Nirvana, Where did you sleep last night - A Classical Musician’s First Listen and Reaction

[@AyyyGabagool]

This Nirvana Unplugged performance is one of the most iconic televised live shows of all time. I don't think there will ever be another performance like it.

[@carlrogers3505]

All of the "Unplugged" shows were great. Arrested Development, Kiss, LL Cool J, and many many more. Nirvana is only good if ya liked Nirvana. Others may think Mary J's was the greatest. Or maybe Jay Z. So many great shows.

[@AyyyGabagool]

@@carlrogers3505 I mean I guess. Great is great and all, and I'm sure every band to grace the unplugged shows were great! Some of those bands are some of the greatest of all time. But my point wasn't that only Nirvana had a great unplugged performance. You have to understand just how popular this show was. And still is. You don't just get consistent air time on the radio with a song ripped from a concert performance by having a great performance. That takes an iconic performance. This one performance had several massive radio hits. I mean shit, Nirvana Unplugged live album on Spotify has well over 1 billion collective listens. Statistically, this is some of the most listened to music on earth. I can pretty much promise you that this performance introduced a significant number of people to the band that weren't already "Nirvana fans", especially because of how the style of the performance was so difference to what they normally do. But I digress.

[@Maitatron]

None other "Unplugged" is as famous as this one, it's as if this series was made for Kurt Cobain to shine above everyone else.

[@chitlitlah]

Alice in Chains and Pearl Jam also had phenomenal performances at MTV Unplugged. It seemed like it was made for grunge bands. Nirvana's was the best known though. I had that CD.

[@carlrogers3505]

@@AyyyGabagool I am 50. I saw every unplugged episode ever made when they were new. Nirvana was good. But if ya don't give a shit about Nirvana, as many do not. There were many other great performances in other genres. 10,000 Maniacs did a great job. I have Arrested Development's unplugged album on my phone. Sooo much better than Nirvana's CD. Which I also have. Along with others over the years.

[@legatomodi3522]

It sure is serendipitous that he says at the beginning he wanted to buy lead leadbelly's guitar but it was too expensive while he holds in his hands the most expensive guitar in rock history. It sold for millions awhile ago

[@manonthemoog]

This is a brilliant observation!

[@eddieharman3650]

nice

[@patmcgroin6916]

Nirvana also did a great cover of a great David Bowie song, "The Man Who Sold the World".

[@MidwestFarmToys]

The only good portion of this concert was the meat puppets songs and the Bowie cover

[@OneShot_G]

@@MidwestFarmToys Many people would strongly disagree but I suppose that's the great thing about music or art for that matter.

[@cloudshad0ws]

@@MidwestFarmToys Yeah, I can appreciate Nirvana and their contributions to culture, but for the most part, the only songs I really like of theirs turn out to be covers.

[@jacobtoda3388]

Video starts at 4:45. Wait no 6:25.

[@freeman4real]

​​​@@MidwestFarmToysHUH? They killed About a girl, I'm on a plane, In the pines, All Apologies, come as you are, Dumb (which is my personal favorite), Polly & Pennyroyal Tea which was just Kurt and his guitar alone... I mean opinions are like A-Holes everybody has one but this show was pure gold from a band NOBODY thought could play this style.

[@jasonremy1627]

The look on his eyes when he hits that howl at the end. Haunting.

[@CorvusB]

Right? If legend is true, that was actually the last breath he ever sang in front of an audience. If already knew in that moment what he was planning to do, the look becomes even more haunting.

[@kylben]

goosebumps every single time.

[@car_tag]

@@CorvusB This was recorded in 1993, Nirvana was on tour in Europe in 1994.

[@redadamearth]

It was a laugh/gag, just going, "Yikes, that was a lot." lol

[@redadamearth]

@@CorvusB This was not the last time he sang live before an audience. They were on tour in Europe the NEXT YEAR. This was recorded in '93. They were on tour in '94. He wasn't "planning" on doing anything. And the moment with his eyes was HUMOR at how loud he was being.

[@tmage23]

re: The drums. Dave Grohl talks about the drums for this show. He was really uncomfortable because his instinct coming from a punk rock background was to play as loud as possible so he had to fight against that for the entirety of the performance.

[@whulmef]

Scott Litt gave him hollow sticks to use

[@whatdothlife4660]

@@whulmef The sticks he is using are called hot rods. It's a bundle of a bunch of very small sticks like a witches broom and you can see the red tape halfway up the bundle that keeps them tightly bound. They're a lovely middleground between sticks and brushes.

