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.
Czarina
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
let the rivers pass me by
these dusty tears
need no place to cry
i need no reason for the first time in my life
i just need to be on my way
i don't want for anything that i don't have
with my czarina, queen of all that i believe
stillborn seasons cradle our affairs
i light a candle
my lover to protect
in sackcloth and ashes
my lover will descend
i need no reason for the first time in my life
i just need to be on my way
i don't want for anything that i don't have
all i want is waiting for me there
i don't want for anything that i don't have
all i want is waiting for me there for me there
hid behind your walls
i waste the day
if i want
all this and more are under me
i need no reason for the first time in my life
i just need to be on my way
i don't want for anything that i don't have
all i want is waiting for me there
i don't want for anything that i don't have
all i want is waiting for me there
for me there
for me there
The Smashing Pumpkins’ song “Czarina” seems like a reflection on life, love, and the things that really matter. The song opens with a person relaxing and sipping tea, while the world passes them by. The lyrics suggest that they’ve had some rough times in their life (as evidenced by the “dusty tears”), but now they’ve found a sense of peace and contentment. The person doesn’t need anything that they don’t already have, except for their lover – the “czarina”, who is the queen of everything they believe in.
As the song goes on, there are hints that things aren’t perfect – the “stillborn seasons” that “cradle” their affairs suggests that they’ve had to deal with some disappointments and setbacks. However, they continue to hold onto their love and protect it like a candle.
Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on finding happiness in the moment, without letting the past or future interfere. It’s about being content with what you have, especially the things that really matter – like love.
Line by Line Meaning
sipping tea
Taking a moment to relax and be present in the moment.
let the rivers pass me by
Not trying to control the flow of life, letting things happen naturally.
these dusty tears
Crying without a specific reason, just releasing pent up emotions.
need no place to cry
Not ashamed of showing vulnerability in public.
i need no reason for the first time in my life
Being comfortable with not having all the answers or a clear sense of direction.
i just need to be on my way
Feeling content with the journey and not just the destination.
i don't want for anything that i don't have
Satisfied with the current state of life and not longing for what is missing.
all i want is waiting for me there, for me there
Believing that happiness is within reach and attainable.
with my czarina, queen of all that i believe
Being in love with someone who embodies all that is good and pure.
stillborn seasons cradle our affairs
A relationship that has not yet come to fruition, but holds promise of better times to come.
i light a candle
Finding hope in darkness and uncertainty.
my lover to protect
Feeling a sense of fierce loyalty and desire to take care of loved ones.
in sackcloth and ashes
Acknowledging difficult times and being willing to weather them together.
my lover will descend
Believing in the power of love to bring people together.
hid behind your walls
Feeling trapped or shut out from someone or something.
i waste the day
Feeling unproductive or unsure of how to spend one's time.
if i want
Having the power to change one's circumstances with the right mindset.
all this and more are under me
Feeling a sense of control or influence over one's surroundings.
for me there
Having faith in what the future holds.
Contributed by Nolan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mywordsmyhandle
This song will always bring me back (with a hint of thankful joy) to my teenage days.
@jaysharpESQ
Just a hint?
@mywordsmyhandle
@Jay Sharp they weren't that lovely
@geusprime577
One of my favorite songs. This belongs on Adore
@andreborges8723
Love the cover photos to these singles. It's sort of Smith's albums.
@Witherweed
@CountDruckula I’m pretty sure it’s just because they used a pro photographer for the album art just like the smiths, not that it was inspired by their art
@doktoravalanche3500
Work by yelena yemchuck
@jaysharpESQ
Yeah Billy's GF at the time did the shoots for adore, the singles and the thirty three video too actually (directed) amazing he found her since he directed zero and co directed ava adore and stand inside your love himself and they look so like her work in thirty three.
OH ! SHE also did the fake nipple ring shot for the zero single too btw
@PupiDiZuccaro
love billy his voice this song my heart
@rebeldiamondz
Hey there, I just noticed that you had this song too!! Thanks so much for taking the tim to post these b-sides. They are truly awesome!