The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago. Th… Read Full Bio ↴The Smashing Pumpkins is an American alternative rock band from Chicago. The band was formed in 1988 by Billy Corgan and James Iha, with bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin joining shortly after. Despite going through many lineup changes, the current lineup is identical to the original, with the exception of Wretzky, who would end up leaving the band just before their initial breakup in 2000.

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.

Christmastime
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

We watch the children playing
Beside the Christmas tree
Presents are wrapped up, it's beautiful
And secretly the gifts you'll hide
The fun awaits for you inside

Christmastime has come
There'll be toys for everyone

'Cause Christmastime has come for you

I remember dreaming
Wishing, hoping, praying for this day
Now I sit and watch them
The little ones I love
So excited by the way

Christmastime has come
There'll be toys for everyone
'Cause Christmastime has come for you

And now the word is given
It's time to peek inside
It's time to let the toys out
So anxious for your look of joy and delight
The waiting for just your surprise

Christmastime has come
There'll be toys for everyone
'Cause Christmastime has come for you

Christmastime has come
There'll be toys for everyone

'Cause Christmastime has come for you
For you

Overall Meaning

The Smashing Pumpkins's song "Christmastime" is a beautiful and heartwarming song that speaks about the joy and excitement of Christmas. The first verse of the song talks about watching children playing beside the Christmas tree, and how beautiful it is to see presents wrapped up and ready to be opened. The lyrics then speak of the anticipation of receiving gifts, as the fun that awaits inside is something to look forward to. The chorus is a celebration of Christmastime, with the promise of toys for everyone.

The second verse is a reflection on the past, with the singer remembering dreaming, wishing, and hoping for the day of Christmas to come. Now, the singer sits and watches the little ones they love, excited about the way they are filled with joy and anticipation. The chorus repeats, highlighting the joy of Christmastime and the happiness that comes with it.

Finally, the third verse speaks of the moment when the time has come to open the gifts. The excitement is palpable, and the singer is anxious to see the look of joy and delight on the faces of their loved ones as they open their presents. The chorus, once again, celebrates Christmastime and the joy it brings to everyone, concluding with the phrase "Christmastime has come for you."

In analyzing the lyrics of "Christmastime," it is clear that The Smashing Pumpkins have created a song that is a celebration of the joy and excitement of Christmas. Through imagery and emotion-filled lyrics, the song tells a story about the anticipation of receiving gifts, the beauty of watching loved ones enjoy the holiday, and the happiness that comes with sharing in the joy of the season.

ChristmastimeThe Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics

Christmastime
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics