Nirvana "The Man Who Sold The World" REACTION & ANALYSIS by Vocal Coach / Opera Singer

This was my first time ever analyzing Kurt Cobain's vocals in Nirvana's unplugged MTV session. Covering David Bowie's song "The Man Who Sold The World", I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I needed to come full circle with the Seattle grunge movement and absorb what Nirvana had to offer.
Join professional opera singer Elizabeth Zharoff, as she listens to Kurt Cobain and Nirvana for the first time, performing "The Man Who Sold The World” live and acoustic at MTV Unplugged.
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Performed by Nirvana - Words and Music by David Bowie
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I definitely recommend watching the original video without interruptions. Here's the link: • Nirvana - The Man Who ...
Show Nirvana some love: / @nirvana
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Elizabeth Zharoff is an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She's performed in 18 languages throughout major venues in Europe, America, and Asia. Currently based somewhere between Los Angeles and Tucson, Arizona, Elizabeth spends her days researching voice, singing, teaching, writing music, and recording TONS. She also plays Diablo and Dungeons & Dragons.
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Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.
Non-profit, educational, or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
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#Nirvana #Reaction #TheCharismaticVoice
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[@PerrMin]

“Where did you Sleep Last Night” unplugged is the perfect encapsulation of the raw power and ability to evoke emotion Kurt’s voice contained. Still cry almost every time I hear it.

[@charlesholland6851]

still gives me chills towards the end!

[@twisted2291]

That song hits me right in the feels every time. The sheer pain that is in his voice cuts deep.

[@Brotha_Teresa]

That performance is greatly set in history!

[@pudge_mf6763]

I feel like the man who sold the world is a bad example of his voice

[@Brotha_Teresa]

@@pudge_mf6763, the whole show was a protest of sorts from the band. MTV producers were adamant that they play all their hits, so instead they played predominantly b-sides and covers. It would’ve been very Kurt-esq to purposely sing off key or it could been that he’s just trying to match Bowie’s singing style (in which its not even close to his own).

[@Shaman1879]

"A voice shouldn't be perfect, a voice should be perfectly suited for the message that its trying to deliver!" That was Kurt!!!

[@hereandnow182]

I needed to hear this 🙏🏻

[@lucky_lola]

Yes exactly! Could also be said for Neil Young and Tom Petty.

[@LiveANoursishedLife]

@@lucky_lola And Bob Dylan . Dylan wrote poetry to music.

[@ArtScienceWonder]

Yes...that's having soul.

[@coreywilliams6481]

How great a statement is that though. She certainly caught my attention then. She also finally seems to be understanding grunge after listening to this song. Sadness, pain, anger energy, raw emotions captured in song. It's not about technique and being technically correct. It's about being simple and real.

[@Gen-Rev]

"I'm not ready for him to stop singing." None of us were :(

[@logankerlee]

This comment hit me hard in the feels! It's very true and honest.

[@jessesauceda1167]

Even after she said "I'm not sure I like his voice" was priceless lol 😆 😅

[@Emmashful]

Damn :/ true

[@PalisadeNights]

Hey. I Love your shit. The way you got an open mind and appreciate music. I was looking for any studio song by Nirvana and saw this was the only one. I'd love seein you do a special Nirvana song and fan made video of their tune "Lounge Act" and analyze the unique way in which he sings that one. Nirvana - Lounge Act kzbin.info/www/bejne/oITakJukqtegf7s And when it comes to his Scream, I'd love you did "Territorial Pissings" that'd be legit. Love your honest take on a song I can tell you really hadn't heard this song before. Lol

[@PatchouliPenny]

American bittersweet tea....fuck yeah :(

[@lesliedaubert1411]

David Bowie loved the way Kurt performed the song.

[@greg967]

Very late on the reply, but can confirm, I saw them perform together on tour, 30 years ago(ish).

[@dantecrivelli8192]

"A voice shouldn't be perfect, a voice should be perfectly suited for the message it is trying to deliver." Wow, she nailed it with that line.

[@joeljennings3836]

I would tend to agree with that, very well said.

[@stoicnotsad]

That is exactly talking about kurt he's imperfectly perfect

[@DD-gi6kx]

@@stoicnotsad I always thought he was perfectly imperfect

[@ruthlessreid9172]

Mark knofler comes to mind.

[@stoicnotsad]

@You Tube not all not even almost of it very few actually very few comes to the mainstream with no musical classes just self taught and sings with emotions like kurt who came from the underground all by himself he took no classes just all by himself singing with passion hope you got the point

[@pickboy77]

There are so many from this unplugged set that you could do. If you want to hear his voice raw as it ever was, check out “where did you sleep last night”

[@charlescohen4279]

YES. It's the last song in the last performance he ever gave, and it's positively overflowing with the pain that led him to suicide soon after. A heart-stoppingly powerful performance.

[@mirjamvond1731]

Yesss ❤💜

[@FriedrichChiller]

facts. this will work much better

[@mobhatter]

THIS. It's my favorite from the unplugged album.

[@KamiKaZeJeremy]

i was about to suggest exactly that one

[@Camo_Steve]

Kurt is the most perfect imperfect vocalist of my lifetime. There's a lot to criticize about his technique but his voice pierces your soul every time.

[@Salsilator]

Wha? He's lame. Always was.

[@jamesmaybrick2001]

@@Salsilator Oooh, arent you the edgy one.

[@DarudeSandstormVEVO]

@@Salsilator Look ma! A troll!

[@thordonar529]

Perfection is so boring

[@kian1572]

@@Salsilator we’ve got someone trying to be different

[@huwtindall7096]

Nirvana on MTV unplugged was a seminal moment in rock and roll history. In an age before the internet and social media it broke through musical genres and barriers. I remember being 10 and annoyed because my parents let my older brother decide what to watch on Saturday night. It was this. It changed my musical life.

[@mohdsharib7331]

Wow!!

[@kathyolney4083]

Yea, those older brothers were pretty much controlling 😂

[@nirvanageddon4979]

Me too - I was11

[@Debeers9838]

Somewhat similar story happened to me. My father thought it was a good idea to watch this. I still remember that i was silent the whole time and didn't need to go the bathroom. And it changed my whole perspectif on music and by that my whole life. Thank you dad!

[@ZirayaAlex]

When I was a child, me and my dad listened to the album on the half hour drive to school every morning. It really shaped my appreciation of music and this is still one of my favourite albums.

[@Psychprogrock]

Kurt Cobain right before playing this: "I guarantee you I'll screw this song up". Then he proceeded to immortalize it.

[@johand.h1087]

Well he did screw up the solo

[@ainsleyhart1394]

@@johand.h1087 I loved it

[@jbarton1541]

Hearing her say the song suite the grunge movement said to me she has concept of the history of the song and very little knowledge of Kurt. Bowie wrote the song for the Movie, The Man who Fell to Earth about an alien's experience on earth. Bowie starred as the alien in the film. It came out in like 1978 or 79. Grunge was still about ten years away.

[@Danielson1818]

@@jbarton1541 You realize things don't have to be born of the same time to make sense? The 90's grunge movement was about reflection, and backlash against the extreme lavishness and indulgence of the 80's. The idea of a "man who sold the world" is very much in line with those ideas. Some songs are just as good, or even better with the new rendition and time period. She has some ignorance of the genre, but she's still right that the lyrical context fit.

[@ChicoCabra]

I seem to remember reading the reheasals had not gone well and they were all very nervous throughout. I think Kurt and Dave had some disagrements about how loud the drums should be and there was tension in the air. It's almost suprisng it came out legendary. This also seems the song they were most nervous about. Kurt is constantly reading the lyric sheet. So I guess it's nerves that made him screw up the beginning of the solo. I've also heard him do that part with his voice in a live track, and Bowie did it too. I wonder why he decided not to this time.

[@ChrisCollins-Oakland]

"I just don't feel like I am ready to hear him stop singing..." Sister, you aren't the only one who feels that way.

[@thorfox3562]

Indeed....wish he was still here

[@cdeist1]

Kurt spoke to all of us who suffer from depression, are weirdos trapped in small towns, or came from broken homes...i mean, i could keep going. There were so many things we were dealing with that were new at the time, i honestly feel like this energy was hiding all across the nation, and this sound is the sound that united all of us.

[@hunterwarner393]

Couldn't have said it better myself or agree more. The emotions in all of this era's songs are so relatable to so many of us. All the greats suffered from depression, addiction, and the loss of someone so important to them. Clean cut across the board it was all music that had feelings we all could relate to.

[@sallgoodman2323]

Absolutely. Too much time spent alone, drawing, writing and listening to music....but this music felt like it was for us. A way out of the feelings of despair, some respite.

[@Azznbad]

He didn't sing about them he wollowed in them and that's the one thing about grunge that assured it's run would be relatively short. It made for great music, but depression and sadness are not places you want to live. Weirdos are weirdos whether they are trapped in a small town or Brooklyn. Life is more complicated than that. I love many of the grunge bands, and they produced some remarkable music, but people are not intended to live like that. Focusing only on what sucks in life, and taking it serious enough to only see the pain in life rather than than allowing the great things is more than foolish it's dangerous. One needs to only add up the bodies of the front men to see something ain't right. There are more front men from the 70s living than from great grunge bands. That's not an accident. There was no more hardship in the 90s than at other times, and statisticslly there was far less things to be depressed about, but they took it to a point that depression and drugs was their lives, so it's no wonder so many of them left us before they were even 40. It all made for great songs we could relate to, but they never played songs that were just fun, which btw might have brought balance to their lives away from music and just maybe the classic rock guys who are still touring, could retire because there would be a generation of musicians alive to follow them.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

@@AzznbadI can pretty much GUARANTEE you never ‘related’ to any of these songs. You might’ve thought you did, but your comment clearly demonstrates that you missed the entire point of them😞

[@kathyolney4083]

This seemed to be the point in time where people identified with depression. The generation before this we were just becoming familiar with what we were feeling. The generation before that....one could not be seen as weak, or give in to weakness. Now, some have given in to insanity....the weak seem to be the strength in division .... it's not good. But this song is fabulous.

[@nicholassousa1438]

I know this video is older so the odds of seeing this comment are low but I genuinely thing the reason Kurt’s voice is loved so much is because you can hear so much expression with so little. Not only does his voice sound like there’s something he’s yearning for but there is clear sadness,hurt,and frustration in every word he speaks.

[@seedy80]

I see you, I hear you. Gen X recognises what Gen X is.

[@NolanHolladay]

I dont even know why, but reading this made me cry (both the comment and reply) yes we gen X see you Gen X!

[@kurtlee2649]

Yes it is!

[@LuSouza_QA]

Perfect. Total Nostalgic

[@tadreed]

"I just don't feel like I'm ready to hear him stop singing..." I know it wasn't meant this way, but many of us have been feeling that way for nearly 28 years. Thanks for helping make an old favorite new again to me.

[@shaddowdancer5430]

Was just thinking the same thing

[@kittyjob4230]

So touching, true for his generation. He still lives within Us all ~

[@HollyLyne]

And there go the tears. Yep. 100%.

[@dartfrogpaul3660]

Yes so many of us miss him!! We can only hope he is at peace with his suffering.

[@justinebroderick8358]

Same!! Wish some one could of saved. Him

[@tripe2237]

"I'm not entirely sure I really like his voice" "A voice shouldn't be perfect. A voice should be perfectly suited to the message it's trying to deliver" "Okay, it's growing on me" [Describes how his voice is suited to the message] "Oh, this is actually really appropriate" "I really like this song" "I thought we were going to get some more singing. Neeooo" It's perfect, to me. Your reaction is perfect as well. I'll suggest anything from this same performance. Bowie said this version was "very honest" and "heartfelt". I think those are two important factors that go into making it so damn good.

[@bamadave83]

Agree with all this completely. One of my very favorite songs and I loved listening to her analyze this.

[@wildwillie5408]

Need more singing? A good reason to do another nirvana song. Great reaction, he may not have been gifted with the natural vocal abilities of the other big name grunge singers like Staley and Cornell but there is something in his voice that draws you in and grabs you inside. IMO another example showing you don't have to have a great technical voice to be a great singer

[@christiankalk4668]

First thing I noticed about Kurt's voice is that from a technical standpoint, it varies from mediocre to horrible. It takes longer to realize that those imperfections are 100% intentional, his voice doesn't do anything other than exactly what he wants it to, and his entire musical style was created around the way he uses his voice, so of course his voice suits the musical style perfectly, and can be extremely engaging even if you find his voice cringeworthy.

[@dantreadwell7421]

I have never heard a bad verson of this song.

[@jameshill2450]

I don't think Kurt ever wanted to be regarded as a "good" singer. All accounts I've ever heard say that he preferred his songs to sound raw and unpolished and ... for all intents and purposes, "bad." When he was set up with a professional producer who polished up all the songs, he *hated* having to admit that it sounded better.

[@SpiderSkot]

That's the beauty of Kurt and Nirvana. It was never about being pretty or musically perfect. Quite the opposite, the uglier it got, the better it was. They were as real as it got, and that's why they resonated so much when they broke into the mainstream. Everything was so processed, polished and perfect by then, and they splashed mud all over everything. It was fabulous.

[@Mreffs101]

Great description 👏

[@pghpgh3652]

Rite on NoTe❤

[@brennoxwallace2203]

Loved this description. ❤

[@jasondean88888]

13:00 That feedback is iconic for those of us that grew up with it. The song isn't complete without it.

[@yevheniilysenko1161]

Yes, totally

[@bwright925]

Agreed. It's part of the song now

[@jeanmichaelarchbold4446]

Amen to the

[@jefesman]

Whether by total accident or on purpose, you always listen for that "error" because it makes the song real.

