" I will say that I know Nirvana did a show and played a few chords from ‘More Than a Feeling’ before they did ‘Teen Spirit,’ and it wasn’t very good. But in all seriousness, ‘Teen Spirit’ was a great song. If subconsciously or somehow I had any influence on that, I’ll take that as a compliment. "
- Tom Scholz

In the quote under discussion, Tom Scholz acknowledges an incident where Nirvana, a renowned rock band, performed during their concert by playing a few chords from his band Boston's hit song "More Than a Feeling" before launching into their own famous track "Smells Like Teen Spirit." He notes that this brief performance wasn't very impressive. However, he also expresses pride in the fact that Nirvana chose to perform "Smells Like Teen Spirit," a great song.

The deeper meaning of Scholz's words lies in his humility and recognition of influence within the music industry. Despite acknowledging that Nirvana’s rendition of Boston’s work was less than stellar, he is still pleased by their choice to play one of Nirvana's own songs that later became iconic. This showcases a mature perspective on fame and legacy, understanding that even brief references or inspirations can have significant cultural impacts. Scholz appreciates the notion that his music might have subconsciously influenced Kurt Cobain and the other members of Nirvana, which he sees as a form of recognition for Boston's work.

Tom Scholz is the founder, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the American rock band Boston. Known for his technical expertise with guitar technology and for producing complex and layered soundscapes in his music, Scholz has been influential in the hard rock genre since the 1970s. His quote reflects not only on his musical legacy but also on the broader impact of creative works across generations of musicians and fans.