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.
Cupid de Locke
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
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To cast divine arrows into her soul
To grab her attention swift and quick
Or morrow the marrow of her bones be thick
With turpentine kisses and mistaken blows
See the devil may do as the devil may care
He loves none sweeter as sweeter the dare
Her heart the captive of which he speaks
So note all ye lovers in love with the sound
Your world be shattered with nary a note
Of one cupids arrow under your coat
And in the land of star crossed lovers
And barren hearted wanderers
Forever lost in forsaken missives and Satan's pull
We seek the unseekable and we speak the unspeakable
Our hopes dead gathering dust to dust
In faith, in compassion, and in love
The lyrics of this song express the idea that love is a dangerous game. Cupid, the god of love, is depicted as shooting arrows into the singer's sweetheart's soul, symbolizing the intensity and suddenness of falling in love. The swift and quick attention-grab is necessary, or else the marrow of her bones, the very essence of her being, will become thick and unresponsive. The lines "with turpentine kisses and mistaken blows" suggest that love can be both intoxicating and painful, and it is easy to make mistakes in its pursuit.
The devil is also referenced in the lyrics, as he is often associated with temptation and forbidden desires. His love is likened to daring and mischief, but ultimately he seeks to capture the heart and soul of his victim. The warning to "note all ye lovers in love with the sound" implies that even the most enamored individuals are not immune to Cupid's arrows, and their world could be shattered by the sudden impact of love.
The remainder of the lyrics express the struggle of those in the land of star-crossed lovers, forever lost in the pursuit of love and vulnerable to the pull of Satan. Despite the difficulties and hardships of love, the hope for something more keeps us speaking the unspeakable and seeking the unseekable.
Line by Line Meaning
Cupid hath pulled back hi sweetheart's bow
Cupid, the god of love, has pulled back his bow in an attempt to make his sweetheart fall madly in love with him.
To cast divine arrows into her soul
He plans to use divine arrows to shoot into her soul, making her fall deeply in love with him.
To grab her attention swift and quick
His intention is to swiftly and quickly grab her attention, making her completely focused on him.
Or morrow the marrow of her bones be thick
If he fails to win her over, she will be filled with a deep sadness that will consume her completely.
With turpentine kisses and mistaken blows
He may give her harsh kisses and may make mistakes, but he loves her all the same.
See the devil may do as the devil may care
The devil does as he pleases and doesn't care about the consequences of his actions.
He loves none sweeter as sweeter the dare
The devil loves those who take risks and go out of their comfort zone, as he sees them as more interesting.
Her mouth the mischief he doth seek
The devil wants to use her mouth for his own mischievous deeds.
Her heart the captive of which he speaks
The devil wants to capture her heart and entrap her in his grasp.
So note all ye lovers in love with the sound
Pay attention, all lovers drawn in by the sound of love.
Your world be shattered with nary a note
Your world can be completely shattered without any warning.
Of one cupids arrow under your coat
All it takes is one arrow from Cupid's bow to completely change your world.
And in the land of star crossed lovers
In a place where love is destined to fail.
And barren hearted wanderers
People who wander aimlessly, with no love or hope in their hearts.
Forever lost in forsaken missives and Satan's pull
These people are lost in the fate of their heartbreak and the temptation of the devil.
We seek the unseekable and we speak the unspeakable
We long for things that we cannot have and say things that are taboo or forbidden.
Our hopes dead gathering dust to dust
Our hopes for love have long since died and are now nothing more than a pile of dust.
In faith, in compassion, and in love
Despite our heartbreak and the devil's temptation, we still hold onto faith, compassion, and love.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind