Smells Like.......What???

Does anyone recall when they first heard Nirvana's first hit "Smells Like Teen Sprirt"?

Did you have any idea what the lyrics were or what the song was about?

Do you know now?

Does it make sense to you now?

This is one of those songs that when I heard it, I said "cool" - but cringed a little when I, the great musicalogist, had no idea what it was or even why it was.

I am a lyrics kind of guy - always drawn to the brilliantly written word as expressed by an artist but like all people, I am driven deep down by a beat. And the beat is great in this song even though I still don't get it.

And we all know now how "tortured" Mr. Cobain was and how his pain came through in his music - but back then, when grunge was young - this was all new and sort of exciting. It was like the second, better coming of punk for me.

So here's this song. If anyone "gets" it, please let me in on it. I still feel stupid - and contagious!

Load up your guns
Bring your friends
It's fun to lose
And to pretend
She's overboard
Myself assured
I know I know
A dirty word

Hello (x16)

Wit the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libito
Yea

I'm worse at what I do best
And for this gift I feel blessed
Our little group has always been
And always will be until the end

Hello (x16)

With the lights out, it's less dangerous
Here we are now
Entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now
Entertain us
A mulatto
An albino
A mosquito
My libido
Yea

And I forget
What it takes
And yet I guess it makes me smile
I found it hard
It's hard to find
Oh well, whatever - Nevermind!

Hello (x too many more times)