Celebrating 34 Years of Nevermind by Nirvana

This September marks 34 years since Nirvana's second studio album, Nevermind, first hit the UK and global shelves on 24 September 1991. The release transformed Kurt Cobain, Krist Novoselic and Dave Grohl from underground Seattle cult favourites into the unlikely face of grunge and a generation.

Who Was in the Band & Who Produced It

At the time of recording and release, Nirvana's lineup was:

• Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar (songwriting)
• Krist Novoselic – bass
• Dave Grohl – drums (making his first studio appearance with the band)

The album was produced by Butch Vig, whose polished production techniques - including overdubs and vocal double-tracking - helped Nevermind leap beyond the lo-fi grip of Bleach. Cobain later expressed reservations about the slicker sound, a result of mixing by Andy Wallace, though he did praise Vig’s production work. 

Track-By-Track Highlights

1. Smells Like Teen Spirit
   Released as the lead single on 10 September 1991, this breakout anthem climbed to number seven on the UK Singles Chart and remained on the chart for an extraordinary 184 weeks. It was a defining song for the "Why Ask Why?" generation and became a global phenomenon. 
2. In Bloom
   A sharp pop-piercing track that skewered mainstream culture, made memorable by its dynamic melody and biting lyricism.
3. Come as You Are
   Released in early 1992 as the second single, it reached number nine in the UK and number 32 on the US Billboard Hot 100. Its haunting riff and introspective tone stand in contrast to the heavier opening tracks. 
4. Lithium and In Bloom (album versions)
   Both achieved Top 20 chart status in the UK - Lithium hitting number 11, In Bloom number 28 - a sign of the album’s mainstream breakthrough. 
5. Other tracks
   Album standouts such as About a Girl, Something in the Way, Drain You and Stay Away round out a collection that’s lean, driving and emotionally raw - each contributing to the album’s overwhelming power and cohesion.

Chart Performance & Legacy

Initially, only modest pressings were shipped to record stores - 46,000 to the US and 35,000 to the UK. Yet Nevermind exploded from there. It reached number one on the US Billboard 200 in January 1992, dethroning Michael Jackson’s Dangerous, and held the position again in February. 

In the UK, the album peaked at number five, but its cultural impact far exceeded initial chart placement. Nevermind has gone on to sell more than 30 million copies worldwide, placing it among the best-selling albums of all time.

Why Nevermind Still Matters

Nevermind wasn’t just a breakthrough album - it was a tidal wave that lifted alternative rock from underground to mainstream. For a generation, Kurt Cobain became the voice of authenticity and disaffection. The album’s streamlined production, emotive songwriting, and undeniable hooks turned grunge into a global language. 

Own Nevermind on Vinyl or CD Today

Whether you're revisiting this classic or discovering it anew, head over to buy Nevermind by Nirvana at  Chalkys.com. We have pristine vinyl pressings, deluxe reissues, and CD editions of Nevermind in stock. Grab it while it’s in stock - this is one you’ll want spinning on repeat.