1979
New Originals Vs. Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics


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Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time
On a live wire right up off the street
You and I should meet
June bug skipping like a stone
With the headlights pointed at the dawn
We were sure we'd never see an end to it all

And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below

Double cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in store
Morphine city slippin' dues, down to see

That we don't even care, as restless as we are
We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below
Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope

Justine never knew the rules
Hung down with the freaks and ghouls
No apologies ever need be made
I know you better than you fake it, to see

That we don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below





The street heats the urgency of now
As you see there's no one around

Overall Meaning

"1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins is a song that reflects on youth and the feeling that we will never grow old. The opening line, "Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time," sets the scene for the nostalgic journey that follows. The song is a celebration of youth, freedom, and spontaneity, and it captures the essence of a carefree summer night cruising with friends.


The song has a dreamy, hazy quality that is echoed in the lyrics. The image of a "June bug skipping like a stone" perfectly captures the feeling of being young and carefree. The lyrics are also filled with a sense of restlessness and a desire to escape the dull mundanity of everyday life. This is encapsulated in the line "morphine city slippin' dues, down to see" which suggests a desire to break free from the confines of the urban landscape.


The song is underscored by a feeling of melancholy and a sense of loss. The lines "We don't even care, as restless as we are / We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts" hint at an underlying sense of regret and the knowledge that youth is fleeting. The song is a reminder that even the most carefree and spontaneous moments in life are fleeting, and that we should cherish them while we can.


Line by Line Meaning

Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time
The year 1979 was a time of turmoil and transformation. People who were considered cool or popular were too busy for anything or anyone else.


On a live wire right up off the street
The energy and excitement of the time are felt everywhere, on the streets and in the air.


You and I should meet
Despite the chaotic environment, there is still a desire for human connection.


June bug skipping like a stone
Life is moving fast, but there are moments of carefree joy and simplicity.


With the headlights pointed at the dawn
No matter how dark things may seem, there is always the promise of a new day.


We were sure we'd never see an end to it all
The sense of possibility is so strong that it seems like anything could happen, and this feeling will last forever.


And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
The singer is so caught up in the moment that they are unconcerned with anything else, even their own troubles.


And we don't know just where our bones will rest
The future is uncertain and unknown, but it doesn't matter because the present is too exciting to dwell on the past or future.


To dust I guess
In the grand scheme of things, life is short and fleeting.


Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
After we are gone, we will become a part of the earth and be forgotten by those who come after us.


Double cross the vacant and the bored
The singer and their peers are frustrated with those who are not as engaged in the moment or as passionate about life.


They're not sure just what we have in store
Others may not understand or appreciate the artist and their friends, but they are confident in their plans and prospects.


Morphine city slippin' dues, down to see
The city is an addiction, and the highs and lows of life there must be experienced to truly understand it.


That we don't even care, as restless as we are
Even with all the energy and excitement, the singer and their friends remain dissatisfied and always looking for more.


We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
Despite the sense of freedom and possibility, there is also a feeling of guilt and responsibility for the state of the world.


And poured cement, lamented and assured
The artist and their friends are building something new and permanent, but also aware of the past and its mistakes.


To the lights and towns below
The artist and their friends are moving on to new adventures, leaving behind the familiar and the status quo.


Faster than the speed of sound
The future is approaching quickly and with great force, impossible to slow down or resist.


Faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope
The speed of life is overwhelming, but there is still hope and optimism for what lies ahead.


Justine never knew the rules
The artist and their friends are nonconformists who do not play by society's rules or expectations.


Hung down with the freaks and ghouls
The artist and their friends are misfits and outcasts, finding solace and camaraderie among others like them.


No apologies ever need be made
The artist and their friends are unapologetic for who they are and how they live their lives.


I know you better than you fake it, to see
The singer and their friends are authentic and sincere, seeing through the fakeness of others.


The street heats the urgency of now
The intensity and pressure of the moment are palpable on the streets.


As you see there's no one around
Despite the chaos and excitement, there is also a sense of loneliness and isolation.




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@Hayyden

I used to listen to this on repeat while walking 2 miles every day to school.

I met a girl one day on one of those walks. She went to a different school.

Sometimes we’d share an earpiece, walking shoulder to shoulder listening to this song together.

One day I stopped seeing her on my walk and 20 years later I’m still wondering but remembering her grace.

Much love Hannah ❤



@katherinepalmado6366

"1979"

Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time
On a live wire right up off the street
You and I should meet
Junebug skipping like a stone
With the headlights pointed at the dawn
We were sure we'd never see an end to it all
And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know
Just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
Double cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in store
Morphine city slipping dues down to see
That we don't even care as restless as we are
We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below
Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope
Justine never knew the rules,
Hung down with the freaks and the ghouls
No apologies ever need be made, I know you better than you fake it
To see that we don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below
The street heats the urgency of now
As you see there's no one around



All comments from YouTube:

@Craniacs

I WISH THE 90s never left 🥺💔

@vaterchenfrost7481

They never did ;)

@provethioaltum3276

Youtubes here to remind us dont worry brother

@kendolan162

You'll change your mind if you are still with us in 2040. Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins will see the benefits of their art!

@tonic_salty

Same. Even thought I wasn’t even born 😌

@Cameron-jo2ue

It's with us in are hearts at least 😌.

414 More Replies...

@thirien59

Crazy we are nostalgic about a song from 20 years ago which talks about nostalgia from 20 years ago

@deedeeramone8641

25 years ago i guess😥

@davidblackwell6914

🎯🎯

@martineshamzin7535

Yeah, people have always been nostalgic. Its different now, though. People REALLY HATE THIS TIME!

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