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.
The Boy
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
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To build a bonfire to break my fall
My baby, my sweet thing
Just maybe we could lose ourselves this time
King of the horseflies, dark prince of death
His tragic forces are heaven sent
In sweet things, in a lover's breath
In knowing this was meant to be the last
A suck suck suck kiss, a suck suck suck smile
As always in young need
A veiled promise to never die
On dead highways, her black beauties roam
For June angels, so far from home
For a love lost, a faded picture
To tread lightning, to ink the lavender skies
So get on, get on, get on the bomb
Get back, get back where you belong
Get on, get on, get on the bomb
Get back, get back where you belong
Get on, get on, get on the bomb
Get back, get back where you belong
Get on
The bomb
The lyrics to "Where Boys Fear to Tread" by The Smashing Pumpkins are haunting and enigmatic. The song is filled with vivid and surreal imagery that seems to depict a feeling of loss, desperation, and longing. The opening lines of the song, "Candy cane walks down/To build a bonfire to break my fall," set the tone for the rest of the lyrics. The singer seems to be seeking comfort and protection from something (possibly love or a person), but they are still fearful of falling or failing.
The song then progresses to reference a "dark prince of death" and "King of the horseflies." These lines could be interpreted to discuss the uncertainty of life and the inevitability of death. The next few lines describe the hope for love and the belief that it is meant to be, but with the realization that everything eventually comes to an end.
The chorus of "get on, get on, get on the bomb/ get back, get back where you belong" creates an urgency and a sense of restlessness. It could represent the desire to escape from things that are holding one back or causing pain. The repeated phrase "get on the bomb" could also signify the singer taking control of their life and their destiny.
Overall, "Where Boys Fear to Tread" is a song open to interpretation. Its cryptic lyrics, coupled with the driving beat and guitar riffs, contribute to a sense of unease and tension.
Line by Line Meaning
Candy cane walks down
Someone walks down with innocence and sweetness just like a candy cane.
To build a bonfire to break my fall
They are preparing for a crisis that is going to happen, and they are trying to build a safeguard so that the impact won’t be too bad.
My baby, my sweet thing
Addressing someone they love and cherish deeply.
Just maybe we could lose ourselves this time
They want to become lost in the moment and forget about everything else for once.
King of the horseflies, dark prince of death
A dark and foreboding figure who rules over death and decay.
His tragic forces are heaven sent
The destruction and sadness that he brings are predestined and come from a higher power.
In sweet things, in a lover's breath
Even good and sweet things can be tainted by the passage of time and lost love.
In knowing this was meant to be the last
They have accepted that this is the end and are ready to move on.
A go go go kids, a go go go style
Emphasizing the urgency and speed of what they are doing.
A suck suck suck kiss, a suck suck suck smile
Being involved in something that is draining and not uplifting.
As always in young need
This cycle of neediness is often experienced when young and inexperienced.
A veiled promise to never die
There is an unspoken promise to keep the memory of something alive forever.
On dead highways, her black beauties roam
In a barren and depressing place, there is still beauty that can be found.
For June angels, so far from home
They are thinking about those who may have passed on and are no longer with them.
For a love lost, a faded picture
They are grieving something that has been lost and will never be regained.
To tread lightening, to ink the lavender skies
To leave a permanent mark on the world, to make their presence known and remembered.
So get on, get on, get on the bomb
Get ready to explode and make a big, dramatic impact on the world.
Get back, get back where you belong
Reasserting that everyone has their place in this world.
Get on, get on, get on the bomb
Continuing to stress the importance of leaving a lasting impression.
Get back, get back where you belong
Reemphasizing that everyone has their place in the world.
Get on, get on, get on the bomb
The final push to make an impact and be remembered.
Get on
Final exhortation to take action and live life to the fullest.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind