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.
Not Worth Asking
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Not worth saying, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching, to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out to stop this fall
I'm on my own
Yeah, I'm on my own
Not worth being, I might already be
Not worth sinkin', it's not worth diggin' down
I've been here before, and hate what I've found
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
Not worth saying something, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out, I'll stop this fall
But I like you just the same
You've got to know some how
That I'm the one to blame
We've come so far along
To end this destiny
You've got to know somehow
That it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
Yeah, it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
The lyrics of The Smashing Pumpkins’ song Not Worth Asking reflect the feeling of isolation and loneliness that arises from a desire for connection from others. The singer seems to have been hurt in the past and is reluctant to try again, feeling as though reaching out for connection is not worth the risk of getting hurt once more. He has come to terms with the idea that he is on his own and will have to venture out alone.
The chorus particularly emphasizes this feeling of loneliness as the singer repeats the phrase “I’m on my own” multiple times. The repeating phrase highlights the weight of the solitude that the singer feels he is going to have to endure. Even though he acknowledges that he might have some responsibility for being isolated and wishes for connection, he feels that it is too late and that he has to leave.
The lyrics offer a powerful message about the risks and consequences of shutting oneself down from vulnerability and personal growth. The song suggests that sometimes, we are left with no choice but to accept our realities and face them ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
I don't see the point in trying to figure out my true identity.
Not worth saying, seems I'm free
It's not important for me to express my feelings since I already feel liberated.
Not worth reaching, to anyone at all
I feel like I can handle everything on my own and don't need anyone's help.
Not worth reaching out to stop this fall
Even though I know I'm falling apart, I don't want to seek support from others.
I'm on my own
I prefer to deal with my problems by myself.
Not worth being, I might already be
I'm not sure if I exist or not, and it doesn't matter much to me.
I just want someone to reach for me
Deep down, I desire someone to care for me and extend their support.
Not worth sinkin', it's not worth diggin' down
I don't have the energy or motivation anymore to dive deeper into my thoughts or emotions.
I've been here before, and hate what I've found
Past experiences have left me feeling bitter and discontent, making me reluctant to revisit them.
It's too late, too late
I feel like I've reached a point of no return, and it's too late to change my course now.
I've gotta go so far away
I need to distance myself from my current situation and start afresh.
But I like you just the same
Despite my internal struggles, my feelings for you remain unaffected.
You've got to know some how
I want you to understand the complexity of my situation.
That I'm the one to blame
I realize that I'm accountable for my own mess and faults.
We've come so far along
We've come a long way in our relationship, but it might not be enough to salvage it.
To end this destiny
Our fate or journey together seems to have reached a dead end.
Contributed by Xavier O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
dodo
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
Not worth saying, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching, to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out to stop this fall
I'm on my own
Yeah, I'm on my own
Not worth being, I might already be
I just want someone to reach for me
Not worth sinkin', it's not worth diggin' down
I've been here before, and hate what I've found
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
Not worth saying something, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out, I'll stop this fall
But I like you just the same
You've got to know some how
That I'm the one to blame
We've come so far along
To end this destiny
You've got to know somehow
That it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
Yeah, it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
eightysboy4
If you have come here, you re a SERIOUS Pumpkins fan! Congrats!
David Minor
We know
Daniel Drader
@Jim Davison Wow, 3 bucks to see Smashing Pumkins!
The first time I got to see them was with Chili Peppers and Pearl Jam and they got practically booed off the stage, which pissed me off because I was there to see them almost as much as Chili Peppers. This was before Pearl Jam put out a second album which convinced me that they had only one album in them that I'd find good.
Jim Davison
This is my first experience with them. I bought this 45 when it came out. I bought it just because I liked the cover. I did that a lot back then as did a lot of my friends. This song to me is one of Billy’s best. Then I had tristessa 45 off sub pop singles club. And then saw them live for 3 bucks. All before Gish came out. i was I into Janes Addiction,, punk and Seattle. Billy blew the doors open for a form of rock that before him I couldn’t really envision.
jason berreto
it's time for Smashing Pumpkins to wise up and release all non-album outtakes, b-sides and songs from film soundtracks into 1 complete set for 1989-1998... like Soundgarden did with 'Echo Of Miles"...every fan would shell out serious dough for that
bella .3.
*it was on streaming platforms
bella .3.
They did but it had over 100 songs but then they took it away <\\3
Starwinks back From the sky pitch black
I had this on tape in 1993 ❤️
dodo
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
Not worth saying, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching, to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out to stop this fall
I'm on my own
Yeah, I'm on my own
Not worth being, I might already be
I just want someone to reach for me
Not worth sinkin', it's not worth diggin' down
I've been here before, and hate what I've found
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
It's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
Not worth asking, who I'm supposed to be
Not worth saying something, seems I'm free
Not worth reaching to anyone at all
Not worth reaching out, I'll stop this fall
But I like you just the same
You've got to know some how
That I'm the one to blame
We've come so far along
To end this destiny
You've got to know somehow
That it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away
Yeah, it's too late, too late
I'm on my own, I'm on my own
I've gotta go so far away, so far away
Johanna Kunze
The theme song of the insecure-avoidant attached. So deep. And the voice!!