[@lupusalbus3795]

I even expect it when I hear the Bowie version now

[@bamarkle]

Can we all just take a moment and appreciate how multi-rock-n-roll-hall-of-famer Dave Grohl looks like a huge dork in this video? Cracks me up every time.

[@vyasadawn3789]

I had same thought. Brilliant musician. Hilarious look.

[@GavC-137]

The man, the legend ❤️

[@benlee8436]

Based on a description from someone who interviewed him, he IS a huge dork, but in a great sort of way and just all around a really good guy!

[@thevorlune8711]

@@benlee8436 I was going to say this but you handled it lol. "He looks like a dork because he is a dork"

[@batman1169]

Poor Dave is gutted. Never played for 2 years or anything to do about music after Kurt died. Taylor Hawkins 26 years…Foos are done and Dave is going to take a while to reassemble his broken and crushed heart. 🥲…don’t forget Germs 🦠 dude in this appearance …. Pat Smear!

[@xdem7]

millions loved his voice including me a 71 year old man. it touches a deep sadness and regret in my soul.

[@920WASHBURN]

Nice. Most older gentlemen hated the grunge movement. Trapped in hair metal I guess

[@Dan-qn3su]

48 here, same appreciation

[@thordonar529]

Yes, exactly, I feel such despair, such suffering in this voice that touches me enormously.

[@Ca55per]

Anyone who saw this live, must have had a transformative experience. You can't say you saw this performance live, and that it didn't affect you. I watched it live, on TV... and it still had an impact on my life.

[@martinw28703]

“A voice shouldn’t be perfect, it should be perfectly suited for the message it’s trying to deliver.” Wow…..well, I think you nailed that one!

[@jessemcelwain3075]

"where did you sleep last night" is a good example to Kurts vocal range. A must listen too. Also "come as you are" is a classic and also showcases Kurts vocal range and unique vocals. The whole show really Is great. BTW Love your vocal breakdowns and they are a pleasure always too watch. Thank you for some fun intelligent, very intriguing, analysis.

[@WTFNoNamesLeft2]

THIS. Where Did You Sleep Last Night. THIS is the one.

[@martinw2235]

It's definitely the most haunting and painful performance from that show.

[@Matteo714]

YES. This is a Must listen!

[@messagedeleted1922]

Something in the way, and heart shaped box are also good choices. The story goes the singing voice he uses on Heart Shaped box he came up with just before they recorded it.

[@michaelheath3062]

I swear in one of the final vocal breaks in that song, you can almost hear his resignation to the idea that he isn't sticking around much longer

[@kenndoll83]

I agree with everyone who suggested “Where Did You Sleep Last Night?” It’s definitely the best example of raw emotion and power coming from Kurt’s voice. And it still gives me chills every time I listen to the last line of the song. But “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is probably the best example of Kurt’s vocal style overall. Most Nirvana fans agree it’s overrated and overplayed, but there is a reason it gets so much play. It’s the song that catapulted grunge into the mainstream, and still one of the best examples of grunge to this day, even though it’s most certainly not the best grunge song ever written. If you wanna understand grunge and Kurt’s contribution to it, you have to listen to “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

[@raphaelworkman_]

100% agree!

[@ecnoto]

I, also, must wholeheartedly agree that “ Where did you sleep last night” is THE Nirvana song to react to. Please.

[@poor_old_goat]

100% for me as well. When I saw the thumbnail I didn't even read the title, just assumed it was gonna be that one and clicked. Also a cover, sure, but I heard a rumor they refused an encore at that performance because Kurt said there was no way they're topping that one. I completely agree, the passion rips through your heart. And watch his eyes, they're closed for the whole song until one pivotal moment.

[@troytalbot5746]

Yup. Probably a better representation of Kurt's style

[@seguefischlin]

It may be over played but it's not overrated. A true original and pure Nirvana

[@molks13]

"a voice shouldn't be perfect. A voice should be perfectly suited for the message that is trying to deliver". How beautiful that was Elizabeth!

[@jackstrawfromwichita5016]

The moment where she finally got Kurt and understood what he was about choked me up so much. He’s perfectly imperfect and raw emotion

[@jacobjuen172]

I was waiting for her to give into the hypnotic voice of Cobain. It's not sweet, it's not clean but it draws you in. I was a teenager in the 90s and was strait up hip hop. Nothing else, but I heard this album at a friends house and his unplugged performance changed my perception of music as a whole.

[@dreamshield8519]

It's your imperfections that often set you apart from another. Imagine if everyone was making the same music. 👀 All the songs that wouldn't be there scary

[@matthewgoodA1206]

I have to chime in that I agree with everyone on here who has suggested “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”. Kurt ended up giving his all on that rendition, and its impact remains very powerful.

[@mireilleblacke6567]

Yes. That's the one to check out. Couldn't agree more.

[@kengibson402]

Agreed this one will give you the power you’re searching for!

[@daviddecker1744]

It's my girl not where did you sleep last night!

[@fortunatocalara7788]

@@daviddecker1744 In the Pines you mean

[@jdlewellen3034]

@@daviddecker1744 you are wrong buddy

[@blulo]

It’s like he carried the weight of everyone’s sadness, depression and hurt by himself and hearing that in his voice made us all realize we weren’t battling it alone. That’s why we love(d) him.

[@YouTubecanbitemyhairybanger]

Kurt's voice drew millions of people because it was so disconnected and that's how they felt, jilted by society they felt the sadness and pain in his voice and all good music resonates with you on some personal level

[@chachmando]

"I just don't feel like I'm ready to hear him stop singing yet." Yeah, that sums it up pretty well. RIP Kurt

[@OmegaSoypreme]

Kurt Cobain did not have the best voice. But he had just the right voice.

[@peggynunez391]

Nailed it.

[@theendistheend123]

"Best" is relative. Someone with a "great" voice to me is so BORING. I want to hear variations. In the end singing is about hitting notes, NOT about sounding perfect.

[@marencomendant7301]

Yeeees! I've watched those vocal comparison videos of the big 4 grunge bands and I always feel like they miss the mark. He didn't have the best voice of the four (hi, Chris Cornell), or even my favorite voice of the four (hi, Layne Staley), but he's still The Voice of Grunge. (Eddie Vedder can take a seat, lol.)

[@dr.s.]

None of the four guys was technically brilliant. But as a band they just worked really well. In the end Grunge, whatever it was anyways, wasn't a very technical genre, if it was a genre at all.

[@j200project4]

I was trying to think of something to say along these lines. This is perfect.

[@ScentlessSun]

I miss that guy. I never knew him, but I miss him. Nirvana’s music got me through the darkest time of my life. I’m so thankful for the art they made.

