“Smells Like Teen Spirit” (live) by Tori Amos
Under the Covers Sunday
Once upon a time, in 1992, I was driving to my baby daughter’s 4-month check-up and the KROQ DJ for the afternoon played “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Tori Amos. I had no idea it was a cover. I had not heard Nirvana yet, or at least they hadn’t registered on my ear-radar. I didn’t know who Tori was either. But, I was blown away. The raw emotion in her voice, the piano (my favorite instrument), and the overall feeling of the song was just everything I needed to hear.
Later that week I picked up the “Crucify” EP that had “Smells Like Teen Spirit” Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You”, and The Rolling Stones’ “Angie” on it, as well as Tori’s tracks “Crucify” and “Winter”. I fell in love with her right then and there and was a devoted fan from then on out.
I got really fond of Nirvana, too, once Tori led me to them.
I’ve always found it interesting that a Nirvana song led me to Tori Amos, and that she introduced me to Nirvana. The ’90s were that kind of magic.
