Mayonaise (song)

Last updated

"Mayonaise"
Mayonaise Smashing Pumpkins.webp
Single by the Smashing Pumpkins
from the album Siamese Dream
ReleasedNovember 20, 2023 (2023-11-20) [1]
Recorded1992 – 1993
Genre
Length5:49
Label Capitol Records [1]
Songwriter(s) Billy Corgan · James Iha
Producer(s) Butch Vig · Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"Empires"
(2023)
"Mayonaise"
(2023)

"Mayonaise" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was first made available in 1993 on the band's second studio album Siamese Dream as the ninth track. It is subsequently released as the album's fifth single on November 20, 2023 through Capitol Records as part of the Siamese Dream 30th Anniversary celebrations and shows. [1] The song was produced by Butch Vig and Billy Corgan.

Contents

In 2012, Rolling Stone readers voted "Mayonaise" as their favourite song in the band's catalogue. [4] In 2021 Kerrang ranked the song as the band's fourth best. [5]

In April 2023, the Netflix series Beef featured the song in the final scene of the final episode "Figures of Light", sending the song to the #5 position on the Billboard LyricFind Global and US charts. [6]

Composition

Written by Corgan and Iha, Mayonaise was recorded from December 1992 to March 1993 at Triclops Sound Studios. According to Corgan, the whistling sound (feedback) heard in "Mayonaise" came from a cheap guitar he bought, which, whenever he stopped playing it, created the whistling sound. [7] This sound was then incorporated into the song. Corgan apparently got the title for the song after he looked "in [his] refrigerator". [8] [7] Later, he stated in an interview with a Colombian radio station that the name stands for the phonetics of "My Own Eyes".

Iha stated that he "came up with those chords and did a demo of it, it was an instrumental demo of the song. I played it for Billy and he liked it, he came up with the vocal melody and the lyrics. We worked on the arrangement together."[ citation needed ]

While appearing on the podcast REINVENTED with Jen Eckhart on 20 October 2022, Billy Corgan admitted that previous explanations for the song title were inside jokes and disclosed the true story. The band visited Japan in 1992 while touring Gish and noticed that the record company had mistranslated a lyric from Gish into a fan booklet as "mayonnaise seas". The band thought this mondegreen was funny and used "Mayonaise" [ sic ] as a temporary song title when recording Siamese Dream and it eventually stuck. [9]

While appearing on Q101's Brian and Kenzie Show on 4 July 2023, Billy Corgan specified that the mondegreen cited above was from a lyric on the song "Rhinoceros". [10]

Versions

Several versions of the song are available. Before being officially released on Siamese Dream , an acoustic mix (labeled as an outtake) of the Siamese Dream recording was featured on the Mashed Potatoes box set given to friends of the band in 1993–1994.[ citation needed ] It was also a part of the official promos Still Becoming Apart and The Smashing Pumpkins 1991–1998 , with a slightly phased acoustic guitar part and a tambourine. Most recently, a live acoustic version was released on Earphoria and the Vieuphoria video. The Vieuphoria version, originally broadcast in 1993 on the British television show Naked City, features the band playing the song intertwined with footage of the band.

On a 2007 Smashing Pumpkins tribute album compiled by MySpace and Spin, the song was covered by American rock band The Academy Is...

The band Emanuel also covered the song on the 2005 Smashing Pumpkins tribute album The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins .

Reception

Despite having garnered considerable radio play and remaining a fan favorite, "Mayonaise" was never an officially released single, until November 20th, 2023 as a limited maxi single celebrating the album's 30th anniversary, which contains the album version and as a B-side, the live acoustic version from Vieuphoria. [11] In 2012 it won a Rolling Stone readers poll for "The Best Smashing Pumpkins Songs" by "a significant margin". [12]

Formats and track listings

All tracks are written by Billy Corgan and James Iha

12-inch single
No.TitleLength
1."Mayonaise (Studio Version/Siamese Dream)"5:49
2."Mayonaise (Live Acoustic/Vieuphoria)"4:20

Personnel

The Smashing Pumpkins

Technical staff

Charts

Chart (2018)Peak
position
LyricFind Global Songs (Billboard) [14] 5
LyricFind U.S. Songs (Billboard) [15] 5

Release history

RegionDateFormatLabelCatalogue no.
Various
20 November 2023 12-inch single Capitol RecordsMMLP-A007 [1]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Smashing Pumpkins</span> American alternative rock band

The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois. Formed in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, bassist D'arcy Wretzky, guitarist James Iha, and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, the band has undergone several line-up changes since their reunion in 2006, with Corgan being the sole constant member since its inception. The current lineup features Corgan, Chamberlin, and Iha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Corgan</span> American musician (born 1967)

William Patrick Corgan Jr. is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the co-founder, lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only constant member of alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan himself is credited with helping popularize the genre. He has also been the owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance since 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Iha</span> American rock musician

James Yoshinobu Iha is an American rock musician. He is best known as the secondary guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. He was a member until the band's initial breakup in 2000 and rejoined in 2018.

<i>Gish</i> 1991 studio album by the Smashing Pumpkins

Gish is the debut studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on May 28, 1991 through Caroline Records. The album was produced by Butch Vig and frontman Billy Corgan, with the latter describing Gish as a "very spiritual album" and "an album about spiritual ascension".

<i>Pisces Iscariot</i> 1994 compilation album by the Smashing Pumpkins

Pisces Iscariot is a compilation album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released in 1994 through Virgin Records, consisting of B-sides and outtakes. Reaching number 4 in the US upon its 1994 release, Pisces Iscariot was certified platinum by the RIAA on November 23, 1994. The album was initially to be called Neptulius.

<i>Siamese Dream</i> 1993 studio album by the Smashing Pumpkins

Siamese Dream is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993, by Virgin Records. The album was produced by Butch Vig and frontman Billy Corgan. Despite its recording sessions being fraught with difficulties and tensions, Siamese Dream debuted at number ten on the Billboard 200, and was eventually certified 4× Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with the album selling over six million copies worldwide, catapulting the Smashing Pumpkins to mainstream success and cementing them as a significant group in alternative music.

<i>Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</i> 1995 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness is the third studio album and first double album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on October 23, 1995, in the United Kingdom and on October 24 in the United States by Virgin Records. It was produced by vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan, alongside producers Flood and Alan Moulder. The lengthy 28-track album was released as a two-disc CD and a triple LP. The album features a wide array of musical styles, including art rock, grunge, alternative pop, and heavy metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D'arcy Wretzky</span> American bassist (born 1968)

D'arcy Elizabeth Wretzky-Brown is an American musician. She was the original bassist of the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins and is credited on their first six studio albums. She left the band in 1999. She has also been a member of Catherine and performed with Filter.

<i>The Aeroplane Flies High</i> 1996 box set by The Smashing Pumpkins

The Aeroplane Flies High is a five-disc box set released by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins in 1996. It contains expanded versions of the five singles from their album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and also included a 44-page booklet with pictures and writings by the band's lead singer Billy Corgan, as well as lyrics. A limited edition release, the box reached number 42 on the Billboard charts. Originally intended to be limited to 200,000 copies, Virgin Records produced more after the original run sold out due to overwhelming and unexpected demand. The album was remastered in 2013 under the supervision of frontman Billy Corgan and reissued on vinyl and as a CD/DVD box set.

<i>Earphoria</i> 2002 live album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Earphoria is a live album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It is the soundtrack of the band's Vieuphoria video. While the video has been widely available since its initial release, the CD was initially released as a limited number of promo copies in 1994, and was subsequently heavily bootlegged. In 2002, Vieuphoria was reissued on DVD and Earphoria finally earned a commercial release.

<i>Adore</i> (album) 1998 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Adore is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on June 2, 1998, by Virgin Records. After the multi-platinum success of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and a subsequent world tour, Adore was considered "one of the most anticipated albums of 1998" by MTV. Recording the album proved to be a challenge as the band members struggled with lingering interpersonal problems, musical uncertainty in the wake of three increasingly successful rock albums, and the departure of drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. Frontman Billy Corgan would later characterize Adore as made by "a band falling apart". Corgan was also going through a divorce and the death of his mother while recording the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Today (The Smashing Pumpkins song)</span> 1993 single by the Smashing Pumpkins

