"Today" was released in September 1993 as the second single from the band's second album and major label debut, Siamese Dream. Although Corgan opted for "Cherub Rock", the lead single from the album, to be the opening track, "Today" and its follow-up "Disarm" are credited in AllMusic for popularizing the band and "sending (Siamese Dream) into the stratosphere". "Today" has been generally well received by critics; a Blender article described it as having "achieved a remarkable status as one of the defining songs of its generation, perfectly mirroring the fractured alienation of American youth in the 1990s".
Underneath the melody and seemingly carefree lyrics is a darker tale of Corgan's struggle with depression during the recording of 'Siamese Dream'. As he told Rolling Stone in October, 1993, "I didn't want to go outside. I was eating like a pig and I was gaining weight. I couldn't write songs. I definitely couldn't play with the band without losing my temper. I just lost whatever it is that keeps you sane everyday... I was really suicidal... I just thought it was funny to write a song that said today is the greatest day of your life because it can't get any worse."
Today
Billy Corgan/Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
I wanted more
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you
Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known
The lyrics to "Today" by Smashing Pumpkins seem to describe a sense of urgency and desperation to live and love in the present moment. The repeating line, "Today is the greatest day I've ever known," suggests the singer is fully embracing the day, as if it’s the last day they will ever experience. They don't want to live for tomorrow because tomorrow might never come, and they're willing to do almost anything to make the most of the present moment. The line, "I'll burn my eyes out before I get out," could mean that the singer would rather go blind than see the beauty of the world fade or disappear.
Moreover, the lyrics also touch on themes of disappointment and regret. We see this in the line, "I wanted more than life could ever grant me." The singer seems to acknowledge the limitations of their mortality - that there are things that they may never get to do or experience. Perhaps they've made mistakes or missed opportunities, as suggested in the line, "Bored by the chore of saving face." The references to "pink ribbon scars" and a "bruised and restrained" pair of "angel wings" make us imagine a past full of pain and struggles.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is the greatest
This day is the most amazing day Billy Corgan has ever experienced.
Day I've ever known
It is the most remarkable day that the singer has ever lived.
Can't live for tomorrow
The singer cannot live for tomorrow as it seems too far away for him.
Tomorrow's much too long
Tomorrow seems too long and the singer cannot wait that long for it.
I'll burn my eyes out
Billy Corgan will burn his eyes out rather than wait for tomorrow.
Before I get out
He would rather burn his eyes out than face another day.
I wanted more
Billy Corgan was not satisfied with what he had.
Than life could ever grant me
He wanted more from life than what he could ever have.
Bored by the chore
He was tired of constantly trying to save face and appearing content with what he had.
Of saving face
He was always trying to keep up appearances and satisfy others.
Can't wait for tomorrow
The singer cannot wait for the next day.
I might not have that long
He doubts if he can wait that long for tomorrow.
I'll tear my heart out
Billy Corgan will rather tear his heart out than live through another day.
Pink ribbon scars
The singer has scars that are a reminder of a painful past.
That never forget
These scars will always remind him of his past pain.
I tried so hard
He put in a lot of effort.
To cleanse these regrets
He tried to let go of his past regrets.
My angel wings
The singer equates himself with an angel.
Were bruised and restrained
But he feels that his wings have been injured and held back.
My belly stings
He feels pain in his abdomen.
I want to turn you on
The singer desires to excite or entice the listener with his music.
I want to turn you
He wants to captivate and move the listener with his music.
Today is the greatest day
The singer reiterates that this day is the most extraordinary that he has ever encountered.
That I have ever really known
His experience of this day surpasses anything else he has ever experienced.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Adam Aice
Dude, he's gotten so jaded over the years. I dig it, this felt as honest as it could have been after playing this song for 30 years
Allon Rhoten
I don't know what people are talking about with criticizing his voice. It sounds super consistent with how he has always sounded. Love the guitar tone and overall performance.
AliceInChainsaw
I think he sounds similar to jack white. Minus the range obviously but the deeper ends for sure.
The Dave
This is probably the best of all the solo acoustic covers I've watched him do. Totally captured the original vibe of the lyrics.
Jessica Elwell
Still sounds amazing! Keep rocking Billy!! ❤❤❤
C R F
I have the same scarf! 😊
More relevant is my appreciation for this wonderful acoustic version.
J Jackson
Great sound quality. Jesus, do you not have ONE audio engineer working there??!!!!!!!
ETHANOISE
YESSSS!!! :)))
DHarv
Today was the first YouTube video I ever watched 👌
Much Panda
He's still alive???