The Most Underrated Nirvana Songs and Deep Cuts

2025-06-13

Black-and-white Nirvana image.

We’re giving some attention to Nirvana’s lesser-known catalog, as Audio Ink Radio presents three underrated Nirvana songs and deep cuts. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo from Anton Corbijn

Nirvana is a band that obviously became huge during their short career together, so they have a lot of radio hits, but there are still some Nirvana songs that fly under the radar. For a band that’s known for “Smells Like Teen Spirit” and “Come As You Are,” there are plenty of Nirvana tracks that carry the same raw, grunge energy and vibe as the big tracks but never got the attention. Not every song can be a chart-topper, even for a band as big as Nirvana.

Nirvana formed in Aberdeen, Washington, near Seattle, in 1987. Lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bass player Krist Novoselic founded the group, and they went through a range of drummers before settling on Dave Grohl for their “Nevermind” era. But, even before Grohl joined the band, the guys were creating popular music and touring the world on their Sub Pop Records debut, 1989’s “Bleach.”

Cobain always had vision for Nirvana, and that really came out in 1991’s “Nevermind,” which made Nirvana the biggest rock band in the world at that time. Nirvana’s music continues to inspires generations of musicians even today. We’re giving some attention to Nirvana’s lesser-known catalog, as Audio Ink Radio presents three underrated Nirvana songs and deep cuts that deserve more attention.

Underrated Nirvana Tracks

“Blew,” off “Bleach”

“Blew” is one of Nirvana’s best and most underrated early tracks. The song was written for the “Blew EP” and is also the title track of their seminal “Bleach” album. It shows Nirvana’s early style of incorporating raw, real grunge guitarist and a lo-fi sound that was certainly missing from most of the music coming out in the late-1980s. This song also features Chad Channing on drums, who performed on “Bleach” and played live with the guys on their worldwide tour in support of the album. He really should have been inducted into the Rock Hall with the band but, sadly, was left out.

“Lounge Act,” off “Nevermind”

Those who know all the hits on “Nevermind,” and there are lots of htem, might not know of the song “Lounge Act” off Nirvana’s breakout album, “Nevermind.” The song revolves around Bikini Kill’s drummer Tobi Vail, who was Cobain’s girlfriend for a short time. It kind of sounds like lounge music, if lounge was to sound totally rocked out. It’s a song that has a special meaning and incredible instrumentals, so it’s a shame that it got lost in all the singles on “Nevermind.”

“Drain You,” off “Nevermind”

Nirvana released “Drain You” as a promotional single in 1991, and it was also the eighth track on “Nevermind.” It’s another one that Cobain penned after breaking up with Vail, so one could say one of the major themes on “Nevermind” is Cobain’s relationship with his ex. We like this one because Cobain was actually a big fan of it. He told Rolling Stone in 1993 that “Drain You” was one of his favorite songs he had written, explaining that it was “definitely as good as” their big hit, “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

Also check out these underrated grunge songs that deserve another listen.

Cat Badra
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Posted by Cat Badra | Features, Grunge, Music, Rock News

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