[@caseymiller3540]

@@whatdothlife4660this particular bundle was just simple bamboo skewers with gaffer tape to find the correct softness of sound they were looking for.

[@intothedepthscoco]

Kurt's turn around to quickly glare at Dave, with a "why aren't you coming in"?, after the first first verse, backs Dave's unsuredness, but he did really well after that sticky start regardless 😊 I really miss MTV Unplugged.😢

[@DaveyMulholland]

🙄

[@krisfrederick5001]

"It might be nice to eventually start playing acoustic guitars, and be thought of as a singer and a songwriter. Rather than a 'Grunge Rocker you know?' Then one day I may be able to take advantage of that when I'm older, and sit down in a chair, and play acoustic guitar like Johnny Cash or something you know? And it won't be thought of as a big joke" -Kurt Cobain 1993, you did and we loved it. He had plans for the future beyond Nirvana

[@leeb6476]

After his death, Michael Stipe of REM spoke about briefly meeting him and perhaps the possiblity of working together. Just imagine what they might have cooked up.

[@lavenderllamamusic]

RIP Kurt Cobain, you would've loved the singer/songwriter indie era of the 2010s and onward. Probably, maybe. Idk. He would've thrived though, that's for sure

[@afrisv]

@@leeb6476 REM's "Let Me In" was written for Cobain as a plea to accept help.

[@markhenderson6389]

It's worth watching this entire show. Unplugged reveals an entirely new side of Nirvana - stripped of studio production, raw, intimate and vulnerable. It stands as one of the great live performances in rock history.

[@jasonhaynes2952]

I think you wrote the comment I came here intending to say myself. Well said!

[@MidwestFarmToys]

@@markhenderson6389 have an original opinion. Everyone here sounds like a bot pretending to audition for rolling stone

[@thebilldozer7970]

​@@MidwestFarmToysNah, it's a good album.

[@MidwestFarmToys]

@@thebilldozer7970 nah what? Lol

[@freeman4real]

​​@@MidwestFarmToysI have an original thought as well this is ONE OF MY FAVORITE albums. I mean everybody has an opinion maybe they are into all the technical side of things or whatever dont gotta hate on it.

[@iloveresses7277]

I get chills literally every time Kurt looks up and takes a breath before singing the final line. Who knows what was going on in his mind during that brief moment.

[@AshleyStern-wq5dl]

The part right before that when he says shiver, he sounds so wounded. It really gets me.

[@dathorndike4908]

The essence of who Kurt was is so on display here. Everyone who knew him said he was the most polite, unassuming rock star you would ever meet.

[@johngaltsmotor2339]

My favorite description of Kurt's voice is "a shattered voice over an open chord". This song demonstrates it perfectly at the end.

[@thomassharmer7127]

I think this pulls you in because he keeps his powder dry until the last part. The arrangement slowly builds in volume and intensity with a sense of suppressed emotion and almost menace. Then when the dam finally bursts it has much greater power than if he had taken it to 11 from the start. His 'overdriven' vocal at the end comes across as authentically full of grief, sadness and horror.

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

Well put, sir🫡

[@thomassharmer7127]

@@goldenageofdinosaurs7192 Thank-you 🙂.

[@acidsupernova]

I think that scream is extra powerful when you've also seen the entire show. Granted, there are moments in the show when he does get loud, such as in Lake of Fire, he does not do that kind of trademark howl until the very end and it's so striking, not just for the song but for the whole show.

[@MidwestFarmToys]

@@thomassharmer7127 nah it's just a normal performance

[@MajorCanada]

The nature of grunge. Attack and release. It's about dynamics. At it's heart, grunge is the hyper-dynamic Alternative/Indie/Post-Punk/Garage Rock that breathes without limits.

[@moldytaco]

I'm so happy you loved this. Nirvana is so dear to us that grew up in "the grunge era". Especially in the PNW where all of the great grunge bands came from.

[@johncarolina4950]

I live in Washington and honestly it hasn't fully been the same here since Kurt died.

[@joedixon5309]

Still here in the PNW and still a Nirvana fan since the beginning.

[@breadmoth6443]

his performance still gives me chills, and is just that much more tragic to know that he ended his own life soon after.

[@andreborges2106]

And the fact that his choosing to play this song is likely in direct relation to him knowing his wife, Courtney, was cheating on him.

[@rubbersole79]

It's like a man playing for his own funeral. Haunting.....

[@deviousraul]

​@@andreborges2106 Where is that info if you don't mind me asking? I've read some good amount of stuff about Kurt's life and I had never heard of that until now. Is it actually true or it's just a fan theory?

