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.
Smiley
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Smiley, it's such a sin to say
You'll dream your life away
No one met him, couldn't make it on a bended knee
All his friends were simple prophets only if he please
And he'll wait on his knee
Smiley, where have you been?
You'll dream your life away
Your love won't change
Come back to stay
Smiley Smiley Smiley Smiley
Smiley Smiley Smiley Smiley
And you- if I'm smilin'
Then I'm tryin'
'Cause I'm smilin'
In the song Smiley, The Smashing Pumpkins are addressing someone called Smiley, asking where he has been. The song goes on to say that it's a sin to dream your life away and that Smiley's friends were only prophets as long as he pleased them. Smiley is someone who is not willing to make compromises, who is waiting patiently for something to happen, and who is not willing to change. The chorus repeats the name Smiley eight times, almost as if trying to get his attention. The lines "Your love won't change, come back to stay" suggest that there is someone missing Smiley's love and waiting for him to return.
The song Smiley can be interpreted in many different ways. Some see it as a commentary on the dangers of complacency and apathy, while others interpret it as a plea for someone to return to the person they used to be. The use of the word "dream" throughout the song suggests a lack of action and a desire to escape from reality. The line "couldn't make it on a bended knee" suggests that Smiley is unwilling to compromise or seek help from others, preferring to wait until his patience is rewarded.
Line by Line Meaning
Smiley, where have you been?
The singer is questioning the whereabouts of a person known as Smiley.
Smiley, it's such a sin to say
The singer believes that it is regrettable to have to express that it's a sin for Smiley to dream his life away.
You'll dream your life away
The singer believes Smiley is wasting his life by dreaming instead of taking action.
No one met him, couldn't make it on a bended knee
Smiley failed to impress anyone and wasn't successful despite being submissive and trying to please others.
All his friends were simple prophets only if he please
Smiley's friends are only willing to help him if it benefits them, indicating that their loyalty is conditional.
And he'll wait on his knee
Even though Smiley knows his friends are fake and uncommitted, he continues to wait for their approval and validation.
Your love won't change
Smiley realizes that he can't rely on anyone else's love or support, so he must find it within himself.
Come back to stay
The artist is requesting that Smiley return and commit to a more proactive lifestyle.
And you- if I'm smilin'
The artist is addressing Smiley, indicating that Smiley has some control over the artist's emotional state.
Then I'm tryin'
The artist is making an effort to present a positive outlook despite the circumstances.
'Cause I'm smilin'
The singer is emphasizing that their present smile is a result of their conscious effort to maintain a positive outlook.
Lyrics © O/B/O CAPASSO
Written by: MAC DAVIS, MARK JAMES
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
John Barela
I paid a lot of money for this song. Totally worth it.
Kevin Leal
used to listen to this in the backyard of my parents house late at night, smoking weed behind the tool shed
goldpiece
Mine was daydream!
Patrick Crain
Dude me and my friend used to hit up the dirt roads and jam gish and toke up. Such great memories.
Kev Online
@D- Fens Their whole repertoire was my smoke song.
Albert Davies
Mine was 'Thru the eyes of Ruby'
D- Fens
my sp smoke song was always "apathy's last kiss" (demo version)
Ryan Walsh
nice upload. A very rare SP track!
Jorge Luis Muñoz Carrasco
A beautiful song!
ATS Co.
Great song. Gets better with time.