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.
now
Billy Corgan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's left of mine
I used to find
Pennies crushed on tracks
It's a long way back to the station
Now and then
I could be a friend
Now and then
Now and then to you
I could be a friend of use
So hide me when you go
Back amongst the reeds
Cable coils
Around my neck
Whatever's best
It seems insane to me
Can't escape the family tree
Roots are buried deep
Deep as you can climb
I'll do
I could be a friend to you
Now and then
I could be a friend
Now and then
I could be a friend
Now and then to you
I could be a friend of use
No second chance at this
I'll watch you making love with them
Build a fire
Behind the school
Come and visit soon
If you're blue and alone
Hold my hand they're coming back for more
There's always one more score
I'm sure to blame for this
I've got to get this change through and through
Now and then
I could be a friend
I could be a friend
Now and then
I could be a friend
I could be a friend
Now and then
Now and then
The song "Now" by Billy Corgan is an introspective ballad that deals with themes of loneliness, regret, and the desire for connection. "Peace colours/ What's left of mine" could be interpreted as a reference to the remnants of peace that the singer has left within himself/herself, indicating that they have suffered some emotional trauma or have been through a difficult phase in life. The line "I used to find/ Pennies crushed on tracks/ It's a long way back to the station" speaks to the singer's past experiences with poverty and the struggle to find their way back home. The station could represent a place of safety, refuge, or comfort.
The chorus "Now and then/ I could be a friend/ I could be a friend/ Now and then/ Now and then to you/ I could be a friend of use" is an admission of the singer's desire for companionship and connection, a longing to be needed by another person. The lines "No second chance at this/ I'll watch you making love with them" suggest that the singer has lost someone special, and feels a sense of bitterness and regret towards the situation. The phrase "cable coils/ Around my neck/ Whatever's best/ It seems insane to me" implies a sense of feeling choked or trapped, overwhelmed by the weight of life's challenges.
The song has a melancholic vibe, with a sparse arrangement featuring acoustic guitar and piano, and Corgan's plaintive vocals. The repetition of the line "Now and then/ I could be a friend" emphasizes the singer's desperation for connection, while the somber tone of the music underscores the sense of loss and isolation that permeates the lyrics. "Now" is a poignant reflection on the human condition, highlighting the fact that we all yearn for love and companionship, but often find ourselves alone, struggling to make connections with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Peace colours
The singer longs for peace despite the struggles of life.
What's left of mine
The singer feels like they've lost a lot and is reflecting on what's left of themselves.
I used to find pennies crushed on tracks
The singer remembers finding luck in small things when they were younger.
It's a long way back to the station
The artist feels like they've strayed too far from where they should be in life and it won't be easy to get back.
Now and then I could be a friend
The artist recognizes they haven't always been a good friend but they're willing to try.
Now and then to you I could be a friend of use
The singer is willing to be a supportive friend in times of need.
So hide me when you go back amongst the reeds
The singer wants to escape the chaos of life and be hidden away from it all.
Cable coils around my neck
The artist feels trapped or suffocated by something in their life.
Whatever's best seems insane to me
The artist questions what's best for them and feels like they're going crazy trying to figure it out.
Can't escape the family tree
The artist is tied to their family history and it's affecting their present life.
Roots are buried deep, deep as you can climb
The singer feels like their problems run deep and are hard to climb out of.
I'll do, I could be a friend to you
The artist is willing to be a dependable friend.
No second chance at this, I'll watch you making love with them
The singer acknowledges there are no do-overs in life and has to watch someone they care about move on with someone else.
Build a fire behind the school
The singer suggests going back to their childhood days to find comfort and peace.
Come and visit soon if you're blue and alone
The singer is offering their support to someone who is feeling down and isolated.
Hold my hand they're coming back for more, there's always one more score
The artist recognizes that negative patterns can be hard to break but they're willing to support someone who's struggling with them.
I'm sure to blame for this, I've got to get this change through and through
The artist takes responsibility for their mistakes and wants to make a change to better themselves and their situation.
Contributed by Blake F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.