The discography of Nirvana, an American rock band, consists of three studio albums, twenty-one singles, five live albums, two extended plays, four compilation albums, and three box sets.
Nirvana was formed in 1987 by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic, with the position of drummer being filled by various musicians. The band released its debut album, Bleach, in 1989 on independent label Sub Pop. After being joined by final drummer Dave Grohl and signing to Geffen Records subsidiary DGC Records, the band released its second studio album, Nevermind, which became one of the best selling alternative albums of the 1990s and popularized the Seattle grunge movement and alternative music. The band's third album, In Utero, was also a commercial and critical success, though it did not match the sales precedent set by Nevermind—as the members of the band expected.Gaar, Gillian G. (2006). In Utero 33⅓. New York: Continuum. . p. 3 Nirvana disbanded in 1994 after the death of Cobain; since then several posthumous releases have been issued from the band, which once resulted in a legal conflict between Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, and the surviving members of the band over the release of the song "You Know You're Right". In 2006, Love sold a significant share of the rights to Cobain's song catalog to Primary Wave Music Publishing. Since its debut, the band has sold 27.6 million albums in the United States alone, and over 75 million records worldwide.
Albums Studio albums Title Album details Chart positions Sales Certifications(sales thresholds) US AUSAustralian (ARIA Chart) peaks: Peaks within the top 50: Peaks between 51–100 until December 2010: For: Sliver: The Best of the Box: AUT CANFor album peaks before and up to the year 2000: For album peaks after the year 2000: FIN NLD NZ SWE SWI UKUK peaks: For all albums except for the Singles box set: For the Singles box set: BleachReleased: June 15, 1989 Label: Sub Pop (SP-34) Formats: CD, cassette (CS), LP 89 34 26 — 22 — 30 — — 33US: 1,900,000RIAA: Platinum ARIA: Platinum BPI: Platinum MC: GoldNevermindReleased: September 24, 1991 Label: DGC (24425) Formats: CD, CS, LP BD-A 1 2 2 1 1 3 2 1 2 5US: 11,540,000 FIN: 46,830 Worldwide: 30,000,000Billboard Bits: Nirvana's 'Nevermind' To Be Re-Released, No More Guest Stars on 'Glee' billboard.com. Retrieved December 12, 2014. RIAA: 13× Platinum ARIA: 5× Platinum BPI: 9× Platinum IFPI AUT: Platinum IFPI FIN: Gold IFPI SWE: 2× Platinum IFPI SWI: Platinum MC: Diamond NVPI: Platinum RMNZ: 7× Platinum In UteroReleased: September 21, 1993 Labels: DGC Formats: CD, CS, LP BD-A 1 2 8 3 6 4 3 1 16 1US: 4,258,000 Worldwide: 15,000,000RIAA: 6× Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum BPI: 3× Platinum IFPI AUT: Gold IFPI SWE: Gold MC: 6× Platinum NVPI: Gold RMNZ: 3× Platinum "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Live albums Title Album details Chart positions Sales Certifications(sales thresholds) US AUS AUT CAN FIN NLD NZ SWE SWI UKMTV Unplugged in New YorkReleased: November 1, 1994 Labels: DGC, Geffen (24727) Formats: CD, CS, LP 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 2 3 1US: 5,100,000 FIN: 24,373 Worldwide: 14,000,000RIAA: 8× Platinum ARIA: 5× Platinum BPI: 3× Platinum IFPI AUT: 2× Platinum IFPI FIN: Gold IFPI SWE: Gold IFPI SWI: 2× Platinum MC: 9× Platinum NVPI: Platinum RMNZ: 2× PlatinumFrom the Muddy Banks of the WishkahReleased: October 1, 1996 Labels: DGC, Geffen (25105) Formats: CD, CS, LP 1 1 3 1 2 14 2 6 9 4US: 1,300,000RIAA: Platinum ARIA: Platinum BPI: Gold IFPI AUT: Gold MC: 2× PlatinumLive at ReadingReleased: November 3, 2009 Label: Geffen (B0013503-02) (B0013501-00) Formats: CD, CD+DVD, 2×LP 37 — 28 17 — 64 33 — 97 32US: 148,000ARIA: Gold BPI: SilverLive at the ParamountReleased: April 5, 2019 Label: DGC Formats: 2×LP — — — — — — — — — —Live and LoudReleased: August 30, 2019 Label: DGC Formats: 2×LP — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Notes
Compilation albums Title Album details Chart positions Sales Certifications(sales thresholds) US AUS AUT CAN FIN NLD NZ SWE SWI UKIncesticideReleased: December 14, 1992 Labels: Sub Pop, DGC (24504) Formats: CD, CS, LP 39 22 10 21 16 31 — 27 18 14US: 1,400,000RIAA: Platinum ARIA: Gold BPI: Platinum MC: 2× PlatinumNirvanaReleased: October 29, 2002 Labels: DGC, Geffen (25105) Formats: CD, CS, LP 3 1 1 2 9 12 2 10 2 3US: 2,400,000 FIN: 17,128 RIAA: Platinum ARIA: 6× Platinum BPI: 5× Platinum IFPI AUT: Platinum IFPI FIN: Gold IFPI SWE: Gold IFPI SWI: Platinum RMNZ: 3× PlatinumSliver: The Best of the BoxReleased: November 1, 2005 Labels: DGC, Geffen (000561702), Universal (1190) Format: CD 21 95 26 — — — — — 87 56US: 376,000ARIA: Gold BPI: SilverIconReleased: August 31, 2010 Label: Universal Format: CD — — — — — — — — — —MC: Gold "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Notes
Box sets Title Album details Chart positions Sales Certifications(sales thresholds) US AUT CAN DEN FRA JPNFor before and up to 2005: Album Chart-Book Complete Edition 1970–2005. Orikonmāketingupuromōshon (2006). . For "Live at Reading": Nirvana – Live at Reading oricon ME. Retrieved May 25, 2015. (language Japanese) NLD NZ SWI UKSinglesReleased: November 6, 1995 Labels: DGC, Geffen (24901) Format: 6×CD box set — — — 5 17 — — — — 101With the Lights OutReleased: November 23, 2004 Labels: DGC, Geffen (000372700), Universal (9864838) Formats: 3×CD+DVD box set 19 34 10 — 20 16 65 39 28 56US: 546,000RIAA: Platinum BPI: SilverNevermind: The SinglesReleased: November 25, 2011 Label: Universal Format: 4 x 10" vinyl box set — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Notes
Extended plays Title EP details Chart positions Comments AUS JPN UKIndieBlewReleased: December 1989 Label: Tupelo Formats: 12-inch, CD — — 15 Blew was intended to be released to promote an upcoming European tour, but this plan was scrapped, and the EP ended up being released exclusively in the UK shortly after its completion.HormoaningReleased: February 5, 1992 Labels: DGC, Geffen Formats: 12-inch, CD, CS 2 67 — Hormoaning was released only in Australia and Japan, with two different covers accompanying the release in each country, to promote the band's tour of the Pacific Rim. Hormoaning was re-released for Record Store Day 2011, as a limited edition. "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
Singles Retail singles Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US"Nirvana – Chart History: Hot 100". billboard.com. Retrieved November 30, 2014. AUS BELFor "Smells Like Teen Spirit": For "Come as You Are": For "Lithium": For "Heart-Shaped Box": For "Rape Me": For "About a Girl": FINFor "Smells Like Teen Spirit": or For "Come as You Are": or For "Lithium": or For "In Bloom" (and others): For "Heart-Shaped Box": or For "About a Girl": FRA IRL NZ PRTFor "Smells Like Teen Spirit": For "Come as You Are": For "Lithium": For "In Bloom": For "Heart-Shaped Box": SWE UKFor all except "Sliver", "About a Girl" and "Pennyroyal Tea": For "Sliver": Note: original 1991 peak for "Sliver" was number 90, this is the 1992 re-entry peak, number 77, but only the Top 75 archived by OCC for week of December 5, 1992: For "Sliver", "About a Girl", and "Pennyroyal Tea": For "Pennyroyal Tea": or "Love Buzz" 1988 — — — — — — — — — — Bleach"Sliver" 1990 — — — — — 23 — — — 77 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 1991 6 5 1 8 1 15 1 2 3 7RIAA: Diamond ARIA: 12× Platinum RMNZ: 8× Platinum IFPI SWE: Gold BPI: 5× Platinum Nevermind"Come as You Are" 1992 32 25 12 8 12 7 3 8 24 9RIAA: 5× Platinum ARIA: 7× Platinum SNEP: Gold RMNZ: 6× Platinum BPI: 3× Platinum"Lithium" 64 53 18 1 — 5 28 4 — 11RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum RMNZ: 2× Platinum BPI: Platinum"In Bloom" — 73 — 16 — 7 20 10 30 28RIAA: 2× Platinum ARIA: Platinum RMNZ: Platinum BPI: Gold"Heart-Shaped Box" 1993 — 21 18 9 37 6 9 4 16 5RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: 3× Platinum RMNZ: 3× Platinum BPI: Platinum In Utero"All Apologies"/"Rape Me" — 58 30 — 20 20 32 — — 32RIAA: Platinum / Platinum ARIA: Platinum / Gold RMNZ: Platinum / Gold BPI: Gold / Silver"Pennyroyal Tea" 1994 — — — — — — — — — 121ARIA: Gold"About a Girl" — 4 12 8 23 — — — 20 185ARIA: Platinum BPI: Platinum RMNZ: 2× Platinum MTV Unplugged in New York"You Know You're Right" 2002 45 — — — — — — — — — RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold RMNZ: Gold Nirvana"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Notes
Promotional singles Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album US Air USMain USAltFor "On a Plain", "The Man Who Sold the World" and "Aneurysm": BEL CANPeaks in Canada: For all except noted: For "The Man Who Sold the World": For "Aneurysm": EU Air FRA Air ICEFor "The Man Who Sold the World": For "Where Did You Sleep Last Night": SPN AirFor "All Apologies (Unplugged)": For "The Man Who Sold the World": and UKRockFor "The Man Who Sold The World": "On a Plain" 1991 — — 25 — — — — — — —ARIA: GoldNevermind"Molly's Lips" 1992 — — — — — — — — — —Incesticide"All Apologies" 1994 45 — — — — — — — 16 —RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver MTV Unplugged in New York"Polly" — — — — — — — — — —RIAA: Gold ARIA: Platinum BPI: Silver"The Man Who Sold the World" 1995 39 12 6 24 22 29 5 2 2 13ARIA: 2× Platinum RMNZ: Platinum BPI: Platinum PROMUSICAE: Gold"Where Did You Sleep Last Night" — — — — — — — 3 — —ARIA: Platinum BPI: Silver RMNZ: Gold"Lake of Fire" — 22 — — — — — — — — ARIA: Gold RMNZ: Platinum"Aneurysm" 1996 63 11 13 — 49 — — — — — From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah"Drain You" — — — — — — — — — —RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold RMNZ: Gold BPI: Silver"Endless, Nameless" 2021 — — — — — — — — — — Nevermind"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. Notes
Split singles Title Year Other artist Peak positions USRetailFor "Candy" / "Molly's Lips": For "Puss" / "Oh, the Guilt": AUSAlt EU UK "Candy" / "Molly's Lips" 1991 The Fluid 64 — — — "Here She Comes Now" / "Venus in Furs" Melvins — — — — "Puss" / "Oh, the Guilt" 1993 The Jesus Lizard 10 3 36 12 "About a Girl" / "Blind Man" 1994 Aerosmith — — — —"The Man Who Sold the World" / "Walk on Water" 1995 — — — —"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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Other charted and certified songs Song Year Peak positionsCertifications Album US AUS CAN GRE HUN IRE LTU NZ UK WW "Been a Son"1989——————————IFPI DEN: Platinum Blew "Breed"1991——————————RIAA: Gold ARIA: Gold BPI: Silver RMNZ: Gold Nevermind "Lounge Act"——————————ARIA: Gold "Something in the Way" 46 22 34 8 25 47 34 40 76 23RIAA: Platinum ARIA: 2× Platinum MC: Platinum RMNZ: Platinum BPI: Gold"Dumb" 1993 — — — — — — — — — —RIAA: Gold ARIA: Platinum RMNZ: Platinum BPI: Silver In Utero"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
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Music videos + List of music videos, showing year released and director Title Year Director(s)Album 1990 Steve BrownSub Pop Video Network Program 1 "Smells Like Teen Spirit" 1991 Samuel BayerNevermind "Come as You Are" 1992 Kevin Kerslake "Lithium" "In Bloom" "Sliver" 1993Incesticide "Heart-Shaped Box" Anton CorbijnIn Utero "You Know You're Right" 2002 Chris HafnerNirvana "Dumb" 2023 RuffMercyIn Utero
Video albums Title Video album details Chart positions Certifications USFor all: For MTV Unplugged in New York: For Live at Reading: For Live and Loud: AUSFor Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!: For Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind: For MTV Unplugged in New York: For Live at Reading: For Live at the Paramount: For Live and Loud: UKFor Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!: For Classic Albums: Nirvana – Nevermind: For MTV Unplugged In New York: For Live At The Paramount: For Live & Loud: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!Released: November 15, 1994 Format: VHS, Laserdisc Released: November 7, 2006 Format: DVD Label: Geffen 1 1 2RIAA: 3× Platinum ARIA: Platinum