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.
Sad Peter Pan
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To discover that magnificent ghost
When did I get perverted
And my innocent eyes diverted from the view so grand
Imbued with distractions
I'm greedy like Senior Babbitt
I'm just chasing that electric rabbit
I'm a reluctant rebel
With a crown on my head
And my denim shirt all dark with sweat
I'm just pushing the paint around
On advice from your lying mouth
You touched me and then you ran
And left a sad Peter Pan
All alone and awkward
But a transformation, I swear it will occur
The Smashing Pumpkins’ song “Sad Peter Pan” is a contemplation on the loss of innocence and the perceived need to grow up. The lyrics are introspective, questioning the decision to move away from a childlike innocence in pursuit of a “ghost” or elusive ideal. The singer admits to being “perverted” and “greedy,” succumbing to distractions that have caused a deviation from the innocence of youth.
The song then shifts into a longing to be “Aaron Neville,” a successful musician who appears to have everything together. The singer wants to be the one with the “crown on my head” and the “denim shirt all dark with sweat,” again pointing to a desire for material success and recognition. However, this desire is tempered with the admission that they are “just pushing the paint around” and following the advice of others, indicating a lack of self-direction in the face of societal expectations.
The song ends with a recognition of the loneliness and isolation that can come with growing up too quickly, leaving the singer feeling like “a sad Peter Pan.” However, there is a belief that a transformation will occur, indicating a potential for hope and growth despite the difficulties faced.
Line by Line Meaning
It's the plan of most
It's a common goal for most people
To discover that magnificent ghost
To seek out something mystical and awe-inspiring
When did I get perverted
When did I become corrupted or twisted
And my innocent eyes diverted from the view so grand
And I lost sight of the amazing things around me due to distractions
Imbued with distractions
Completely consumed by various distractions
I'm greedy like Senior Babbitt
I'm excessively selfish and focused on material gain
I'm just chasing that electric rabbit
I'm obsessed with chasing after something elusive and ultimately unsatisfying
I'm a reluctant rebel
I resist authority or conformity, but not with enthusiasm or conviction
I just want to be Aaron Neville
I strive to emulate the talent and success of musician Aaron Neville
With a crown on my head
In a position of power and recognition
And my denim shirt all dark with sweat
Working hard and putting forth effort
I'm just pushing the paint around
I'm going through the motions without any clear direction or purpose
On advice from your lying mouth
Following guidance or instructions given by someone who cannot be trusted
You touched me and then you ran
You had an impact on me, but then quickly disappeared
And left a sad Peter Pan
Leaving me feeling lost and alone, like the character of Peter Pan who never wants to grow up
All alone and awkward
Feeling uncomfortable and unsure in my current situation
But a transformation, I swear it will occur
Believing that a change or improvement will happen in the future
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VIC CHESNUTT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jackwhitefanatic
i have yet to find a voice more unique than Billy Corgan's
ednocondriaco
es una canción llena de sentimientos, magnífica rola.
Otoniel Calderon
I remember seeing a boy wearing a shirt that read "Sad Peter Pan" at the Tower Records meet & greet with the Smashing Pumpkins. I fell in love with him but he never knew of my love.
Alex Gish
one of my favorite songs of all time. rip vic
angelizer999
Magnificent ;( time will tear us from this world, slowly we rot.
Julia Nemerow
Lovely. Corgan is the soundtrack to my life. Period.
mzet01
Great Cover of a great Vic Chesnut Song! Love it.
Kalex1138
Okay, I just found my new favorite Pumpkins song...
djaliplume
I forgot about this one. Then I remembered it. And voila it's on youtube. Schweet!
AeonNovro
I thought when I originally heard this song... well Billy's dad was a Jazz musician and I thought this was him doing a song with him. I lost the mp3 and couldn't find it and just thought to look it up on the net. Love this song and the pumpkins are the best. ...too bad the story wasn't true.