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.
Transformer
The Smashing Pumpkins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A transformer always knows
The score is four
Leaves you hanging on the floor
For more and less and more of the blame
And she's tired
And she's sick of the same old shit
It's just more of the same old same
To lay down and bear true
A cherry onion firefly
Tastes sweet and white
As you are blue
Knows just what she wants to do
With you below the silver skies
Don't hate her because she's undecided
And she's tired
And she's sick of the same old shit
It's just more of the same old same
I know she wants more and more to stomach
In honor of her youth
She's not sorry she's happy
Sorry she's happy
She's not sorry she's happy
Sorry she's happy as a turtle
She's a real live transformer
The lyrics to The Smashing Pumpkins' song Transformer seem to be a portrayal of a woman who is tired of a mundane life and the same old routine. The opening lines, "a live wire moves slow, a transformer always knows," suggest that this woman is restless and eager for change. The following lines, "the score is four, leaves you hanging on the floor for more and less and more of the blame," could indicate that she is dissatisfied with her current situation and looking for someone or something to hold responsible.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more abstract and poetic. "A cherry onion firefly tastes sweet and white as you are blue" seems to represent a moment of beauty and wonder, but also sadness. The phrase "knows just what she wants to do with you below the silver skies" suggests a desire for passion and excitement. However, the repeated lines "she's tired, and she's sick of the same old shit, it's just more of the same old same, I know she wants more and more" reveal a sense of frustration and longing.
The final lines, "she's not sorry she's happy, sorry she's happy, she's not sorry she's happy, sorry she's happy, as a turtle, she's a real live transformer" suggest that the woman is finally embracing the changes she desires and transforming into a new version of herself. The turtle metaphor may imply that change happens slowly but surely.
Line by Line Meaning
A live wire moves slow
Despite its energy, a live wire moves slowly.
A transformer always knows
A transformer is always aware of its purpose and function.
The score is four
The situation is tense and the stakes are high.
Leaves you hanging on the floor
The situation has left you feeling helpless and vulnerable.
For more and less and more of the blame
There is a lot of blame to go around, and it is not evenly distributed.
And she's tired
She is exhausted both mentally and physically.
And she's sick of the same old shit
She is fed up with the same repetitive issues and problems.
It's just more of the same old same
The situation is unchanging and monotonous.
I know she wants more and more and more to witness
She desires to experience more, and to witness new and exciting things.
To lay down and bear true
She desires to be vulnerable and honest with herself and others.
A cherry onion firefly
Something sweet and beautiful, yet unexpected.
Tastes sweet and white
It is refreshing and pure, like the taste of something sweet and white.
As you are blue
Despite the sweetness, your emotions are still heavy and sad.
Knows just what she wants to do
She is confident in her desires and intentions.
With you below the silver skies
She desires to be with you in a beautiful, romantic setting.
Don't hate her because she's undecided
Do not judge or resent her for being uncertain in her decisions.
In honor of her youth
As a tribute to her young, adventurous spirit.
She's not sorry she's happy
She is unapologetically content and fulfilled.
Sorry she's happy
She is sorry that her happiness may cause others pain or discomfort.
She's not sorry she's happy
She is still unapologetically content and fulfilled.
Sorry she's happy as a turtle
She is sorry that her happiness may cause others pain or discomfort, but she is still happy like a turtle in its shell.
She's a real live transformer
She is a strong and powerful force for change and transformation.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: WILLIAM PATRICK CORGAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind