Back in the grunge of the golden age, Nirvana was the end destination. Kurt Cobain was instrumental in helping aspiring musicians get their start, sending shockwaves through the rock community with the release of “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” While many notable figures from the Seattle scene may have been well-known at the beginning of the 1990s, everyone else can thank Cobain for helping them get started. Cobain was aware that one Nirvana performance would never happen again, despite the fact that he was infamous for losing control at almost every show.
It’s important to remember that Nirvana’s live experience was not guaranteed to be the same twice for the audience. Every single one of the band’s concerts was an unforgettable experience, with bassist Krist Novoselic and frontman Kurt Cobain destroying their gear at the end of most performances. From the band’s constantly changing setlists to Cobain’s constantly fluctuating mood.
The group never had a proper tour to celebrate their newfound success, though the album Nevermind received a tremendous amount of positive reviews. Even though the record may have sold well in stores, the band’s royalties were insufficient to support a large tour; as a result, they only played small clubs before stopping because of the size of the crowds.
The band was finally ready to hit the rock scene after In Utero made a lasting impression. They brought in Pat Smear, the guitarist for Germs, to handle rock star duties so that Kurt Cobain could concentrate more on his vocals. The singer was eager to tour and explore new locations, despite the caustic rock tunes that dominated their setlist.
The band occasionally featured an unplugged section in their shows. During these moments, Cobain and Novoselic would sit down. They delivered unplugged versions of covers and original material between the loud alt-rock songs. An MTV Unplugged appearance made sense for a band keen on deconstructing their distorted pieces, embracing a different musical approach.
Cobain seized the opportunity to craft a brand-new live experience for Nirvana fans. Instead of a typical set, he opted for a more unconventional, pared-down format. Cobain assembled a stellar set of songs, ranking among the band’s most remarkable live performances. The set featured muted renditions of songs like “Dumb” and a fantastic cover of David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold the World.” They completed the setlist with an equal number of covers as original compositions.
As the evening came to an end, Cobain saved his best vocal performance for last. He tore through Leadbelly’s “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” straining his throat. Cobain believed he would never top the original performance he laid down. Despite having time for an encore, the conviction lingered.
Producer Alex Coletti of MTV said of that evening, “I really tried to get him to do an encore.” The other band members were prepared to do it by me. Kurt, though, was just not into it. For five minutes, the pleading continued. Kurt said, “I can’t top that last song,” at the end. And I gave in when he said that since I knew he was correct.
“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is a powerful experience for any Nirvana fan. Cobain screams from his soul, seemingly afraid of his own voice in the final lines. MTV Unplugged was among the final high-profile performances Nirvana would deliver before Cobain’s untimely death. It’s difficult to ignore the immense anguish that permeates every second of this song.
