A clip of it first appeared in the 2015 Cobain documentary, Montage of Heck, directed by Brett Morgen, and the full version was subsequently released on the film's soundtrack in November 2015.

[8] "Been a Son" was first performed live on October 8, 1989 at the Lif Ticket Lounge in Omaha, Nebraska, the show at which Nirvana also debuted the future Nevermind song, "Breed", which was then called "Immodium".

On September 25, 1990, Cobain performed a solo acoustic version of the song on the Boy Meets Girl show, hosted by Beat Happening vocalist and guitarist Calvin Johnson, on KAOS (FM) in Olympia, Washington.

The final live performance of "Been a Son" was at the band's Bosnian Rape Victim Benefit show at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, on April 9, 1993.

[9] Reviewing Nirvana's 2002 greatest hits compilation, Will Bryant of Pitchfork wrote that the song "sounds like a test run for Nevermind, all rigid harmonies and tight, churning guitar.

As author Chuck Crisafulli noted, Cobain suppressed his pop influences during the band's earliest years, but after the release of Bleach, he became more outspoken and confident about professing his love of John Lennon and the Beatles during interviews.

[12] Azerrad wrote that Cobain's vocals were "draped in most un-Sub Pop-like harmonies", a reference to Nirvana's then-record label, best known for their heavier grunge sound that defined most of Bleach, with the exception of "About a Girl".