By Robert Emslie
If something is retro, as it ages does it still embody the same nostalgia of the era it is evoking? Or, does it engender that same feeling for the time in which it was created, and that era’s take on the period in the past it still channels? Heavy stuff, I know.
Recorded in 1996 for the album – yes, they still called them that then – Siamese Dream Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, 1979 supposedly was almost dropped from the album’s line up. The record’s producer – Mark Ellis, better known as Flood – felt it wasn’t strong enough, requiring Billy Corgan to rush to change it and bring it up to snuff.
Apparently he was successful because the ode to disaffected youth because the Smashing Pumkins’ highest reaching single, hitting number 12 on the Billboard 100. Take a trip back in time, in a sweet lime green Charger, after the jump.
[youtube width=”720″ height=”540″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aeETEoNfOg[/youtube]
Source: YouTube
Jeff Glucker
Siamese Dream was released in '93. This was on Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, from '96. Fantastic song regardless of my pedantry.
Yes you are right. I was looking at the SP discography at the time and had Siamese Dream on my stupid brain.
Muchas gracias.
Actually Mellon Collie was released in 1995. Fun fact – there's a song by the band Radio Dept. called 1995 that deliberately echoes the song 1979. Kind of a double-hop of youthful nostalgia.
I really like Radio Dept, but can you name the song? 🙂
I say retro things remind you of the time frame they came around, not the older time frame they're trying to imitate. Think of all the 50's retro things from the 70's like "Happy Days", "Grease" or "Hurriganes".
That's interesting, for me it's the other way, even for things that that I missed. Like Back to the Future is really connected to the '50s for me even though I was born in the '70s.
Anyway regarding Smashing Pumpkins. they were big deal where I grew-up, but I did not care for the music back then. They just sounded too melancholy to me, but now I heard more, and they could certainly rock in some songs. Here's an entire concert:
[youtube InISOY3ckEU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InISOY3ckEU youtube]
in your sad machines
you'll forever stay
burning up in speed
lost inside the dreams
My favorite song from one the album, yet one that never seems to get any credit…
I've never seen this video before. By '96 I'd given up on local radio and stopped watching music channels, so this song was one of many popular hits of which I've never known the artist, the title or lyrics. But I know it nonetheless. It just kind of seeped out of my environment.
Tonight, Tonight is the only Smashing Pumpkins song I've ever known as actually being by SP, and I've seen the video for that about a jillion times; don't know how or why. Turns out this is from the same album? Huh…it's amazing how very selective my involvement in popular culture can be sometimes.
I remember I bought this double-set album for a girl I liked for her birthday, Sarah K.
It was kind of a big deal, as it cost like $30, double the standard birthday gift for a girl you liked price. I'd like to say it was worth it, but that was still in a "hold hands and a peck on the lips" era….one that ended with the girlfriend after that. Oddly enough, didn't ever buy her anything nice.
Despite loving Gish and Siamese Dream, I never did like this album much more than the 3 or so hit songs. So much nicer that we can just buy single .mp3s now.
[youtube LWJYaep-0sg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWJYaep-0sg youtube]
One of those bands that I love the music but the vocals kind of kill it for me.
[youtube O94CW_tIEzU http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O94CW_tIEzU youtube]
Our Lady Peace is the other?
While I don't love his voice, at least it's his. Corgan would sing normally sometimes but always end up going back into his dying duck voice.
One of my favorite bands, and Billy Corgan can really do some work with a guitar. I'm glad they're still together, but Billy's the only original member, and while the music is okay, it's nowhere near as good as the first three albums. But I appreciate how SP could do a song like 1979 and then tear the guitar apart in another.
1979 in 1995 was 16 years ago.. Like 1997 is 16 years ago now. Just a friendly reminder of the passing of time.
Thanks. Smashing Pumpkins was cool and new when I was in high school. It's not like going to a re-union show of another band that was cool when I was in high school wasn't making me feel old enough as it is.
I went through a Mellon Collie phase in my high school years as well, even if the album had been out for 6-7 years at that time.
[youtube j315yKGemHI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j315yKGemHI youtube]
Hard to pick a favorite, but this is the song I can't play while driving, or else I go well beyond reasonable and prudent and edge closer to ludicrous speed…
I am a giant fan of SP. Went to a concert of theirs on the Melancholy and Infinite Sadness tour in MI. Incredible. Just incredible.
Eyes of Ruby, I am One, Hummer, JellyBelly, so many good ones….