German DGC-Sub Pop 12-inch picture disc (GET 21712) for the Nirvana single ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit / Even in His Youth / Aneurysm,’ signed on Side 1 in black felt tip, “I am a rock star, Kurdt,” “Chris,” and “David.” In fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from REAL. Boasting bold autographs—with a playfully vain ‘rock star’ addition from Cobain—against what is arguably the band’s most iconic album cover, this is an essential Nirvana-signed piece dating to the hit single's 30th anniversary. Rolling Stone Magazine recently named it the 5th best song of all time.
According to Kathleen Hanna of the punk band Bikini Kill, the title 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' was inspired by deodorant worn by her bandmate Tobi Vail, whom Cobain was then dating. After a long night of drinking, Hanna and Cobain crashed at the latter’s hotel room in August 1990. As Cobain slept, Hanna amused herself by scrawling 'Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit' on the motel room wall, inferring that Vail had marked Cobain with her scent. Unaware of the deodorant brand, Cobain interpreted Hanna's motel graffiti as a revolutionary slogan. The composition of the song, which Cobain revealed in a 1994 Rolling Stone interview, is rooted in the Boston rock scene: 'I was trying to write the ultimate pop song. I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies. I have to admit it. When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily that I should have been in that band—or at least a Pixies cover band. We used their sense of dynamics, being soft and quiet and then loud and hard.' The release of Nevermind and 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' helped power the Seattle grunge trio into the rock and roll mainstream by the close of 1991.
