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.
Rhinoceros
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trees and balloons
Ice cream snow
See you in June
Could have known
I would reveal
Should have known
She knows, and she knows, she knows, she knows
And she knows, she knows, she knows
How's
She knows, she knows, she knows
She knows, she knows
Colors show
After the moon
I should go
See you in June
Your way
She knows, and she knows, she knows, she knows
And she knows, she knows, she knows
How's
And she knows, she knows, she knows
And she knows, she knows
Open your eyes
To these mustard lies
Open your eyes
To these mustard lies
The way
She knows, and she knows, she knows, she knows
And she knows, she knows, she knows
How's
And she knows, she knows, she knows
And she knows, she knows, she knows
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins’ song Rhinoceros can be seen as a reflection of emotional struggle and confusion. The lines “Planned a show, trees and balloons, ice cream snow, see you in June” suggest a sense of anticipation and excitement, possibly referring to a planned meeting or event. However, the next lines “Could have known, I would reveal, should have known, I would conceal your way” suggest a deeper emotional struggle, with the singer feeling conflicted over what to share or hide from the other person.
The repetition of “She knows, she knows, she knows” could suggest a sense of paranoia or insecurity, and the lines “Open your eyes to these mustard lies” hint at a mistrust or disillusionment with someone close. However, the use of surreal imagery such as “colors show after the moon” and “ice cream snow” create an otherworldly atmosphere and add to the dreamlike quality of the lyrics.
Overall, the song appears to be a complex mix of emotions, with the singer struggling to understand their own feelings and the nuances of their relationship with someone else. The lines are open to interpretation and can leave the listener with a sense of both confusion and intrigue.
Line by Line Meaning
Planned a show
I had a plan to put on a show
Trees and balloons
The show would involve trees and balloons
Ice cream snow
The atmosphere would be cold and sweet like ice cream
See you in June
The show would be in June
Could have known
I should have realized
I would reveal
I would show something true
Should have known
I should have understood
I would conceal your way
I would hide the truth from you
She knows, and she knows, she knows, she knows
The woman in question is aware
And she knows, she knows, she knows
She is fully aware
How's
She knows how things really are
Colors show
Different aspects of the show come to life
After the moon
After the night is over
I should go
I need to leave
See you in June
I will see you again in June
Your way
The way things are for you
Open your eyes
Realize the truth
To these mustard lies
To the lies that are hard to ignore
The way
The way things are
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mikekock927
Man I miss the 90s, so lucky to grow up in that decade. Great music, movies, no internet, no cell phones, great times.
@Strange84
No cell phones, super great times!!!
@alanrickard5107
Was great but we did have dial up internet
@theresag91
Me also. Miss my teen youth.
@tutsybassista
@@alanrickard5107 And dot matrix printers!
@sambrandt3
Well sed
@cakredi4132
Might not be their most popular album
but GISH has a special place in my heart.
@pradeepvenugopal1431
It’s my fave album of theirs to be honest
@samadams6497
Your not the only one
@yrmthr
Everything thru Machina is stellar. Corgan is the best songwriter of his generation.