Smashing Pumpkins: Did You Know?
Fun Facts & Lesser-Known Stories About The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins, fronted by the enigmatic Billy Corgan, were one of the most influential bands to emerge from the alternative rock explosion of the 1990s. With their distinctive mix of dreamy, ethereal sounds and hard-hitting rock, they became one of the most celebrated acts of their era. But beyond the hits like “1979” and “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, there are plenty of fascinating facts and untold stories that reveal the band’s unique journey. Let’s dive into some fun facts and little-known stories about The Smashing Pumpkins.
1. Billy Corgan Wrote “Today” in a Dark Place
Despite its upbeat sound, the 1993 hit “Today” from the Siamese Dream album was written during one of Billy Corgan’s darkest moments. Corgan has openly shared that he was battling depression at the time and struggling with suicidal thoughts. Writing “Today” was a cathartic release for him, with the song’s chorus, “Today is the greatest day I’ve ever known,” serving as an ironic juxtaposition to his emotional state. Little did he know that the song would become a massive success and one of the defining anthems of the '90s, symbolizing hope and the possibility of renewal.
2. The Band’s Debut Was a Flop
Though The Smashing Pumpkins are now considered icons, their first single, “I Am One,” released in 1990, was a commercial failure. The song, produced independently, only sold around 1,500 copies, a far cry from the band’s later success. However, it caught the attention of local Chicago fans and helped the band build a reputation in the underground rock scene, eventually leading to a record deal with Caroline Records and their debut album Gish in 1991.
3. The Smashing Pumpkins Were Originally Much More Psychedelic
While the band became famous for its mix of grunge and alternative rock, their early influences were deeply rooted in psychedelic rock. The Pumpkins’ debut album Gish had heavy psychedelic influences, with expansive guitar solos and dreamy, trippy vibes. Corgan has cited artists like Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, and The Cure as inspirations for the band’s early sound, but the heavier, darker tones of their next albums, Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, helped them gain mainstream success.
4. Billy Corgan Played Almost All the Instruments on Siamese Dream
Even though the Pumpkins were a band, Siamese Dream was very much Billy Corgan’s personal project. Corgan was a notorious perfectionist in the studio, and during the recording of Siamese Dream, he reportedly recorded nearly all of the guitar and bass parts himself, believing he could achieve a more precise sound than his bandmates. While this caused tension within the group, it ultimately resulted in the band's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful album, showcasing Corgan’s obsessive attention to detail.
5. “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” Was Almost a B-Side
The 1995 single “Bullet with Butterfly Wings”, which features the iconic line, “Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage,” almost didn’t make it onto the album. Originally, the band considered releasing it as a B-side, believing it wasn’t strong enough to be a main track on their double album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. However, the song’s explosive energy caught the attention of their producers, and it became the lead single from the album. “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” went on to become one of their most recognizable songs and even won a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1997.
6. They’re Named After a Band That Doesn’t Exist
While many band names have deep meanings or interesting backstories, The Smashing Pumpkins’ name doesn’t have much significance at all. In interviews, Billy Corgan has said that the name came to him as a sort of joke—he thought it sounded like a parody of a rock band name from the 1970s. Despite its playful origins, the name stuck, and it perfectly captured the balance between heavy and dreamy that became the band’s signature sound.
7. Their Iconic Double Album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness Was Inspired by a Piano
Many fans may not know that the sprawling, 28-track album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness began with a much smaller inspiration: a simple piano melody. The opening track, “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,” is a gentle piano instrumental, unlike most of the band’s rock-centric tracks. Corgan has said that the melody served as a creative spark for the entire album, inspiring him to write an ambitious, wide-ranging collection of songs that captured the emotional highs and lows of adolescence and young adulthood.
8. Billy Corgan Had a Brief Stint as a Professional Wrestler
When he’s not fronting The Smashing Pumpkins, Billy Corgan has a surprising second passion: professional wrestling. In 2011, Corgan co-founded Resistance Pro Wrestling, an independent wrestling promotion based in Chicago. He was involved in writing storylines and managing the business until he left in 2014. Corgan later became the president of National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), further solidifying his presence in the wrestling world. His love for wrestling has always been apparent, and it’s one of the many unexpected aspects of his multi-faceted career.
9. The Band Broke Up and Reunited More Than Once
The Smashing Pumpkins have had their fair share of breakups and reunions. After internal tensions and struggles with drugs and fame, the band broke up in 2000, following the release of their album Machina/The Machines of God. Corgan went on to pursue solo projects but revived the Pumpkins in 2006 with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. However, the full original lineup wasn’t restored until 2018, when James Iha and Chamberlin rejoined Corgan to work on new music and embark on a world tour. Their 2018 reunion tour, called “Shiny and Oh So Bright,” was a huge success, drawing in fans eager to see the band’s classic lineup back in action.
10. They Wrote a Song in 20 Minutes to Honor the Victims of 9/11
In the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Billy Corgan quickly penned a song titled “Untitled” to honor the victims and reflect the somber mood of the time. The song was written and recorded in just 20 minutes and was released as a free download on the band's official website. Though not one of their most famous tracks, it served as a tribute and a way for Corgan and the band to process the immense grief felt worldwide.
The Smashing Pumpkins have always been a band unafraid to push boundaries, whether through their genre-defying music, ambitious double albums, or their frontman’s many creative endeavors. From their humble beginnings in Chicago to their eventual rise as one of the most influential rock bands of the '90s, The Smashing Pumpkins continue to leave a lasting mark on the world of music with their mix of vulnerability, intensity, and sheer sonic ambition.
One of The Smashing Pumpkins’ most meaningful lyrics comes from their song "Tonight, Tonight":
"Believe, believe in me, believe, believe... that life can change, that you're not stuck in vain."
This lyric captures the essence of hope, transformation, and resilience. It speaks to the possibility of overcoming personal struggles and finding renewal, a theme that resonates deeply with fans. The line encourages listeners to believe in change and in themselves, reflecting the band's recurring exploration of life's emotional highs and lows. It’s an uplifting message that has made "Tonight, Tonight" one of the band’s most iconic and emotionally powerful songs.