"Today" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, written by lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan. The song, though seemingly upbeat, contains dark lyrics; Corgan wrote the song about a day in which he was having suicidal thoughts. The contrast between the grim subject matter of the song and the soft instrumental part during the verses, coupled with use of irony in the lyrics, left many listeners unaware of the song's tale of depression and desperation. The song alternates between quiet, dreamy verses and loud choruses with layered, distorted guitars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Walker (drummer)</span> American musician (born 1969)

Matt Walker is an American session musician, known for drumming with Filter, The Smashing Pumpkins and Morrissey, as well as being the regular fill-in to Butch Vig from Garbage on three of their tours.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Am One</span> 1990 song by the Smashing Pumpkins

"I Am One" is the debut single by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was the band's first ever release and remains the only single issued by the band with co-writing credits to both Billy Corgan and James Iha. It charted on the UK Singles Chart at a peak position of number 73.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cherub Rock</span> 1993 single by the Smashing Pumpkins

"Cherub Rock" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It is the first single from their second album, Siamese Dream (1993) and is the opening track. It was written by lead vocalist and guitarist Billy Corgan. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979 (song)</span> 1996 single by The Smashing Pumpkins

"1979" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was released in 1996 as the second single from their third studio album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. "1979" was written by frontman Billy Corgan, and features loops and samples uncharacteristic of previous Smashing Pumpkins songs. The song gives something of a foreshadow of the synth-pop sound the band would embrace more openly on Adore and its tracks "Ava Adore" and "Perfect". The song was written as a nostalgic coming-of-age story by Corgan. In the year 1979, Corgan was twelve, and this is what he considered his transition into adolescence.

<i>Vieuphoria</i> 1994 video by The Smashing Pumpkins

Vieuphoria is a long form music video by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, originally released on VHS on October 4, 1994, and DVD on November 26, 2002. It was certified gold by the RIAA in late 1996.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solara (song)</span> 2018 single by Smashing Pumpkins

"Solara" is a song by American rock band Smashing Pumpkins. It was the band's first song to be released after reforming three fourths of the band's original lineup in 2018, featuring Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin performing on a track together for the first time since 2000's Machina/The Machines of God album and subsequent non-album single "Untitled" prior to their original breakup. It was released as a single on June 8, 2018, as the first song from a set of two upcoming EPs that were set for release in 2018 before a full-length album titled Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. was announced in September. The song peaked at number 47 on the US Hot Rock Songs chart.

<i>Shiny and Oh So Bright, Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.</i> 2018 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Shiny and Oh So Bright Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun. is the tenth studio album by the American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on November 16, 2018 through Napalm Records. Produced by Rick Rubin, it is the band's first album to feature founding members James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin since Machina II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music (2000) and Zeitgeist (2007), respectively.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "The Smashing Pumpkins – Mayonaise". Discogs. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  2. Terich, Jeff (January 10, 2012). "Smashing Pumpkins : Siamese Dream (Deluxe Edition)". Treble. Retrieved June 3, 2017.
  3. "Every Smashing Pumpkins Song, Ranked". Spin . October 30, 2015. p. 7. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  4. Perpetua, Matthew (June 13, 2012). "Readers' Poll: The Best Smashing Pumpkins Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  5. Law, Sam (November 30, 2012). "The 20 greatest Smashing Pumpkins songs – ranked". Kerrang. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  6. Robinson, Abby (April 11, 2023). "Beef soundtrack: Full list of songs in Netflix series". Radio Times. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  7. 1 2 Harris, Sophie (July 27, 2018). "Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream: 10 things you didn't know". Rolling Stone .
  8. Corgan, Billy; Iha, James; Wretzky, D'arcy (November 5, 1996). "Dublin Chat". Imusic (Interview).
  9. Eckhart, Jennifer (October 20, 2022). "Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins on REINVENTED with Jen Eckhart". YouTube.
  10. "FULL INTERVIEW! Billy Corgan On Rivalry with Nirvana, 'Siamese Dream' 30th Anniversary, and more!". YouTube. July 4, 2023.
  11. https://madamezuzus.com/products/12-vinyl
  12. "Readers' Poll: The Best Smashing Pumpkins Songs". Rolling Stone . June 13, 2012.
  13. "Smashing Pumpkins Reissues Offer Massive Upgrade in Sound Says Corgan". billboard.com. Retrieved April 12, 2013.
  14. "The Smashing Pumpkins Lyric Find Global". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
  15. "The Smashing Pumpkins Lyric Find US". Billboard. Retrieved November 15, 2023.