1979

Smashing Pumpkins

About 1979

"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 12 and this is what he considered his transition into adolescence. "1979" reached number two in Canada and Iceland, number six in Ireland, number nine in New Zealand, and number 12 in the United States. It charted within the top 20 in several other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for the Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards, and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video. In 2012, it was voted the second-best Smashing Pumpkins song by Rolling Stone readers. 


Year:
1996
4:28
260 

 Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!

Shakedown 1979, cool kids never have the time
On a live wire right up off the street
You and I should meet
June bug skipping like a stone
With the headlights pointed at the dawn
We were sure we'd never see an end to it all

And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below

Double cross the vacant and the bored
They're not sure just what we have in the store
Morphine city slippin' dues, down to see that

We don't even care, as restless as we are
We feel the pull in the land of a thousand guilts
And poured cement, lamented and assured
To the lights and towns below
Faster than the speed of sound
Faster than we thought we'd go, beneath the sound of hope

Justine never knew the rules
Hung down with the freaks and the ghouls
No apologies ever need be made
I know you better than you fake it, to see

And I don't even care to shake these zipper blues
And we don't know just where our bones will rest
To dust I guess
Forgotten and absorbed into the earth below

The street heats the urgency of sound
As you can see there's no one around

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Smashing Pumpkins

The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band from Chicago, Illinois, formed in 1988. Formed by frontman Billy Corgan (lead vocals, lead guitar) and James Iha (rhythm guitar), the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin (drums), D'arcy Wretzky (bass guitar), Melissa Auf der Maur (bass guitar), and currently includes Mike Byrne (drums), Nicole Fiorentino (bass guitar, backing vocals), and Jeff Schroeder (rhythm guitar) among its membership. more »

5 fans

Written by: William Patrick Corgan

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Album Origin
"1979" is the second single off the Smashing Pumpkins' double album, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness," released in 1995.
Chart Performance
The song peaked at number 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and number 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart.
Grammy Nominations
It was nominated for a Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards in 1997.
Personal Significance
The song signifies nostalgia for lead singer, Billy Corgan’s childhood that was full of suburban teenage ennui.
Production Process
"1979" was one of the last songs written for the album and was nearly left off. It was produced and recorded in a single day.
Unique Song Structure
It is noted for its lack of a traditional verse-chorus-verse structure, which is an uncommon trait in most pop songs.
Influence on Band's Sound
The song's reception and success helped alter the band's sound from heavy alternative rock to a softer, more melodic style.
Music Video
The music video of "1979" was directed by the duo Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, it illustrated a day in the life of American teenagers and it won the MTV Video Music Awards for Best Alternative Video in 1996.
Covers by Other Artists
The song was covered by several artists, including electronic duo MSTRKRFT and American band Freedom Fry.
Conceptual Basis
The number 1979 refers to the last year of the 1970s, representing a sense of innocence lost, and the transition from youth to adulthood.

Discuss the 1979 Lyrics with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "1979 Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 18 Apr. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/1477997/Smashing+Pumpkins/1979>.

    Missing lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins?

    Know any other songs by Smashing Pumpkins? Don't keep it to yourself!

    Watch the song video

    1979

    153.4M
    750.2K     28,116

    Top Hot 100 Songs 1996

    Billboard #12


    Browse Lyrics.com

    Quiz

    Are you a music master?

    »
    Which Spanish singer sang the lyrics : "Monday night, and I feel so low I count the hours but they go slow..."?
    A Jennifer Lopez - "Waiting For Tonight"
    B Selena - "Dreaming Of You"
    C Ricky Martin - "Livin' La Vida Loca"
    D Enrique Iglesias - "Be With You"

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Chrome

    Get instant explanation for any lyrics that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Free, no signup required:

    Add to Firefox

    Get instant explanation for any acronym or abbreviation that hits you anywhere on the web!

    Smashing Pumpkins tracks

    On Radio Right Now

    Loading...

    Powered by OnRad.io


    Think you know music? Test your MusicIQ here!