Smells Like Nirvana

Last updated

"Smells Like Nirvana"
WierdAlSmellsLikeNirvana.jpg
Single by "Weird Al" Yankovic
from the album Off the Deep End
B-side "Waffle King"
ReleasedApril 3, 1992 (1992-04-03) [1]
RecordedJanuary 27, 1992
Studio Santa Monica Sound (Santa Monica, California) [2]
Genre
Length3:42
Label Scotti Brothers
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) "Weird Al" Yankovic
"Weird Al" Yankovic singles chronology
"Isle Thing"
(1989)		"Smells Like Nirvana"
(1992)		"You Don't Love Me Anymore"
(1992)
Music video
"Smells Like Nirvana" on YouTube

"Smells Like Nirvana" is a song parody written and performed by American musician "Weird Al" Yankovic. A parody of Nirvana's song "Smells Like Teen Spirit", it was released as the lead single from Yankovic's Off the Deep End album in April 1992. "Smells Like Nirvana" was written during a three-year career low for Yankovic after the financial failure of his film UHF , but captured the quickly-rising popularity of grunge and Nirvana's success. The song was written to ridicule the fact that many people could hardly understand Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain's lyrics in the original song. After being unable to contact Nirvana conventionally, Yankovic called Cobain while the band was on the set of Saturday Night Live , where Cobain quickly gave permission to record the parody.

Contents

Recording the song was a change for Yankovic and his band. Usually, the group were forced to record several overdubs. "Smells Like Nirvana", however, was relatively straightforward in its musical composition. To promote the single, Yankovic created an associated video for the song that parodied and closely mirrored the original "Smells Like Teen Spirit" video, even going so far as to hire several of the same actors and use the same set.

"Smells Like Nirvana" was met with critical praise and helped to re-energize Yankovic's career. Cobain considered the parody as a sign that they had "made it" as a band. The song is one of Yankovic's most successful singles and was his second top 40 hit in the United States, reaching number 35 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the U.S. Mainstream Rock Tracks. The song's video was nominated for a 1992 MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video.

Background

Prior to writing "Smells Like Nirvana", Yankovic's music career had suffered from the poor financial performance of his 1989 feature film, UHF and the associated soundtrack. Yankovic called that "the beginning of three years where it was kind of hard for me to recover". [3] He started work on a new studio album around 1990. [4] To revitalize his career, he considered creating a parody of a Michael Jackson song, which had proven successful twice before with "Eat It" and "Fat". He had composed a parody of Jackson's "Black or White", titled "Snack All Night", but Jackson said he was uncomfortable with the parody, given that the original song was intended to be a political statement. Yankovic would later believe that Jackson's refusal was, retrospectively, a blessing; he felt that "Snack All Night" was not one of his better works. [3] While he had compiled other original songs for a new album, he feared the lack of a good parody song would doom the album to failure and held off from releasing anything until an idea presented itself. [4]

The band Nirvana started to become popular in the music scene at the time, creating "big, seismic shifts in pop culture" according to Yankovic. [3] Yankovic felt that the band's 1991 album Nevermind , which featured "Smells Like Teen Spirit", was "really great", but feared that at its release the band was not popular enough to warrant a parody. [3] By early 1992, Nevermind had reached platinum certification and led the Billboard charts, which led Yankovic to start working on a parody. [3] Yankovic decided to base his parody on the publicity around Nevermind, much of which dealt with the inability to comprehend the songs' lyrics, both in their phrasing and the manner in which they were sung by lead vocalist Kurt Cobain. He noted, "I try not to go the obvious route all the time, but sometimes the most obvious is actually the best." [5] Yankovic had initial difficulty getting permission for the parody, as his manager claimed he was unable to contact the group numerous times. [3] When Yankovic learned that Nirvana would be performing on the January 11, 1992, show of Saturday Night Live , he called his UHF co-star, Victoria Jackson, at the time a regular cast member of the show. Jackson managed to give the phone to Cobain so that Yankovic could make his request. Cobain agreed, though initially he inquired if the song would be about food, a common theme in many of Yankovic's songs. [3] [4] Yankovic explained that the song would be about Cobain's incomprehensible lyrics, to which Cobain replied, according to Yankovic, "Oh, sure, of course, that's funny." [3]

Recording and lyrics

Gnome-mime-sound-openclipart.svg
"Smells Like Nirvana" (sample)
"Smells Like Nirvana", from Yankovic's 1992 album Off the Deep End. The sample illustrates the verse, pre-chorus, and chorus of Yankovic's parody which is a musical re-creation of the original Nirvana song.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Recorded around January 27, 1992 at Santa Monica Sound Records, in Santa Monica, California, [2] [3] the song was the final one recorded for the album, as Yankovic generally records the songs that will be released as singles last. Recording took between three and four days. [3] The band worked to match the same fluctuating tempos that were in the original song; Jon Schwartz, Yankovic's drummer, noted that "the [drum] part was pretty loose. [...] Tempos were up and down. We adjusted the tempos on our song to meet the Nirvana version. It's by no means steady." [3] Compared to previous parodies, where upwards of 20-some instruments had to be mixed together, the simpler composition of "Teen Spirit" made it much easier for the band to complete the song. [3]

Yankovic later noted that recording the song's vocals was particularly difficult, because he was singing "for eight to 12 hours a day", which caused strain on his vocal cords. [3] For the verse where Yankovic mumbles the lyrics to the song, he placed several cookies in his mouth to achieve the garbled effect. [3] During the parody's musical interlude, Yankovic gargled water to the tune of the original's guitar solo. [6] The solo also features kazoos and a tuba, with the latter being played by Tommy Johnson. [7] [8]

Lyrically, "Smells Like Nirvana" mocks the original song's incomprehensible words. [3] The opening verse begins "What is this song/All about?/Can't figure any lyrics out". [9] At one point, Yankovic purposely garbles the lyrics: "It's hard to bargle nawdle zouss[ sic ]/With all these marbles in my mouth". [3] He admitted in an interview that he woke up "in the middle of the night" and wrote down the phrase "bargle nawdle zouss", thinking that it would "be important someday." [6]

Music video

The music video, directed by Yankovic's manager Jay Levey, is a near shot-for-shot parody of the original video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit", which depicts the band playing at a high school concert while it descends into riot. Yankovic is present on guitar and vocals as Kurt Cobain, with Steve Jay on bass as Krist Novoselic, and Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums as Dave Grohl. All three wear clothing and long-haired wigs to imitate the look of Nirvana in "Smells Like Teen Spirit". Yankovic's video uses many of the same props, actors and camera angles; in particular, the video was shot in the same Culver City, California sound stage as Nirvana's video, several of the cheerleaders and audience members were from the original video, and Tony De La Rosa reprises his role as the janitor. [10] [11] Levey said that they were able to recreate much of the same setting with help of the producers of the original Nirvana video once they were aware that the song had Cobain's blessing. [3] Levey had a brief conversation with Samuel Bayer, the original director of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" in preparation for the video shoot. Although Levey noted that "he was certainly going along with it", he felt that Bayer was "the least enthused" because "he was a true artíste". [3]

The video includes actor Dick Van Patten in a guest role. Van Patten, being one of the few celebrities that could be reached through immediate contacts, was a last-minute addition by Yankovic. [3] [12] According to Yankovic, Van Patten became "kind of [their] good luck charm", and he would appear in a few of Yankovic's future videos. [13] Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk also appears as one of the many extras as a result of the Birdhouse Skateboards team providing "skater/punks" for the video, although Yankovic was not aware of this until a 2009 Twitter post by Hawk. [3] [14] Schwartz attempted to recreate Grohl's wild headbanging during filming, leaving him with a stiff neck several days afterward. [3]

Reception

Release and reception

The single for "Smells Like Nirvana" was released on April 2, 1992, [1] while the album containing it, Off the Deep End , saw its release on April 14, 1992. [15] The single was backed with a song called "Waffle King", a song detailing a man who becomes famous through making waffles and ends up letting the fame get to his head. This song was originally intended to appear on Off the Deep End, but was excluded due to Yankovic's fear that the song "I Was Only Kidding" would have a lyric that would not be funny by the time the following album was released. While the song later ended up on the following album, Alapalooza , Yankovic put it as the b-side to "Smells Like Nirvana" "in case there wasn't going to be a next album". [16]