[@andreborges2106]

@@deviousraul She was said to have had several affairs, most noticeably with Lemonheads frontman, Evan Dando. I think Dando spoke about this after the death of Kurt, explaining that Cobain had passed away with the idea that he (Dando) had fkd Love when he hadn't, despite Courtney's advances.

[@deviousraul]

@@andreborges2106 Oh I know about Evan Dando, I just don't know about Kurt choosing to play that song on MTV Unplugged for that reason, so I was curious about where this first came from. He had been playing Where Did You Sleep Last Night since 1989 when he wasn't even thinking about Courtney's existence yet

[@LeeKennison]

I absolutely loved your reaction and how much you appreciated this cover, particularly after thinking nobody could compete with the Lead Belly performance. Loved the Neil Young quote, since Kurt was a huge fan of Neil, calling him the Godfather of Grunge. I highly recommend watching this entire concert performance. Loved the cello. Most of all I loved Kurt's incredible performance. Dave Grohl is using low volume dowel drum sticks to help with the very subtle percussion. Kind of like how brushes are used, but without the squishy texture of brushes. As a multi-instrumentalist, Dave went on to found the Foo Fighters, who are still a popular contemporary rock band. Glad you enjoyed this so much.

[@EmTone84]

In my opinion, this is the best cover to ever be recorded. It’s a masterpiece.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

what about hendrix , idk if you can beat all along the watchtower as a cover

[@geopapa80]

There's another great cover in this performance, Bowie's "the man who sold the world". I suggest it as a next cover special videos

[@garymaidman625]

Not just that cover, but Plateau and Lake of Fire, which are perhaps lesser known songs, but still fantastic covers nonetheless.

[@mr-mysteryguest]

Their cover of man who sold the world is more a spiritual successor to the midge ure version, than the Bowie original...

[@jaymcmullen6274]

I'd add Lake of Fire and Plateau, they're honestly one of the best covers because they give something different from the originals

[@garymaidman625]

@@jaymcmullen6274 read the replies dude, those suggestions have already been made on this thread.

[@Wolfsblood1138]

This performance breaks my heart every time. That shattered, haunted wail on "shiverrrrrrr!" followed by his gasp of breath and the opening of his eyes kills me every time. Her cello makes this version extra mournful, which fits into the funeral like atmosphere created by the candelabras and the lilies that surround them. Almost like Kurt knew what was coming, and wanted to attend his own funeral. Truly an iconic performance. ❤

[@redadamearth]

Uh. No. They were on tour in Europe the NEXT YEAR. lol This was just another performance.

[@Wolfsblood1138]

@redadamearth no it wasn't "just another performance" for him. He'd long been suicidal, and attempted it on multiple occasions prior to succeeding in April. When the news came out in early April none of us were surprised. Saddened, devastated, broken-hearted yes. Surprised? Not by a long shot. He designed the stage setup very specifically, and it's not a coincidence that it has a distinctly funereal feeling about it.

[@manonthemoog]

His suicide and suicide attempts are looking less and less like they were self-inflicted.

[@Something-Kun]

This video is one of the only things, if not the only thing, that will consistently make me tear up.

[@dhaddine5472]

The drums bit … You can watch the uncut behind the scenes stuff and you’ll see Kurt and Dave go at it over the drums. Kurt telling him softer and quieter over and over and Dave wondering why he should even play if he’s going to be that quiet. It was a very conscious decision and I’m glad Dave gave in to Kurt’s vision.

[@fennynough6962]

Unplugged Nirvana, has to be possibly the best acoustic/rock recording EVER! The musical quality, is soaked up, & performed, by Kurt, & his vocals set him apart from all others here. 6 million dollar man! Primeval Forest refference, is spot on for Grunge echo band atmosphere🤟👍✊️!

[@SimpleSimon24]

This is the ONLY MTV Unplugged that was released after filming only one take. They nailed it the first time around. No other band has ever done it.

[@Wolfsblood1138]

Seeing Kurt perform this caused me to seek out Leadbelly's music, and i DEFINITELY wasn't disappointed when i dove into Leadbelly. ❤

[@dathorndike4908]

I'm so glad you listened to the Leadbelly version first. It gives you such an incredible perspective on how Nirvana transformed it and made it into something entirely different and unique.

[@Oscar-mf3rt]

The day before, they struggled during rehearsal. They stayed up all night practicing to try and get it right. It all came together during this performance.

[@oikkuoek]

The haunting part of this performance is the subtle change in words. Where LB dragged his lifeless baby doll into the woods, Kurt sent himself into the woods. Live on stage. In front of everyone. When he says goodbye to his guitar as he puts it to the stand. The one thing he had never done before on stage. He almost smacked it into pieces, but decided not to. Just said goodbye to it, put it gently on it's stand and walked away. He knew what was going to happen; he was preparing himself for it, and everyone else around him.

[@chrisofnottingham]

That is indeed what is great about music; You might not be able to do a certain version as well as someone else but you can always do it differently and with a bit of luck make something worthwhile.

[@Wolfsblood1138]

I love when artists make a song their own when they cover it. We don't want to hear a reproduction of the original, we want to hear YOUR interpretation of it. What it means to you. ❤

[@splitimage137.]

John Lennon always seemed like the older brother I never had... writing letters (songs) back to me from the war... while Kurt seems like a younger brother that only learned the existence of about a year before he died. This is the best live performance of a singer-guitar song that I know of.

[@terrykennedy-lares8840]

Loved your reaction and review of Nirvana's version of this great folk song. I love how they made it their own. Took it almost into the rock genre, yet still toed the line of folk music. Your attention to the use of the drums was very well done. I like the way that you bring out the images that music brings to the lyrical story.

[@John_Locke_108]

This performance is absolutely heartbreaking. Kurt had an amazing voice and I feel like we never got to fully experience it. And the ending of this song. When he stops to catch his breath. Absolute chills when you look into his eyes.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

The way he treats his voice at the end of this song is something a singer would never do. Because you'll ruin your voice for the future. It makes you wonder why he held nothing back.

[@BKPrice]

If a music teacher ever wants to show the perfect way to convey strong emotion through a vocal performance, they only need show this performance.

[@AyyyGabagool]

Kurt was ALL emotion on stage. Almost to a fault. But that's why he is the father of grunge.

[@voodooacidman]

you have a way of portraying your joy that is so refreshing and invigorating! i love this channel! please keep the good videos coming my friend! big love to all people :)

[@rk41gator]

Isn't wonderful to hear great musicians put their soul into the music? It can be different from others, but just as wonderful. Thanks for sharing both versions.

[@Pugwash.]

This uncut session was so good. What a shame he didn't continue to wow us.

[@karlvanrooyen7402]

A beautiful mind. Sad he had to leave. Many people musicians are close to insanity. Most unplugged versions are so deep. Thanks for the videos ❤

[@chrishornbostel9831]

A neat li'l nugget that's been lost to history: Kurt Cobain and Kris Novoselic learned this song (and this arrangement) playing as the late Mark Lanegan's backing studio band for Lanegan's solo album, The Winding Sheet in 1990. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZO7o5p9pduDm7c

[@michaelr3871]

Lanegan is so often forgotten. I love everything he did. Strange Religion is an otherworldly creation.

[@BorisCampan]

So there's a lot more to the backstory of this performance. Cobain and his best friend, Mark Lanegan, used to spend days listening to Leadbelly music. And one day, Sub Pop asked Lanegan and Cobain if they would do an album with covers from Leadbelly. They said yes, took thee advance money but eventually almost spent everything on H. But they still managed to spend a day together (with also Kris Novoselic) to record a cover of "Where did you sleep last night?" with Cobain playing guitar and singing the back vocals and Novoselic on Bass, that ended on Lanegan's first solo album, The Winding Sheet, released in 1990. Fast forward to 1994, Nirvana is now one of the biggest group and they are about to do their MTV unplugged. Cobain then got in touch with Mark Lanegan, asking him if he wanted to join their concert as a feat, and sing "Where did you sleep last night?" with them. Lanegan refused, feeling that it would be unfair from him to benefit from what should be the celebration of Nirvana's work and music. Despite Cobain ang Grohl insistence, Lanegan said no. So Cobain told him that it was okay, but that in his honour, he will sing it the way Big Mark would sing that song. And if you listen to Lanegan's version from 1990, you will hear a lot of similarities with the MTV unplugged version.

[@bellapheron]

thank-you for relating this

[@walterstevens8676]

His imminent death hangs over this performance and makes it impossible to assess the piece as just a standalone piece of music

[@jurgenp8764]

yeah. the whole place decorated in white lillies....creepy, when you think of it ...RIP Kurt

[@sagittated]

You might be misunderstanding how time works.

[@zachhausauer9352]

We get it: He died the following spring. You’ve corrected multiple people multiple times in these comments; however, you’re mistaken if you don’t think he was struggling in November 2023 (read Heavier Than Heaven), and even more off course if you don’t think there’s a correlation between this performance and his untimely passing.

[@zachhausauer9352]

@@sagittated We get it: He died the following spring. You’ve corrected multiple people multiple times in these comments; however, you’re mistaken if you don’t think he was struggling in November 2023 (read Heavier Than Heaven), and even more off course if you don’t think there’s a correlation between this performance and his untimely passing.

[@sagittated]

@@zachhausauer9352 we know he died in April, and you're using knowledge of this show's future to say it's the only way to interpret this performance. It's not. His death wasn't certain. He was seriously addicted and suffering from stomach pain. On this day, he was anxious all day because he needed a fix, which he got right before the show. At that point, you could instead interpret the show as a great performance which resulted from obsessive rehearsal. Or as the first moment Kurt relaxed after an awful day of struggle. Or as a band that fought against record label BS, but still desperately wanting to do well on the national stage and pulling it off. There's just a ton of ways to see this show outside of the frame of events that hadn't happened yet.

[@kevsim70]

That moment when he finally opens his eyes and you can see just how much pain he’s in still shivers my soul to this day, all these years later.

[@buddinganarchist]

This is great but the David Bowie cover is even better. Both haunting.

[@sambirch6784]

This is the performance that made me feel sad the most when Kurt Cobain died. He was only 27 when this performance was recorded and yet the depth of emotion he brought to the song was of someone twice or three times his age. Imagine the music he could've recorded had he experienced another fifty years of life. None of the performance was an accident either, Kurt knew how to work the song. For example, at the beginning of the last verse the singing and the instrumentation goes quieter so than when Kurt launches into his screeching vocals it hits even harder. With the edition of the cello and the very subtle drumming it is clear a lot of thought had gone into the atmosphere the music was creating. I think that's why this performance is so well regarded - Nirvana painted a sonic picture of the song almost perfectly.

[@rmoalxa]

He was 26

[@sambirch6784]

@@rmoalxa He was 27 when he died.

[@rmoalxa]

@@sambirch6784 I know, but he was 26 at the time of this recording.

[@anthonyadams8668]

For me, the song evoked in me a vision of a churning storm. I was not too sure how it would end

[@JS-sh2tq]

The green cardigan sold for $334,000 in 2019, the most expensive sweater ever at auction

[@coltonroark]

The guitar he used here was sold for over $6 million. Most expensive guitar ever sold.

[@wackyruss]

Dave Grohl: “So Kurt, how you want the drum part to be like?” Kurt Cobain: “Pine Needles. Give me Pine Needles!” Dave Grohl: “You got it, boss!”

[@kellypickle]

I was worried you were going to stop to frequently and not understand the build. The build here is so important. But you didn’t! I’m so glad that you really got to hear it. Vocal is absolutely bloodcurdling. That is pain. I just love Kurt’s voice in this. And you can tell how much he loves this song usually he didn’t try this hard lol he didn’t have to. He was great the way he was he was imperfect and that was one of the great things about him. but you knew he just wanted to get this one right. This entire show is epic. You should watch it.

[@ChrisFreund-rt8rf]

Great analysis! The cello for me added a deeper more dark sound in contrast to the guitars.

[@Jjoker74]

That last line "Shiverrrrrrrr" with eyes closed. Then they open, takes breath, and continues. Gives me goosebumps!

[@almahperditae]

There's one detail in this performance (and all the unplugged for that matter), that sounds almost unbelievable. This wasn't arranged to sound like this. This wasn't really rehearsed. I mean... It was, but it was so bad, that only 2 hours before the show they decided to abandoned all they have prepared and kinda improvise all the songs on the spot. You could see the cello player is always looking to Kurt, and he turn to her a lot of times, for her to see what he's playing. Many of the decisions of how the play the songs where made on the spot, even during the songs, and that's why everyone is extremely focus on what everyone is playing, because they don't know exactly what's the direction that the songs go. Was everything made by Kurt while playing, and everyone just try to keep up and don't screw up.

[@glennz8352]

The stage is set like a funeral, with black candles and white lilies. It’s like a suicide note. Though he does seem almost cheerful at certain times throughout the broadcast, so I don’t like to read too much into it. The entire concert is very worthwhile to watch. As his final performance in life, I do find the emotion palpable, the pain. It’s chilling. I know I’m not the first to point out the interesting and poignant fact that after telling the little anecdote about the Leadbelly guitar with a price tag of a whopping $500,000, the Kurt Cobain guitar from this Unplugged performance was auctioned for a record $6 million in 2020.

[@NickSBailey]

I wouldn't read too much into it either though the people I know who went through with suicide seemed weirdly cheerful in the weeks running up to it, like they were relieved they'd made up their mind, makes it all the more shocking when it happens you think they've come through the other side and back on track but it's the opposite

[@sagittated]

Was definitely not his final performance.

[@EricCosmith]

@glennz8342: The last performance happened on March 1st 1994 in Munich, Germany. The rest of the tour was cancelled after Kurt was found unconcious overdosed on Rohypnol & Alcohol on March 4 in Rome, Italy... After that, he started a rehab back in the U.S.... seemed he decided to take a different path then. RIP.

[@deviousraul]

He exaggerated a little bit when talking about Leadbelly's guitar, the actual price for which he was offered was $50.000. That makes it even more impressive.

[@peterhughes8699]

Yes I agree with Amy - both versions are equally great :)

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I’d recommend listening to Mark Lanegan’s cover of this song, off his debut album (The Winding Sheet 1990). He was the lead singer for Screaming Trees, out of Seattle, WA. It’s very similar to this & if you look in the liner notes, you’ll see a certain, not yet incredibly famous, singer/guitarist playing on the song.

[@condemned1982]

"He's interacting with the audience in a very natural, easy-going, casual manner... which is really quite nice actually, because..." HE'S ABOUT TO HIT THEM WITH AN EMOTIONAL SLEDGEHAMMER!

[@Sulurianxx]

I enjoyed the reaction immensely as this song is so deeply rooted in my memories. On a lighter note, Amy always reminds me of the classical music teacher in Annecy, France, who told me my busking was the worst thing she had ever heard, really painful ;-)

[@marcopederzoli4939]

Saw Nirvana live in Modena in February 21, 1994 (2 weeks before his suicide) - Kurt was already gone (he performed but barely spoke or reacted to anything outside himself). This performance says a lot about his condition, I think

[@mauriciofonseca2079]

Nirvana also performed another cover "lake of fire" during this MTV event. Kurt didn´t follow the "instructions to play the popular Nirvana songs, he did what wanted like a "good bye" to this World.

[@John_Locke_108]

See them again on the fourth of July. This show wouldn't have been the same if it was a bunch of hits. Instead we got great deep cuts and beautiful covers.

[@SoupieGuitar]

The version Mark Lanagan did that had Kurt and Krist doing backup was incredible as well 😌🙏

[@lisasechler5714]

Thank you for the extended video, I'd never seen it. Chills RIP Kurt

[@rabs97]

Yes. Grunge was the cure for all the 80s glam metal with the big poofy hair, makeup and spandex everywhere you looked. They were the complete opposite and would just go on stage with whatever they wear, it wasnt important, the anti glam metal era no airs and graces, just be yourself. Hard and heavy music with no power ballads in sight. And as this performance shows what was great about them was their passion for the music and rawness (which mainly comes with Kurts voice on this track). Very punk like.

[@jggouvea]

Unfortunately it was also the last burst of mainstream rock'n'roll success. After Grunge slipped away, all that we had of rock and roll were occasional afterglows.

[@mattw4547]

Eagle 106 in philly played it on the radio, we drove around listening, it was a huge moment for me and my friends

[@actezla]

Great reaction. I don’t think many people were familiar with the original when this show took place. Most still haven’t. So your approach was unique having heard the original and liking it so much before hearing this one.

[@nicolaimehrung442]

My favorite Nirvana Song. Yeah!

[@Dickey_Moe09]

I'm curious to know of all your musical explorations thus far what is your playlist like? I wonder what surprises it holds per haps a video disclosing it?

[@RobertsRecordCorner]

Drums as pine needles was inspired. I would be curious what you think of Bill Callahan/Smog's "In the Pines," a different treatment of a different version of the song.

[@jasonvaden9506]

this song is one that derives so much emotion, I grew up on country and blues. I also came of age in the grunge period. at 17 years old I'm the only person in my friend group who knew the original led belly song. the cello and the softer drum work fills in and perpetuates the heavy ominous feel. arguably the best cover I've ever heard. I lived and worked as a commercial fisherman in kodiak Alaska for a dozen years. One night we came into town with a full tank of fish and a pile of fish on the deck. the cannery unloading crew wasn't there and my skipper (boss) tasked me with watching our haul till the workers arrived. the local sea lions were determined to get their meal off of my paycheck. I stood on the flying bridge and sang this song to the best of my ability .to scare off the sea lions, for a couple of hours. It was January in Alaska and the "cold wind did blow" by the time the workers arrived my vocal chords were shot I could barely speak. I just hope I did led belly and Kurt proud. I love your analysis of music, I enjoyed your take on Tommy the cat by Primus. As a native Nashvillian iWould like to recommend a song by BLAZE Foley called clay pigeons. John Prine does a cover and they are both great. keep up the good work.

