums of the 1990s and helped push alternative rock into the mainstream.

Where To Start With Nirvana

Classic hits Smells Like Teen Spirit • Come As You Are • Lithium
Heavier songs Breed • Territorial Pissings • Negative Creep
Melodic songs About a Girl • All Apologies • Heart-Shaped Box

Top 10 Nirvana Songs

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana’s biggest song and the anthem that helped bring grunge into the mainstream.
2. Come As You Are A slower and atmospheric hit that became one of the band's biggest songs.
3. Lithium One of the band’s most recognizable songs with quiet verses and explosive choruses.
4. Heart-Shaped Box A darker and heavier song from the album In Utero.
5. In Bloom A powerful track from Nevermind about fans who misunderstood the band's message.
6. All Apologies One of Nirvana’s most emotional songs and a highlight of MTV Unplugged.
7. About a Girl A melodic early track from the debut album Bleach.
8. Breed A fast and aggressive song from Nevermind.
9. Something in the Way A haunting track later featured in The Batman film.
10. Dumb A softer song from In Utero showing the band's melodic side.

Related Bands

Metallica Iron Maiden Slipknot Black Sabbath

Nirvana Fun Facts

  • Nirvana formed in Aberdeen, Washington.
  • Nevermind sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
  • Smells Like Teen Spirit became one of the most iconic songs of the 1990s.
  • Kurt Cobain became one of the most influential musicians of his generation.

Play a Rock Game

Test your rock music knowledge with our guessing games.

Play Rock Games

Shop Merch

Explore band merch t-shirts, hoodies and vinyl.

Shop Merch →

Popular Nirvana Albums

Best Seller

Nevermind (1991)

View on Amazon →
Fan Favourite

In Utero (1993)

View on Amazon →
Classic Album

Bleach (1989)

View on Amazon →

Nirvana FAQs

When did Nirvana start? Nirvana formed in 1987.
What is Nirvana's most famous song? Smells Like Teen Spirit is their most famous song.
What is Nirvana's best album? Nevermind is widely considered their best album.