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Courtney Love Shares Unpublished Alternate Lyrics to ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Courtney Love recently shared unpublished alternate lyrics to the Nirvana classic “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

The Hole singer and widow of Kurt Cobain shared these lyrics on the podcast 60 Songs That Explain the ’90s. Love said these lyrics were found in some of Cobain’s journals. Some of the lyrics are interesting, like this attempt at the song’s chorus (h/t Loudwire):

“We’re so lazy
and so stupid
blame our parents
and the cupids
a deposit, for a bottle
stick it inside
no role model”

Another set of alternative lyrics features a classic line that eventually made the final version of the iconic Nevermind track.

“A denial
and from strangers
a revival
and from favors
here we are now
we’re so famous
here we are now
entertain us”

The following lyrics clearly were an early draft of a verse from “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

“Come out and play
make up the rules
I know I hope
to buy the truth
who will be the king and queen
of all the outcasted teens”

Pretty much anything related to Cobain is still in high demand or of interest to rock fans worldwide. If you’re looking for proof, keep scrolling to see a number of Cobain items that sold for pretty staggering prices at auction.

 

Kurt Cobain: 6 Pieces of Memorabilia That Sold Big at Auction

Kurt Cobain was born on February 20, 1967. While he was only on their Earth for 27 years, he left an impact that is still felt today.

It’s because of that impact that when items of his go up for auction, they sell for massive price tags. In the past decade, Cobain memorabilia has seemingly become a subset of the entire celebrity auction market.

Want proof? Check out these six items that sold big at auction.

  • His Hair

    Let’s start with the weirdest (and grossest) piece of Cobain memorabilia that sold in recent years. In May 2021, Iconic Auctions sold six strands of the late Nirvana frontman’s hair for $14,145. Proceeds from the auction went to The Crew Nation Global Relief Fund for crew workers that were unemployed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Per the item’s listing, “Supremely rare presentation of six strands of Kurt Cobain’s hair. Unique presentation on a 8.5” x 11” sheet includes six strands of Cobain’s blonde hair, the largest measuring approximately 2.5,” and housed in a small card with plastic overlay 1.75” x 2.” This one-of-a-kind artifact is entirely fresh-to-market, and accompanied by an impeccable lineage of provenance including images of Kurt posing with the woman who cut this hair, scissors in hand, and a fantastic shot of the hair actually being cut! The lucky friend who trimmed the Nirvana frontman’s iconic blonde locks, was an early confidant, Tessa Osbourne, who cut his hair in 1989—well prior to his “Nevermind” breakthrough—whilst on the “Bleach” Tour.”

  • A Used Paper Plate

    Not far behind his hair is a used paper plate. (Seriously, we wish we were kidding!) In May 2019, Julien’s Auctions sold a used paper plate Cobain wrote a set list on for a 1990 Nirvana show at the 9:30 nightclub in Washington, D.C. The winning bid? $22,400!

  • Cobain's Blockbuster Video Card

    Here’s one that’ll hit you right in the nostalgia: In 2017, Julien’s Auctions sold Cobain’s Blockbuster Video card issued at a Los Angeles store location located at 1508 North Orange Grove. The card was estimated to sell for between $400-$600. It ended up selling for $2,187.50.

  • Cobain's Cardigan from 'MTV Unplugged'

    Cobain’s olive-green mohair cardigan he wore during the band’s now-legendary appearance on MTV Unplugged sold via Julien’s Auctions in October 2019. It sold for a whopping $334,000 which made it the most expensive sweater to ever be sold at auction. Julien’s Auctions originally estimated that the Cobain sweater would sell for between $200,000-$300,000.

  • The 1969 Fender Mustang Competition Lake Placid blue finish electric guitar used in the 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' music video

    Originally estimated to sell between $600,000-$800,000, this unique piece of rock/music video history ended up selling for $4.5 million in May 2022. The electric guitar was yet another piece of Cobain memorabilia sold by Julien’s Auctions.

    Per a press release from Julien’s Auctions, “The guitar was acquired by The Jim Irsay Collection in Indianapolis in a bidding war among collectors and bidders all across the globe who participated live at the Hard Rock Cafe® New York, online at juliensauctions.com and on the phone…In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, the Cobain family is donating a portion of the proceeds of the legendary guitar and select Kurt Cobain items to Kicking The Stigma, the Irsays’ initiative to raise awareness about mental health disorders and remove the stigma associated with these illnesses.”

  • The 1959 Martin D-18E Acoustic-Electric guitar Cobain played on 'MTV Unplugged'

    Last, but certainly not least, is this truly historic piece of Cobain memorabilia. In June 2020, Julien’s Auctions sold the 1959 Martin D-18E Acoustic-Electric guitar Cobain played on MTV Unplugged. The guitar was estimated to sell for $1 million, but it ended up going for $6.01 million!

    In the process, it set the following records: World’s Most Expensive Guitar, World’s Most Expensive Acoustic Guitar, World’s Most Expensive Martin Guitar, World’s Most Expensive Piece of Memorabilia and World’s Most Expensive Nirvana Memorabilia.

Erica Banas is a rock/classic rock news blogger who's well-versed in etiquette and extraordinarily nice. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

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