5 Great Songwriters Who Defined A Generation

5. Kurt Cobain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw-HhdqNQBc There is not much that has not already been said about Kurt Cobain, including his stature as a lyricist, yet this list cannot be complete without saving a space for the late, unwilling face of Grunge. Originally, Cobain said the words in Nirvana€™s songs were of little importance to him, merely a means to an end, particularly on the first album, Bleach (1989). But as time went by he began to write more consciously, retaining his spontaneity, but infusing his creations with his own psychology, to devastating effect. In an interview once, Cobain said the only difference between Nirvana and other acts was that their songs were catchy, a statement that had some grounding, but was characteristically self-deprecating. In truth, Nirvana€™s power was attributed to more than just effective hooks; it was their chemistry and their musical understanding of one another that set them apart. Moreover, Cobain never truly realised just how much of a prodigy he really was, which is a positive thing as he will never be remembered for having a big ego, though his personal devaluation perhaps contributed to his drug addiction and tragic death. Whatever the reason, he was a superb writer, guitarist, and a symbol for the disaffected, who felt such a profound connection to him that it would be hard to find another artist who matched the adulation Cobain so unwittingly commanded. To this day, the internet continues to churn out lost Nirvana recordings and B-sides that were never intended to be heard, along with many solo, acoustic rough-cuts of Cobain playing his guitar at home, with millions of people clamouring to listen. It just goes to show how valuable he remains. Signature track: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991) Tune into...: Serve the Servants (1993)