Miley Cyrus covers Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' -- dare to take a whiff? [Video] [Poll]

 

We have spoken in the past about things that cannot be unseen. Miley Cyrus' recent choice in live concert material — "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana — may fall under this Lovecraftian category.

We cannot say for certain, however, because we haven't been brave enough to watch this entire clip, which features Cyrus covering the grunge classic for an audience in Ecuador.

Full disclosure: We fear that looking directly upon Miley Cyrus singing Nirvana might turn us to stone.

Until we can get our trembling hands on a camera obscura, infection-control glasses or some other protection, we shall refrain from speaking on this any further. But if you're braver than we are -- and there's a good chance you are -- clap your rock-hard eyeballs on this video.

Then let us know what you think.

 

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-- Leslie Gornstein

 

Comments

[LA DOC00]

She plays it straight-up. Not that interesting and not that terrible. No reason to hate on her for playing a song she said inspired her when she was young.

But then again I felt the same way when indie-rock sell-out top 40 MTV pandering whore Kurt Cobain played Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World and The Meat Puppets live.

[Dylan]

In my opinion, never was that good of a song to begin with.

[NirvanaFan]

She's a really young girl. I'm actually pretty impressed that she likes Nirvana, I am just guessing here but I'm sure they don't mind her sharing their music with another generation. Sounds like a good thing to me!

[Maxie]

She also said she wanted to meet Radiohead because they were her favorite band, then couldn't name a single Radiohead song. Miley says lots of things.

[dustin]

ugh someone put that thing out of our misery

[mfan]

I played this video for someone at work, and they said it sounded good. Then I told them it was Miley Cyrus! If people would just listen to her with an open mind, they would like her. I read she'll be putting out a DVD of her current tour, which I appreciate since I don't have my passport yet.

[roberto valle]

We're a hack cover band in teguc on weekends and play it alot better.

[Jenny]

I'm just happy Kurt Cobain will never have to hear this.

[happy 1]

Kobain publicly said he never cared for this song, Let whomever wants to sing it, sing it.. It's in Peru, not your front yard, if you don't like it, don't watch. People have been covering others' songs for decades. This isn't some sacred or precious crap, regardless of what Mr. "Camera Obscura" (Really? I mean, really, really?), says.

[Tom]

Absolutely awful! For anyone who even thinks this is passable, simply watch a live recording of the original. Miley band is pretty good, but she flat out ruins it with awful vocals and no sense of the song's significance.

We'll see her writhing on a pole on Vegas in ten years - if she's not too fat by then.

[lala]

I think people are way to hard on her. Her music wasn't bad when she was a Disney Queen and it's not bad now. She grew up, everyone does. She is NOT a role model, she is an entertainer. It's the fault of parents who let entertainers become their children's role model. She sang it pretty well I just think she should have played the guitar and taken off those ridiculous heels so she could run around stage properly and really let go.

[Chris]

Miley Cyrus did a great cover of Teen Spirit. Her band was perfect. And after all, who better to do a song about teen angst than a teen? Especially one who's got as great a voice for rock and roll as Miley Cyrus has. It's no wonder that Joan Jett chose Miley to duet with her on Oprah two weeks ago. I'd love to hear roberto valle's version if it is really better than Miley's but I'm betting that he won't back up his boasts by actually putting his version up on Youtube and letting us hear it.

[Kailee]

OMG... As if there wasn't enough to keep Kurt Cobain spinning in his grave for eternity... If he WAS still alive, he definitly would have shot himself over this! I will give her credit for having the courage to try something different, and the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Lucky for her, the audience was a bunch of middle school girls... Good thing she didn't have to play it for people who actually have a good taste in music (how could she, after all, it was HER concert!!).

[rob]

Nirvana is the most overrated band of all time. just cause Kurt offed himself like a wussy they got more reconigtion than they deserve.

[Jackie Arnett Sonka]

too funny

[mfan]

@maxie

Why are you continuing to spread your disinformation about Miley not knowing Radiohead songs. Before you started on this rant, Miley had already done radio interviews in which she mentioned several Radiohead songs. It's common knowledge among Miley fans that Emily Osment introduced Miley to Radiohead music way back in the day. If you want to criticize Miley, please use facts and not bull.

[JERRY W]

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE PUKE ON THIS 'GIRL'S' FACE !
I DON'T WANT TO WASTE MINE !
YOU CAN'T DISGRACE SEATTLE ROCK !!
WE'RE THE GRASSROOTS OF MANY YEARS.
I WON'T MENTION OUR MUSICIANS ON THE
SAME COMMENT AS THIS 'SMILEY CYRUS OR
WHATEVER SHE CALLS HERSELF.

[L.A. Born and Bred]

You'd think between Grohl and Courtney there'd be enough nails driven into that guys coffin for eternity... some flat singing pop package wants to be edgy and finds another level of insult.

[gtoya]

I agree with DYLAN whole-heartedly...the song has been made into something it never was...calm down already

[Kaylee]

How can she be inspired by it when she wasn't even BORN yet? Or here's an idea -- someone told her to do it, she could expand her fan-base. Just like Taylor Momsen, who's even YOUNGER, and is trying to be the female reincarnation of Nirvana/the grunge era. I'm 23 and barely old enough to remember Nirvana. If I hear a Nirvana song, I'm not going to turn it off, but I'm not going to sit there and act like they were there, when I was growing up & trying to find myself.

And in response to someone's comment about the band being perfect -- the band is probably at least 10 years older than her, and legitimately remember the original song.

She just needs to stop trying so damn hard, I think that's what it ultimately comes down to & why people get so fired up about her & her antics. She's essentially a child trying to be someone she's not. Yet she's worshiped like she stepped into Hollywood on her own accord, fighting to get recognized and have someone listen to her. But she didn't have to do that, she just got handed her "fame." Must be nice to have a famous daddy.

[mfan]

@Kaylee

All that having a famous daddy gives you is more of a chance for people to be willing to see what you've got. You still have to bring it or stay home. The vast majority of kids with famous dads who try to follow in their dad's footsteps fail at it.

Your conclusion that Miley bugs you because she seems to be trying too hard is based on your ignorance of who Miley is because you are not a fan, and your unwillingness to give Miley the benefit of the doubt when you are unsure what is going on. FYI, Miley's younger brother Braison started an unofficial Nirvana cover band, and has played Nirvana in public. If you were in the Cyrus household, you would hear Rock, Electronica, Coffee House Music, Country, Religious, and an eclectic mix of other music.

As someone who grew up listening to the music of my older siblings, I know the argument that one has to be an appropriate age to enjoy older music is rubbish. Please don't take your anger that your life is harder than Miley's out on her. Especially since that is debatable. True she doesn't have money problems, and she is surrounded by people who love her, but she has gone through heartbreak, a threatened family divorce, the grief of seeing comments like yours on the internet, and the horror of seeing masses of people trying to bring her down.

I'm with Miley. Let's radiate Peace, Love, and Forgiveness.