Nirvana’s Most Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on SeattleNirvana22rank/position

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Seattle

The Frances Farmer who appears in the song title was an actress who starred in several popular films in the 1930s and 1940s, but she struggled with many problems.

It’s said that Kurt Cobain wrote the song by projecting himself onto her.

The track is included on the album In Utero.

Heart-Shaped BoxNirvana23rank/position

Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box

Released in 1993 and featured on what would be Nirvana’s final album, In Utero, this track is one of their signature songs.

Its dramatic structure—masterfully shifting between quiet and loud dynamics—along with a melody quintessentially Kurt Cobain and lyrics open to multiple interpretations, epitomizes the classic Nirvana sound of ’90s grunge.

The gritty sonic texture shaped by producer Steve Albini is markedly different from Butch Vig’s work on the previous album, Nevermind, yet it never becomes overly obscure; its strong sense of accessibility comes down to the intrinsic quality of the song itself.

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LOVE BUZZNirvana24rank/position

Nirvana – Love Buzz

Nirvana had a tendency to enthusiastically cover songs by other bands and artists, and this track is one of them.

The original is by Shocking Blue, a Dutch band active from the 1960s to the 1970s, and Nirvana released their version as a debut single during their indie era.

Compared to the psychedelic original, Nirvana sped up the tempo and delivered a punkish cover.

From the light, bass-led riff to the noisy guitar and distinctive melody, every element is imbued with Nirvana’s character—so much so that many people might even think this is an original Nirvana song.

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PollyNirvana25rank/position

Nirvana – Polly (Live at Reading 1992)

This song was inspired by a real incident that occurred in Tacoma, Washington, in 1987, where a 14-year-old girl was abducted and raped at a concert venue.

It was included on the 1991 album Nevermind and has been featured in video games such as Rock Band.

Rape MeNirvana26rank/position

Nirvana – Rape Me (Live On “Nulle Part Ailleurs”, Paris, France/1994) (Official Music Video)

A song by Kurt Cobain that supports women and delivers a strong message against violence toward them.

It is also considered to address “rape by the media,” such as Vanity Fair and MTV.

The song was released as a single in 1993.

Spank ThruNirvana27rank/position

Nirvana – Spank Thru (Live at Reading 1992)

It wasn’t included on any album, but it’s surely one of their early classics.

Unusually for Nirvana, it incorporates a slightly funky rhythm.

The heavy guitars gradually intertwine, the sound gets louder and transforms into a distinctly grunge vibe, with Kurt Cobain shouting his lungs out.

Aero ZeppelinNirvana28rank/position

Nirvana – Aero Zeppelin

It’s a song written about Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.

It was recorded on January 23, 1988 at Reciprocal Recording Studios and included on the 1992 album Incesticide.

Danny Peters plays drums on this track.