[@KeanuLeeves]

This whole MTV Unplugged album from Nirvana has to be one of the best albums ever. It's so raw, and real, and Kurt absolutely did a great job conveying the emotions through the music. Rest in peace, Kurt Edit: I was not aware she also called it "raw and real" when I commented, but glad to see she can hear it too

[@deathsalad2235]

An interesting note: Butch Vig, producer of their album Nevermind, commented that while Kurt's voice sounds uncertain and warbly and imperfect, each take during recording was exactly the same. Every imperfection and flat note was completely planned and executed flawlessly. Every time. This was all on purpose. People who heard him sing spontaneously said that he had a clear and pleasant conventional voice. These were all stylistic choices to convey vulnerability and uncertainty. His genius was humility. edit: Review Something in the Way or Territorial Pissings for contrasting styles

[@edbutler3]

Good point. I think I saw the same video. He showed where Cobain doubled his vocal lines to thicken the sound, as is often done in the studio, and Cobain's takes were almost identical.

[@CultofGrace]

Naw he just sucks ass. By the way I heard Layne Staley is pretty good

[@peterheinzelmann3335]

Also in Montage of Heck you can hear him doing his "comic" voices. Thats how one should see his singing as playing a role. Each song is a different character.

[@chiralityraven337]

Something in the way. Ooof I feel that angst

[@draumpje]

@@CultofGrace he still gives me the feels and many others with me. so i’d say “mission accomplished”

[@metalmarcrosser]

Can’t wait for this one , if you’re interested then there’s at least one more must do reaction from the same concert, that song is called “where did you sleep last night!”

[@jaretnegron6809]

And "Lake Of Fire"

[@arrecchartruese7206]

Ohhh yes. To this day his vocals on that song send shivers down my spine. The way he just HOWLS. My goodness. RIP Kurt 🖤

[@jaretnegron6809]

@@arrecchartruese7206 When I went through the entire discography from start to finish of Nirvana, there's not much I really liked if I'm gonna be honest, but his sound is unmistakable, and some of the covers definitely made me wanna hear more covers from him. He's a guy where even if you don't like him he's got that aura that you can get behind.

[@arrecchartruese7206]

@@jaretnegron6809 he's definitely not everyone's cup of tea and I totally respect that. I feel that many could relate to him, then and now. He was such a tortured soul. And he was not expecting, wanting, or ready for the level of fame he got in such a short amount of time. That didn't help him at all. 😕

[@cheffrey19]

@@arrecchartruese7206 the final look on his face before that last note on where did you sleep last night nearly beings me to tears each time I see it

[@tracyamburgey7432]

My child used this as an audition piece for their high school musical today. Not your typical audition piece, but if you knew the struggles my kiddo has been through and the ABSOLUTE strength it took for him to find joy, again, after the anxiety and severe depression, to sing, this song would absolutely be appropriate and heartfelt for him. It's an extremely emotional piece and extremely important for anyone to know. Period!

[@jarrettjb]

Yep the sadness, melancholy, and depression is always felt and communicated in Nirvana’s music. It’s the philosophy of existentialism at its height I think.

[@AlmightyTod]

10 minutes in and she gets it. Its was all about expression using feelings rather than being pretty or polished. We really need more of this in the world.

[@phlippbergamot5723]

Yeah, its kinda in the name of the genre, isn't it?

[@AlmightyTod]

@@phlippbergamot5723 agreed

[@martinbrotherton5153]

It’s visceral ! Not technical , she finally got it ! Perfect imperfection !!

[@thebluecollarbibleguy5114]

I was in High School for Nirvana. In didn’t like it then and still can’t grasp the whole Grunge thing.

[@AlmightyTod]

@@thebluecollarbibleguy5114 I get what you're say man. Nothing wrong with that at all. Based on your name I'm assuming that you're a Christian. As an agnostic person I've gone over the bible. In it there are some things I just can wrap my head around. So I can't get into it, respectively. And music is the same. I can say that Grunge and the Bible do share one thing in common, they have both helped people out of very dark times. That is a beautiful thing in my opinion.

[@robertshell4176]

I think his flaws and quirks as a vocalist is what made him so good. He owned his sound, it's real and you can feel it.

[@williamweiss6128]

Exactly. Popular music before this was too slick, polished. Grunge came out unpolished, raw, more sincere. Like older R&R.

[@electricmoon5402]

Yes.

[@GoDsShaNgRiLa]

Well said

[@ricardorivasjr2822]

Please I’m begging you nirvana fans as nicely as I can to stop pretending he’s better than he is. Chris Cornell, for example, shows that an amazing singer can sing grunge.

[@WTFNoNamesLeft2]

@@ricardorivasjr2822 Cornell is Clapton, Cobain is Hendrix.

[@vincentwhitley1119]

Kurt has the most honest voice I have ever heard

[@krisfrederick5001]

“I was simply blown away when I found that Kurt Cobain liked my work, and have always wanted to talk to him about his reasons for covering ‘The Man Who Sold the World’” and that it was a good straight forward rendition and sounded somehow very honest. It would have been nice to have worked with him, but just talking with him would have been real cool.” -David Bowie

[@normanleroy1874]

He's very understated in this song, you'll get a better feel of the emotional power he brings to a performance if you listen to Where Did You Sleep Last Night from this same concert. Then you can go back and listen to his studio work to appreciate his his song-writing skills, the immediacy of his vocals, and the emotional force Nirvana put out.

[@kill1052]

Imagine never hearing Kurt's voice until making a video on it.... blows my mind

[@Wiggleattacks]

I bought Nevermind on cd when I was 12

[@sethlee8796]

And wasn’t even one of his own songs. Shame

[@uliuchu4318]

@@sethlee8796 yeah I'd prefer Negative Creep or Territorial Pissings as well

[@StuartBrknJohns]

Highly doubt a voice coach hasn't heard so many voices - fake for KZbin

[@welpiguess]

@@uliuchu4318 very random take (love the songs of course) but it doesn't really i think portray the emotion his voice could evoke, subjective ofc im not a professional at all lol far from it

[@WhiteStrobePhoto1]

Would love to see you do Bowie through out his career. To hear how much his voice evolved and actually got better with age...

[@christopherlawley1842]

me too, or /any/ Bowie !

[@SocratesCurse]

Bowie is amazing. He feels like the voice of every generation.

[@davidthomas1467]

You hit the nail on the head about how Kurt could evoke raw emotion. How come rare humans are taken from us so quickly.

[@giggilboy4837]

They need singers in the after life as well as here my friend they just took him, it would of been nice to av been asked, but there you go mate.

[@jarodperez4272]

"I just don't feel like I'm ready to hear him stop singing" Oh, honey, neither were we...

[@musickf]

My first celebrity death I felt a closeness to. It was horrible.

[@briancarney3443]

I was in the audience... Kurt was in a spiritually good frame of mind... Best humor during the entire taping by far kept the mood and feel of the entire performance one of the greatest times of my life. ...well, so far....✌️

[@laoisemeehan]

I'm jealous u are soo lucky

[@craigsimpson3901]

Fabulous, happy for you,I am envious

[@ILoveAnchovies334]

Wow ..if i could time travel this show would be on the top of my list. Good job showing up. I was in New York at that time but unfortunately wasn’t paying attention.

[@jessicaculver6198]

Thats kick ass I used to pretend like I was in the same room with them

[@Mumrik597]

You were in the audience at the best live recording ever. I'm really happy for your sake. This is music history!

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

I can't speak for everyone, but Kurt Cobain's voice grows on you the more you hear it. His guttural pained screeching combined with subtle vocal shifts, combined with unbelievable melodic songs with their roots in punk, absolutely ripped to shreds the "Hair Bands" that had dominated most of the 80's. In my view the second greatest rock bands of all time, only hairs breath behind the Beatles. Nirvana changed the face of rock music like no other band since the Beatles. No band has come close since his untimely death meant no more Nirvana.

[@TheFastrider76]

Not sure it's been mentioned here in the comment section, but I'm glad you noticed and made the remark about his jaw release. David Ghrol in his book mentions the fact that he grinds his teeth to the beat of the melody and that the only other person he knew for doing that was Kurt and you can totally see it through this entire unplugged concert. Miss you Kurt.

[@jacobsilva421]

Everyone is saying “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”, and the ending to that song is very stunning, but if you want to hear a better presentation of the “dynamics” of his voice I would say the Unplugged version of “Pennyroyal Tea” is a better choice. You get all the breaks and grit and disillusionment that everyone really connected to. And it’s his own words.

[@FippyDarkpaw]

That's debatable. Courtney Love wrote "Pennyroyal Tea." The style and language are hers, not to mention the subject matter is very feminine.

[@scottdavidson6066]

@@FippyDarkpaw No. that’s a Cobain tune-like most of Nirvana’s catalog. Check the liner notes to In Utero for confirmation.

[@juliemartinez1445]

Responding without researching as any good you tube content, lol, but I'd question Love's contribution to Pennyroyal Tea just because of the massive amount of Cobain and Billy Corgan contribution to Live Through This makes me doubt she returned the favor. Then again, my bias towards Love as a person might be influencing my opinion there. I just don't think she's capable of it.

[@chriscrocker5369]

@@FippyDarkpaw oh for God's sake, c'mon man.

[@blood_sausage9620]

@@FippyDarkpaw ive never heard that, besides her best songs sounds like Cobains music, Violet and Doll parts have Kurt Cobain written all over it.

[@bradleylawrence658]

“I never wanted to sing,” Cobain insists now. “I just wanted to play rhythm guitar - hide in the back and just play." 'Where did you sleep last night' MTV unplugged is a good example of his his entire range, from mumbling to screaming.

[@tonyjames2144]

His voice was perfect for the message he was delivering and that was doing a bit of justice to a magnificent Bowie tune.

[@RSousa-ru7xi]

The fact that Kurt captured Bowies British accent shows how much he was focused on the sound of things instead of just reading the lyrics in his own accent.

[@SwedishCandyPirate]

The whole unplugged concert is a must listen. Nirvana at their very best in my opinion.

[@shannonburgess2388]

1000% agreed

[@Nick_308]

As much as I love it I don’t think it does the same thing for me as bleach

[@stmichaelminion]

I love the music that came from MTV unplugged.

[@bobby_c07]

I can't imagine Kurt cared to be 'technically' good at anything. He embodied the origins of 'grunge' more than most, he comes from a place of dissonance and even anti-music of the early punk, post punk and noise rock of the 80s, but mixed that with very appealing song structure that bordered on pop. A cool cover and set, but not the best way to hear him I don't think.

[@dr.floridamanphd]

Kurt never understood what “grunge” was. He always considered Nirvana to be a new wave band. As for caring about technical skill, he wanted people to respect him as a musician like a Bob Dylan or Tom Petty. That’s why he was going to do a solo album of Lead Belly covers (his favorite artist) after the In Utero tour. He was branching off and wanted to do more blues and Americana so people didn’t think of him as “another monkey with a guitar.”

[@bobby_c07]

@@dr.floridamanphd I used grunge in quotations purposefully. No one understood what grunge was at the time as it was a term used by journalists and mtv. But his music was still influenced from specific scenes in the 80s that I mentioned above. Regardless as to what Kurt said one time in an interview, Nirvana's music always shared more in common with bands like Wipers, Pixies and Melvins, not 'new wave'. I'm also not suggesting he didn't have technical ability, but I'd say it's pretty obvious it had very little impact on how he wrote songs. Cadence and feel was far more important to him, which again is an attitude derived from punk/noise bands from the 80s.

[@supertrexandroidx]

I still like his voice better than Grohl's. Grohl sounds especially horrible an hour or so into a live performance, just ragged tired screaming. So if she likes his voice better than Kurt's, I won't know what to think ;)

[@bobby_c07]

@@supertrexandroidx honestly haven't liked any foo fighters since their first couple albums, but ya Grohl isnt half the vocalist Cobain is.

[@goldengoose6769]

Only thing I disagree with is that this isn't a good place to hear his voice.

[@TexasChoadHouse69]

"If my eyes could show my soul, everyone would cry when they saw me smile." - is a quote that encapsulates the haunting sadness in his voice.

[@zachosborne6577]

I love Kurt’s voice, the imperfections just make it better

[@scottschauer7088]

It’s the honesty in his vocals that reaches out to us. People like to use the term “raw” but listening to him for years I prefer Honest.

[@sgtbigballs666]

Raw is honesty personified

[@sgtbigballs666]

@Long Legged Larry go back to listening to Taylor swift then if you don't like it? I didnt even say anything about Kurt but ya know...you seem to know everything

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

@Long Legged Larry lol Your synopsis of Cobain is hilarious. He was an untalented musician who wrote geniusly catchy songs that a generation latched on to. Read your comment out loud and see if it still makes sense to you.

[@prody666]

@@Cautionary_Tale_Harris the succes is due to the instrumentation and the lyrics. Let's be honest: KC was not an amazing vocalist. If you don't hear that, there's something wrong with your ears. This doesn't mean I don't enjoy sometimes listening to Nirvana.

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

@@prody666 Who said Cobain was an amazing vocalist? 'Long Legged Larry' said he was a bad singer with bad technique like he was Yoko Ono or something. For example, as far as vocals, Stevie Ray Vaughn fits the same bill as Cobain in my book. His voice wasn't perfect but it did complement the songs. A musical component doesn't have to be perfect to be enjoyable.

[@wesbaumguardner8829]

"Something in the Way" acoustic version is my favorite Nirvana song.

[@cesarmerodio8436]

If art is in any sense to convey emotions, then Cobain is desolation turned masterpiece

[@rodneywoodcock8235]

I know Kurt didn't write this particular song, but I get a sense that he was the man who sold the world that he's singing about, haunting.

[@Westwest2]

indeed , ive always said kurt cobain is the man who sold the world

[@rimmersbryggeri]

I's say "Where did you sleep lat night" is the most vocally impressive on this album. OTher than the songs with the Meat Puppets but on those it's not only him singing.

[@TheBrogmire]

Came here to say that. I was nearly yelling it at the screen. Lolo

[@randolphvanhook5829]

“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is the real treasure from the Unplugged concert. You hear all of Kurt’s emotion and his full vocal capacity is on display. Hope you give it a shot!

[@helengraves7850]

My elderly father, a lifelong Leadbelly fan, was knocked out by this performance when I played it for him many years back.

[@gst013]

*a real treasure...there are a lot on that album.

[@AndreaStote]

Loved seeing u start to love Kurt's voice! That's the way it was back then, for many ppl, and having watched your analysis of where did you sleep last night, you know now how incredible his voice was!

[@maka_lavin]

I can’t help but cry every time. I went to a museum exhibition with lots of Kurt’s personal items, including some notebooks from his childhood and adolescence, and it was so heartbreaking to see what he was drawing and writing since he was little, he had been in pain and misunderstood since a kid and nobody was able to make him feel protected or listened. Also read writings from when he met Courtney, and she really fucked him up, not because of her exactly, but what they were together. You are missed Kurt❤

[@scottdavidson6066]

“This sounds strangely raw and real”-as does EVERY Nirvana track.

[@Len_M.]

I really like “Lake of Fire” and/or “Where did you sleep last night?” on this Live Set. If you want to really hear some emotion, “You know you’re right” has become one of my favourite Nirvana Tracks. “Polly”, and “On a Plain” are also really good. Aaaaaaaaah! You need to do this whole Set 😝 hard to pick favorites.

[@juliancornejo1402]

You know you’re right is probably their most emotional track. Curt was really at the end of his line when that song was recorded, its almost as if he knew when and where.

[@boxsox8873]

Can't agree enough with this comment

[@MichaelStJohn-lr7el]

I'm echoing Len and Julian in regards to "You know you're right." If that song doesn't raise hairs on the back of your neck, then you're emotionally dead inside.

[@kevinanddarcyslater8893]

Please do other nirvana unplugged songs they have more range he harmonizes with dave groels voice beautifully.

[@hw2508]

I think Lake of Fire is not in his natural singing key, what makes it very interesting to listen to, but it was hard for him to sing that song. All songs mentioned are great. Very emotional. Where did you sleep last night is like a good by, a last big effort. Kurt never saw himself as a singer or guitar player. He was a songwriter and he had a punk attitude or approach to pop music. You know you're right is the posthumous ... I don't know ... revenge?

[@garethnewton7057]

You can really hear the pain and sadness in this performance.

[@jaredm.4473]

I love how honest you are! Insightful, too!

[@thseed7]

This is a very stylized vocal for this song. Check out Bowie's version for reference, he does interesting stuff on his too. "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" gets tons of reactions, but it's really one of the best displays of Kurt's vocal talent in this set. You should watch this entire Unplugged performance. There's also a particular thing that I know you will comment on, so I'm interested to see what you say. It's ranked as the Best or 2nd Best of all time.

[@HamsterOnStrike]

AiC and then Nirvana are my 2 fav.

[@RickNorthwest]

I wanted to say that this is him doing a "voice" for the song because I didn't know the right term for it. You nailed it with "stylized". I also agree that on this set, WDYSLN is a powerful and moving cover, and worth the listen and review.

[@specialteams28]

Cobain has been on record many times explaining that his style is intentionally sloppy and unpolished. It was his way of boycotting/criticizing the current state of pop/rock music of his time. What does it say that millions of people flocked to his style and caused a musical revolution. He was on to something

[@Sully365]

we need more of that 'sloppy' work. anyone can be polished on a autotune...

[@kratoleaf7619]

he did what punk did to the stadium bands. Raw....Dirty and distorted..

[@gregoryvlchek269]

When it comes to self-commenting on his talent (or lack thereof), I guess a poor excuse is better than none.

[@tylerosborn5824]

Kurt cobain and other grunge rockers literally defined a generation and changed rock music forever

[@dreamshield8519]

There is a very nice live performance where he sings smels like team spirit in a talk show and it is gold.

[@catherinealekseyenko9317]

this cover is so iconic that way too many people don't even know it's not Kurt's song. This and a couple other David Bowie songs I prefer as covers just because Bowie sometimes tends to be a bit cold and almost robotic - this song needs this heartbreak and crying and darkness

[@tankgurl6589]

Same here with the view on Bowie covers. I know it was for a TV series (American Horror Story) but Jessica Lange covering Bowies 'Life on Mars' is, to me, so much more emotion filled and overall more powerful.

[@christopherrowe2740]

I remember when this first aired. I was floored. MTV uplugged was awesome, and so was Nirvana. This show changed my trajectory in music listening for many years.

[@JP-qg2uq]

The best part of high end grunge is that they go out of the way to show you they have the talent to do what is expected musically, but they won’t give it to you.

[@commanderkorra3316]

Well said.

[@deadsky13]

You talk about the little effort he's using to sing and you're spot on. When a person is in the throes of a deep depression, effort is very hard to come by. The couple flattened notes you mentioned, the voice cracking.... imagine constantly feeling like there's a brick on your chest. It's the not-so-subtle nuances like this that help me feel like I'm not alone when I listen to Nirvana.

[@winstonmarlowe5254]

Not to mention the depressant effects of heroin...

[@Paremata]

I love hearing the journey that you went on for this. It took a while for Nirvana to grow on me but now I love it. You mentioned the word "resignation". I feel like that might be the key -- he contains the sound of despair and resignation which seems to be indicative of grunge music overall. Maybe it is like watching Greek Tragedy -- there is a certain catharsis that comes from listening to that intense emotion which is appealing.

[@d20syndicate]

A few things: 1. I love the journey you went on with this one. From an initial averse reaction to a gradual acceptance. I can imagine how classically trained vocalists would balk at Kurt Cobain's vocal style, but his raw and dissonant style is precisely why people were captivated by him. 2. This version of this song is actually my FAVORITE song of all time. Specifically because the mood and the feel and the message were MADE for his melancholy wail. There's a very somber presence that just permeates throughout the song, and damned if it doesn't make me FEEL THINGS. It is almost as if they are the last people in the universe playing a funeral dirge for humanity itself. 3. Your stank face during Kurt's solo was great. I understand the instinct to recoil when music is performed "wrong", but those are the exact moments I live for. Beauty is in the imperfections, and few people could nail being so perfectly imperfect as Kurt Cobain. 4. I do think if you keep listening to Nirvana that it will continue to grow on you, but I also encourage you to keep listening to this one. It has gotten better with every listen for me.

[@GlassJAw413]

Kurt said in a interview he realized that most of their songs wouldn't work very well acoustically so he picked a bunch of songs he liked that were out of his range because he wanted to struggle and be flat. I think the interview might have been in the 20 year anniversary of Nirvana Unplugged documentary.

[@peggynunez391]

Interesting. I hadn’t heard that. I’ll have to go find the doc. Thanks!

[@GlassJAw413]

@@peggynunez391 There was a time when I read or watched every interview with Nirvana that I could. I remember him saying he specifically picked the three Meat Puppets songs because he liked the struggle of having to sing out of his range. Unfortunately I haven't been able to find a video of him saying it yet. The documentary/ special I was thinking of was called "Bare Witness: Nirvana Unplugged" which turns out aired in 1999 so I was way off on the year. It's still a decent watch and only about 15 minutes without commercials. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5KYhad6YtuGic0

[@finding7]

You were hearing actual pain and depression he was experiencing. He was going through withdrawals during this performance. Where did you sleep last night is by far the most raw and powerful song/representation of Kurt’s voice from the Unplugged session. It’s the raw emotional power, imperfection, and no bull simplicity that raises Kurt and Nirvana to a higher level. Despite such a terrible choice in song for a first impression evaluation, you still seemed to nail the larger scope of what made them so incredible. You also have an amazing way with words. Such a lovely way of saying Krist Novoselic is a mouth breather 😂

[@abigailslade3824]

What’s so terrible about the song choice this is still one of my favourite songs over 30 years on

[@finding7]

@@abigailslade3824 Nothing is terrible about the song itself at all. I love that song. It’s just not a great choice out of all the songs from their catalog or live performances to represent Nirvana or Kurt to get a good sense of their sound as a whole, especially as a first impression. If she’s trying to get a grasp of Nirvana’s flavor of grunge, I would have probably chosen Breed (Live at the Paramont/1991) or Smells Like Teen Spirit from the same concert, or from Reading 1992. Neither are necessarily my favorite song, but for an initial intro to the band, and Kurt’s voice, I feel like those are better suited as a more accurate representation. One would really need to listen to multiple performances of the same song to grasp their intention with their music. It wasn’t about the musical ability, it was more about expressing pure unfiltered chaotic angst and emotion. The less attention to technicalities and perfect sound, the better. Kurt didn’t like the Nevermind album because it was too polished and pop sounding compared to what he was trying to convey as an artist. I love Chris Cornell, Eddie Vedder, Layne Staley, and the rest of the Grunge all-stars, but I feel like they were playing a completely different sport in the same arena compared to Nirvana, and it’s hard to get a sense of that out of just one or two songs, and even harder to pick which song should convey that to someone new to them. Anyway, thanks for coming to my TedTalk.

[@abigailslade3824]

@@finding7 ah I see where you are coming from yes Breed would have been a perfect start or about a girl from Bleach which is a rawer version than on unplugged.

[@gabbut7110]

Guys, this song was written by Dawid Bowie -_-

[@finding7]

@@gabbut7110 And? Leadbelly wrote Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Doesn’t mean it’s not the best representation of his vocal capabilities on the Unplugged album. Who wrote a song has nothing to do with how they chose to perform it, nor does it have any bearing on Kurt’s vocal capabilities. If she was trying to dissect his lyrical writing style then, yeah, who wrote it would matter. But she isn’t. And it doesn’t. And just for random knowledge sake, lyrics were the last thing on Kurt’s mind anyway, sometimes up until the day of recording, until In Utero where he was more intentional with his lyrics to try and navigate all the overanalyzing critics. But none of that matters in a voice analysis. But 10 points for Bowie anyway, because Bowie is legend.

[@joshdance9959]

Love this channel. Keep up the good work 🙂🎸🙂

[@GraysonXXC]

Listening to this takes me back to me as a teenager going through depression and not being able to make sense of things. Nirvana’s music, and especially the Unplugged version, really gave me something to connect to. Ironically here I am almost 30yrs later and still facing the same demons.

[@shaneschneider6275]

This song along with "where did you sleep last night", "lake of fire", off the unplugged are just a few of my all time fav's of Kurt's and this album. So glad you have "reacted" to it.

[@scottp.5055]

Lake of Fire and Plateau are my favorites from the album. Because of this performance, I started listening to Meat Puppets. I can't believe this aired in 93'. I was 16, ugh time flies!

[@shaneschneider6275]

@@scottp.5055 100% agree. "Oh Me " is way up there to. The whole album is pure gold.

[@shayriley95]

what exactly was the connotion behind the quotation marks on "reaction"? if you dont mind me asking?

[@shaneschneider6275]

@@shayriley95 None. It's a reaction video. She "reacted". Simple.

[@shayriley95]

@@shaneschneider6275 oh so you just typed like a news article in your first comment lmfao. Thanks. For. Clarifying. Bro.

[@kyledaugherty1609]

"Something In The Way" is my favorite track off that album. Hauntingly beautiful. It feels like waking up by a lake, still drunk from the night before, morning fog obscuring your view.

[@motorbreathjz]

its a good one for sure..

[@RavenMacy]

Yep a very apt discription

[@castorpollux3752]

I took a day trip to Seattle one day in 1994. Driving home, KNDD was playing all Nirvana songs which was odd. The DJ broke in at some point and said there had been a death at the Cobain home but the identity was not yet public. Finally they played Something in the Way and I knew it was him. I’ll never forget that moment in my life.

[@motorbreathjz]

@@castorpollux3752 yep its pretty sad when u find out the flesh system and dont wanna live in it anymore..

[@itchykami]

I remember Heart-Shaped box being played to death on MTV, that was my childhood.

[@raymonddauphinais5806]

I really enjoyed seeing your transition during this video.

[@garylagstrom3864]

There are certain phrases in Kurt’s mid-lower range that remind me of Michael Stipes from REM especially in this particular song!

[@amazoniam3695]

another vote here for "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" from this concert. EDIT: If you're looking for non-acoustic Nirvana song that is just chilling and full of power and raw emotion, do "You Know You're Right". It wasn't released until long after Kurt passed away (Rest in Peace, you brilliant man); it is an eerie insight into his personal state right before he died.

[@blackmetalpaganbushcraft9542]

Things have never been so swell I have never failed to fail

[@Azubi_Meatball4349]

@@blackmetalpaganbushcraft9542 PAAAAAAIIIIAIIIIIAAIIIIIN

[@kaner8544]

One of my favorites!

[@blackmetalpaganbushcraft9542]

@@Azubi_Meatball4349 you know your right....never gets old that song

[@brunohanai3261]

Yeah, I would also recommend "Where Did You Sleep Last Night" and "You Know You're Right"!

[@mdoyleproductions9358]

The irony of this is that Kurt probably wouldn't give a shit what a vocal coach thought of his voice. But, SO glad to see him make the channel!! Pennyroyal Tea is one the greatest songs every written in my opinion - certainly within the Nirvana catalogue. It treats abdominal cramps which I have heard were what pushed Kurt over the edge (assuming Courtney wasn't it). Lots of crazy foreshadowing in his songs at times.

[@truffleandrosalie]

how to like this comment twice???

[@MrScrofulous]

Kurt almost certainly had cannabinoid hyper-emesis, without the emesis, which is well known now, but not then, and can be tricky to diagnose. I have helped numerous patients with this.

[@stanleymyrick4068]

weird, cause I thought he was very subconscious of his voice and thought it wasn't good himself. I thought that was part of what gave him depression.

[@anthonyfields4563]

Pennyroyal tea was also used for under-the-radar abortions. If you listen closely to the lyrics, I think that's the more likely thing he was thinking of.

