798.jpg "Nirvana - Singles (Box Set) (1995) album front cover")
5456.jpg "Nirvana - Singles (Box Set) (1995) album back cover")
Nirvana - Singles (Box Set) (1995)
Tracklist, Album Covers Images and Info
Nirvana – Singles (Box Set) (1995)
Released on December 4, 1995, Singles is a limited-edition box set by Nirvana. The collection compiles 19 individual CD singles originally released in the UK and Europe between 1988 and 1994.
The box set documents Nirvana’s evolution from underground Sub Pop grunge pioneers to global alternative rock icons. It includes studio versions, live tracks, rare B-sides, and exclusive recordings, making it an essential collector’s item.
Box Set Overview
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Format: 19 CD singles
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Release Year: 1995
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Label: Geffen Records (through DGC/Geffen distribution)
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Packaging: Slipcase box containing replica CD singles with original artwork
The set was primarily aimed at collectors and dedicated fans, preserving the band’s UK single releases in one complete package.
Included Singles
The box set contains the following singles (original UK CD releases):
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Love Buzz
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Blew
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Sliver
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Smells Like Teen Spirit
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Come as You Are
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Lithium
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In Bloom
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Heart-Shaped Box
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All Apologies / Rape Me
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Pennyroyal Tea
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About a Girl (MTV Unplugged)
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The Man Who Sold the World
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Dumb
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Where Did You Sleep Last Night
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Drain You (Live)
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Polly (Live)
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Scentless Apprentice
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Territorial Pissings (Live)
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Jesus Doesn’t Want Me for a Sunbeam
Note: Track configurations vary slightly depending on regional pressings.
Band Lineup (Across Recordings)
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Kurt Cobain – vocals, guitar
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Krist Novoselic – bass
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Dave Grohl – drums
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Chad Channing – drums (early recordings)
Musical Content
The Singles box set spans:
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Early raw grunge (Bleach era)
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Breakthrough alternative rock (Nevermind)
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Abrasive experimental edge (In Utero)
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Acoustic vulnerability (MTV Unplugged in New York)
It highlights Nirvana’s dynamic range, from aggressive punk energy to stripped-down emotional performances.
Packaging & Artwork
Each CD single replicates its original UK artwork, including:
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Iconic Nevermind era imagery
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Anatomical angel artwork from In Utero
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Live photos from the MTV Unplugged session
The box design is minimalist and archival in nature, emphasizing the historical documentation of Nirvana’s single releases.
Fun Facts & Trivia
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The set was released after Kurt Cobain’s death in April 1994.
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It was one of the earliest comprehensive Nirvana collector’s releases.
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Many B-sides included rare tracks not widely available at the time.
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The “Pennyroyal Tea” single was originally withdrawn following Cobain’s death but is included here.
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The collection showcases how Nirvana structured singles differently for UK and European markets compared to the US.
Did You Know?
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Some live recordings in the box set were taken from BBC sessions and MTV performances.
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The box became highly sought-after among collectors in the late 1990s.
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It captures the band’s entire commercial arc from indie label Sub Pop to major label dominance under DGC Records.
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This release helped preserve Nirvana’s extensive B-side catalog before streaming services existed.
Legacy
Nirvana – Singles (1995) serves as a historical archive of the band’s most important releases and rarities. While not a traditional album, it remains a valuable collector’s document that reflects Nirvana’s rise, artistic depth, and lasting cultural impact.
For dedicated fans and collectors, the Singles box set stands as one of the most comprehensive physical tributes to Nirvana’s recorded legacy during the CD era.
