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 Joker
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
Cause I speak of the pompitous of love
People talk about me, baby
Say I'm doing you wrong, doing you wrong
Don't worry, don't you worry mama
Cause I'm right here, right here, right here
I'm a picker i'm a grinner
I'm a lover and I'm a sinner
Play my music in the sun i'm a joker
I'm a smoker i'm a midnight toker
Sure don't wanna hurt no one woo Woo
You're the cutest girl I think I ever did see
Really love your peaches
Want to shake your tree
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey
Lovey dovey all the time
O-o-o-o baby, I'll fuck you a good time
I'm a picker i'm a grinner
I'm a lover and I'm a sinner
Play my music in the sun i'm a joker
I'm a smoker i'm a midnight toker
Sure don't wanna hurt no one
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins' song "The Joker" are actually a cover of the original song by Steve Miller Band. The song is essentially about the singer describing himself in various ways, using different personas and nicknames. He is referred to as a space cowboy, a gangster of love, and Maurice, who speaks of the "pompitous of love." These names and descriptions emphasize that the singer is a free-spirited individual, unbound by societal conventions and expectations.
The chorus of the song highlights the carefree nature of the singer, as he proclaims himself to be a picker, grinner, lover, sinner, joker, smoker, and midnight toker. These labels further emphasize his nonchalant attitude towards life, as if he is unbothered by the judgments and opinions of others. He assures someone – possibly a lover or a mother figure – not to worry about him, as he is just at home, being himself.
In the last verse, the singer compliments a girl, expressing his attraction to her. He loves her peaches and wants to "shake her tree," implying his desire for a physical relationship. The lyrics become more explicit and provocative, suggesting a passionate encounter with the line, "O-o-o-o baby, I'll fuck you a good time." This line highlights the singer's candid and bold approach to love and relationships.
Overall, the song celebrates an unconventional and carefree way of living, encouraging listeners to embrace their authentic selves and disregard societal expectations.
Line by Line Meaning
Some people call me space cowboy, yea
Certain individuals refer to me as a free-spirited wanderer, yes
Some call me the gangster of love
Others characterize me as a master of romantic pursuits
Some people call me Maurice
Some individuals address me by the name Maurice
Cause I speak of the pompitous of love
Because I articulate the grand and mystical nature of love
People talk about me, baby
The public engages in discussions about me, my dear
Say I'm doing you wrong, doing you wrong
Claiming that I am mistreating you, mistreating you
Don't worry, don't you worry mama
Do not fret, do not fret, dear mother
Cause I'm right here, right here, right here
Because I am present, right here, right here, right here
Right here at home
Precisely where I belong, within the confines of home
I'm a picker i'm a grinner
I possess the ability to select and choose, I am a cheerful person
I'm a lover and I'm a sinner
I experience both love and wrongdoing
Play my music in the sun i'm a joker
Performing my music under the sun, I am a playful entertainer
I'm a smoker i'm a midnight toker
I indulge in smoking at night, engaging in vices
Sure don't wanna hurt no one woo Woo
Certainly, I do not desire to harm anyone, woo woo
You're the cutest girl I think I ever did see
You are the most adorable girl I believe I have ever encountered
Really love your peaches
I am truly enamored by your appealing qualities
Want to shake your tree
I yearn to arouse excitement and adventure within your life
Lovey dovey, lovey dovey
Affectionate and tender, affectionate and tender
Lovey dovey all the time
Expressing love and tenderness constantly
O-o-o-o baby, I'll fuck you a good time
Oh, my dear, I will provide you with a pleasurable experience
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ItsMeAgain John
Glad to see one of my favorite bands play one of my most nostalgic songs!
TRASHY EDITS
[Verse 1]
Some people call me space cowboy, yea
Some call me the gangster of love
Some people call me Maurice
Cause I speak of the pompitous of love
People talk about me, baby
Say I'm doing you wrong, doing you wrong
Don't worry, don't you worry mama
Cause I'm right here, right here, right here, right here at home
[Chorus]
I'm a picker
I'm a grinner
I'm a lover
And I'm a sinner
Play my music in the sun
I'm a joker
I'm a smoker
I'm a midnight toker
Sure don't wanna hurt no one
Woo Woo
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 2]
You're the cutest girl I think I ever did see
Really love your peaches
Want to shake your tree
Lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey, lovey-dovey all the time
Oooo baby, I'll fuck you a good time
[Chorus]
I'm a picker
I'm a grinner
I'm a lover
And I'm a sinner
Play my music in the sun
I'm a joker
I'm a smoker
I'm a midnight toker
Sure don't wanna hurt no one
Pumpkin Creep
Dude this is awesome! I love the Smashing Pumpkins and although I like the original they totally made this song way better!
Jj Kingz
RIP Sam Carson
Hopefully his spirit lays me a visit at night
RIP
Walking Bombs
begrudgingly love.
Arry Sarantidis
Fatboy slim does this some justice
The SickNeeds
Someone tried too hard to "clean up" this recording and essentially overdid it and made it sound like total crap. Its meant as nothing more then a cheesy sloppy live cover.