What were The Simpsons spoofing in this episode?

Question

it's an episode from the 19th season. i know that homer is supposed to be kurt cobain and gavin rossdale, but there is on particular moment i'm asking about. when homer rips off the tentacle of the beanie baby and it like deflates, and as he does this the verve's bittersweet symphony starts, but it's not part of that music video. please answer.

Answer 1

Several nineties contemporary songs are used in the background of sequences including "Closing Time" by Semisonic and "Bitter Sweet Symphony" by The Verve. The button in the Springfield University quadrangle is a reference to Claes Oldenburg's "Split Button" on the University of Pennsylvania campus[4].

Answer 2

Wow - I'm afraid I must've missed that one!  Will have to keep an eye out though because now I'm curious too!