"Smells Like Teen Spirit" was, along with "Come as You Are", one of several songs written following Nirvana's first recording sessions with producer Butch Vig in 1990.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" var, sammen med "Come as You Are", en af få nye sange, der var blevet skrevet af Nirvana siden de første indspilningssessioner med Butch Vig i 1990.