Analysis Of Smells Like Teen Spirit By Tori Amos

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“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a song originally written and recorded by the Grunge band Nirvana in 1991 on their “Nevermind” album and is considered to be one of the most influential songs the band had written during their time. One year later, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” was covered by singer-songwriter Tori Amos for her “Crucify” EP. While the cover may be extremely different from the original, there are still some elements that are similar among both versions. In contrast, both Nirvana and Amos play different styles of music which would change how the song is viewed by their respective audiences. Although the lyrics, in general, are the same, the overall meaning and mood of the song is different based which artist is playing the song. The original version of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana evokes the mood of rebellious teens hanging out with their friends and possibly doing something drug related. The lyrics “Load up your guns, bring your friends. It’s fun to lose and pretend.” to me sounds like Kurt Cobain, or whoever you view this person to be, wants to gather with his friends and load up a joint, or some type of drug, and enjoy the way it feels to be under the influence of whatever drug they are …show more content…
The song was covered one year later by singer-songwriter Tori Amos in 1992 for her Crucify EP. Although the lyrics were the same in both versions of the song, both artist had distinctive ways of playing the song thus, having different meanings in their respective versions. Nirvana was well known for their Grunge style of playing music while Amos was known for using a piano as a primary instrument for the alternative-rock genre. Both versions of the song were very successful in the early 90s with Nirvana’s version being viewed as a party song and drugs while Amos’s version being viewed as a somber song about pain or

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