The single charted on several Billboard charts, making it Yankovic's most successful single since his single "Eat It", which charted in 1984. [3] The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 on April 25, 1992. It peaked at number 35 and remained on the chart for two weeks. [17] The single also charted on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks, also peaking at number 35 and remaining for two weeks. [18] The single was also popular in the other countries. In Canada, the single charted at number 48. [19] In the United Kingdom, the single entered the charts on April 7, 1992, and peaked at number 58, spending only one week on the charts. [20] In Australia, "Smells Like Nirvana" was released on June 14, 1992, and spent six weeks on the charts. It peaked at number 24. [21]

After its release, "Smells Like Nirvana" was considered, at the time, the largest comeback in Yankovic's career. [3] The song was well-received by the media. AllMusic reviewer Barry Weber wrote that the song illustrated "the kind of brilliant writing Yankovic was still capable of doing". [15] Anthony Violanti, a reporter for The Buffalo News , called the song "the high point" of one of Yankovic's concerts. [22] Nirvana famously enjoyed the parody. Cobain is claimed to have considered that Nirvana had "made it" with the success of Yankovic's parody. [3] In his personal journals that were later published, he calls Yankovic "America's modern pop-rock genious [ sic ]". [3] Grohl is also reported to have realized his band was truly successful when Yankovic asked for permission to record the parody. [23] According to an executive for Nirvana's label, DGC Records, "Smells Like Nirvana" was responsible for selling an additional million copies of Nirvana's album Nevermind. [5] The video was nominated for the 1992 MTV Video Awards for "Best Male Video", although it did not win. [24] At the awards ceremony, Nirvana was initially asked to perform, but they declined. The offer was then extended to Yankovic, before Nirvana relented. Yankovic later joked that "I might've been a bargaining chip". [3] [5]

Legacy

After Cobain died by suicide in 1994, Yankovic and his band were hesitant to play the extremely popular "Smells Like Nirvana" during live shows. For several months after Cobain's death, Yankovic would first perform a somber tribute to Cobain prior to playing the song itself. Shortly after Cobain's death, Yankovic was scheduled to play a show in Seattle, where Nirvana first became famous. Due to this connection, Yankovic was hesitant to perform the spoof, as he worried about how the audience might react to the parody. However, Yankovic was urged by journalists to go through with the performance, as they said that the song would be "cathartic" for the area. Ultimately, the performance "went over extremely well". [3] Yankovic continues to play "Smells Like Nirvana" live, stating that "Kurt was a fan of the song" and "he would have wanted it that way." [4]

In The Simpsons episode "That '90s Show", set primarily in flashback to the 1990s, Homer Simpson is shown creating one of the first grunge bands while trying to cope with Marge's infidelity; the band, called "Sadgasm", becomes highly popular. At one point, Homer writes a new song called "Shave Me"—itself a loose parody of Nirvana's real single "Rape Me". Homer's song is then parodied as "Brainfreeze" in both song and video by "Weird Al" Yankovic, who voices himself. Homer takes Yankovic's parody as a sign that his band has become successful, but his depressed state after breaking up with Marge leaves him unable to enjoy the song's humor; he gloomily bemoans, "He who is tired of Weird Al, is tired of life". The sequence of events was written to parallel much of the history of "Smells Like Nirvana", including Kurt Cobain's reaction to the parody. [3] [25]

Live performances

"Weird Al" Yankovic performing "Smells Like Nirvana" in concert, dressed like Kurt Cobain WeirdAlSmellsLikeNirvana.jpg
"Weird Al" Yankovic performing "Smells Like Nirvana" in concert, dressed like Kurt Cobain

During live performances, Yankovic dons clothing similar to what Cobain wore in the video for "Smells Like Teen Spirit". This includes a right-handed guitar strung upside down (a common solution for left-handed guitarists like Cobain), a shirt similar to Cobain's, and a blonde wig. The costuming for the performance is critical; Schwartz explained that "if anything's missing, Al won't do it". [3] The rest of Al's band also participates. Steve Jay, who plays bass, uses two bass straps to emulate and exaggerate "Novoselic's low-hanging bass". [3] He explained that he positions his instrument "to where I can just barely touch the strings". [3] The members of the band also mock-mosh. Jim West, the band's guitarist, noted that moshing is usually tame, but that there "were a few collisions where people got hurt, but not the audience, just the band." [3] A couple of local female dancers also accompany Al and his band performing cheerleading routines. [26] Sometimes during the third verse, after Yankovic sings "And I forgot the next verse," he drops out for the next few lines, pretending to actually forget the lyrics. [27]

