Corgan released his first solo album TheFutureEmbrace on June 21st, 2005. It warranted mostly lukewarm reviews from the press and only sold 69,000 copies. It was followed by a tour of Europe, USA, Australia, and Japan.
Trivia:
The scars on his arms and hands in the artwork for TheFutureEmbrace are his birthmarks.
Corgan is also a huge sports fan.
Black Irish
Billy Corgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't leave
so I climb, so I climb on your
so I climb on your fire escape
in the rush of stealing what was mine
I stumbled on the notion of time lost
Emily Emily I can't, Emily
I can't leave
forgive me, not today
forgive me stay in your sleep
forgive me, not today
forgive me stay
in the last hours of light
your patient pantomime
heals the stories that I tell
to myself/and no one else
no whisper on my mind
no tired arms that bind
can steal you away/from me this time
Emily, Emily I can't, Emily
I can't leave
so I ride, so I ride on your
so I ride/on you hobby horse
find this a better way
with brides dressed in white
with dreams of starting over right
a kindred soul I'm leaving
a past that I must fight
discover my freedoms/up in lights
the kiss that is America
the babes dressed in blue
my wish of starting over/lies with you
The song "Black Irish" by Billy Corgan is a contemplative and introspective composition that depicts the inner turmoil of a man who is reluctant to leave his lover, Emily. The lyrics are emotional, infused with a sense of longing and desperation, as the singer struggles to come to terms with his decision to leave Emily. He climbs onto her fire escape, trying to steal some time with her before he goes. The song speaks to themes of regret and forgiveness, while also exploring the complexities of human relationships and the contradictions of the human heart.
The singer's desire to leave Emily and start over is evident throughout the song. However, as he spends time with her, he realizes that he cannot leave her behind. He asks for her forgiveness repeatedly, even as he contemplates a life without her. The lines "forgive me, not today / forgive me stay in your sleep" depict his hope that Emily will forgive him and perhaps, even forget him, so that the separation is not as painful. But at the same time, the idea of losing her is unbearable, as symbolized by the line "can steal you away/ from me this time." The song ends on a hopeful note, with the singer finding solace in the thought of starting over and discovering his freedoms with Emily by his side.
Overall, "Black Irish" is a poignant portrayal of love, loss, and the human condition. The lyrics are thought-provoking and moving, and Corgan's vocal delivery adds to the emotional resonance of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Emily, Emily I can't, Emily
The singer is addressing someone named Emily, expressing his inability to leave her.
I can't leave
The singer cannot physically or emotionally leave Emily.
so I climb, so I climb on your
In order to be closer to Emily, the singer climbs onto her fire escape.
so I climb on your fire escape
The artist literally climbs onto Emily's fire escape.
in the rush of stealing what was mine
The artist is in a hurry to take something that he believes is rightfully his.
I stumbled on the notion of time lost
In his haste, the singer realizes that he has lost much time.
forgive me, not today
The singer is asking Emily to forgive him, but not on this particular day.
forgive me stay in your sleep
The artist wants Emily to forgive him while she is asleep.
forgive me, not today
The artist repeats his request for forgiveness on a different day.
forgive me stay
The artist asks Emily to stay with him despite any wrongs he may have committed.
in the last hours of light
The singer is referencing the passing of time.
your patient pantomime
Emily is being quiet and patient, not revealing her true emotions.
heals the stories that I tell to myself/and no one else
The singer is lying to himself by creating stories that he tells to no one, but Emily's presence is soothing.
no whisper on my mind
The singer has a clear and calm mind.
no tired arms that bind
The singer is free from any physical constraints.
can steal you away/from me this time
Regardless of what may happen, the artist believes that he will not lose Emily.
so I ride, so I ride on your
The artist changes his location on Emily by riding on her hobby horse.
so I ride/on you hobby horse
The singer literally rides on Emily's hobby horse.
find this a better way
The singer is looking for a better way to do something.
with brides dressed in white
The artist is at a wedding.
with dreams of starting over right
The brides have aspirations of starting anew in their marriages.
a kindred soul I'm leaving
The artist is leaving behind someone he has a deep connection with.
a past that I must fight
The singer has a difficult history that he must confront.
discover my freedoms/up in lights
The artist is highlighting his desire to explore new opportunities and experiences.
the kiss that is America
The singer is referencing the idealized American Dream.
the babes dressed in blue
The police are present at the wedding.
my wish of starting over/lies with you
The singer's desire to start anew is dependent on Emily.
Contributed by Madison Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Colby Rhodes
Thanks for the tab!!!!
Antonio Rabasco
@indo1091 Thanks dude! this video was RT by @billy last june!!!! (happiest day ever) soon I will finish my exams, and I have plans to cover quasar, pinwheels, panopticon and many others!