Territorial Pissings

A punk-inspired hard rock track from Nirvana's 1991 album Nevermind.

"Territorial Pissings" is a track from the American rock band Nirvana, appearing as the second song on their 1991 album Nevermind. Written by frontman Kurt Cobain, the song reflects the band's punk-inspired hard rock sound. It serves as an aggressive, high-energy piece that contrasts with the more polished, radio-friendly production of the album. While often overshadowed by the lead single "Smells Like Teen Spirit," it remains a notable example of the band's raw, chaotic energy and their roots in punk culture.

Quick Facts

Artist: Nirvana
Album: Nevermind
Release year: 1991
Writer: Kurt Cobain
Genre: Grunge; Punk Rock

Reader's Guide

Musically, "Territorial Pissings" is a punk-inspired hard rock track on Nevermind. The album as a whole features a more polished, radio-friendly sound than Nirvana's prior work, produced by Butch Vig. The album's songs were written primarily by Kurt Cobain, who fashioned chord sequences using primarily power chords and wrote songs that combined pop hooks with dissonant guitar riffs. The album was an unexpected success, replacing Michael Jackson's Dangerous at number one on the US Billboard 200 in January 1992.

Did You Know?

"Territorial Pissings" appears on Nevermind, which was Nirvana's first release to feature drummer Dave Grohl.
The album was recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California, and Smart Studios in Madison, Wisconsin, in May and June 1991.
Kurt Cobain sometimes finished lyrics minutes before recording vocals for the album.
The album's lead single "Smells Like Teen Spirit" reached the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Nevermind was certified 13 times platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America in 2024.