Track listing

US pressing [28]

  1. "Smells Like Nirvana" – 3:42
  2. "Trigger Happy" – 3:46
  3. "Waffle King" – 4:26

US cassette single [29]

  1. "Smells Like Nirvana" – 3:42
  2. "Waffle King" – 4:26

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "Smells Like Nirvana"
Chart (1992)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [21] 24
Canadian RPM Top Singles [19] 48
New Zealand Singles Chart [30] 4
Swedish Singles Chart [31] 38
UK Singles Chart [20] 58
US Cashbox Top 100 Pop Singles [32] 22
US Billboard Hot 100 [33] 35
US Billboard Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks [18] 35

Certifications

Certifications for "Smells Like Nirvana"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA) [34] Gold35,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirvana (band)</span> American rock band (1987–1994)

Nirvana was an American rock band formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987. Founded by lead singer and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, the band went through a succession of drummers, most notably Chad Channing, before recruiting Dave Grohl in 1990. Nirvana's success popularized alternative rock, and they were often referenced as the figurehead band of Generation X. Despite a short mainstream career spanning only three years, their music maintains a popular following and continues to influence modern rock culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smells Like Teen Spirit</span> 1991 single by Nirvana

"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind (1991), released on DGC Records. The unexpected success of the song propelled Nevermind to the top of several albums charts at the start of 1992, an event often marked as the point when grunge entered the mainstream. It was Nirvana's biggest hit, charting high on music industry charts around the world in 1991 and 1992, and was number one on the charts in Belgium, France, New Zealand and Spain. It was met with wide critical acclaim, and described as an "anthem for apathetic kids" of Generation X. Although Nirvana grew uncomfortable with the mainstream and commercial attention the song brought to them, listeners and critics continue to praise "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as one of the greatest songs of all time.

<i>Nevermind</i> 1991 studio album by Nirvana

Nevermind is the second studio album by the American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 1991, by DGC Records. It was Nirvana's first release on a major label and the first to feature drummer Dave Grohl. Produced by Butch Vig, Nevermind features a more polished, radio-friendly sound than the band's prior work. It was recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, and Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, in May and June 1991, and mastered that August at the Mastering Lab in Hollywood, California.

<i>Off the Deep End</i> 1992 studio album by "Weird Al" Yankovic

Off the Deep End is the seventh studio album by the American parody musician "Weird Al" Yankovic, released in 1992. This album was the first album self-produced by Yankovic, after six albums with Rick Derringer. Recorded between June 1990 and January 1992, the album was a follow-up to the unsuccessful soundtrack to Yankovic's 1989 film UHF. Off the Deep End and its lead single "Smells Like Nirvana" helped to revitalize Yankovic's career after a lull following his last hit single, "Fat", in 1988.

<i>With the Lights Out</i> 2004 compilation box set by Nirvana

With the Lights Out is a box set by the American rock band Nirvana, released on November 23, 2004. It contains three CDs and one DVD of previously rare or unreleased material, including B-sides, demos, and rehearsal and live recordings. The title comes from the lyrics of Nirvana's 1991 single "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Come as You Are (Nirvana song)</span> 1992 single by Nirvana

"Come as You Are" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by frontman and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the third track and the second single from the band's second studio album Nevermind, the single released in March 1992. It was the band's second and final American top 40 hit, reaching number 32 on the Billboard Hot 100, and second UK top 10 hit, reaching number nine on the UK Singles Chart. The single reached the top 10 in eight countries and the top 40 in eleven further countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">In Bloom</span> 1992 single by Nirvana

"In Bloom" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It appears as the second track on the band's second album, Nevermind, released by DGC Records in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rape Me</span> 1993 song by Nirvana

"Rape Me" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. It is the fourth song on the band's third and final studio album, In Utero, released in September 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drain You</span> 1991 song by Nirvana

"Drain You" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the eighth track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991. The song was released as a promotional single in late 1991, and also appeared as a b-side on UK retail editions of the first single from that album, "Smells Like Teen Spirit".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">On a Plain</span> 1991 promotional single by Nirvana

"On a Plain" is a song by American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist, Kurt Cobain. It is the 11th track on their second album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aneurysm (song)</span> Nirvana song

"Aneurysm" is a song by the American rock band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. It first appeared as a B-side on the band's breakthrough "Smells Like Teen Spirit" single in September 1991. A second studio version was released on the rarities compilation Incesticide in December 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Endless, Nameless (song)</span> 1991 song by Nirvana

"Endless, Nameless" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain, bassist Krist Novoselic, and drummer Dave Grohl. It is the 13th and final song on the band's second studio album, Nevermind, released in September 1991.

