When Kurt Cobain passed away on April 8, 1994, Nirvana‘s historic time together was cut painfully short. There’s no telling what the blond-haired, gritty-voiced frontman and bandmates Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic could’ve accomplished in the years after they released what ended up being their final album, the Billboard 200-topping In Utero.
What is for certain, though, is that the disciples of the Seattle trio have been permanently changed by the community of acceptance the guys promoted through their bold political statements and come-one-come-all live shows. Their artistic legacy has only expanded in the years since Cobain’s death, with their distinct grunge sound continuing to ripple through the rock, alternative, pop and hip-hop spaces of today.
In total, Nirvana scored five hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and even more on the alternative and rock charts, the band reaching its highest peak of No. 6 on the all-genre U.S. ranking with “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in ’91. There’s no ruling out more entries in the future, though. Case in point: “Something in the Way” didn’t debut on the Hot 100 until 2022, where it bowed at No. 46 thanks to a major sync placement in Matt Reeves’ The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.
As we approach the anniversary of Cobain’s untimely death, Billboard rounded up Nirvana’s 10 biggest hits on the Alternative Airplay chart. From “Smells Like Teen Spirit” to “All Apologies,” see them below.
Nirvana’s Biggest Hits ranking is based on actual performance on the weekly Alternative Airplay chart through April 6, 2024. The ranking is based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 having the greatest value and weeks at lower ranks proportionately less. Due to various changes in chart rules, methodology and depth through the years, certain time frames were weighted to account for the differences in song turnover rates and to ensure equitable representation of the biggest hits from all years.
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“Lithium”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Album: Nevermind (2021)
Peak position: No. 25
Peak date: 2/8/1992Listen above.
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“Sliver”
Album: Incesticide (1992)
Peak position: No. 19
Peak date: 1/23/1993Listen here.
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“Aneurysm (Live)”
Album: From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah (Live) (1996)
Peak position: No. 13
Peak date: 10/19/1996Listen here.
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“The Man Who Sold the World”
Album: MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)
Peak position: No. 6
Peak date: 3/4/1995Listen here.
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“Come as You Are”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Album: Nevermind (1991)
Peak position: No. 3
Peak date: 2/15/1992Listen above.
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“You Know You’re Right”
Album: Nirvana (2002 compilation album)
Peak position: No. 1 (four weeks)
Peak date: 10/26/2002Listen here.
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“Heart-Shaped Box”
Album: In Utero (1993)
Peak position: No. 1 (three weeks)
Peak date: 10/16/1993Listen here.
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“About a Girl”
Album: MTV Unplugged in New York (1994)
Peak position: No. 1 (one week)
Peak date: 12/10/1994Listen here.
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“All Apologies”
Album: In Utero (1993)
Peak position: No. 1 (two weeks)
Peak date: 1/22/1994Listen here.
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“Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Image Credit: Courtesy Photo Album: Nevermind (1991)
Peak position: No. 1 (one week)
Peak date: 11/23/1991Listen above.