[@morrisalanisette9067]

thats cool

[@jurgenp8764]

If you like unplugged concerts, there is only three you ever need to watch : Nirvana, MTY unplugged, Tesla : 5 man acousical jam (they kind of started the whole unplugged thing in the 90s) and Pearl Jam MTV unplugged...it just doesn't get better than this ;) all amongst the best concerts I ever listened to! once you 've seen these, you've seen them all

[@dogsmusicbookstravelscience]

Completely agree with you. I'd say the Clapton & Neil Young unplugged shows are also worthwhile, but those you mentioned are certainly the top 3.

[@jurgenp8764]

@@dogsmusicbookstravelscience yeah, you are right, really love the Clapton & Niel Young shows, too! Beeing from Germany I thought abaout adding the Udo Lindenber and die fantastschen vier shows, too 😉 but I went with the three I thought where the overall altime greatest for me 😊

[@AshleyBidensBathTime]

@@jurgenp8764 I’ll see your three bands and raise you Alice In Chains🙂

[@Nobody-br1rq]

​@@dogsmusicbookstravelscience Alice in Chains clears all 3, Pearl jams unplugged is vastly over rated

[@dcwillis87]

This has been my favorite song played by Nirvana since the first time I heard it. His voice is just mesmerizing, and it sucks so bad that he was taken from us so early.

[@santadog9]

30 seconds into that rendition and I get goosebumps because I know what's coming.

[@snyden23]

This cover really influenced me a lot musically. Love hearing your thoughts

[@kellypickle]

Yes! Cover is usually the ultimate flattery. John Prine ( I was lucky enough to see him live) Hit the opening chords of “Angel from Montgomery” then stopped and asked the audience “you don’t mind if I sing Bonnie’s song do you?” Because Bonnie Raitts version was so incredible that everyone thinks that’s her song. amazing. And John loved it. I like nothing better than a good cover or a surprising cover. I won’t name 1 million of them here, but I could.

[@omegared3915]

The funny thing in this video where Kurt, Kurt says that leadbelly's estate wanted to sell him the guitar for $500,000. The guitar that he's using in this performance that acoustic guitar sold I believe in 2023 for $4 million

[@sidrat2009]

This is the first video I've felt the need to stay with the whole way through from a rock/grunge band who also understands what music should convey and you also appreciate that it can be done differently while maintaining the emotional connection of the piece.

[@JontyBlue67]

We have a radio station in Australia, Triple J, that every Friday have a live band in to do an original and a cover. When I listen to the cover, I don't want to hear a mimic of the original, I want to hear how a band can put their own arrangement/interpretation on a song and make it sound like their own. For me, Nirvana did this with this already wonderful song, and you can tell Kurt was a massive fan of the original 😍

[@ozguroyus]

Like a Version, legendary

[@AyyyyUhhhh]

I have the Leadbelly vinyl and I do enjoy it, however this version is by far more powerful in reacting with my experiences and emotions. So cool to see you listen to it! Thank you

[@EyeAmMyOwn777]

This version haunts because it is sung with pain. It is pain that frames this performance, and indeed most of Nirvana's songs. That's what makes them so removed from everything else. Emotional depth. Not music for music's sake. But articulation of pain in a way everyone can relate to.

[@s13180sxSR20DET]

Greatest performance in human history.

[@jamespalma3311]

I'm not even the biggest Nirvana fan, and their Unplugged performance is one of the best shows MTV ever produced. Absolute legendary performance.

[@aidenroqz]

I love how Amy's mind works. To compare the drum and cymbal hits to pinecone edges is mind-blowing ❤. Vlad, please show Amy more Unplugged rock performances 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.

[@jacklively5229]

The sense of swaying, to me, makes me imagine the pines swaying at the touch of the cold breeze, and by the end, as Cobain’s aggrieved cry twists along and thru the strings…by the end, I am lost in the pines, a ghost now, where the sun never shines. I’m glad you felt that imagery, too. It feels like a ghost story, but you realize, too late, you’re the ghost, lost in green maze.

[@geoffrey4513]

So sad. He was such a great young man. What a loss

[@mistameanor1]

Gives me chills every time.

[@danjohnson2986]

The song itself is so surprisingly faithful to the leadbelly version. That look he does right before that last “night through” is haunting, beautiful, and tragic all at once. I wish there was a word to describe that. Or at least that I knew whatever that word might be.

[@keithjam]

In my personal record book this is the greatest vocal performance of all-time because it mixes impecable vocal talent and emotion.

[@modelcitizen1977]

The sigh before the last line is everything.

