Casey Kasem Tries to Explain Nirvana and Plays Super-Chopped “Teen Spirit” Edit on Casey’s Top 40

Bask in the strange surrealism of Casey Kasem talking about Nirvana and playing “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in this newly digitized clip from the January 11, 1992 broadcast of Casey’s Top 40. As Nevermind was exploding in late 1991 and early 1992, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” spent a few weeks on Casey’s Top 40, the Westwood One countdown show Kasem launched after leaving American Top 40. Kasem spends a surprising amount of time explaining the meaning of the name Nirvana, then plays a super-butchered broadcast edit of “Teen Spirit.” This Casey’s Top 40 version, perhaps digitized here for the first time, runs over a full minute shorter than even the standard radio edit. Clocking in at 3 min 18 sec, it shortens the guitar intro, trims the guitar solo, and completely removes the second verse. Digitized from the original Casey’s Top 40 broadcast vinyl. #Nirvana #CaseyKasem #SmellsLikeTeenSpirit #CaseysTop40 #1992