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.
Mouths Of Babes
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
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True superstars
We're so real from afar and now
Now you're with us now
And the mouths of babes sing revolution
And the mouths of babes scream disillusion
You can't break what's already broken
'Cause from the mouths of babes comes nothing
For saving what you can't
And now they're me but I'm not them
I am you and you are me
It's in the ways I walk through fire
It's in the ways of my desire
And when I said that you're no good
What I meant was I wish you could
Be there forever
Be young forever
I wish you were there
So now I bid farewell
Beyond the bounds of hell
And now you'll swear you knew us well
Well you can never tell
And the mouths of babes sing revolution
And the mouths of babes scream disillusion
You can't break what's already broken
'Cause from the mouths of babes comes nothing
The Smashing Pumpkins’ song "Mouths of Babes" is believed to be about the disillusionment of youth through the lens of the music industry. The lyrics suggest that despite the promise of fame and fortune, the reality is often a cruel lie. The opening lines of the song, "So here we are, true superstars, we're so real from afar," emphasizes the facade that artists can project - they seem larger than life but are in fact just humans. The chorus, "And the mouths of babes sing revolution, and the mouths of babes scream disillusion, you can't break what's already broken," implies that the youth (the "babes") are the ones calling for change, but also may become disillusioned by the harsh reality of the industry they idolize. The bridge of the song, "It's in the ways I walk through fire, it's in the ways of my desire," suggest determination and a strong will, but ultimately cannot bring back lost innocence.
The lyrics were written by Billy Corgan and the music was co-written by Corgan and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The song was released on the album "Machina II/The Friends & Enemies of Modern Music", which was originally intended as the final album for The Smashing Pumpkins before their split in 2000, but was later leaked online.
Line by Line Meaning
So here we are
We have arrived at this moment in time.
True superstars
We are seen as great and successful.
We're so real from afar and now
Even from a distance, we appear authentic.
Now you're with us now
You have joined us in this journey.
And the mouths of babes sing revolution
Even the young and innocent are calling for change.
And the mouths of babes scream disillusion
The young and innocent are feeling let down and disappointed.
You can't break what's already broken
There is no further damage that can be done.
'Cause from the mouths of babes comes nothing
The young and innocent have nothing to lose by speaking out.
The "dream" was a sham
The idea of an idealistic future was a lie.
For saving what you can't
Attempting to preserve the unattainable is futile.
And now they're me but I'm not them
I have changed and grown, while they have stayed the same.
I am you and you are me
We are interconnected and share similarities.
It's in the ways I walk through fire
The way I handle challenges and adversity defines me.
It's in the ways of my desire
My goals and ambitions are an essential part of who I am.
And when I said that you're no good
My criticism was aimed at your actions or choices, not you as a person.
What I meant was I wish you could
I hope for your growth and improvement.
Be there forever
I want you to be present and supportive for me always.
Be young forever
I wish for the carefree and hopeful energy of youth.
I wish you were there
I desire your support and companionship.
So now I bid farewell
I am saying goodbye now.
Beyond the bounds of hell
Past the point of great suffering.
And now you'll swear you knew us well
You will believe you had a deep understanding of us.
Well you can never tell
But the truth is beyond your perception.
And the mouths of babes sing revolution
Even the young and innocent are driven to push for large-scale change.
And the mouths of babes scream disillusion
The young and innocent are disheartened and distrustful of their elders.
You can't break what's already broken
It is not possible to further harm something that is damaged beyond repair.
'Cause from the mouths of babes comes nothing
Young people have nothing to lose by speaking out, and can therefore lead the charge for change.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind