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 Last Song
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is the last song I'll sing for you
This is the last song
This is the last song I can give you
The roaring city sleeps
Metal fingers clutching dirty sheets
And no one comes for free
In this place where the angels sleep
My eyes are open
My eyes are open wonder to this
As you hold the secrets
I count the minutes off so perfectly
The shards of broken glass
Sing the strains of a sad old tune
We've made it at last
But what we had is lost inside our past
This is the last song
Could you find away across me
To forgive and forget me
To appease and relent me
To deceive and detect me
To understand and release me
To the dawn
This is the last song
"The Last Song" by The Smashing Pumpkins is a melancholic and reflective piece that sets the ambience for letting go of a relationship. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that this song will be the last one they'll sing for their partner. The singer accepts that the relationship is ending and that both of them need to move on. The city sleeps quietly, and the singer finds themselves alone, and the only remnants of their past are shattered glass and a lost love. The song is primarily about saying goodbye and surrendering to the fact that some things are over, and there is no going back.
The second part of the song features the singer addressing their former lover, asking for forgiveness and understanding. The question remains unanswered, and there is a sense of resignation on the part of the singer. They know that they must say goodbye and let go completely to move forward. The singer acknowledges that a new dawn is on the horizon and that they need to let the past go to experience the new.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the last song
Acknowledging that this is the final musical offering.
This is the last song I'll sing for you
Stating that this will be the final time I perform a song for you.
This is the last song
Reiterating that this is the end of the road for musical contributions.
This is the last song I can give you
Admitting that this is the final creative output that I have to offer.
The roaring city sleeps
Describing the city as loud and chaotic, which is now silent and still.
Metal fingers clutching dirty sheets
Visual imagery of someone grasping at bed sheets with rough, metallic hands.
And no one comes for free
Acknowledging that there is always a cost or consequence to actions.
In this place where the angels sleep
Referring to a metaphorical location where purity and innocence reside.
This is the last song
Reiterating the finality of this musical offering.
My eyes are open
Stating that the artist is alert and aware.
My eyes are open wonder to this
Describing the singer's amazement and excitement at the present situation.
As you hold the secrets
Referring to someone who possesses knowledge or information.
I count the minutes off so perfectly
Describing the singer's precision when tracking time and anticipating events.
The shards of broken glass
Referring to sharp fragments of shattered glass.
Sing the strains of a sad old tune
Comparing the sound of broken glass to a melancholy melody.
We've made it at last
Celebrating the fact that the artist has achieved something despite hardships.
But what we had is lost inside our past
Lamenting over the fact that something valuable has been left behind or forgotten.
This is the last song
Reiterating the end of musical contributions.
Could you find away across me
Requesting that someone find a way to bridge a gap or overcome an obstacle.
To forgive and forget me
Asking for someone to let go of past offenses and move on.
To appease and relent me
Suggesting that someone seek to pacify or calm the artist.
To deceive and detect me
Alluding to the idea that others have been dishonest with the artist and are now trying to figure out their true intentions.
To understand and release me
Requesting that others try to grasp the singer's perspective and let them go.
To the dawn
Referring to the end of a dark period and the start of something new.
This is the last song
Finalizing the end of musical contributions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind