"Today" was released in September 1993 as the second single from the band's second album and major label debut, Siamese Dream. Although Corgan opted for "Cherub Rock", the lead single from the album, to be the opening track, "Today" and its follow-up "Disarm" are credited in AllMusic for popularizing the band and "sending (Siamese Dream) into the stratosphere". "Today" has been generally well received by critics; a Blender article described it as having "achieved a remarkable status as one of the defining songs of its generation, perfectly mirroring the fractured alienation of American youth in the 1990s".
Underneath the melody and seemingly carefree lyrics is a darker tale of Corgan's struggle with depression during the recording of 'Siamese Dream'. As he told Rolling Stone in October, 1993, "I didn't want to go outside. I was eating like a pig and I was gaining weight. I couldn't write songs. I definitely couldn't play with the band without losing my temper. I just lost whatever it is that keeps you sane everyday... I was really suicidal... I just thought it was funny to write a song that said today is the greatest day of your life because it can't get any worse."
Today
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
I wanted more
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you
Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known
The Smashing Pumpkins song "Today" is a rather complex and thought-provoking piece of music that has a lot of different layers and interpretations to it. At its core, it is a song about living for the moment and not worrying about what tomorrow will bring. It is an anthem to living life to the fullest and enjoying every moment, as if it were the last. The opening line, "Today is the greatest day I've ever known," sets the tone for the entire song, letting the listener know that the singer is in a great mood and is enjoying life to the fullest.
The following line, "Can't live for tomorrow, tomorrow's much too long," shows that the singer is trying to live only in the present and not worry about the future. This is further emphasized in the next line, "I'll burn my eyes out before I get out," which seems to suggest that the singer will use every last bit of energy he has to enjoy this moment, even if it means sacrificing his own health. The next verse, "I wanted more than life could ever grant me, bored by the chore of saving face," speaks to a deeper issue that the singer is dealing with. It seems that he has always had high expectations for life, but has become frustrated with the daily routine of trying to maintain appearances and live up to societal expectations.
The chorus reiterates the idea that today is the greatest day ever, and the singer wants to enjoy it to the fullest. The final verse, "My angel wings were bruised and restrained, my belly stings," seems to evoke a feeling of being trapped or held back, which again ties into the theme of living life to the fullest and not allowing anything to hold you back. Overall, "Today" is a song about the desire to live life to the fullest, to cherish every moment and not worry about what the future may bring.
Line by Line Meaning
Today is the greatest
I am experiencing something incredible right now
Day I've ever known
This is the most amazing and important day of my life
Can't live for tomorrow
I am so preoccupied with and consumed by this moment that I cannot think of anything else
Tomorrow's much too long
The thought of what the future holds is overwhelming, and I feel like it's too far away to even consider
I'll burn my eyes out
I would do anything to keep this moment and this feeling forever, even if it means destroying a part of myself
Before I get out
I won't let anything take this away from me, not even my own body
I wanted more
I had high expectations for my life
Than life could ever grant me
But reality fell short of those expectations
Bored by the chore
I am disillusioned by the routine and monotony of everyday life
Of saving face
Trying to maintain a certain image or reputation is tiresome and unfulfilling
Can't wait for tomorrow
I'm excited about what could be in store for me in the future
I might not have that long
But I'm also aware that life is uncertain and I may not have as much time as I think
I'll tear my heart out
I won't allow anything to hold me back or dampen my enthusiasm
Pink ribbon scars
I have physical reminders of past traumas and struggles
That never forget
These experiences will always be a part of me and have shaped who I am
I tried so hard
I have put in a lot of effort to move past those difficult times
To cleanse these regrets
I want to eliminate any lingering feelings of guilt, sadness, or disappointment from those experiences
My angel wings
I see myself as someone who is capable of greatness and kindness
Were bruised and restrained
But my past experiences have damaged my confidence and potential
My belly stings
I feel intense emotions from these memories
I want to turn you on
I want to share this feeling of elation with others
I want to turn you
I want you to feel what I'm feeling
Today is the greatest day
This moment and its intensity make today the best day of my life so far
That I have ever really known
And I am grateful to be experiencing it right now
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Clairity Rose Calvillo
Today is the greatest
Day I've ever known
Can't live for tomorrow,
Tomorrow's much too long
I'll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
I wanted more
Than life could ever grant me
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
Today is the greatest
Day I've never known
Can't wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I'll tear my heart out
Before I get out
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you
Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known
Devin Frost
I don't know what traumas and challenges you've experienced, and I want to offer some enlightening advice, but I genuinely don't feel like I'm in the position to offer anything. I would argue to change your perspective, but that only works for me because I'm not suffering too hard right now (college kid, living at home with folks).
That's not to say I haven't been severely depressed before, but luckily a change in schools helped a lot. Unfortunately, it's not usually that easy to get out of the rut. I was scared to make change because of the uncertainty, but realized that I didn't really have many friends to begin with, so what's the worst that can happen? More bullying? Not likely since literally the entire grade was new (the school had just opened a middle school at the time)
I currently have an addiction as well (video games). Luckily my poison of choice isn't something I'm chemically dependent on, so I'm grateful for that.
When it comes to addiction, I'd recommend maybe winging yourself off of your drug of choice (unless you're clean, congrats, and ignore thi) and letting those around you be aware of your issues and tell them that you have a plan and ask them to monitor you closely, so you don't relapse. I've been in situations where I'm like "I've done a good job, let me play for an hour" and realize I just spent all day online. I need my folks to moderate my behavior so I don't 'overdose'. I watch YouTube and write programs to prevent relapse
regardless, hope your life gets better : )
Limits98
Lyrics
Today is the greatest
Day I’ve ever known
Can’t live for tomorrow
Tomorrow’s much too long
I’ll burn my eyes out
Before I get out
[Verse 1]
I wanted more
Than life could ever grant me
Bored by the chore
Of saving face
[Chorus 2]
Today is the greatest
Day I’ve ever known
Can’t wait for tomorrow
I might not have that long
I’ll tear my heart out
Before I get out
[Verse 2]
Pink ribbon scars
That never forget
I tried so hard
To cleanse these regrets
My angel wings
Were bruised and restrained
My belly stings
[Chorus 3]
Today is
Today is
Today is
The greatest day
[Bridge]
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you on
I want to turn you
[Outro]
Today is the greatest
Today is the greatest day
Today is the greatest day
That I have ever really known
leokimvideo
Phew, this song is getting old, but hell it's still awesome
Ruck
You have
Paul Winston
Who cares if it's old! The 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 is 50 years old, but it's still awesome.
Kingbopit
It’s still awesome today
Sunrise Spartan
didn't expect to see you here
adam !
Older
Damian
This song really embodies the feeling of “having nothing specific to be sad about, but also having nothing to be happy about”
OK Jeffy
To me, it’s the feeling of not knowing if you should be happy or sad.
COOLPABLE
anxiety
Oliver Hocking
Yeah, It’s about depression and suicidal tendencies.