Nirvana’s hit “Smells Like Teen Spirit” reaches new peak positions on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. at the same time. Nirvana, Krist Novoselic, Dave Grohl, Kurt Cobain, Vooruit, Gent, Belgium, 23/11/1991. (Photo by Goedefroit Music/Getty Images)
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One might reasonably expect Nirvana’s biggest hit on every Billboard songs chart to be “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The track was a massive commercial success when it was first released decades ago and could be called the band’s signature tune. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” changed the trajectory of Nirvana’s career while simultaneously helping the grunge movement reach new heights all around the world and altering the sound of top 40 radio.
While “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is an unqualified success in essentially every regard, it is not counted as Nirvana’s highest-ranking tune on several Billboard rosters. This week, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” rises to new peaks on some of the company’s most competitive songs lists decades after it first changed music forever.
Nirvana’s Hit Song Reaches New Global Peaks
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is on the rise on both of Billboard’s global charts, and this week, the decades-old smash reaches new peaks on the two related lists. Nirvana’s generation-defining cut pushes from No. 88 to No. 80 on the Billboard Global 200, while on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., it improves from No. 102 to No. 96.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Is Not Nirvana’s Biggest Global Hit
These new peak positions do not turn “Smells Like Teen Spirit” into Nirvana’s highest-rising hit on either of the two worldwide charts. That honor still belongs to “Something in the Way,” which made it all the way to No. 23 on the Billboard Global 200 and No. 42 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S.
Nirvana has only scored two hits on the latter ranking, while one additional classic from the rock band has reached the Billboard Global 200. “Come As You Are” climbed as high as No. 155 earlier this year. The Billboard Global 200 incorporates consumption from around the entire world, including the United States, while the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. removes all American activity and looks internationally.
Nirvana Returns to an American Streaming Chart
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” also rebounds onto the Alternative Streaming Songs chart, which ranks the most-played alternative tracks in the U.S. alone. The Nirvana hit reenters the roster at No. 24 – second-to-last place on the 25-position tally – but it has performed much better in the past. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” once came within striking distance of the top 10, topping out at No. 12.
As is the case on the global rankings, “Something in the Way” has outpaced “Smells Like Teen Spirit” on the Alternative Streaming Songs roster as well. “Something in the Way” exploded in popularity years ago after its prominent placement in the movie The Batman, and that viral moment nearly gave Nirvana a posthumous No. 1 on the Alternative Streaming Songs chart. The track climbed all the way to No. 3 in March 2022, but never managed to take over.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” Is Nirvana’s Longest-Lasting Hit
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” may not be Nirvana’s highest-ranking hit on these three lists, but it is easily the band’s sturdiest when it comes to longevity. “Something in the Way” failed to manage even 10 frames on either the Billboard Global 200 or the Billboard Global Excl. U.S., though it did reach double-digit weeks on the Alternative Streaming Songs ranking. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” has thus far racked up 230 weeks on the Billboard Global 200, 161 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. and 198 on the Alternative Streaming Songs tally, where the grungy favorite is now two turns away from celebrating 200 weeks.