Top Ten Songs by the Smashing Pumpkins

Although The Smashing Pumpkins are now back together and are currently writing, it will be rather tough for them to do any better than the music they’ve released over the 1990s. I’m sure they’re going to bring a new sound that can not be compared to the old stuff and I really look forward to it. But here’s a list of my top ten song from their old stuff.

10. “Zero” off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
This was the answer to those who were concerned that The Smashing Pumpkins were actually getting too soft. Although it’s rather short, it is one of the catchiest songs by The Smashing Pumpkins and it has yet another crazy guitar solo from Billy Corgan.

9. “Cherub Rock” off of Siamese Dream
This song was the first single off of Siamese Dream and is considered to have one of the best guitar solos of all time, according to the popular magazine Guitar World. The song’s very distortion heavy, but it has a rather positive vibe.

8. “Drown” off of the Singles Soundtrack
This song has a very unique sounding guitar riff and has some nice soft-to-loud transitions. It also has a really good guitar solo from Billy Corgan and is a song that I think perfectly captures the essence of The Smashing Pumpkins’ rock sound of the 1990s.

7. “Eye” off of the Lost Highway Soundtrack
“Eye” was almost a clue to fans to where The Smashing Pumpkins were heading with the album after Mellon Collie. With a unique keyboard sound and a more electronic vibe, The Smashing Pumpkins once again showed the world they could successfully write good non-rock songs.

6. “Disarm” off of Siamese Dream
This acoustic song has a rather sad vibe to it, but it feels very powerful as it deals with Corgan’s relationship with his parents. With some great strings as well, this song is considered by many fans as their best song.

5. “Bullet with Butterfly Wings” off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
This distortion-ridden songs features soft to loud mechanics and is one of the most recognizable songs by the band. The song is definitely angst-ridden, but it’s also surprisingly melodic.

4. “1979” off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
Featuring various loops and samples and a pop vibe, “1979” was the highest charting single by The Smashing Pumpkins. Although the song won’t please fans of their harder days, it still remains one of their most popular songs.

3. “Lily (My One and Only)” off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
This is the softest The Smashing Pumpkins ever got, but it’s also one of my favorite songs of theirs. With a very positive vibe and beautiful piano work, the song is just so fun to hear. If all their songs were of this high quality, I honestly wouldn’t mind if The Smashing Pumpkins stayed this soft in their future years.

2. “Today” off of Siamese Dream
“Today” is considered to be the song that really made The Smashing Pumpkins hit the mainstream. Oddly enough, the melodic song was essentially written in just ten minutes when Billy Corgan had to suddenly show the record label’s representatives what The Smashing Pumpkins did in the studio so far.

1. “Tonight, Tonight” off of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness
This song features a wonderful string-section and some tight drumming from Jimmy Chamberlin. The Smashing Pumpkins truly created a masterpiece of a song. Backed by a great music video, it’s no surprise that this song is one of their most popular ones.

Since The Smashing Pumpkins disbanded in late 2000, the members went their separate ways. Singer and lead guitarist Billy Corgan formed the band Zwan, while guitarist James Iha played with A Perfect Circle for a little while. Drummer Jimmy Chamberlin focused around his family and in 2005 released an album under the band The Jimmy Chamberlin Complex. The Pumpkins’ second bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur, also released a solo album. Fortunately, members Jimmy Chamberlin and Billy Corgan are already verified as members of the band and they are currently writing songs for The Smashing Pumpkins next album.