<i>Greatest Hits Volume II</i> ("Weird Al" Yankovic album) 1994 greatest hits album by "Weird Al" Yankovic

Greatest Hits Volume II is a compilation album of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic, featuring his best known songs that did not appear on "Weird Al" Yankovic's Greatest Hits, plus the new single "Headline News" which had first appeared on the box set Permanent Record: Al In The Box, released a month prior. The compilation album was met with mostly positive critical reviews, and it managed to chart on the Billboard 200 at number 198. However, it ranks as one of Yankovic's least-selling records.

<i>Permanent Record: Al in the Box</i> 1994 box set by "Weird Al" Yankovic

Permanent Record: Al in the Box is a four disc compilation box set of songs by "Weird Al" Yankovic, released on September 27, 1994. The album, released by Scotti Brothers Records so that the label could make monetary projections for the fiscal year, collects Yankovic's favorite songs from his first eight studio albums. The collection also includes alternate versions of "My Bologna", "Happy Birthday", "UHF" and the new single, "Headline News", a parody of "Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm" by Crash Test Dummies. It peaked at number 104 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Don't Love Me Anymore ("Weird Al" Yankovic song)</span> 1992 single by "Weird Al" Yankovic

"You Don't Love Me Anymore" is a song by American recording artist "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was released as the second single from his seventh studio album Off the Deep End on June 19, 1992. While much of his musical output consists of parodies of other artists' material, "You Don't Love Me Anymore" is an original composition written and produced by Yankovic. A soft acoustic ballad in a style parody of James Taylor and Nicolette Larson, the song features darkly humorous lyrics about a relationship between Yankovic and an unnamed woman that has faltered to the point that she repeatedly attempts to kill him, which he has only just begun to notice.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nirvana discography</span>

The discography of Nirvana, an American rock band, consists of three studio albums, twenty-one singles, five live albums, two extended plays, four compilation albums, and three box sets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">"Weird Al" Yankovic discography</span> List of works by Weird Al Yankovic

The discography of American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor and parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic consists of fourteen studio albums, two soundtrack albums, nine compilation albums, eleven video albums, two extended plays, two box sets, forty-six singles and fifty-four music videos. Since the debut of his first comedy song in 1976, he has sold more than 12 million albums—more than any other comedy act in history—recorded more than 150 parody and original songs, and performed more than 1,000 live shows. His works have earned him five Grammy Awards among sixteen nominations, along with several gold and platinum record certifications in the United States. Yankovic's first single, "My Bologna", was released in 1979, and he made his chart debut two years later with his second single, "Another One Rides the Bus", which peaked at number four on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart. His self-titled debut studio album was released on Scotti Brothers Records on May 3, 1983, peaking at number 16 on the US Billboard 200 and being certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). "Ricky", the album's third single, became his first single to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 64.

<i>Smells Like Bleach: A Punk Tribute to Nirvana</i> 2001 compilation album by various artists

Smells Like Bleach: A Punk Tribute to Nirvana is a tribute album by various artists to the American grunge band Nirvana, released in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">"Weird Al" Yankovic</span> American comedy musician (born 1959)

Alfred Matthew "Weird Al" Yankovic is an American comedy musician, writer, and actor. He is best known for writing and performing comedy songs that often parody specific songs by contemporary musicians. He also performs original songs that are style pastiches of the work of other acts, as well as polka medleys of several popular songs, most of which feature his trademark accordion.

<i>Live at the Paramount</i> (video) 2011 video by Nirvana

Live at the Paramount is a live video and album by American rock band Nirvana, released on September 24, 2011. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray Disc as part of the 20th anniversary of the band's second album and mainstream breakthrough, Nevermind.

