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.
Cherub Rock
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And give in
Doesn't matter what you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody's fool this year
'Cause they know
Who is righteous, what is bold
So I'm told
Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Hipsters unite
Come align for the big fight to rock for you
But beware
All those angels with their wings glued on
'Cause deep down
They are frightened and they're scared
If you don't stare
Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Tell me all of your secrets
Cannot help but believe this is true
Tell me all of your secrets
I know, I know, I know
Should have listened when I was told
Who wants that honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
The song Cherub Rock by The Smashing Pumpkins is a commentary on the music industry and its treatment of alternative rock music in the 1990s. The opening lines, "Freak out and give in, doesn't matter what you believe in," suggest that the industry is looking for conformity rather than individuality in musicians. The line "stay cool and be somebody's fool this year" refers to the pressure for musicians to conform to certain styles or trends in order to be successful. The following lines, "hipsters unite, come align for the big fight to rock for you," suggest that the industry is packaging and selling alternative rock as a trendy product rather than supporting its authenticity.
The chorus, "who wants honey, as long as there's some money, who wants that honey?" suggests that the industry is more interested in profit than artistic integrity. The reference to "all those angels with their wings glued on" implies that the industry is promoting an image of musicians as untouchable, god-like figures while they are actually just as fragile and scared as anyone else. The repeated plea to "let me out" suggests that the industry is stifling the creativity and artistic freedom of musicians.
Overall, Cherub Rock is a scathing critique of the music industry's commodification of alternative rock and its stifling effect on artists. The song advocates for individuality and authenticity over the pressure to conform and sell out.
Line by Line Meaning
Freak out
Lose control of oneself due to a state of agitation or excitement
And give in
Surrender to the surrounding circumstances, abandon resistance
Doesn't matter what you believe in
Individual beliefs or opinions are irrelevant in this context
Stay cool
Remain calm and collected, avoid panic or overreaction
And be somebody's fool this year
Act foolish or naïve for someone else's benefit or satisfaction
'Cause they know
Those in power or authority have knowledge or awareness
Who is righteous, what is bold
They have the ability to identify the virtuous and courageous
So I'm told
The artist is relaying information that has been passed on to them
Who wants honey?
Who desires something superficially sweet or desirable?
As long as there's some money
As long as there is an exchange of monetary value or benefit involved
Hipsters unite
A call to action for the counter-cultural group to come together
Come align for the big fight to rock for you
Join forces to put on an impressive performance, potentially for the benefit of the audience
But beware
A warning to be cautious and wary
All those angels with their wings glued on
Referring to those who put on a façade of purity or righteousness
'Cause deep down
Because their true nature or motivations lie beneath the surface
They are frightened and they're scared
They are filled with fear and apprehension
If you don't stare
If you don't give them excessive attention or admiration
Tell me all of your secrets
Request for someone to confide in the singer and share personal information
Cannot help but believe this is true
The singer finds the information they're being told to be credible and trustworthy
I know, I know, I know
The artist is convinced of the truth of the situation
Should have listened when I was told
The artist regrets not heeding previous advice or warnings
Let me out
A plea to be released or allowed to escape from a situation
Let, let me out
A repeated plea for release from confinement or restriction
Let, let me out
Continued repetition of the desire to be freed
Let, let me out
Further emphasis on the need for release
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Pride317
Lyrics
Freak out
And give in
Doesn't matter
What you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody's
Fool this year
Cause they know
Who is righteous,
What is bold
So I’m told
Who wants honey?
As long as
There's some money
Who wants that honey?
Hipsters unite
Come align for the
Big fight to rock
(For you)
But beware
All those angels with
Their wings glued on
Cause deep down
They are frightened
And they're scared
If you don't stare
Who wants honey?
As long as
There's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
[Guitar Solo]
Tell me all
Of your secrets
Cannot help but
Believe this is true
Tell me all
Of your secrets
I know,
I know,
I know
Should have listened
When I was told
Who wants that honey?
As long as
There's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
(Let)
Let me out
@jerkyboy8897
Freak out
And give in
Doesn't matter what you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody's fool this year
'Cause they know
Who is righteous, what is bold
So I'm told
Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Hipsters unite
Come align for the big fight to rock for you
But beware
All those angels with their wings glued on
'Cause deep down
They are frightened and they're scared
If you don't stare
Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Tell me all of your secrets
Cannot help but believe this is true
Tell me all of your secrets
I know, I know, I know
Should have listened when I was told
Who wants that honey?
As long as there's some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
@sintrivunovic1140
The 90's were by far the best time in human history to be a teen.
@coreybuck5689
Teenlet for me, but damn do I miss those days
@flukislucas
I was born in 89’ so I was a little child in the mid 90s but lucked out because I was the youngest of 4 boys. My much older brothers (I was what they call a love child/happy accident lol) would always be playing SP songs and having MTV on playing the videos. I was hooked by four years old. The 90s rocked
@steverounds8574
And the 80s were the worst! Freakin Flock of Seagulls, Culture Club, and their ilk!
@MLouzy
80's were better my friend, but the 90's is a close second.
@jimmorrison2657
@@steverounds8574 The end of the eighties was decent, mate. Grunge, House, and Madchester were all just starting.
@sharkbaitmaster1052
That fucking intro gets me going every time
@reiroro5140
damn right
@arlenem.6469
I came here just to say I love the build-up for this song. Pardon me, I don't speak musician jargon.
@reyntakemori2048
Hell yeah it gives me a angry incher