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.
Galapogos
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
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Softly stolen under our blanket skies
And rescue me from me and all that I believe
I won't deny the pain
I won't deny the change
And should I fall from grace here with you
Will you leave me too?
Hold me for goodbyes and whispered lullabies
And tell me I am still
The man I'm supposed to be
I won't deny the pain
I won't deny the change
And should I fall from grace here with you
Will you leave me too?
Will you leave me too?
Too late to turn back now, I'm running out of sound
And I am changing, changing
And if we died right now, this fool you love somehow
Is here with you
I won't deny the pain
I won't deny the change
And should I fall from grace here with you
Would you leave me too?
Would you leave me too?
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins' "Galapogos" speak to the idea that, even as adults, we still yearn for the simplicity and innocence of childhood. The opening line, "Ain't it funny how we pretend we're still a child," sets the tone for the rest of the song. The imagery of being "softly stolen under our blanket skies" connects back to the comfort and security we felt as children. However, the song also acknowledges the pain and change that come with growing up, and the fear of losing the things we hold dear.
The chorus, with its repetition of "I won't deny the pain / I won't deny the change," suggests a willingness to accept the challenges of life, but also a fear of being abandoned. The final lines, "Would you leave me too? / Would you leave me too?" speak to this fear directly. The song ends on a note of uncertainty, suggesting that the singer's search for security may never truly be fulfilled.
Overall, "Galapogos" is a poignant reflection on the complexities of adulthood, and the ways in which we strive to hold onto our past selves while still moving forward.
Line by Line Meaning
Ain't it funny how we pretend we're still a child
Isn't it curious how we act as though we're still an innocent child?
Softly stolen under our blanket skies
We silently take refuge under a comforting and familiar sky of warmth and safety.
And rescue me from me and all that I believe
Save me from my flawed thoughts and beliefs, please.
I won't deny the pain
I'll admit to experiencing the hurt.
I won't deny the change
I won't reject or refuse the altering circumstances.
And should I fall from grace here with you
If I lose my divine favor while being with you,
Will you leave me too?
Would you abandon me also?
Carve out your heart for keeps in an old oak tree
Create a permanent symbol that represents your love and devotion from an aged oak tree.
Hold me for goodbyes and whispered lullabies
Embrace me for our final farewells and soothing songs.
And tell me I am still
The man I'm supposed to be
And assure me that I am still fulfilling my expected role as a man.
Too late to turn back now, I'm running out of sound
It's too late to reverse course, I'm quickly losing my ability to communicate.
And I am changing, changing
I am evolving and transforming.
And if we died right now, this fool you love somehow
Is here with you
And if we perished this moment, this person you foolishly care for will remain by your side.
Would you leave me too?
Would you also depart from me?
Would you leave me too?
Would you also abandon me?
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind