Tristessa (song)

Last updated

"Tristessa"
SmashingPumpkins-Tristessa.jpg
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
from the album Gish
B-side
  • "La Dolly Vita"
  • "Honeyspider"
ReleasedDecember 1990
RecordedSummer 1990 (single version)
Winter 1990-1991 ( Gish version)
Genre Alternative rock, hard rock, grunge, alternative metal
Length3:40 (single version)
3:32 ( Gish version)
Label Sub Pop
Songwriter(s) Billy Corgan
Producer(s) Butch Vig and Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"I Am One"
(1990)		"Tristessa"
(1990)		"Siva"
(1991)

"Tristessa" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. The single was the Pumpkins' second ever release, and their first, and only, release on Sub Pop. Sub Pop released it as their "Single of the Month". [1] It was written by Billy Corgan and later re-recorded for their debut album, Gish . The title is a direct allusion to Jack Kerouac's 1960 novella of the same name. [2] There were about 4,000 of the original 7" single pressed in pink vinyl, [3] while the rest were pressed in black vinyl. A failure to change the wax color between pressings resulted in about 100 that were pressed in grey-colored wax. These are especially rare and have sold for several hundred dollars apiece. [3]

Contents

Following the release of "Tristessa", the Smashing Pumpkins were targets of a bidding war by multiple record labels, and ended up signing to Caroline Records. [4] [5] [6] Unlike "I Am One", which was also re-recorded for Gish, "Tristessa" did not receive a second single release, and neither version of the song appears on the 2001 greatest hits collection, Rotten Apples .

Critical reception

CMJ called it "a grinding, drawled-out, lascivious rocker with a chisel-sharp pop aesthetic". [7] The Chicago Sun-Times said it was an "epic rocker". [8] In 2007, Spinner wrote, "a decade after the onset of diminishing returns, 'Tristessa' remains an absolute monster". [9]

Track listing

All songs written by Billy Corgan

  1. "Tristessa" – 3:40
  2. "La Dolly Vita" – 4:15
  3. "Honeyspider" – 2:55 (present on UK 12" only)

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. 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, Iha and guitarist Jeff Schroeder.

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

William Patrick Corgan Jr. is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, primary songwriter, guitarist, and only permanent member of the rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. He is currently the owner and promoter of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Iha</span> American rock musician (guitarist, producer, writer, singer)

James Yoshinobu Iha is an American rock musician. He is best known as a guitarist and co-founder of the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. He was a member until the initial breakup in 2000. Among his musical projects of recent years, Iha has been a permanent fixture of A Perfect Circle. He was most recently a member of Tinted Windows, a 1960s/1970s inspired group with members of Cheap Trick, Fountains of Wayne, and Hanson. He rejoined the Smashing Pumpkins in 2018.

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

Gish is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released in May 1991 through Caroline Records. Frontman Billy Corgan has variously described Gish as a "very spiritual album" and "an album about spiritual ascension".

<i>Pisces Iscariot</i> 1994 compilation album of B-side singles and outtakes 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>Lull</i> (EP) 1991 EP by the Smashing Pumpkins

Lull is an EP by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released in 1991.

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

Siamese Dream is the second studio album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on July 27, 1993, on Virgin Records. Despite recording sessions fraught with difficulties and tensions, Siamese Dream debuted at number ten on the Billboard charts, and eventually was certified 4× Platinum, with the album selling over six million copies worldwide, cementing the Smashing Pumpkins as an important 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 by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on October 24, 1995, in the United Kingdom and a day later in the United States on Virgin Records. Produced by frontman Billy Corgan with Flood and Alan Moulder, the 28-track album was released as a two-disc CD and triple LP. The album features a wide array of styles.

<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 guitar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siva (song)</span> 1991 single by The Smashing Pumpkins

"Siva" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. It was the first single from their debut album Gish, and was written by Billy Corgan. "Siva" was also the first music video filmed by the band.

<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 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.

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

"Thirty-Three" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was the fifth and final single from their third album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995), in November 1996. It was the first single released after the firing of Jimmy Chamberlin and death of Jonathan Melvoin. The song peaked at 39 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the band's fourth and final top-40 hit there, number seven in New Zealand and the top 30 in Canada and the United Kingdom. In Canada, it coincidentally finished at number 33 on the RPM Alternative 30 year-end chart for 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Untitled (The Smashing Pumpkins song)</span> 2001 single by The Smashing Pumpkins

"Untitled" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, written by Billy Corgan. It was their final release and recording as a band before their breakup in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drown (The Smashing Pumpkins song)</span> 1992 promotional single by Smashing Pumpkins

"Drown" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins from the soundtrack to the 1992 Cameron Crowe film Singles.

"Mayonaise" [sic] is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, first released on their 1993 album Siamese Dream.

<i>Teargarden by Kaleidyscope</i> The Smashing Pumpkins album

Teargarden by Kaleidyscope is a music project by alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins that was started in late 2009 by frontman Billy Corgan following the second departure of original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The project initially was conceived as a 44-song concept album loosely inspired by the Tarot, with each song being released individually as a free download. By August 2018, after 34 tracks had been released, Corgan announced via Instagram that the project had been abandoned.

<i>Oceania</i> (The Smashing Pumpkins album) 2012 album

Oceania is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released on June 19, 2012 through Martha's Music. The album was produced by Billy Corgan and Bjorn Thorsrud, and forms part of the band's 34-track music project Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. It was their first studio album to feature guitarist Jeff Schroeder, and their only album to contain contributions from bassist Nicole Fiorentino and drummer Mike Byrne, who replaced original drummer Jimmy Chamberlin.

<i>Monuments to an Elegy</i> 2014 studio album by The Smashing Pumpkins

Monuments to an Elegy is the ninth studio album by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, released on December 9, 2014 on Martha's Music. Band leader Billy Corgan noted that—similar to the band's previous release, Oceania—the album is part of the 34-track music project, Teargarden by Kaleidyscope. It is considered the last part in the series due to cancellation of the project in 2018 by Corgan. This is their second album after 1998's Adore to not feature the official drummer, their second album after 2007's Zeitgeist to not feature the official bassist, and their second album also after Zeitgeist to be recorded as a duo, with drumming contributions from Mötley Crüe's Tommy Lee, and being the last album before the return of original guitarist and drummer, James Iha and Jimmy Chamberlin, respectively in 2018.

References

  1. ↑ (November 26, 2000). "Mellon Collie Billy Singer Reflects on Life Before, During and after The Smashing Pumpkins", Chicago Tribune , p. 7.1.
  2. ↑ Hanson, Amy (2004). Smashing Pumpkins: Tales of a Scorched Earth. Helter Skelter Pub. p. 49. ISBN   1-900924-68-4.
  3. 1 2 Chuck Miller, Tracy L. Schmidt (2004). Warman's American records: identification and price guide. Krause Publications. p. 36. ISBN   0-87349-814-3.
  4. ↑ Konig, Bill (February 7, 2000). "Smashing Pumpkins Return to Rock", CMJ New Music Report 61 (6): 1.
  5. ↑ Gulla, Bob (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: The grunge and post-grunge years, 1991–2005. Greenwood Press. p. 60. ISBN   0-313-32981-8.
  6. ↑ Ali, Lorraine (October 17, 1993). "Gourds a-Flyin': Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan doesn't really expect the band's alternative rock to take anyone completely by surprise. He just unleashes his emotions and tries to deliver a sonic assault diverse enough to match", Los Angeles Times , p. 60.
  7. ↑ (January 5, 2004). "1991", CMJ New Music Report 78 (847): 30.
  8. ↑ Corcoran, Michael (June 9, 1991). "Smashing Pumpkins sounds totally fresh: Local band's debut is whipped delight", Chicago Sun-Times , p. 11.
  9. ↑ Sullivan, James (January 29, 2007). "IFLTS: 'Tristessa,' Smashing Pumpkins", Spinner. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.