Disavowing the punk rock roots of many of their alt-rock contemporaries, they have a diverse, densely layered, and guitar-heavy sound, containing elements of gothic rock, heavy metal, dream pop, psychedelic rock, progressive rock, shoegazing, and, in later recordings, electronica. Corgan is the group's primary songwriter; his musical ambitions and cathartic lyrics have shaped the band's albums and songs, which have been described as "anguished, bruised reports from Billy Corgan's nightmare-land".
The Smashing Pumpkins broke into the musical mainstream with their second album, 1993's Siamese Dream. The group built its audience with extensive touring and their 1995 follow-up, the double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 album chart. 1998's Adore would just barely miss out, peaking at number two. With 30 million albums sold worldwide, the Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of the 1990s. However, internal fighting, drug use, and diminishing record sales led to a 2000 break-up.
In 2006, Corgan and Chamberlin reconvened to record a new Smashing Pumpkins album, Zeitgeist. After touring throughout 2007 and 2008 with a lineup including new guitarist Jeff Schroeder, Chamberlin left the band in early 2009. Later that year, Corgan began a new recording series with a rotating lineup of musicians entitled Teargarden by Kaleidyscope, which encompassed the release of stand-alone singles, compilation EP releases, and two full albums that also fell under the project's scope—Oceania in 2012 and Monuments to an Elegy in 2014. Chamberlin and Iha officially rejoined the band in February 2018. The reunited lineup has released three albums so far—Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. in November 2018, Cyr in November 2020, and ATUM in 2023.
Blank
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wish I was blank
I wish I could thank
I wish I was blank
I'd write a letter to you
And there'd be nothing to it
I wouldn't hem and haw
On just how to start it
I wish I was blank
I wish I could thank
I wish I was blank
I wish I'd stand up straight
I wish I'd said things different
I wish I'd said nothing
Things would be so perfect
I wish myself to keep
I pray my soul to sleep
I wish myself away
I wish I was blank
The lyrics to "Blank" by The Smashing Pumpkins convey a deep longing to start over, to erase all past mistakes and regrets and start anew with a clean slate. The singer wishes they could wipe away all the baggage of their past, their failures, and their shortcomings and become "blank" or empty. The singer wishes they could thank someone, but their emotional turmoil and inner turmoil make it difficult for them to express themselves honestly and straightforwardly.
The singer then shifts his focus to what they wished they had done differently in their life, particularly in their dealings with others - their regret for unkind words spoken or actions left undone. They long for a world without any complications or complexities, where saying nothing at all could be the answer to all their problems. The singer prays for the impossible, wishing away their existence, and starting anew once more as something different, something better.
Overall, the song reflects a universal yearning for a chance to start anew, to be free of the baggage of one's history, and to find peace in a world free of pain and regret.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish I was blank
I wish I could forget everything that happened in my life and start fresh with a clean slate.
I wish I could thank
I wish I could express my gratitude and appreciation without any hesitation or fear of rejection.
I'd write a letter to you
If I were blank, I would have no trouble writing a letter to you, expressing my thoughts and feelings straightforwardly.
And there'd be nothing to it
It would be a simple task, with no doubts, regrets, or hesitations.
I wouldn't hem and haw
I wouldn't struggle to find the right words or be indecisive about what to say.
On just how to start it
I wouldn't agonize over how to begin the letter because I would have a clear mind and be able to express myself freely.
I wish I'd stand up straight
I regret not being assertive and confident in the past; I wish I had stood up for myself and for what I believe in.
I wish I'd said things different
I wish I had spoken differently or more truthfully, without fearing the consequences or judgment of others.
I wish I'd said nothing
Sometimes, I feel like my words have caused more harm than good, so I wish I had remained silent instead.
Things would be so perfect
I believe that if I had acted differently in the past, my life would be perfect now, without any regrets, doubts, or mistakes.
I wish myself to keep
I wish that I could preserve myself in a state of blankness, where I would have no past, no memories, and no emotions.
I pray my soul to sleep
I wish that I could escape from reality and turn off my consciousness, so that I wouldn't have to deal with the pain and suffering of life.
I wish myself away
I wish that I could disappear or dissolve into nothingness, so that I wouldn't have to bear the burden of existence.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind