The song debuted during the Gish tour and was written not long after that record was released. The first take of the song was recorded at Waterfront Studios, which belongs to Lenny Kravitz, who was also signed to Virgin Records.
The song was also released on the band's official greatest hits compilation Rotten Apples in 2001, though the length of the song was reduced from 8:17 to 4:30, cutting off the extended feedback and E-Bow solo at the end. "Drown" was considered for Pisces Iscariot, but Corgan decided against it.
The song became a moderate radio hit in mid-1992 and gave the band significant exposure just before work commenced on "Siamese Dream".
"Drown" was to be released as a commercial single, but, as Billy Corgan explained:
"We wanted it to be a single, we were pushing for it. I was even willing to make it a video. Radio stations were playing it. And when it came time for the third single, they said, 'Screaming Trees.' And I was like, 'Screaming Trees??' But what label is Alice in Chains on and what label are the Screaming Trees on? Epic, which is the label that put out the soundtrack. And that's what killed the song."
Nonetheless, the song was given a promotional single, and became their highest-charting single at the time, peaking at number 24 on the U.S. Alternative Songs chart.
The song has also been released publicly as an early demo through SPRC, which is 8:58 in length.
The complete version of "Drown" was included with an alternate guitar solo on the bonus CD in the 2011 reissue of" Gish".
Drown
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can still hear you when you drown
You've traveled very far
Just to see if I'll come around
When I'm down
All of those yesterdays
Coming down
No matter where you are
I can still hear you when you dream
You traveled very far
You traveled far, like a star
And you are
All of those yesterdays
Coming down
Is it something someone said?
Was it something someone said?
Yesterday the sky was you
And I still feel the same
Nothing left for me to do
And I still feel the same
I wish, I wish I could fly
I wish, I wish I could lie
I will, I will try
I will, I will
Goodbye
The Smashing Pumpkins' song "Drown" is a hauntingly beautiful ballad that seems to delve into the theme of longing and loss of love. The song opens with the lyrics "No matter where you are, I can still hear you when you drown," which can be interpreted as someone trying to communicate with their past love post-break-up. The next two lines - 'You've traveled very far just to see if I'll come around when I'm down' - implies that the singer's past love has returned, possibly indicating that they have developed feelings again. The chorus sounds like a reminiscence of those times spent together - "All of those yesterdays coming down" - and how they will always be an integral part of the singer's memories. The song reaches a peak when the singer wonders if it was something someone said that drove her/his love away, but in the end, the song ends with resignation - "Goodbye."
Line by Line Meaning
No matter where you are
It doesn't matter where you are located, I still hear you when you feel overwhelmed
I can still hear you when you drown
Even if you are underwater, I can still feel your pain and hear your struggles
You've traveled very far
You have journeyed a long distance on a quest to see whether I'd be by your side or not
Just to see if I'll come around
You came to witness whether I'd show up and support you in your struggles
When I'm down
You needed me the most during the time when I was also facing some hardships
All of those yesterdays
All those memories from the past
Coming down
Accumulating emotions and thoughts, pouring like a rainstorm
No matter where you are
It doesn't matter where you are located, I still hear you when you dream
You traveled very far
You have gone far in your dreams, just like a shiny star
And you are
You exist in my heart and mind, as vivid as the day you were born
Is it something someone said?
Was there something that someone told you to make you feel this way?
Was it something someone said?
Could it be someone's words that caused you to be engulfed in negative emotions?
Yesterday the sky was you
You were someone with whom I could fly high and reach the skies
And I still feel the same
Even today, I have the same feelings towards you
Nothing left for me to do
I feel helpless as there's nothing I can do to make things better
And I still feel the same
Despite our circumstances, my feelings towards you haven't changed
I wish, I wish I could fly
I yearn to be free and soar high like a bird
I wish, I wish I could lie
I desire to deceive myself that things will get better
I will, I will try
I will give it my all and do everything in my power to help you
I will, I will
I am committed and determined to work together with you to overcome this
Goodbye
This is not the end, but just the beginning of our journey together
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@greenxxghostie
No matter where you are
I can still hear you when you drown
You've traveled very far
Just to see you I'll come around
When I'm down
All of those yesterdays
Coming around
No matter where you are
I can still hear you when you dream
You traveled very far
You traveled far, like a star
And you are
All of those yesterdays
Coming around
Is it something someone said?
Was it something someone said?
Yesterday the sky was you
And I still feel the same
Nothing left for me to do
And I still feel the same
I wish, I wish I could fly
I wish, I wish I could lie
I will, I will try
I will, I will
Goodbye
@skylerjohnson5632
Used to work in a jail. One of the frequent inmates was a guy named Brian who loved 90s music and this song. He couldn't believe I had never heard it. Loved it ever since. Hope you stopped stealing cars, Brian.
@julietv3863
Lol 😂
@donaldnickman4119
Good luck out there Brian!
@jb8280
Ok, that was funny AF. No more auto theft, BRIAN.
@weilanddavis5256
No matter what mood I'm in. Once that guitar riff hits I feel better.
@alphonsushurley4883
Weiland Davis me too
@jimsotis9883
Preach.
@4ever242
yeah, absolutely
@DiamondPlatedJim
Absolutely.. perhaps their best tune. By far their most underrated.
@paulalindner7553
best song ever made by them