Textual Analysis of Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana

The music video I am analysing is Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. The genre of the band Nirvana was recognised as rock and/or grunge. The music video very much reflects the characteristics associated with the rock/grunge genre. The grunge genre was very popular at the time this music video was released, 1991, and it appealed to many teenagers and confirmed the stereotype of 'teen angst' because of the genre's angst-filled lyrics which teenagers could relate to.


The title, Smells Like Teen Spirit, shows that it is directed at adolescents and the contents of the music video reflect the title as it is set in a high school gym, with teenagers on the benches and cheerleaders, enforcing the words 'teen' and 'spirit'. Also, there is smoke surrounding them in the gym which could relate to 'smells' in the title.

The lyrics and visuals sometimes correspond with each other. The visuals amplify and emphasise the lyrics of the song. For example, the line 'Here we are now, entertain us' the camera is focused on the bands audience on the benches, maybe reflecting what the audience might be saying in the video.

Also,when the line 'Oh well, whatever, never mind' is sung, the lead singer looks disinterested which mirrors the lyrics.

Furthermore, it could be said that when this line is lip-synced, 'With the lights out, it's less dangerous', the visuals contradict the lyrics as, though there is light in the video, it is very dim and the teenagers on the benches have got up and surrounded the band in the centre of the gym and have formed what seems to be a 'mosh pit', which isn't very safe and quite dangerous.






The pace of editing from the very start varies. There are some shots which are longer than others. For example, as soon as the video starts, there is just one guitar playing and the visuals are slow paced, the camera is zoomed in and then zooms out while panning to see the audience first, the cheerleaders and then finally the band. As the songs picks up, the pace starts to quicken but not the shots still vary in length, maybe reflecting there is no order and relating the lyrics of teen-angst and letting loose. The shots do not really cut to the beat of the song and it feels like the editing and the camera movement is all over the place, this could also support the idea of no order and letting loose.

The verses of the song are quite quiet and the visuals reflect them as the crowd are still in their seats and listening to the song in a polite manner. As the song builds up in the chorus', the crowd become more lively and get out of their seats to dance to the music, becoming more rebellious throughout the music video.
There is a brief shot during the solo which focuses on the soloist, but it only lasts a couple of seconds. There is no indication of the solo when it starts, or when it finishes. This shows how there may be no real focus on a narrative or particular band member but on the event as a whole.


There are close-ups and medium close-ups of each of the band members in the video to show the whole band and promote them as equals. The band are casually dressed and look like they have made no effort to dress up. This relates to the grunge genre as it is typical of the genre that the artists do not make such an effort with fashion or appearance and care more about the music. Also, the fact that the video is based very much around the idea of partying and letting loose appeals to teenagers, which may be the image the record company want to promote through this band to make money.
Other music videos from this band are very much performance based, which, in a way, could be their motif as a band as it is a theme that kept reoccurring in their music videos and maybe what they became associated with and known for in their music videos.
Furthermore, the letter A inside the circle on the cheerleaders vest tops could relate to Anarchism, which maybe the band are trying to reinforce and create as their image.


















 In conclusion, the music video is very much performance based and enforces the typical conventions of the grunge/rock genre. It gives the message of not really caring, rebellion and just letting loose. I think the video, even though it is not narrative based, still shows the message of being a teenager and the feel of the grunge genre. The idea of the editing not really matching the song and not cutting to the beat works well with the music video and the message of not caring. Although, it could be said it is quite a boring video and is a lazy idea and more could have been done to make it more interesting.