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.
I Am One
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try to find a messiah in your trinity.
Your city to burn, your city to burn.
Try to look for something in your city to burn, you'll burn.
Am I as I seem?
I'm down, down, so down.
Time is right for a guiding light.
Your city to burn, your city to burn.
Try to look for something in your city to burn, you'll burn.
See you, don't you just want to.
See you, I am one.
See you, don't you just want to.
See you.
See you, don't you just want to.
See you, I am one.
See you, don't you just want to.
See you, I am one.
The lyrics to "I Am One" by The Smashing Pumpkins express a sense of self-doubt and loneliness, as the singer questions their own identity and place in the world. The line "I am one as you are three" suggests a feeling of isolation and alienation from others, as the singer compares themselves to a trinity of people who are united and whole. They then go on to explore the idea of looking for a savior or solution to their problems, but ultimately find that their own city, or internal world, is the only thing they can truly control.
The repeated phrase "your city to burn" may be interpreted as a metaphor for destroying one's own negative thoughts and emotions, or for taking ownership of one's problems and finding a way to overcome them. The final lines of the song, "See you, I am one", suggest a longing for connection with others, but also a sense of acceptance and self-assurance in one's own individuality.
Overall, "I Am One" is a powerful exploration of personal identity, loneliness, and self-discovery, set to the driving rock sound that the Smashing Pumpkins were known for.
Line by Line Meaning
I am one as you are three.
I am an individual, while you are part of a group or entity.
Try to find a messiah in your trinity.
You are searching for a savior or leader within your group of three.
Your city to burn, your city to burn.
You have a desire to see destruction and chaos in your environment.
Try to look for something in your city to burn, you'll burn.
Your desire for destruction will ultimately lead to your own downfall.
Am I as I seem?
I am questioning whether my outward appearance accurately reflects my inner self.
I'm down, down, so down.
I am feeling deeply depressed or defeated.
Time is right for a guiding light.
It is the perfect moment for someone or something to provide guidance.
Try to turn to reasons in your bitter life.
You should search for explanations or justifications for the bitterness you feel in your life.
See you, don't you just want to.
I see and acknowledge your presence and wonder if you feel the same way about me.
See you, I am one.
Although I see you and recognize your existence, I am still an individual.
See you, don't you just want to.
I am repeating my observation of your presence and wondering if you feel a similar desire for connection.
See you, I am one.
Even though we may connect or interact, I still remain an individual separate from you.
Contributed by Sydney G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@BeSimpleTV
Lyrics :
I am one as you are three
Try to find messiah in your trinity
Your city to burn
Your city to burn
Try to look for something
In your city to burn, you'll burn
Am I as I seem?
I'm down
Down, so down
Time is right for a guiding light
Try to turn to reasons in your bitter life
Your city to burn
Your city to burn
Try to look for something
In your city to burn, you'll burn
See you, don't you just want to
See you, I am one
See you, don't you just want to
See you
See you, don't you just want to
See you, I am one
See you, don't you just want to
See you, I am one
@baronvonorlock7039
Billy Corgan is one of the nicest guys in Rock n Roll. During the Gish tour in '91 they were playing a gig at the I-beam club in San Franciso. Me and my band at the time really wanted to go but were all broke and couldnt afford tickets. It just so happned that Billy Corgan went into the store my drummer worked at and bought a pair of Doc Martins off of him. When Billy found out we were a broke struggling band and all wanted to go to the show he put my entire band on his personal guest list. It was a kick ass show! Thanks again Billy! Pure class.
@offsrx
Wow! What an honor, and what a phenomenal event! Lucky you! :)
@RamesesBolton
Baron Von Orlock Then he fucked Kurt Cobains wife. naughty Billy.
@ThomasPrattEsq
lol I've actually been given the bird by him. Spotted him at Walt Disney World and snapped a few photos. Last one, he was looking right at me, giving me the finger. Later found out it was his birthday that day! I'll never forget it. I don't think he was being mean at all, because he never even made a face, just gave me the finger.
@brinshut2140
in all fairness you were taking pictures of him
@uzumaki6759
You're like paparazzi or focurse he would giving finger to you
@bryanhargrove5452
What I love about Billy's solos is that he sounds like he is squeezing the life out of his guitar with his emotions.
@manco828
The guy is a genius and utterly driven to perfection. Alas, not the rest of his band mates.
@porcelinaofthevastoceans3903
I love this❤
@danb1572
Ever heard of Jimmy Chamberlain and James Iha?@@manco828