10 Hard Rock Albums Saved By One Song

10. About a Girl - Nirvana

Nirvana are often cited as the reason the alternative scene spread like wildfire in the early '90s. Off the strength of Nevermind and In Utero, these guys were the antithesis of all the fabricated bands coming out during the tail end of the '80s. While their mainstream releases often get their rightful praise, their debut Bleach is where things get a bit complicated.

Recorded for just over $600, the entire album feels like a product of the Sub Pop scene rather than the first steps of the biggest band in the world. However, there is a hint of the more classic things to come on "About a Girl."

Whereas most of the record is an eclectic mix of punk, new wave, and noise rock, this tune follows a typical pop formula and includes one of the most memorable choruses of the band's career. While riffs like "Negative Creep" can get the fire started to this day, this track is probably what the Beatles would sound like if they were born as disenfranchised hipsters.

The track ended up having so much staying power that the band eventually opened their Unplugged performance with a stripped down rendition of the song. While it might not have the might of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" yet, this showed Nirvana could bang out a quality tune amidst the jams.