The 10 best Smashing Pumpkins songs
Established in 1988, the Smashing Pumpkins swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most prosperous alternative rock groups of the 1990s. They achieved widespread recognition with the launch of Siamese Dream in 1993, marking a pivotal breakthrough for the band. Their momentum persisted with the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness two years later, further solidifying their position as influential figures in the music scene.
The Smashing Pumpkins burst onto the music scene with their debut album, Gish, in 1991. The album’s blend of heavy guitars, melodic hooks, and introspective lyrics set the stage for the band’s meteoric rise. However, 1993’s Siamese Dream catapulted them to mainstream success. Songs like ‘Today’ and ‘Disarm’ effortlessly showcased the band’s ability to seamlessly blend aggression with vulnerability.
With the release of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness in 1995, the Smashing Pumpkins reached new heights of fame and acclaim. The ambitious double album featured various musical styles, from blistering rock anthems to haunting ballads. Perhaps what’s most interesting is the fact that Mellon Collie could have been a complete disaster. The reality, however, saw a comprehensive compilation that embodied the band’s collective efforts, infused with the familiar elements of unpredictability and unapologetic rock and roll.
As the Smashing Pumpkins celebrate over three decades of groundbreaking music, their influence on alternative rock remains undeniable. From their early days in the underground Chicago music scene to their status as international rock icons, the band has stayed true to their artistic vision while pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
The 10 best Smashing Pumpkins songs:
10. ‘Disarm’
‘Disarm’ was issued as the album’s third single and soared to number 11 on the UK Singles Chart. Thematically, Billy Corgan delves into the topic of child abuse in the lyrics, which resulted in a ban by the BBC.
However, in a 2019 performance, the singer disclosed that the piece actually delves into thoughts of suicide, which he grappled with on the day of its creation. Rather than yielding to these intrusive thoughts, he channelled his emotions into writing both ‘Disarm’ and ‘Today’, the latter of which he described as his “suicidal anthem”.
During an interview with Rage, Corgan explained: “I didn’t have the guts to kill my parents, so I thought I’d get back at them through song. And rather than have an angry, angry, angry violent song I’d thought I’d write something beautiful and make them realise what tender feelings I have in my heart, and make them feel really bad for treating me like shit.”
9. ‘1979’
Numerous pieces from the Smashing Pumpkins’ extensive repertoire could contend for the title of their greatest song. Yet, it seems that ‘1979’ from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness holds a special place in the hearts of their dedicated fanbase.
The track delves into the journey from childhood to adulthood through its lyrics. In 1979, Corgan himself was merely 12 years old, a pivotal period in anyone’s life marked by introspection and the questioning of authority figures such as parents and teachers.
Corgan approached the songwriting process with a nostalgic and contemplative mindset. Reflecting on the theme, he once remarked: “Sometimes when I write a song, I see a picture in my head. For some reason, it’s of the obscure memory I have.”
8. ‘Tonight, Tonight’
In the opening track of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, Corgan expresses his aspirations for the enduring power of fleeting passion to foster unity. He urges listeners to trust in him, reflecting the confidence he places in them.
However, Corgan’s personal convictions, or rather, his ability to articulate them, are in a perpetual state of change. At times, he grapples with despair, only to later elevate himself as a hero. He renounces love, only to proclaim it as his utmost need. He concludes that nothing possesses meaning, only to assert that detachment is impossible.
7. ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’
Corgan once called Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness “eight months of insanity”. However, he also claimed it changed his life, adding, “When you think about the songs from ‘Zero’ to ‘Bullet With Butterfly Wings’ and ‘1979’ to ‘Tonight, Tonight’, that’s a really wide range of music, and he followed me down every road.”
Over the course of nearly two hours of music, Corgan and the band delivered 28 songs showcasing a diverse range of styles, tempos, and genres, pushing the boundaries of what a rock band could achieve. The breadth and extravagance were intentional: Corgan openly embraced his desire to create something monumental.
6. ‘Drown’
‘Drown’ opens with a haunting guitar riff, setting a melancholic tone that persists throughout. Corgan’s vocals are emotive and introspective as he sings about longing, isolation, and the struggle to find meaning in a turbulent world. The lyrics evoke a sense of disillusionment and existential angst, reflecting the themes of the 1992 film Singles and the broader cultural zeitgeist of the early 1990s.
“We wanted it to be a single, we were pushing for it,” Corgan once explained. “I was even willing to make it a video. Radio stations were playing it. And when it came time for the third single, they said, ‘Screaming Trees’. And I was like, ‘Screaming Trees??’ But what label is Alice in Chains on, and what label are the Screaming Trees on? Epic, which is the label that put out the soundtrack. And that’s what killed the song.”
5. ‘Ava Adore’
‘Ava Adore’ exhibits a slightly more intense rock vibe compared to many tracks on Adore. However, its fusion of ominous undertones and primal allure remains deeply embedded within the album’s aesthetic. As evidenced by live performances, Smashing Pumpkins infuses the song with even greater intensity, pushing it into heavier territories.
Despite its departure from the band’s previous sound, the song remains a fan favourite and a staple of the Smashing Pumpkins discography. Its unique blend of electronic and rock elements, coupled with its enigmatic lyrics, has cemented its place as one of the standout moments in the band’s legacy.
4. ‘Zero’
‘Zero’ stands as a straightforward yet impactful track, offering a dark and foreboding perspective from the Smashing Pumpkins’ third album. The central riff drives the song forward with relentless momentum, accentuated by aggressive downstrokes and harmonic accents, incorporating a punk-inspired edge.
Corgan’s metallic guitar tone contributes a gothic texture to the overall sound, heightening the tension that steadily builds towards a crescendo, evoking a spine-chilling sensation. This track represents the band at the peak of their prowess, allowing the music to speak volumes as they effortlessly navigate through its atmospheric depths.
3. ‘The Everlasting Gaze’
‘Everlasting Gaze’ perfectly showcases the Smashing Pumpkins’ signature blend of alternative rock, grunge, and psychedelic influences. The song’s driving rhythms and blistering guitar solos capture the band’s raw energy and virtuosity, drawing you into its captivating sonic universe.
According to Corgan, this track “has a lot to do with spirituality and trying to find my place in the universe and sort of humbly accepting limitations and the things I’ve been graced with,” he said, adding: “It’s more of a humanistic worldview. I’m not writing anymore for the tortured teen—both me and whoever was listening. I’m writing with the idea that everybody’s experiencing these things all the time, and even if they’re not experiencing them personally, they’re affected by them”.
Corgan concluded: “You can live in the street and write about the garbage, or you can try to get up a little higher and look down and try to see the bigger picture.”
2. ‘Luna’
Siamese Dream stands as an unequivocal masterpiece, offering a glimpse into both the band’s evolution and the trajectory of alternative rock. This is where the Smashing Pumpkins refined their sound and elevated the genre to unprecedented levels, demonstrating that true innovation arises from staying true to one’s vision and disregarding external distractions.
Songs like ‘Disarm’, ‘Mayonnaise’, and ‘Rocket’ stand out as exceptional highlights, guiding the listener through a mesmerising sonic journey that transcends much of the guitar music of their time. Meanwhile, tracks such as ‘Soma’ and ‘Luna’ speak volumes for themselves, each holding their own enchanting allure.
1. ‘Soma’
Serving as a poignant breakup anthem, Corgan penned this song shortly after parting ways with his girlfriend, Christine Fabian, with whom he later married and subsequently divorced. Through ‘Soma’, Corgan articulates the emotions he experienced in the aftermath of the breakup.
The title is also derived from the Greek word for “body”. It also holds significance as the name of a fictional drug in Aldous Huxley’s dystopian novel Brave New World, adding an additional layer of meaning to the lyrics and themes. Overall, the piece stands as a quintessential example of the Smashing Pumpkins’ unique sound and songwriting prowess, earning its place as one of the most beloved tracks in their extensive catalogue.
