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.
Starla
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Please take me home
Starla dear
I'm all alone
When you can't decide what's on your mind
It's clear I'm here, Starla dear
Starla dear, you're on my mind
Soon, soon I'll be leaving
Soon, soon I'll be leaving
I hear all you're saying
I hear all you're failing
I'm in here
Please take me home
Starla dear
I'm all alone
Serve yourself No one else can do for you like you
And no one else fails like me
In my eyes I burn alive
Fly like a bird
No more words just you and I
High in the sky
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins' song "Starla" are quite open to interpretation, but it seems to be about a person who feels lost and alone, begging for someone to take them home. The name "Starla" could represent a guiding North Star or even a person who the singer is reaching out to for help. The lyrics suggest that the singer is looking for clarity and guidance, but is struggling to find it. It almost seems like the person is so lost in their own thoughts that they are unable to make sense of what's going on around them.
The last lines of the song, "Serve yourself no one else can do for you like you and no one else fails like me. In my eyes, I burn alive. Fly like a bird, no more words just you and I. High in the sky," suggest a sense of liberation or freedom from the struggles the singer has been experiencing. The lyrics seem to suggest that the singer has come to a realization that they need to rely on themselves, but there's still a sense of loneliness and isolation that comes with that.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in here
I'm feeling lost and unsure of what to do or say.
Please take me home
I need someone to help me find my way and guide me through these tough times.
Starla dear
You're someone I trust and feel close to, and I know you'll understand me.
I'm all alone
Despite having people around me, I'm still struggling to connect and feel a sense of belonging.
When you can't decide what's on your mind
Sometimes our thoughts and feelings can be overwhelming or conflicting, making it hard to know what we truly want or need.
It's clear I'm here, Starla dear
Even when everything else is confusing or uncertain, I want you to know that I'm still here and willing to face whatever challenges come our way.
To disappear takes so much time
It's not easy to overcome our problems or find a sense of peace and comfort when we're feeling lost and alone.
Starla dear, you're on my mind
You're always present in my thoughts and the memories we share together help me stay grounded and connected to something real.
Soon, soon I'll be leaving
Sometimes the only way to move on from something painful or difficult is to leave it behind and start fresh somewhere new.
I hear all you're saying
I'm trying to listen and understand what you're trying to tell me, even if it's hard to hear or accept.
I hear all you're failing
I know that you're not perfect and may make mistakes, but I still care about you and want to support you.
Serve yourself No one else can do for you like you
It's important to take care of ourselves and prioritize our own needs, as no one else can know exactly what we want or need.
And no one else fails like me
Even though we're all human and make mistakes, I often feel like I'm the only one struggling or falling short of my goals.
In my eyes I burn alive
My emotions are intense and overwhelming, and sometimes it feels like they're consuming me from the inside out.
Fly like a bird
I want to feel free and unencumbered, to escape from the pressures and obligations of everyday life.
No more words just you and I
Sometimes it's better to just be present with someone and enjoy their company, rather than talking or analyzing everything.
High in the sky
I want to feel untethered and weightless, to reach new heights and experience something beyond my current reality.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind