The definitive Smashing Pumpkins playlist

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The definitive Smashing Pumpkins playlist

Jeff Mezydlo

Posted: August 14, 2023 | Last updated: October 27, 2023

<p>Regardless of what one thinks about Billy Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman and leader is responsible for some of the greatest alternative rock music of all time. In celebration of his Pumpkins, here are the top 20 songs that have helped define the band's musical legacy.</p>

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The definitive Smashing Pumpkins playlist

Regardless of what one thinks about Billy Corgan, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman and leader is responsible for some of the greatest alternative rock music of all time. In celebration of his Pumpkins, here are the top 20 songs that have helped define the band's musical legacy.

Smashing Pumpkins

20. "Ava Adore"

Many Smashing Pumpkins fans think the band's best years ended with 1995's Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Maybe because when it resurfaced with Adore, its first studio album in three years, it was moodier and experimentally electronica-tinged than anything previously released. "Ava Adore" failed to crack the top 40 on Billboard's Hot 100, but it's the one track from the album with the signature, distortedly alternative Pumpkins sound.

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<p><em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness </em>debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned five singles. It remains one of the great alternative rock albums of all time. "Zero" was one of those singles. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wk7C64kaP4">It's among the heavier songs on the album</a> and rather relentless in a mainstream alt-rock sort of way. Even before the song was released, we often saw Billy Corgan sporting a shirt with "ZERO" spread across. </p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

19. "Zero"

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and spawned five singles. It remains one of the great alternative rock albums of all time. "Zero" was one of those singles. It's among the heavier songs on the album and rather relentless in a mainstream alt-rock sort of way. Even before the song was released, we often saw Billy Corgan sporting a shirt with "ZERO" spread across.

<p>The final single from <em>Mellon Collie</em>, "Thirty-Three" might be Billy Corgan's best attempt at writing a country song. It barely cracked the top 40 of the Hot 100 in the United States and is one of the more mellow songs on the album. It sounds like something that could easily pass for a Corgan solo piece. </p>

Smashing Pumpkins

18. "Thirty-Three"

The final single from Mellon Collie, "Thirty-Three" might be Billy Corgan's best attempt at writing a country song. It barely cracked the top 40 of the Hot 100 in the United States and is one of the more mellow songs on the album. It sounds like something that could easily pass for a Corgan solo piece.

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<p>This was the first single off the Pumpkins' 1991 debut <em>Gish</em>. However, it also may be the one song amid the band's extensive catalog that seems to get lost in the shuffle of its more commercially successful offerings. Still, it's<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pi6RJmUNBbw"> hard-driving alternative rock at its best.</a> Sonic Youth, with more polish. With that memorable drum intro (perhaps Jimmy Chamberlain's best single work with the group), double guitar solos, and thundering bass break, "I Am One" deserves its due.</p>

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17. "I Am One"

This was the first single off the Pumpkins' 1991 debut Gish. However, it also may be the one song amid the band's extensive catalog that seems to get lost in the shuffle of its more commercially successful offerings. Still, it's hard-driving alternative rock at its best. Sonic Youth, with more polish. With that memorable drum intro (perhaps Jimmy Chamberlain's best single work with the group), double guitar solos, and thundering bass break, "I Am One" deserves its due.

<p>Clocking in at a smidge over 11 minutes, "Starla" should be regarded as the highlight of 1994's <em>Pisces Iscariot</em><span> — the project of B-sides and outtakes. It's a </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SZ52lyoc28"><span>dreamy piece, intertwined with plenty of heavy moments,</span></a><span> that was originally part of the "I Am One" single release from 1992. Despite its length, "Starla" can hold its own with just about any other Pumpkins song from the early-to-mid-1990s.</span></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

16. "Starla"

Clocking in at a smidge over 11 minutes, "Starla" should be regarded as the highlight of 1994's Pisces Iscariot — the project of B-sides and outtakes. It's a dreamy piece, intertwined with plenty of heavy moments, that was originally part of the "I Am One" single release from 1992. Despite its length, "Starla" can hold its own with just about any other Pumpkins song from the early-to-mid-1990s.

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<p>Following the acclaim generated from <em>Gish, </em>the Pumpkins returned in 1993 and released <em>Siamese Dream </em>on Virgin Records<em>.</em> Though the sessions were grueling and Billy Corgan went to almost authoritarian lengths to complete the project, the result was a top-10, four-times platinum offering considered one of the greatest alternative rock records ever recorded. "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmUZ6nCFNoU">Today</a>" was among the album's commercial hits. And though it has an upbeat tempo, it's one of the band's darker tunes.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

15. "Today"

Following the acclaim generated from Gish, the Pumpkins returned in 1993 and released Siamese Dream on Virgin Records. Though the sessions were grueling and Billy Corgan went to almost authoritarian lengths to complete the project, the result was a top-10, four-times platinum offering considered one of the greatest alternative rock records ever recorded. "Today" was among the album's commercial hits. And though it has an upbeat tempo, it's one of the band's darker tunes.

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14. "Drown"

Written just after the release of Gish, "Drown" found popularity as part of the Singles soundtrack from 1992. It was never released as a single but remains one of the group's best-known songs. It's another example of the creative and innovative sound that came out of the Gish era — those early days before Siamese Dream opened the door for the band's massive mainstream success that would follow.

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<p>It's more than nine minutes long, but the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fe9dTVbAtcw">emotional, almost mythological musical journey</a> is worth the time. It's one of the exceptional deep cuts off <em>Mellon Collie </em>and epic in every sense of the word, "Porcelina" is a hidden gem on the first of the double-CD project. It's also a special treat when Billy Corgan and Co. decide to put on a live setlist.</p>

Smashing Pumpkins

13. "Porcelina of the Vast Oceans"

It's more than nine minutes long, but the emotional, almost mythological musical journey is worth the time. It's one of the exceptional deep cuts off Mellon Collie and epic in every sense of the word, "Porcelina" is a hidden gem on the first of the double-CD project. It's also a special treat when Billy Corgan and Co. decide to put on a live setlist.

<p>One of the Pumpkins' most popular songs and the memorable lead single from <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em>. It's a classic alternative rock track that's hard, filled with the Pumpkins' signature distortion, and known for Bill Corgan's drawling "The world is a vampire" intro. During the early-to-mid-1990s, Gen-Xers crowded dance floors in college bars, unleashing their excitement while shouting, "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-r-V0uK4u0">despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage</a>." The song won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.</p>

Smashing Pumpkins

12. "Bullet with Butterfly Wings"

One of the Pumpkins' most popular songs and the memorable lead single from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It's a classic alternative rock track that's hard, filled with the Pumpkins' signature distortion, and known for Bill Corgan's drawling "The world is a vampire" intro. During the early-to-mid-1990s, Gen-Xers crowded dance floors in college bars, unleashing their excitement while shouting, "despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage." The song won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance.

<p>From the complexity of the guitar structure to Billy Corgan's breakout-inspired lyrics, "Soma" is <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHLDcJ7dVSQ">one of the more intricate Pumpkins tracks.</a> There's a lucid feel to the piece that offers a psychedelic vibe, which opened another door into Corgan's mind. "Soma" was never released as a single off <em>Siamese</em><span><em> Dream</em> but is undoubtedly one of the notable moments from the album. It has the rawness of something off <em>Gish</em> but with a more mature punch.</span></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

11. "Soma"

From the complexity of the guitar structure to Billy Corgan's breakout-inspired lyrics, "Soma" is one of the more intricate Pumpkins tracks. There's a lucid feel to the piece that offers a psychedelic vibe, which opened another door into Corgan's mind. "Soma" was never released as a single off Siamese Dream but is undoubtedly one of the notable moments from the album. It has the rawness of something off Gish but with a more mature punch.

<p>Guitarist James Iha earns a writing credit on this standout offering from <em>Siamese </em><em>Dream</em>. It might be Iha's greatest compositional contribution in all his years — on and off — with the band. His <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbu_K41efvY">overall chord structure</a> marks a significant moment in the band's history from a purely instrumental standpoint. Billy Corgan is a confirmed control freak, but this is Iha's shining moment.</p>

Smashing Pumpkins

10. "Mayonaise"

Guitarist James Iha earns a writing credit on this standout offering from Siamese Dream. It might be Iha's greatest compositional contribution in all his years — on and off — with the band. His overall chord structure marks a significant moment in the band's history from a purely instrumental standpoint. Billy Corgan is a confirmed control freak, but this is Iha's shining moment.

<p>Another memorable moment from <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em>. The track is all about nostalgia. A coming-of-age song. It happens to be<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aeETEoNfOg"> one of the Pumpkins' more innovative tunes</a> filled with samples and looping that was pretty unique during that point in the band's tenure. It didn't seem to fit with the dreamy and somewhat metaphysical <em>Mellon Collie </em>concept, but it's a two-time Grammy nominee and one of the group's most popular songs.</p>

Smashing Pumpkins

9. "1979"

Another memorable moment from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The track is all about nostalgia. A coming-of-age song. It happens to be one of the Pumpkins' more innovative tunes filled with samples and looping that was pretty unique during that point in the band's tenure. It didn't seem to fit with the dreamy and somewhat metaphysical Mellon Collie concept, but it's a two-time Grammy nominee and one of the group's most popular songs.

<p>Along the lines of "Porcelina of the Vast Oceans," though a little shorter in duration, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kx-D8_gn5O4">"Thru the Eyes of Ruby"</a> is another epic moment from <em>Mellon C</em><span><em>ollie</em>. This deep cut might be another example of Billy Corgan's penchant for pomp and circumstance in his music. However, the entire album is grandiose, and in many ways, that's what makes it great. "Ruby" should be celebrated along with the other mainstream, more recognizable Pumpkins tunes.</span></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

8. "Thru the Eyes of Ruby"

Along the lines of "Porcelina of the Vast Oceans," though a little shorter in duration, "Thru the Eyes of Ruby" is another epic moment from Mellon Collie. This deep cut might be another example of Billy Corgan's penchant for pomp and circumstance in his music. However, the entire album is grandiose, and in many ways, that's what makes it great. "Ruby" should be celebrated along with the other mainstream, more recognizable Pumpkins tunes.

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Smashing Pumpkins

7. "Muzzle"

"Muzzle" is one of the highlights from this particular album and within the Smashing Pumpkins' arsenal. It's a poignant rocker from start to finish and has found its way onto live sets over the years. "Muzzle" is Billy Corgan's response to those criticizing him professionally and personally.

<p>Following the instrumental opener, "Tonight, Tonight" fully ushers the listener into <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOG3eus4ZSo"><em>. </em>It's almost like a grand opening number to a Broadway musical.</a> T<span>he song was the fourth single released off the album and became synonymous with the overall bombast of the overall <em>Mellon Collie </em>project. There's a nod to the Pumpkins' hometown of Chicago. (The original four members hail from the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicago area.)</span></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

6. "Tonight, Tonight"

Following the instrumental opener, "Tonight, Tonight" fully ushers the listener into Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It's almost like a grand opening number to a Broadway musical. The song was the fourth single released off the album and became synonymous with the overall bombast of the overall Mellon Collie project. There's a nod to the Pumpkins' hometown of Chicago. (The original four members hail from the surrounding suburbs of the greater Chicago area.)

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<p>The <em>Siamese</em> <em>Dream </em>opener is an alternative-rock power punch. From that <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-KE9lvU810">memorable double dip of the opening drum roll and guitar riff</a>, "Cherub Rock" is one of the band's signature tunes. Interestingly enough, it was one of the last songs written for the group's second album. While it had that same drive of a track off <em>Gish</em>, "Cherub Rock" immediately showed how being on a major label made a difference in production and mainstream polish.</p><p><a href='https://www.msn.com/en-us/community/channel/vid-cj9pqbr0vn9in2b6ddcd8sfgpfq6x6utp44fssrv6mc2gtybw0us'>Follow us on MSN to see more of our exclusive entertainment content.</a></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

5. "Cherub Rock"

The Siamese Dream opener is an alternative-rock power punch. From that memorable double dip of the opening drum roll and guitar riff, "Cherub Rock" is one of the band's signature tunes. Interestingly enough, it was one of the last songs written for the group's second album. While it had that same drive of a track off Gish, "Cherub Rock" immediately showed how being on a major label made a difference in production and mainstream polish.

<p>Pretty much anything that influenced Billy Corgan musically can be found in the goodness of "Siva." This <em>Gish</em> gem has it all: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3wAtWywrP4">metal, classic rock, punk, and alternative</a>. If there's one song from the band's debut album that any rock fan could appreciate, it should be "Siva." It also follows the signature formula of Smashing Pumpkins' tunes from the first three albums — hard, heaver, melodic and poignant. Not many alt-rock bands of the 1990s were able to pull that off.</p><p>You may also like: <a href='https://www.yardbarker.com/entertainment/articles/20_essential_songs_about_cars/s1__39113500'>20 essential songs about cars</a></p>

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4. "Siva"

Pretty much anything that influenced Billy Corgan musically can be found in the goodness of "Siva." This Gish gem has it all: metal, classic rock, punk, and alternative. If there's one song from the band's debut album that any rock fan could appreciate, it should be "Siva." It also follows the signature formula of Smashing Pumpkins' tunes from the first three albums — hard, heaver, melodic and poignant. Not many alt-rock bands of the 1990s were able to pull that off.

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<p>Perhaps no under-the-radar song in the overall Pumpkins' arsenal has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVfWx9282y0">endured a better shelf life than "Rhinoceros." </a>It's been the one Gish track that Corgan and his band have continued to play live. For hardcore Smashing Pumpkins fans who have been there since those early days, it's always a special moment when performed in a concert setting. Former bassist D'Arcy Wretzky<span> seemed to really get into it on stage.</span></p>

Smashing Pumpkins

3. "Rhinoceros"

Perhaps no under-the-radar song in the overall Pumpkins' arsenal has endured a better shelf life than "Rhinoceros." It's been the one Gish track that Corgan and his band have continued to play live. For hardcore Smashing Pumpkins fans who have been there since those early days, it's always a special moment when performed in a concert setting. Former bassist D'Arcy Wretzky seemed to really get into it on stage.

<p>Undoubtedly a deep cut from <em>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</em>. It's probably only devoted and longtime fans of the band who are aware of its existence. It's a melodic track that picks up for a brief but <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BmxK5_5rbs">unforgettable and passionate moment roughly 3 1/2 minutes</a> in. A time sequence that is as musically powerful as anything Billy Corgan and Co. has ever produced. For those unaware of the track, consider this your introduction. </p>

Smashing Pumpkins

2. "Galapogos"

Undoubtedly a deep cut from Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. It's probably only devoted and longtime fans of the band who are aware of its existence. It's a melodic track that picks up for a brief but unforgettable and passionate moment roughly 3 1/2 minutes in. A time sequence that is as musically powerful as anything Billy Corgan and Co. has ever produced. For those unaware of the track, consider this your introduction.

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<p>There are a number of personally dark moments in <em>Siamese </em><em>Dream</em>, and "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1acEVmnVhI">Disarm</a>" is one of them. According to Corgan, the song is about his often rough relationship with his family. Lyrics such as "the killer in me is the killer in you" were reportedly a reason for the tune being banned in the United Kingdom. Regardless, it is arguably the band's most emotional song.</p>

Smashing Pumpkins

1. "Disarm"

There are a number of personally dark moments in Siamese Dream, and "Disarm" is one of them. According to Corgan, the song is about his often rough relationship with his family. Lyrics such as "the killer in me is the killer in you" were reportedly a reason for the tune being banned in the United Kingdom. Regardless, it is arguably the band's most emotional song.

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