April 5 will mark the 22nd anniversary of Kurt Cobain’s death, so I shall join the droves of others shuffling out Cobain and Nirvana-related articles with my own list of underrated Nirvana songs. I don't have a system or qualifications that make a song 'underrated' for me, since the fans of Nirvana are either casual or die-hard serious, but when it comes to 'The Best of Nirvana' articles, here are some songs I think should get more consideration than they do.

And in no particular order -

Blew

The opening track of their first album, “Bleach," is a bass-led grinder that is as melodic as it is heavy. It’s relentless but somehow really smooth, with the guitar riff syncing up with Cobain’s vocals. It’s simple but it’s also classically Nirvana, and one that didn’t/doesn’t get as much airplay as a lot of other Nirvana songs.

Aneurysm

Arguably one of Nirvana’s most complicated songs in terms of different musical movements within it, combined with some of Cobain’s best lyrics (“Love you so much it makes me sick”), this almost five-minute long track shines in the hodge-podge compilation album “Incesticide.” A song about drugs and love, not a novel concept, but definitely never handled in such a way prior.

Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle

One of the more traditional B-sides of the chaotic delve into the beautiful madness that was “In Utero," this media-jabbing jam prides one of the catchiest yet ominous choruses in Nirvana’s discography: “Well I miss the comfort in being sad.” Its fun, it’s catchy, and it’s definitely not one you hear on the radio ever.

Lounge Act

Two words: Krist Novoselic. The baby skin-smooth bass line glides into your ears like petroleum jelly and peanut butter. …Okay, that sounds disgusting, but this song is amazing.

Talk to Me

A track only ever played live and reportedly written for Iggy Pop, this hyper catchy song is a rarity for these kinds of lists, among even serious Nirvana fans. The riff isn’t overly complicated, but the chorus (“Talk to me! In your own language please!”) is inhumanly catchy, and even a rough live boombox recording shows the power that this song could have had.

Serve the Servants

When this opening track to “In Utero” began with three stick clacks from Dave Grohl and then a loud, dissonant chord from Cobain and Novoselic, you knew this was going to be a ride. But this song is actually very fun and contains some rather deep lyrics about Cobain’s own feeling in a post-“Nevermind” world (“Teenage angst has paid off well / And now I’m bored and old”) while also touching on his new rekindled relationship with his father (”I tried hard to have a father / But instead I had a Dad”) Obviously, I have listened to this song so much I can suck the fun out of it.

Swap Meet

A driving shared guitar and bass line creates a really engaging song that shows some of Cobain’s best word play: “She loves him more than he will ever know / He loves her more than he will ever show.” It's fast and fun and entirely reminiscent of Nirvana's early days of heavy but simple songs that didn't last longer than three minutes.

Oh the Guilt

16-year-old me was obsessed with this song because it was SO. DANG. COOL. The vocal line of the verse layers perfectly over the stop-and-go guitar line. And I could never master that pick scratch thing Cobain did. Also: again, the word play that Cobain loved. Saying words that sounded the same worked really well, because no one could understand him most the time anyway.

Sappy

Like “Aneurysm," this track is easily one of Nirvana’s best songs that were never featured on a major album. Cobain never felt satisfied with the lyrics, which shows in the five different recorded versions that exist on different compilations or collections that have been released. This is my favorite version, but the variations of this song aren't greatly different.

I Hate Myself And Want To Die

I bet you’re really wondering how this song never became that popular. Long-winded and somewhat upsetting title aside, the actual track is fantastic with one of the best guitar riffs in Nirvana’s collection. A version of this song was featured on the “Beavis and Butt-Head Experience” album, but other than that, this version hasn’t appeared on any other collection of Nirvana’s.

Big Long Now

A slow burn dragger and dissimilar to much of Nirvana’s other music, it rests at the end of “Incesticide” right before “Aneurysm.” It’s often overlooked due to the fact that it is easily one of Nirvana’s longest songs, eventually clocking in at just over five minutes. The title means little to the song, as drummer Chad Channing admits he helped Cobain name it impromptu.

"Das Jus Me Doe!" - the1janitor

What are your favorite underrated Nirvana songs? “Curmudgeon?" “Turnaround?" “Scentless Apprentice?"

Let me know in the comments below!

Thank you for reading!