Nirvana, one of the most influential grunge bands of the ’90s, recorded their first live session at MTV Unplugged in November 1993, five months before the death of lead singer Kurt Cobain. The live album was released in November 1994 and is arguably one of Nirvana’s most captivating and recognized live performances.
The performance stands out from the rest of MTV’s shows because the band strove to set a different standard for MTV performances. It encompasses Cobain’s large vocal range and some of the band’s most popular covers, such as David Bowie’s “The Man Who Sold The World.”
According to Subjective Sounds, the album was such a success that it won the band their first and only Grammy and sold over 10 million units.
Nirvana’s MTV rule-bending contributed to this success. According to The Quietus, their performance was not “unplugged” at all. Meant to play music without electronic instruments, Cobain disguised his pedal and amp as a monitor, allowing for songs to sound more rigid and striking.
Cobain’s slyness is a reminder of Nirvana’s influence in the grunge and rock world. It ultimately made the band’s live recording more enjoyable and a solid representation of what they stood for.
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In an interview with American Way magazine, Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl explained how practices leading up to the performance did not run smoothly. The band fully expected it would be a mess.
“That show was supposed to be a disaster,” Grohl said. “We hadn’t rehearsed. We weren’t used to playing acoustic. We did a few rehearsals and they were terrible. Everyone thought it was horrible. Even the people from MTV thought it was horrible. Then we sat down and the cameras started rolling and something clicked. It became one of the band’s most memorable performances.”
This pressure reportedly stressed out Cobain so much that he almost kicked Grohl off the live taping for his heavy hitting on the drums. According to CBC Radio, Cobain also demanded those in the front row consist of people he knew, yet also asked his wife, Courtney Love, and his daughter to leave the studio.
“It was the first time in a long while I’d seen them all so nervous about doing something,” Nirvana’s tour manager said in a 1995 interview with Guitar World. “They were really nervous about doing Unplugged, because they were really leaving themselves wide open.”
They decorated the stage in a dark and eerie ambiance. Cobain requested black candles, stargazer lilies and a crystal chandelier to be present. According to CBC, Alex Coletti, the producer of MTV, asked Cobain if he wanted a funeral, to which he replied, “Exactly.”
The performance resulted in the band straying away from their hit singles. Focusing on covers ranging from Bowie to The Vaselines and the Meat Puppets, Nirvana experimented with sound and style. The live album consisted of 14 tracks, with deeper cuts from albums “Bleach” and “In Utero” making appearances.
One of the band’s significant covers was “The Man Who Sold The World,” which stood out due to Cobain’s choice of guitar and tone delivery.
The track opens with a scratchy guitar and Cobain’s hidden distortion pedal, breaking MTV Unplugged’s rule of a fully acoustic performance. While listening, you can pinpoint Cobain’s raspy voice, and upon building to the track’s chorus, you can feel the bass’ repeated thuds. The song’s addictive beat fills the listener with layers of string instruments, making it a song worth replaying.
“Come As You Are” was one of the only Nirvana hits the band played. Cobain’s voice ached throughout the chorus, creating an unforgettable and deeply moving performance.
The guitar is piercing during its solo in the middle of the track. The live version of the single embodies the type of band Nirvana was — loose with performance style yet meticulous with how they portrayed songs.
This live album caters to those who wish to have the “Nirvana experience.” Throughout each track, you hear Cobain’s voice engaging in short conversation along with the loud cheers of the crowd. It creates a listening experience that feels raw and engaging.
Finishing the performance with a cover of “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” Cobain refused to do an encore. Coletti tried to convince Cobain to play one last hit, but he was shut down.
“Where Did You Sleep Last Night” is a cover from the band Lead Belly that opens with the tenderness of an acoustic guitar. Cobain sings slowly, and his vocals shake against the deep guitar strums. Suddenly quieting down, Cobain begins to yell at the song’s climax. This soul-shaking track truly was the way to end Nirvana’s time at MTV.
According to CBC Radio, less than six months after the live recording, news was released that Cobain had been found dead in his home. Fans speculated after the album’s release that the performance was a suicide note, but Coletti rebuked the rumors.
“That absolutely wasn’t the case,” Coletti said in an interview. “This wasn’t just Kurt. This was a band, at their prime, doing great work and enjoying it. This was not a suicide note in any way, shape or form.”
Nirvana’s MTV Unplugged performance is a time capsule of the influence the band created. Creating a mix of tracks from the band’s most popular songs, deep cuts and covers, it is the perfect album for anyone who wishes to get into the band.
