"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a complex and layered song, and its lyrics reflect a confluence of influences and themes. Here's a breakdown of some of the ideas behind the lyrics:

General Themes:

• Alienation and Identity: The song explores feelings of disconnection, frustration, and the search for belonging. The speaker feels "stupid and contagious," suggesting a sense of being both an outsider and a threat to the status quo.
• Teenage Rebellion: The lyrics are infused with a sense of youthful anger and defiance against societal norms and expectations. The "dirty word" and the line "Load up on guns, bring your friends" hint at rebellion and a rejection of conformity.
• The Power of Music and Performance: The repeated phrase "Here we are now, entertain us" suggests a yearning for connection and a desperate need for the validation that comes from performance.
• The Unpredictability of Life: The song navigates the feeling of being lost and uncertain about one's place in the world. The speaker seems caught in a whirlwind of emotions, unsure of why they feel the way they do ("I forget just why I taste").

Specific Lines and Their Meanings:

• "Load up on guns, bring your friends" This line is open to interpretation. It could be a metaphor for the tools of rebellion, or it could be a more literal expression of the speaker's anger and frustration.
• "She's over-bored and self-assured / Oh no, I know a dirty word" This couplet suggests a critique of the complacency and superficiality of some people. The "dirty word" could represent a truth or a challenge that the speaker is unwilling to conform to.
• "With the lights out, it's less dangerous" This line implies a yearning for escape, perhaps from the pressures and expectations of everyday life.
• "A mulatto, an albino / A mosquito, my libido" These seemingly random words add to the song's surreal and disorienting atmosphere. They might reflect a feeling of being misunderstood or ostracized, or simply represent the chaotic nature of the speaker's thoughts.
• "And I forget just why I taste / Oh yeah, I guess it makes me smile" This line is a bit of a mystery. Some interpret it as a metaphor for the speaker's inability to fully understand their own emotions, while others see it as a reference to drugs or alcohol.
• "A denial, a denial" The repeated refrain at the end adds to the song's sense of frustration and helplessness. It suggests a refusal to accept reality or perhaps a desire to escape from the truth.

Inspiration and Background:

• Kurt Cobain's Personal Experiences: The lyrics are heavily influenced by Kurt Cobain's own personal experiences with alienation, depression, and the struggles of being in a band that was suddenly thrust into the spotlight.
• Punk and Alternative Rock Influences: The song draws heavily on the rebellious and anti-establishment spirit of punk rock, as well as the introspective and emotional aspects of alternative rock.
• The Song "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by the Pixies: Cobain himself acknowledged the influence of the Pixies' song, particularly its quiet-loud dynamics and driving rhythms.

Ultimately, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a complex and evocative song that speaks to the universal themes of youth, rebellion, and the search for meaning in a world that can often feel both exciting and terrifying. Its lyrics, open to individual interpretation, resonate with audiences on a deep level, making it a timeless anthem of angst and uncertainty.