[@kevincoughlin3455]

In my mind, there's a timeline somewhere where Kurt Cobain didn't kill himself, where he got clean and where Nirvana eventually did an entire album of folk covers. I'd love to hear their rendition of Sweet William.

[@2kanchoo]

This whole concert, and AIC's are the two best mtv unplugged shows by far. Every song perfectly selected and executed.

[@genevievecaballero4104]

This song, performance always mskes me cry. The part where he opened his blue eyes total a breath before the last line always gets to me. I always remember where I was when I found put Kurt Cobain died. 😢

[@freeman4real]

She sould definitely review more of the Nirvana unplugged album every song is FANTASTIC and great. I believe to me personally it is one of the best albums ever.

[@darrellmarcks6304]

I lived on an island out in the Caribbean where we'd always get different 9 digit super yachts parked off the coast. One day at work this giant ship comes into the bay and parks. My boss says "David Geffen is back" I said "So David wouldn't buy Kurt a $500,000 guitar but Kurt bought him a $650,000,000 yacht? That's some BS." We both had a laugh at that.

[@danielkunzmann1587]

this whole MTV unplugged session/album is the best !!!!!!!!!!

[@babyfacemichael1]

Fabulous video Amy

[@markbrowning4301]

"Unplugged" Nirvana, & Pearl Jam... best thing MTV ever did. By far

[@fatimaerdogan8193]

Excellent. Guess the whole concert is "unplugged", which usually are interesting occasions. Staying at new versions of old songs, "When The Levee Breaks" comes to mind. Here's an original recording from 1929 by the composer Memphis Minnie (and Kansas Joe McCoy) about the Mississippi Flood 1927 - a now rather obscure song. Led Zeppelin made a slower more eerie version, that has become one of their iconic recordings soundwise. The drums were placed in the stairwell of the country-house, they used for the recording, to catch the very special reverb. Together with changing the harmony to modal droning it gives an overall dramatic sound.

[@criss_v33]

Great! The Grunge Era is already here!

[@kauhalephinfan2304]

So many years passed by and still this performance stirs up emotions.

[@floorsbychrisable]

You can watch the videos, you can see the crowds cheering, but it is hard to truly understand the depth of the admiration he received from an entire generation. A generation that was ready to pick up where the hippies gave up and just needed a voice. But he saw the corporate prison for what it was.... INESCAPABLE. So he escaped.

[@CitizenScorn]

New subscriber confirmed 💙

[@NeluOnofrei]

Verry sensible song. Thank you Amy for commments!

[@GilfordMeeks]

My ears are surely waxed, but I think Leadbelly finger picked his guitar for his recording, unlike Cobain who flat picked. Also, the guitars used have very different tonal qualities due to their design and construction. These two factors alone would account for variation in the two performances. Nirvana does a great job, but I think the performance suffers a bit from overdramatization. After all, the singer as protagonist is jealous of the woman he loves because she keeps "returning" to the memory of her dead husband at night. He was hit by a train. Aesthetically, the setup isn't really something to scream about as Cobain does, even if one can appreciate the protagonist's frustration. BTW, husband-hit-by-a-train is the ultimate punchline of the comedy drama film, "O Brother Where Art Though?" I'm curious about the chord progression. Is it unusual? As always, thank you for a wonderful pair of videos, Mrs. Shafer!

[@thequeenofswords7230]

5:24 Haha. On that point, I remember this very specifically, during this performance at one point Kurt asks of some sort of background noise 'Is someone tuning a harp back there?' and the way he says it is just so funny.

[@krisfrederick5001]

Kurt's guitar sold for $6,000,000...I think he surpassed his favorite performer. On this cold night in November, this wasn't just a song, but a direct question to his wife who he knew was cheating on him, the pain is glaring and soon wanted a divorce just months after. Chills forever...

[@johnsilva9139]

$6,000,000! Who on earth paid that? Electric or acoustic? I assume he had at least several guitars. Did they all sell for millions? And who got the money?

[@sirsancti5504]

Lol. "WhO gOt ThE mOnEy" ... Lololol.

[@allisonal]

@@johnsilva9139​​⁠​⁠ it’s an investment. Like a house, but without the property taxes. Given how beloved Kurt and Nirvana are, I can’t imagine the value going any way but up.

[@sagittated]

I think he just liked the song. It wasn't a message.

[@Paul-wu1ee]

​@johnsilva9 it wasn't this guitar it was the guitar that was played in the smells like teen Spirit video

[@mikefetterman6782]

The cost of the Lead Belly guitar was actually 50,000, he misspoke the half million price. It was on auction in 1994.