[@mdoyleproductions9358]

@@MrScrofulous Can we elaborate a bit about what all that means, without all the doctor talk?

[@amyoosh]

come as you are is a really good one too, both the studio and the live version

[@alliegator5084]

I listen to the charismatic voice on my way to work every day I work. The reactions are priceless and the insite should be payed for. I'd love vocal lessons from her. She's a genuine genius!

[@spankylosaurus9364]

"The antithesis of classical" is spot on for his "technique". He sang in an anti-traditional fashion, consciously rejecting and performing the opposite of what was considered pretty or correct. My first introduction to Nirvana was through their album In Utero, where you can hear many showcase examples of his vocal distortions and harshness. "Scentless Apprentice" and "All Apologies" live rent free in my head forever.

[@roytrenneman2200]

He was never the best singer but i always thought he was a very emotional singer. Which is why so many people could connect with his music.

[@thor498]

Exceptional singer if you take into regard thst he was super high on heroin all the time

[@MeMe-gx5il]

Take your head for a shit - Kurts voice was perfection

[@tfm1449]

That's true. I just thought how I used to say the same thing about Bob Dylan back in the day.

[@tfm1449]

@@thor498 That might be so, who knows for sure? How many other godfathers of rock-n-roll do think had some issue they dealt with at their heights of fame? RIP KURT

[@dextermorgan4093]

STFU his voice was amazing.

[@marvins42]

We always look forward to Elizabeth's videos... and she never disappoints.

[@majestic54]

The imperfection on the solo is what makes it perfect

[@BeansBrown22]

"...I just don't feel like I'm ready to hear him stop singing..." - Truer words have never been spoken about the surprising beauty found in Grunge music when you finally turn off your "analyzer / intellectualizer" and start really listening with your whole human being. Thank you for including this review. I look forward to more of Kurt Cobain if you're willing to go there. :)

[@stuartfortner3517]

That was my response too, Ryan... that's always the best thing about listening to a new album by someone you don't know.. i will admit I do look for reviews on albums.

[@jspelaston]

@Ryan, I miss grunge and the whole era. It was so great. Such great music came from that time.

[@Songfugel]

"Or will it become addictive?" yes, yes it will. This whole Unplugged album is one of the most addictive albums I have ever listened to. Apart from few exceptions, I am not a huge Nirvana fan, but this album sits at my number one spot as the album of all time, and by a pretty clear margin at that

[@rustyferrell2118]

It really felt like a super rich person deciding she found the poor life quaint... kinda felt insulting.

[@zoe74ful]

same

[@riiidhoo3824]

lake of fire it's my favorite one!!!!!

[@TheStepmonkey]

@@rustyferrell2118 What?

[@chocobotaxi4506]

@@rustyferrell2118 I'm assuming you mean her reaction, and the whole video leads to it. She has very classic training and it trains your hear towards disliking a lot of sounds and voices that Kurt has. When I first started to listen to Jazz I HATED the sounds it felt so wrong, and now I play it, sing it and love it. Anything grunge is similar in a way, because it's not aiming for pretty and perfect and flowy. It's one of my favorite genre, but when I was getting classical training and not listening to much else other than radio pop and musicals it was MUCH different

[@jasonardley4188]

You literally can’t talk about “grunge “ without talking about Kurt! Both he and his music are truly timeless, such a sad loss for the music world in general.

[@sevendayoptions6704]

When you said noooo!! I'm not ready to hear him stop singing! That cheered me up.

[@MotoKringles]

Kurt even said before starting this song ''I'm probably gonna mess up on the guitar'' or something like that, and he did on that final part. This is raw and very real. Glad they didn't correct it for the final release!

[@Luusiic]

Yeah, I actually kind of like that error. Of course, I hear it. But it kind of belongs to the performance very well.

[@stevewhite8178]

Can’t imagine the song without that part. It was a beautiful mistake.

[@pitivier06]

The "Malaise" in Kurt Kobain voice is exactly the "malaise" an entire generation was feeling. This is exactly what grunge movement was about :) Great video - Thx

[@thebluecollarbibleguy5114]

I was a teen at the time. I never understood this genre or this whole “malaise” depression is cool thing. Why was the generation supposedly feeling that way? It seemed like a ridiculous fad at the time.

[@jeremyhollyer977]

@@thebluecollarbibleguy5114 definitely wasn't a fad. Although every company tried to capitalize on it. If you didn't connect to it then you must have been outside of that very large cultural circle. It was just disaffected youth. Tired of being told who to be and where they should fit in. Angry over the Middle East, conservativism, manufactured image and music. We were coming of age into a world that was screwed up by the generation before us. The honesty and rawness of the music gave us room to breath and let us know our feelings were not just ours. Incredibly hard to describe to someone that wasn't a part of it. But it definitely wasn't a fad or fake. It was never cool to be depressed. Kids just realized that it was ok to have those feelings and express them.

[@thebluecollarbibleguy5114]

@@jeremyhollyer977 I had a few friends that were into it. They have all passed away long from various drugs, and other causes. But I also knew my fair share of people that did get into it because it was seen as a counter culture rebellion thing to look grunge and act depressed. That just wasn’t me. I’m pretty much emotionless and have always been that way since birth 🤣. I actually love Twenty One Pilots because they help me try to understand depressed people. For me, feelings have always been a choice. I have to choose to be angry or happy or whatever. My only authentic feeling is “annoyed” and it is usually over other people letting feelings direct them. By the way, I’m not judging people. I am aware I am the odd ball. But it sure is helpful very often to look at things objectively and not feelings based. In other areas of life it is a stumbling block that I have to work on otherwise I will tell people to stop feeling certain ways and to suck it up and move on.

[@sjoormen1]

@@thebluecollarbibleguy5114 We grew up and find out, that we were fucked.

[@DragAmiot]

@@sjoormen1 I'm a gen x and I truly think no generation will ever be as disillusioned as zoomers. They will miss the last possible train from the post war miracle, grew up in constant crisis, under techno-surveillance, with almost every ecosystem in freefall around the world. I don't know why today's chart topping music is strangely devoid of anger or anguish. Where are the protest songs? I think the music and marketing industries have fully integrated consumerism into the content. Gucci this, rolex that - a boring dystopia.

[@Justinarm25]

Fantastic review. I enjoyed hearing your insights on a song I’ve listened to for many years. You reminded me of some of the reasons I started liking this music in the first place so many years ago. You should review the vocals-only version of Heart Shaped Box. I think you’d enjoy it.

[@milhousevanhoutan9235]

I love when Elizabeth comes to a realization she gets almost cat-like her eyes focus forward and her head leans a bit looking intensely at the video... Then she hits the epiphany.

[@logankerlee]

lol!! You notice that too?! Ha, awesome.

[@mindtraveller100]

Elizabeth, in the first seconds of his singing: "this is bad" Elizabeth, in the last seconds of the video: "no! come back! i didn´t mean it!" lol