700 weeks and counting: Nirvana’s 'Nevermind' on the Billboard 200

Nirvana's seminal 1991 album, Nevermind, has achieved a remarkable milestone by spending 700 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, positioning it among a select group of albums with such longevity.

Upon its release, Nevermind rapidly ascended the charts, eventually surpassing Michael Jackson's Dangerous to secure the number one spot on the Billboard 200. As of December 2024, the album reached the 120th position on the Billboard 200, demonstrating its everlasting appeal. This achievement places Nevermind among an elite group of albums with over 700 weeks on the Billboard 200, including:

• The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd (990 weeks)
  Legend by Bob Marley and the Wailers (866 weeks)
  Greatest Hits by Journey (836 weeks)
  Metallica by Metallica (768 weeks)
  Chronicle: The 20 Greatest Hits by Creedence Clearwater Revival (725 weeks)
  Curtain Call: The Hits by Eminem (715 weeks)
  Doo-Wops & Hooligans by Bruno Mars (707 weeks)
  Greatest Hits by Guns N' Roses (704 weeks)

Again: How many other artists out there could knock Michael Jackson off the charts? Probably not that many, right? But Nirvana did it, and probably without even trying all that hard, and that's one of the craziest things about it!

More about Nirvana (in case you have been living under a rock)

Nirvana, formed in Aberdeen, Washington, in 1987, consisted of Kurt Cobain (vocals and guitar), Krist Novoselic (bass), and later, Dave Grohl (drums). Nevermind, their second studio album, was produced by Butch Vig and recorded at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California. The album's lead single, "Smells Like Teen Spirit," became a defining anthem of the 1990s, propelling the band to international fame and bringing grunge music into the mainstream. It is also getting closer and closer to 2 billion views on YouTube!

The album's success was unexpected; initial sales projections were modest (much like the song structure of "Polly" itself), but it went on to sell over 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. As the Library of Congress notes, Nevermind received critical acclaim for its raw sound and Cobain's introspective lyrics, capturing the angst and disillusionment of Generation X.

The album's influence is evident in its lasting presence on the Billboard 200, outlasting releases from contemporary artists and continuing to resonate with new generations of listeners. Nirvana's impact on music and culture remains significant, with Nevermind serving as a testament to the band's legacy and the transformative power of their music. Not only could one reasonably argue Nirvana is in the "Big 4" of grunge bands, but possibly in the Big 4 of all bands, at least in terms of sheer influence.