"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was released in 1991 on the second studio album by the band Nirvana. It was written by all members of the band at the time. It is the only song on the album "Nevermind" to give songwriting credit to all the band's members. Kurt Cobain said it was an attempt to write a song in the style of the band The Pixies, and drummer Dave Grohl created his drum beat with the group The Gap Band in mind.
The complete first line of lyrics are, "Load up on guns, bring your friends".
2. "Sometimes I feel"
Answer: Under the Bridge
"Under the Bridge" was released in 1992 on the fifth studio album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. All members of the band at that time were given songwriting credits. The song is a reflection of lead singer, Anthony Kiedis' loneliness and struggles staying clean of drugs (most notably heroin). The complete first line of lyrics are, "Sometimes I feel like I don't have a partner".
3. "In my eyes"
Answer: Black Hole Sun
"Black Hole Sun" was released in 1994 on the fourth studio album by the band Soundgarden. It was written by the band's frontman Chris Cornell. Chris said he wrote the song in his head while making the 40 minute commute from their music studio to Seattle. When he got home he penned the lyrics in 15 minutes' time. The complete first line of lyrics are, "In my eyes".
4. "When you were"
Answer: Creep
"Creep" was released in 1992 as a single, and appeared on the debut album by the band Radiohead in 1993. It was written by lead singer Thom Yorke, and he used the composition of Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood's song "The Air that I Breathe" (which was a big hit by Hall of Fame band The Hollies in 1974). Yorke said the song is about him following (or stalking) some girl around when he was attending Exeter University in Devon, England. That girl eventually showed up at a Radiohead concert by happenstance.
The complete first line of lyrics are, "When you were here before".
5. "One thing, I"
Answer: In the End
"In the End" was released in 2001 on the debut album from the band Linkin Park. All members of the band were given songwriting credits. The song is based on frontman Chester Bennington's tribulations growing up, and how he was often bullied. Chester initially disliked the song, and didn't want it included on their album "Hybrid Theory".
It has become the group's signature song, especially in light of Bennington's suicide in 2017. The complete first line of lyrics are, "One thing, I don't know why".
6. "Can you feel"
Answer: Down With the Sickness
"Down With the Sickness" was released in 2000 on the debut album from the band Disturbed. All band members were given songwriting credits. Lead singer Dave Draiman said the guttural scream at the end of the intro was made possible because of surgery he had to combat acid reflux.
The themes of child abuse in the song are loosely based on Draiman's childhood. The complete first line of lyrics are, "Can you feel that?".
7. "Something takes a"
Answer: Freak on a Leash
"Freak on a Leash" was released in 1999 on the third studio album by the band Korn. All band members were given songwriting credits. Lead guitarist, "Head" Welch said the song was about frontman, "J Devil" being into dominatrix sex. However, it is truthfully about the mixed blessings that come with fame and fortune. The complete first line of lyrics are, "Something takes a part of me".
8. "Son, she said"
Answer: Alive
"Alive" was released in 1991 as the debut single on the debut album by Pearl Jam. The song was written by band members Eddie Vedder and Stone Gossard. Gossard wrote the song while a member of the band Mother Love Bone. He and other Pearl Jam founder, Mike McCready, were in search of a lead singer for their band, and circulated the song's composition. Somehow it found its way into Eddie Vedder's hands. Eddie was a security guard in San Diego, California at the time.
He wrote lyrics, and sent a demo tape of him performing the song to Gossard and McCready.
The rest is history, as they say. The complete first line of lyrics are, "Son, she said, have I got a little story for you".
9. "Cut my life"
Answer: Last Resort
"Last Resort" was released in 2000 on the soundtrack for a movie called "Ready To Rumble" (a low budget film about pro wrestling). It then appeared on the second studio album by the the band Papa Roach. It was written by band members Jacoby Shaddix and Tobin Esperance.
They wrote the song about a childhood friend that tried to commit suicide, but they thwarted the attempt. The complete first line of lyrics are, "Cut my life into pieces".
10. "How can you"
Answer: Bring Me To Life
"Bring Me To Life" was released in 2003 on the debut album by the band Evanescence. It was written by all band members. The song features the guest vocals of Paul McCoy (lead singer of the band 12 Stones). It was inspired by an acquaintance of lead singer Amy Lee.
He asked her one day if she was happy, and she, in fact, was miserable, but hiding it. She thought the guy was a clairvoyant or something of that nature. Needless to say, her true emotions were "brought to life". The complete first line of lyrics are, "How can you see into my eyes, like open doors?".
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor agony before going online.
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