References

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "Smells Like Nirvana – Weird Al Yankovic". AllMusic . Retrieved September 12, 2010.
  2. 1 2 Yankovic, Alfred (2013), "Off the Deep End", 'Weird Al' Yankovic Official Limited Edition Trading Cards, no. 45, Volcano Records
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 Weingarten, Christopher R. (October 11, 2012). "'Weird Al' Yankovic Looks Back at 20 Years of 'Smells Like Nirvana'". Spin . Buzzmedia . Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Hansen, Barret (1994). Permanent Record: Al in the Box (liner). "Weird Al" Yankovic. California, USA: Scotti Brothers Records.
  5. 1 2 3 Johner, James (October 26, 2013). "Weird Al Yankovic Remembers Making Fun of Nirvana". Esquire . Retrieved October 26, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Harrington, Richard (June 26, 1992). "Weird Al in Parody Paradise; He's Hit a Nirvana With His Latest and He's Bringing It Here". The Washington Post . Archived from the original on June 10, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2012.(subscription required)
  7. ↑ "Players". WeirdAl.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  8. ↑ Trust, Gary (August 26, 2011). "Ask Billboard: When Kazoos (And Other Unusual Instruments) Ruled Radio". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  9. ↑ Rowlins, Melissa (June 2, 1992). "From Bad to Verse". Entertainment Weekly . Time, Inc. Archived from the original on April 26, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  10. ↑ St. Thomas, p. 104
  11. ↑ George-Warren et al., p. 1092
  12. ↑ Browne, pp. 942–943
  13. ↑ Suskind, Alex (July 15, 2014). "The History Behind 12 Great Weird Al Videos". Vulture . Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  14. ↑ Reilly, Dan (July 2, 2009). "'Weird Al' Yankovic Has a Love-Hate Relationship With the Internet". Spinner.com . AOL. Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved August 22, 2009.
  15. 1 2 "Off the Deep End – Weird Al Yankovic". AllMusic . Rovi Corporation . Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  16. ↑ Yankovic, Alfred M. (March–April 1996). "'Ask Al' Q&As for March/April, 1996". The Official "Weird Al" Yankovic Web Site. Retrieved June 26, 2010.
  17. ↑ Whitburn, p. 286
  18. 1 2 "Weird Al Yankovic – Smells Like Nirvana". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2012.{{cite magazine}}: Check |url= value (help)
  19. 1 2 "Top Singles — Volume 55, No. 24, June 13, 1992". RPM . Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  20. 1 2 "Weird Al Yankovic". Official Charts Company . Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  21. 1 2 ""Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana". Australian Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  22. ↑ Violanti, Anthony (June 21, 1992). "Yankovic's Spoofs Remain Wonderfully Weird". The Buffalo News . Berkshire Hathaway. Archived from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  23. ↑ Gil de Rubio, Dave (June 20, 2010). "Music Feature: Weird Al Yankovic". Long Island Press . Morey Publishing. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2012.
  24. ↑ Macdonald, Patrick (September 2, 1992). "'Mtv Video Awards': Playing's The Thing". The Seattle Times . The Seattle Times Company . Retrieved June 16, 2009.
  25. ↑ Keller, Richard. "The Simpsons: That 90's Show". AOLTV . Huffpost TV . Retrieved January 18, 2008.
  26. ↑ Yankovic, Al (March 1999). ""Ask Al" Q&As for March, 1999". Ask Al Archive. weirdal.com. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  27. ↑ ""Weird Al" Yankovic – "Smells Like Nirvana" (Live in Del Mar 6-15-11)". YouTube. June 17, 2011. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
  28. 1 2 Smells Like Nirvana CD single (liner notes). "Weird Al" Yankovic. California, USA: Scotti Bros. Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  29. ↑ Smells Like Nirvana cassette single (liner notes). "Weird Al" Yankovic. California, USA: Scotti Bros. Records. 1992.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  30. ↑ ""Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana". New Zealand Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  31. ↑ ""Weird Al" Yankovic - Smells Like Nirvana". Swedish Charts Portal. Hung Medien. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
  32. ↑ Downey et al., p. 385.
  33. ↑ "Weird Al Yankovic Album & Song Chart History". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 11, 2012.
  34. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 306.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.