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.
Never Let Me Down Again
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
He knows where he's taking me
Taking me where I want to be
I'm taking a ride
With my best friend
We're flying high
Never want to come down
Never want to put my feet back down
On the ground
I'm taking a ride
With my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
Promises me I'm as safe as houses
As long as I remember who's wearing the trousers
I hope he never lets me down again
Never let me down
See the stars they're shining bright
Everything's alright tonight
The Smashing Pumpkins’ rendition of Depeche Mode’s Never Let Me Down Again is a song about trust and adventure. The opening verse sets the scene for the adventure as the singer takes a ride with their best friend, hoping they never let them down again. The second verse solidifies the idea that the best friend is taking the singer somewhere they want to be and they are flying high, watching the world pass them by. The chorus tells of the singer’s desire to never come down, expressing a sense of freedom and exaltation.
The bridge of the song makes the meaning of the lyrics more personal, as the singer talks about their best friend promising they are as safe as houses, as long as the singer remembers who’s wearing the trousers. This lyric could be interpreted as a reminder to trust the best friend but also a reminder that the best friend is in control. The final chorus reassures the listener that everything is alright tonight.
The song's upbeat tune defies the melancholy undertones of the lyrics. While Depeche Mode's original version is darker in tone, The Smashing Pumpkins' interpretation exudes a sense of euphoria and liberation. Overall, the song is an ode to the trust we put in our closest companions and the experiences that follow when we do.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm taking a ride
I am going on a journey
With my best friend
I am accompanied by a close ally
I hope he never lets me down again
I desire that my companion does not betray or disappoint me like in the past
He knows where he's taking me
He has knowledge of where our destination is
Taking me where I want to be
He is guiding me to where I desire
We're flying high
We are traveling at an elevated altitude
We're watching the world pass us by
We are observing the earth from a distance
Never want to come down
I do not want to descend from this elevated position
Never want to put my feet back down
I do not want to return to the ordinary life on the ground
On the ground
Refers to the normal life or reality
Promises me I'm as safe as houses
Assures that I am completely safe and secure
As long as I remember who's wearing the trousers
As long as I remember who is in charge
Never let me down
Do not disappoint me
See the stars they're shining bright
Observing the stars which are bright and beautiful
Everything's alright tonight
Everything is fine and satisfactory currently
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Martin Gore
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Khalid Mestakung
I'm taking a ride with my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
He knows where he's taking me
Taking me where I wanna be
I'm taking a ride with my best friend
We're flying high
Watching the world pass us by
Never want to come down
Never want to put my feet back down on the ground
I'm taking a ride with my best friend
I hope he never lets me down again
He promised me I'm safe in his houses
As long as I remember who's wearing the trousers
I hope he never lets me down again
We're flying high
Watching the world pass us by
We're flying high
Watching the world pass us by
Never want to come down, never want to come down
Never want to come down
Never want to put my feet back down on the ground
See the stars, they're shining bright
Everything's all right tonight
See the stars, they're shining bright
Everything's all right tonight
John fire
It was D'Arcy's idea to have the band record this. Thank you D'Arcy 💝
Deus Irae
Shr coulda done such nice backing vocals to this ... :)
jbauer140
and all the more reason to get her back!!!!!
DaytonaBLN
Thank you for everyone who was involved in this cover
tobietera
×CRINGE× 😕
kaitlyn pryor
Isn’t she the one who sings at the end of spaceboy?
Tubenesser
One of the best cover versions I heard. With it's beautiful guitar arrangement it has it's own style, can stand for itself.
roslyn taber
Tubenesser I'm totally with you!
Denise Ferk
I'm a hardcore Depeche mode fan, but this kicks ass!!!
Hollsound
Mint cover! I adore the sound, the vibe and the voice!