What Makes This Song Great? "On a Plain" Nirvana 

What makes Rick Beato great? He does stuff like this.

Attention all Record Label A&R “Suits”: Rick Beato's work on the"What Makes This Song Great" series is a service to the musical world. The professional quality of his analyses and observations regarding a plethora of artistic, technical, theoretical, practical and sociological aspects of each song he turns his attention to is beyond "entertaining," it is educationally inspiring. I am a composer, educator and producer who holds a doctorate in music composition, and I have a deep appreciation for Rick's attention to the details of what, why and how in every one of his videos. Suits - leave his videos up because he is cultivating a knowledge base that can raise the standards of discourse, creation, performance and production in all genres of music.

Finally, a sentient engineer / producer with a huge theory background pumping his fist to the genius of Nirvana. Like you said man, the MELODIES. You can't fake that, you can't even live nearby.

I almost spit my beers out when you said the video was going to be about On A Plain and not Heart Shaped Box. On A Plain is a brilliant song and one of my favorite of all time. I've never met anyone who has held it in such regard, either. This channel is fantastic, you inspired me to pick up the guitar again.

great! Krist Novoselic is getting recognitions that he deserved.

Still remember what it felt like to hear Nirvana for the first time. Those moments can shape an entire life.

And Cobain is criminally underrated now. Almost like there's a backlash against him due to his canonization (everyone wants to be cool and say Nirvana were overrated, the other Seattle bands are better....your typical internet contrarian "hey look at me with the spicy take" kind of stuff). But Kurt was brilliant... the genuine article.

Thanks for choosing this song, it shows just how important Dave and Krist were to Nirvana. It always pisses me off when people say Kurt was Nirvana and act like Dave and Krist weren't important and any two people could have filled those roles. Dave and Krist were extremely vital to Kurt's songs and the sound of Nirvana. Nobody's bass playing would sound or fit those songs like Krist does. Dave's drum parts are also unique and his vocals harmonizing with Kurt is beautiful and nobody else would sound the same. Kurt may still have been successful on his own but it wouldn't have been the same. I don't think they get the credit they deserve.

the bass in nirvana is so stronk. can listen to it all day. especially on lounge act

I have always felt that Krist's bass work was very underrated and overshadowed. Nirvana has some killer bass lines.

Side note: I have never seen someone look cooler with white hair as Rick Beato.

He cut his melodic and harmonic teeth on the Beatles as a child he definitely knew and wrote some of most amazing melodies and harmonies

Also speaking of Dave and Kurt they had very similar voices that compliment each other much like Lennon McCarthy amazing to hear them together

I think that lot of Cobain's uniqueness comes from him playing major rather than minor and that has a lot to do with his playing technique where he kind of plays power chord and places his pinky more or less randomly over the fifth of the chord. That way he gets some sus4 sounds on power chords (intro of Smells like Teen Spirit) that have been played when the root is on the 6th E string, and major (or even major 6) when the root is on A, now that I think of it, I cannot really think of many Nirvana songs where he plays an actual minor bar chord from this position. I am guessing that him playing the chords like that developed him an unusual ear for harmony.

when I was playing these tunes 25 years ago as a teenager I had no clue about the complexity and the music theory behind it, it just felt so good. Your videos give immense insight and help put everything into great perspective. Thumbs up for having the right contacts to get the separated stem tracks 😉

Glad you love Nirvana. I don’t like it when people say they were overrated

On a plain and Drain you, to me... the best nirvana's songs ever!

Rick, you are really onto something here. I love this series for so many reasons. Please keep this up. It's a great framework for a video and since there are millions of songs, you basically will never run out of ideas for videos. Your enthusiasm is infectious .Thanks for everything I've learned from you so far Rick, I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Take care.

Everyone always tells me I’m crazy when I say Kurt Cobain was a guitar genius. Now I can just point them to this video! Thank you!!!!

as a 12 year old kid when this record came out, it's one of the reasons I picked up a guitar. This was my favorite song. Something about the chorus with the humming is extremely ethereal. I'll never forget it. Even now it still is amazing. I was so glad when I heard you saying you were doing this song instead of Heart Shaped Box.

I love Nirvana and I also think On a Plain is one of the greatest songs. Kurt was such an amazing artist. Beautiful melodies, meaningful lyrics. He was putting his heart in every song.

On a Plain is my favorite track on Nevermind! Thanks for doing this song. Side note: Krist Novoselic was the secret weapon in Nirvana, his basslines kept the song moving, totally complimenting the simple guitar chords Kurt played. Nirvana really was a magical band, and back in the day my dad kept telling me they were just noise. As time has gone by (decades later), my dad totally gets it now, partially because modern music for the most part is so plastic. He now recognizes how melodic their music is.

When Kurt Cobain died it felt like a personal loss to me. I was a teenager and still remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. Easily one of my favorite bands. My 11 year old daughter just asked for a Nirvana tee shirt for Christmas. I was secretly very proud.

Incesticide and Bleach are incredible. Much of it is avant-garde but highly listenable and infectious. Kurt loved the Pixies. They were so original. Kurt actually said he was trying to rip-off the pixies when writing Nevermind and especially Smells Like Teen Spirit. Their loud soft loud dynamics were very influential on him. I saw nirvana play live in a small hockey rink in Massachusetts early on. Kurt did an improvisational solo that started out in this atonal mess and a minute later he brought it around to something that meshed perfectly and harmonically suited the song. How he was able to bridge stuff like that was part of his genius. He played what sounded good to him and worried less about what others thought. That solo actually reminded me a little Syd Barrett from Pink Floyd in 1966. Kurt looked down upon Floyd but Syd was another rare genius. Kurt was a big Bowie fan. Bowie cited Syd Barrett as one of his biggest influences. Bowie was also a huge Pixies fan. I’d love to see Rick cover some Pixies. They were a massive influence on grunge and what became alternative music.

Kurt famously quipped, "The only people who really like music are musicians." If that doesn't tell you how much he knew what he was doing with harmonies and, chords, modulations, unusual voicings, etc...you're high. (and probably not a musician)

Kurt Cobain guitar playing is not just simple power chords as his many critics claim. His legacy is overstated but his musicianship is underrated.

Super weird analogy, but I'd compare your channel to when I would try to skate with a hockey team that was way above my age/skill level, but I figured if I just tried, I would learn something and maybe get better while I realized that I'm not as good as I thought I was. I know just enough about music to know that I need to learn more when I watch this channel. This channel pushes me. I love it.

Thanks for this series. A real musician talkin about something he really knows well. Very inspiring and instructive. Thank you, really.

Nirvana is many things to me. Unique voice, unique sound, unique in their ability to define the sound and capture the feeling of an entire generation. They really did change my life. I think my subconscious knew how good they were but hearing someone explain exactly why they were so good feels like a profound thing. Thank you.

My Favorite Song off of Nevermind. Kurt was an absolute genius with his songwriting. He wasn't kidding when he spoke of the Beatles or The Bay City Rollers meet Black Sabbath. I remember thinking, when the 3 song cassette came out before the full album, this is going to change the face of rock for awhile. And it sure did. Thanks Rick. You do justice to all these great songs you're featuring in the "What Makes This Song Great" Playlist. How about some Smithereens ? (Kirk loved them fellows, as most of us did back in the mid 80's) Keep Up the Great Work!

I only recently found this series, but the fact that you seem to genuinely enjoy and appreciate every nook and cranny of a song makes this so easy to watch. And even easier to subscribe to.

Man,this is just great! Thank you so much,Rick,these new series are awesome.

Lounge Act was definitely one of Novoselic’s shining moments

I really want to see King Crimson or Pink Floyd next.

RICK, I GREW UP IN THE 1950'S AND 60'S, I AM SHOWING MY AGE HERE, LOL, I SAW THE BEATLES AND THE STONES AND HENDRIX WHEN THEY FIRST CAME TO AMERICA, BUT WHEN I HEARD NIRVANA ON MTV, THEY BLEW MY MIND, SUCH GREAT MUSIC THAT WAS NEEDED AT THAT POINT IN TIME, THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER BAND LIKE NIRVANA, THEY JUST HAD IT ALL, r.i.p. to mr. cobain, COUSIN FIGEL

You're right regarding Cobain. I was recording and touring at the same time Nevermind broke. That was a time when many guitarists, myself included, learned how to make "sloppy" playing sound "right". I'm sure you recall that period well. Also, his melodies were brilliant. I used to get angry wondering how he was able to unlock these simple chord progressions that were in under my fingers for years waiting to be played. They were calling out, silently, until he discovered them and gave them to the world. Neat. Brilliant.

My life would be poorer without you, mr. Beato. Thank you for all your great vids.

Seriously thank you for revealing the musical relevance and brilliance of Nirvana.

I love these videos and really appreciate how much time you spend doing them. It's such an inspirational series

Hey, Rick. I just discovered this series today and I really love it. I've watched 5 or 6 of them now. Thanks for doing these! I am buying a copy of The Beato Book!

never clicked on a video faster. great content as always!

Love this series. Love learning the history of why these songs are so addictive and why there special.

These videos are so packed with information it's crazy. You could write a whole book on music production, arrangement and mixing just with all the stuff you've put in those 4 vids.

Thank you so much for doing this and sharing such incredible background info on the recording process !! Best channel on RU-vid.

I'm a huge Nirvana nerd. Didn't realize you were too. Love your channel. It's really opened up a ton of music I have heard but just didn't hear the way you reveal. Thanks

Really great video (as always). I was a massive Nirvana fan as a kid, but 'grew out' of them. But I'm 36 now and getting back into them. I can't believe how naive I was thinking that this was all basic stuff. Kurt was a melody master. Love this.

Rick thank you so much for the quality of your work! Fantastic job!

His music is very personal, soulful and heart felt. Kurt put all of himself into these songs and they will most likely be revered and appreciated many years from now.

Great video. I used to listen to Nevermind before I went to sleep at night and I could put that song on repeat...

I love this series

Such a great segment of your videos Rick! Much appreciated

There you go. You've figured out why I like Nirvana so much! Novoselic caught my eye as him and Kurt caught my ears... and my heart... and dragged it down into a deep well of darkness, where I felt comfortable and at home.

I doubt Kurt fully understood the technicalities of music harmony and composition that were involded, but often that is a bonus, he's not chopping out, he's genuinely using sound to communicate his feelings the best way he knows how, raw and passionate. I was never a fan, but I can still appreciate what he achieved through his music and lyrics, and how many lives he touched. Great video!

Nirvana is one of my favorite bands to. Thanks Rick.

Great that I discovered your channel! Thank you for bringing back memories. Keep up the good work!

I love this! This format is a win, Rick.

I'm more a strat guy but I must say, that Les Paul is beautiful!

8:21 i have been a hardcore Nirvana fan for almost 19 years and never knew the bass guitar part was so complex, when you listen to the song it sounds a lot simpler, am i the only one?

thank you for your hard work!! I think it's great how you rip these tracks up to help us all understand what the greats have done!!!

THANK YOU RICK !! Just discovered your series "What makes this song great". While usually, deciphering the anatomy of popular songs de-mystifies the experience of listening to it and makes it kind of a drag to know what exactly is going on in the recording .... YOU find a way of actually adding to the experience with your professional and extremely inspiring approach. Every episode is an honest and true homage to the artists of the original song. Thank YOU ! Really !!!

Awesome Can't believe I've never seen this. On a Plain is my favourite Nirvana song.

This is amazing. Thanks for the porting. So there you go ... how to technically explain how brilliant Nirvana was. It'd be great if you could do more Nirvana songs.

man these are so good!! PLEASE keep doing these. They are so amazing!!

I'm a huge fan of Nirvana as well. Kurt was extremely talented, glad to see this breakdown. Working my way through most of your videos. You really know your stuff!

MESHUGGAH!!! Freakin' yeah!! You're great, Rick :)

Thanks Rick, amazing video and so much wisdom as always! The whole discussion whether Kurt knew harmony or not is quite fascinating. There's so much chromaticism and even atonal elements in Kurt's music. The guy must have listened to a ton of music and figure things out on his own. Like, the main riff of 'Milk it' is out of the diminished scale and even the 'nonsense' chromatic lines before the verse melody kicks in are incredibly interesting from a harmonic point of view. Or the choruses of 'floyd the barber' or 'negative creep'? He was a master of deception and loved to come across as a 'non-serious' musician but he was indeed a badass! Anyway, thanks for analyzing such an amazing song! Would love for you to maybe about some of the more interesting songs from Incesticide like 'Beeswax' or 'Aero Zeppelin' :)

I love the "what makes this song great?" series. What you are doing is something I have ALWAYS wanted to see. Isolated tracks, breakdown of the melody and why it works together... F'n brilliant man.

man yer the one i have been looking for thx for videos great job!

Thanks Rick, this is an awesome series. Would love to see you do an episode on What A Fool Believes by the Doobie Brothers!

Back in the 90s I would have run over my own grandma with a semi-trailer to see a video like this. Incredible what we have access to nowadays.

Just discovered Rick today and I am hooked!!! I love a master genius breakdown works of musical art like this!

Thank God for Rick Beato. So cool and informative videos!

U are cool man.WE ALL LOVE NIRVANA

Thank Rick this is Great

Keep em coming Rick,your rebirthing these songs for me.

I have a whole new appreciation for this song now. Thanks, Rick.

the strokes next!!

Do “Heart-Shaped Box” next!!

Kurt was the only one in thd studio when he recorded singing parts . Dave said that they allways played the instruments and left home witout knowing what the lyrics for the song e en were

Just seeing this video a year later! Always educational and passionate Rick! Thank you. You are a teacher's teacher!

I think Nirvana is so powerful because of the melody. Best ever. Like the Beatles.

I was the bass player for the Australian Nirvana tribute band back in the '90's and toured with them for 5 years. I completely agree with you Rick 100% that On a Plain was the best song they wrote. Unusually not many people think so. I also agree that Krist is an amazing bassist. I love his bass parts on this and also Lounge Act and About a Girl. A great style and very unusual. Love the videos, keep 'em coming.

Your enthusiasm is rekindling my love for music. Thank you sir.

This song is so BEAUTIFULLY written I never put much thought into it But some years ago I just started noticing how beautiful it is The chorus specially The chords are just so pretty

David Bowie! Life on Mars!!

Sounding Off with Butch Vig? anyone? 😎

The more I watch your stuff, the more I like it. Thanks Rick!

Loving this series Rick! It's making me want to start songwriting again :)

big nirvana fan. very much enjoyed this on many levels. would you consider doing this for "black hole sun" with soundgarden? it's a very interesting song if you look at the harmony and modulation, at least imho.

Thank you so much Rick! Could you please break down any songs from "Grace" by Jeff Buckley? I'd love to hear your thoughts on "Dream Brother" or "Last Goodbye".

Bought your advanced harmonic concepts today Rick. Thanks for doing these.

Thanks Rick ....Love your passion for the music !

Please do Godspeed you! Black Emperor!!! If you can explain the similarities between the work of Gorecki and Godspeed I would be so grateful.

Thanks Rick ! Can you please do one of Pink Floyd's next? preferably Shine On You Crazy Diamond.

Been gobbling up each episode, thanks Rick.

I need more of this series in my life! It gives me a whole new appreciation for these songs!

Rick, how do you get such great separation of all the separate tracks? Do you have access to a master with all the stems, or what? When I try to listen to stuff and work it out, it's a nightmare to try and separate everything out....

You forgot to do an analysis of the hand farts at the beginning of the song

What makes Ricks videos so compelling is he has such a vast musical knowledge, but he also has an appreciation for"self taught" musicians (in this case Nirvana), and is able to describe what they came up with in a technical sense, even if they were unaware of what modes, scales, etc they were operating in themselves.

I always wanted to play the drums when I was younger. You know a kid; I don’t play anything now, but I love this channel you rock Rick.