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.
Haunted
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Sang a fallen and forsworn
The chain
Of human rage
And let between an ocean rain
And lambs so led, I stayed
If this be life, our evening's prayer
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
And father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth, the sea conscripted
Each, the dead and nursery rhyme
At voice
A trailing drone
And baptized by the breath of pain
I crossed heart's knave and swore
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
And father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth (swirling)
The dead end nursery rhyme
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
And father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Pacific glass, these gifts rend senseless
And knell, repentless
The auger of the cosmic traveler
As God's own straggler
Who's vowed, unopposed
To embody word and shore
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins's song "Haunted" delve into themes of disillusionment, longing, and a search for meaning and purpose. The opening lines, "Along the banks of rivers Zion, sang a fallen and forsworn," paint a picture of a desolate and abandoned place. The reference to Zion, often associated with a promised land or a place of spiritual significance, suggests a loss of hope and a struggle to find meaning. The "chain of human rage" implies a cycle of anger and violence that humans are trapped in, highlighting the destructive nature of humanity.
The lyrics continue with the singer feeling lost and disconnected from both life and death, questioning the purpose of it all. The line "A thorned idyll that's offered no one" points to a disillusionment with the idealized version of life that has failed to bring fulfillment. The absence of belonging and the distance from a father figure, metaphorically represented by being "no closer to your throne," further accentuate the singer's feeling of being adrift and without purpose.
The second verse introduces the concept of the sea conscripting the dead and nursery rhymes, suggesting a merging of the past and present, of life and death. The line "baptized by the breath of pain" implies a transformative experience, where pain becomes a catalyst for growth and understanding. The singer crosses heart's knave, symbolizing a willingness to face emotional challenges, and takes an oath.
Overall, "Haunted" showcases the feelings of disillusionment, longing, and searching for meaning that many individuals experience. It explores the complexities of human existence and the struggle to find purpose in a world that often feels empty and disconnected.
Line by Line Meaning
Along the banks of rivers Zion
In the peaceful surroundings of nature, symbolized by the rivers of Zion
Sang a fallen and forsworn
A lost and betrayed soul lamented
The chain
Of human rage
The continuous cycle of anger and aggression in humanity
And let between an ocean rain
And lambs so led, I stayed
Caught between overwhelming emotions and innocence, I remained trapped
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
Questioning whether this existence is a meaningful journey or just the end
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
A painful illusion of an ideal life that has not been granted to anyone
And I've stood for no one
And father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Feeling insignificant and distant from a higher power and purpose
Swirling forth, the sea conscripted
The chaotic force of the sea taking control
Each, the dead and nursery rhyme
At voice
A trailing drone
Both the deceased and innocent childhood tales fading into a monotonous background noise
And baptized by the breath of pain
I crossed heart's knave and swore
Immersed in the suffering, I made a solemn vow, overcoming inner conflicts
Swirling forth (swirling)
The dead end nursery rhyme
The endless repetition of a futile and hopeless cycle
Pacific glass, these gifts rend senseless
And knell, repentless
The meaningful offerings of life now appear meaningless and there is no remorse
The auger of the cosmic traveler
As God's own straggler
An explorer of the universe, feeling like a lost and forgotten follower of God
Who's vowed, unopposed
To embody word and shore
Having made a determined commitment to represent both the spoken word and the vastness of the ocean
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Andréz Salvas
Along the banks of rivers Zion
Sang a fallen and forsworn
The chain
Of human rage
And let between an ocean rain
And lambs so led, I stayed
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth, the sea conscripted
Each, the dead and nursery rhyme
At voice
A trailing drone
And baptized by the breath of pain
I crossed heart's knave and swore
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth (Swirling)
The dead and nursery rhyme
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Pacific glass, these gifts rend senseless
And knell, repentless
The auger of the cosmic traveler
As god's own straggler
Who's vowed, unopposed
To embody word and shore
George
This whole album has a unique very interesting sound!! So greatfull here and I Just can't wait for more to come in the future. Well done SP!! you guys are just Amazing!!!! Thank u!!
Jay Sharp
am I THE ONLY A-hole who didn't realize this was being released on Thanksgiving?
Andréz Salvas
Along the banks of rivers Zion
Sang a fallen and forsworn
The chain
Of human rage
And let between an ocean rain
And lambs so led, I stayed
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth, the sea conscripted
Each, the dead and nursery rhyme
At voice
A trailing drone
And baptized by the breath of pain
I crossed heart's knave and swore
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Swirling forth (Swirling)
The dead and nursery rhyme
If this be life, our evening's prayer
Or death's denouement
A thorned idyll that's offered no one
And I've stood for no one
Then father, I'm nowhere
I'm no closer to your throne
Pacific glass, these gifts rend senseless
And knell, repentless
The auger of the cosmic traveler
As god's own straggler
Who's vowed, unopposed
To embody word and shore
바둑이
I will always love smashing pumpkins!
caleb
Outstanding album! Love all of you guys. Great work
George Ofori-Atta
Beautiful... sunny days are on their way. Rainbows, blue skies, and golden sunshine. Another heartfelt ballad. Way to go!!!✨✨✨✨🌈🌈🌈🌙🌙✨✨🔆🔆🌅🌅🌅🌤️☀️☀️
Andie
Oooh I love gobbling all this up today! A toast to The Smashing Pumpkins!
Hologramhouse
Hip hip hooray.!!
iAMaVOIDtripper GutterSlush666
🥂
Delivery Driver
Amazing song. On this album SP makes no apology for evolving, and leaving guitars out, and offering a mature and rich work. This is Corgan's most honest songs. Gen X had to grow up, and we did.