With the Lights Out
Nirvana · 2004
282 min · 81 tracks · alternative rock · grunge
A raw and unfiltered collection of early demos and live performances, capturing Nirvana's formative energy.
Why listen to this
- Best for
- raw energy from live performances captivating early songwriting explorations wave-like pacing with surprises
- Context
- Released in 2004, 'With the Lights Out' comes a decade after Kurt Cobain's death and serves as a posthumous compilation of Nirvana's early work. At this point, the band had already become a cultural touchstone, with Cobain's influence extending far beyond music into art and youth culture. The album presents a treasure trove for fans, showcasing the band's evolution from raw sound to commercial success.
- If you like
- alternative rock, grunge
With the Lights Out is an album by Nirvana, released in 2004. A raw and unfiltered collection of early demos and live performances, capturing Nirvana's formative energy. This album is significant not only as a comprehensive collection of unreleased material but also emphasizes Nirvana's profound impact on alternative rock. It debuted at number 55 on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive critical reception, highlighting its importance in preserving the legacy of one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. Here's what makes it worth your time and what to listen to next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does With the Lights Out sound like?
A raw and unfiltered collection of early demos and live performances, capturing Nirvana's formative energy. Rooted in alternative rock and grunge.
What makes With the Lights Out by Nirvana notable?
This album is significant not only as a comprehensive collection of unreleased material but also emphasizes Nirvana's profound impact on alternative rock. It debuted at number 55 on the Billboard 200 chart and received positive critical reception, highlighting its importance in preserving the legacy of one of the most influential bands of the 1990s. Released in 2004, 'With the Lights Out' comes a decade after Kurt Cobain's death and serves as a posthumous compilation of Nirvana's early work. At this point, the band had already become a cultural touchstone, with Cobain's influence extending far beyond music into art and youth culture. The album presents a treasure trove for fans, showcasing the band's evolution from raw sound to commercial success.
Who is With the Lights Out for?
With the Lights Out works well if you're into raw energy from live performances, captivating early songwriting explorations and wave-like pacing with surprises.
How many songs are on With the Lights Out?
With the Lights Out has 81 tracks, running approximately 282 minutes.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
Disc 1
- 1 Heartbreaker (live, 1987) Standout 2:59
- 2 Anorexorcist (radio performance, 1987) 2:44
- 3 White Lace and Strange (radio performance, 1987) 2:09
- 4 Help Me I’m Hungry (radio performance, 1987) 2:41
- 5 Mrs. Butterworth (rehearsal recording, 1988) 4:05
- 6 If You Must (demo, 1988) 4:01
- 7 Pen Cap Chew (demo, 1988) 3:02
- 8 Downer (live, 1988) 1:43
- 9 Floyd the Barber (live, 1988) 2:33
- 10 Raunchola / Moby Dick (live, 1988) 6:24
- 11 Beans (solo acoustic, undated) 1:32
- 12 Don’t Want It All (solo acoustic, undated) 2:26
- 13 Clean Up Before She Comes (solo acoustic, undated) 3:12
- 14 Polly (solo acoustic, 1988) 2:30
- 15 About a Girl (solo acoustic, 1988) 2:44
- 16 Blandest (demo, 1988) 3:56
- 17 Dive (demo, 1988) 4:50
- 18 They Hung Him on a Cross (demo, 1989) 1:57
- 19 Grey Goose (demo, 1989) 4:36
- 20 Ain’t It a Shame (demo, 1989) 2:01
- 21 Token Eastern Song (demo, 1989) 3:21
- 22 Even in His Youth (demo, 1989) 3:12
- 23 Polly (demo, 1989) 2:36
Disc 2
- 1 Opinion (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:34
- 2 Lithium (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:49
- 3 Been a Son (solo acoustic, 1990) 1:12
- 4 Sliver (solo acoustic, 1989) 2:09
- 5 Where Did You Sleep Last Night? (solo acoustic, 1989) 2:31
- 6 Pay to Play (demo, 1990) 3:29
- 7 Here She Comes Now (demo, 1990) 5:01
- 8 Drain You (demo, 1990) 2:38
- 9 Aneurysm (demo, 1990) Standout 4:47
- 10 Smells Like Teen Spirit (rehearsal demo, 1991) Standout 5:40
- 11 Breed (rough mix, 1991) 3:07
- 12 Verse Chorus Verse (outtake, 1991) 3:18
- 13 Old Age (outtake, 1991) 4:20
- 14 Endless, Nameless (radio appearance, 1991) 8:48
- 15 Dumb (radio appearance, 1991) 2:35
- 16 D‐7 (radio appearance, 1990) 3:46
- 17 Oh, the Guilt (B‐side, 1992) 3:25
- 18 Curmudgeon (B‐side, 1992) 3:03
- 19 Return of the Rat (outtake, 1992) 3:09
- 20 Smells Like Teen Spirit (Butch Vig mix) 4:59
Disc 3
- 1 Rape Me (solo acoustic, 1992) 3:23
- 2 Rape Me (demo, 1992) 3:01
- 3 Scentless Apprentice (rehearsal demo, 1992) 9:32
- 4 Heart‐Shaped Box (demo, 1993) 5:31
- 5 I Hate Myself and I Want to Die (B‐side, 1993) 4:03
- 6 Milk It (demo, 1993) 4:34
- 7 M. V. (demo, 1993) 1:56
- 8 Gallons of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Through the Strip (B‐side, 1993) 7:34
- 9 The Other Improv (demo, 1993) 6:24
- 10 Serve the Servants (solo acoustic, 1993) 1:36
- 11 Very Ape (solo acoustic, 1993) 1:52
- 12 Pennyroyal Tea (solo acoustic, 1993) 3:30
- 13 Marigold (B‐side, 1993) 2:34
- 14 Sappy (B‐side, 1993) 3:26
- 15 Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam (rehearsal demo, 1994) 3:57
- 16 Do Re Mi (solo acoustic, 1994) 4:24
- 17 You Know You’re Right (solo acoustic, 1994) 2:30
- 18 All Apologies (solo acoustic, undated) 3:33
Disc 4
- 1 Love Buzz 2:33
- 2 Scoff 0:28
- 3 About a Girl 3:05
- 4 Big Long Now 4:21
- 5 Immigrant Song 1:57
- 6 Spank Thru 3:03
- 7 Hairspray Queen 3:38
- 8 School 2:54
- 9 Mr. Moustache 3:47
- 10 Big Cheese 3:15
- 11 Sappy 4:28
- 12 In Bloom 4:31
- 13 School 2:33
- 14 Love Buzz 3:41
- 15 Pennyroyal Tea 1:55
- 16 Smells Like Teen Spirit 6:17
- 17 Territorial Pissings 2:45
- 18 Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam 3:31
- 19 Talk to Me 3:33
- 20 Seasons in the Sun 3:22
Release Date
November 23, 2004
Artist Origin
United States
Runtime
282 min 0 sec
Learn More
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.
