Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)

From SPCodex, The Smashing Pumpkins wiki
"Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)"
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
ReleasedSeptember 14, 2018
FormatDigital download[1]
Studio sessions
GenreAlternative rock, pop rock
Length3:30
Songwriter(s)Billy Corgan
Producer(s)Rick Rubin
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"Solara"
(2018)
"Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)"
(2018)
"Knights of Malta"
(2018)

"Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)" is the second single from The Smashing Pumpkins' tenth studio album, Shiny and Oh So Bright - Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.[2] It was announced on the band's Twitter account on September 13, 2018 and released the following day.[3] It was recorded with Rick Rubin in early 2018 and is the second track from the reforming three-quarters of the band's original lineup.[4]

Background and recording[edit | edit source]

The single was released on September 14, 2018[3] and is the follow up to the band's first single "Solara", in its partially reformed incarnation. The song was produced by record producer Rick Rubin, who the band had previously worked with band in the mid-'90s.[5] It was recorded at the Shangri La recording studio, Malibu, California in early 2018.

Music video[edit | edit source]

Official music video

On September 13, 2018, Corgan announced on his personal Instagram account that production had wrapped on the music video for the song. The video was directed by Corgan himself and produced by long-time Smashing Pumpkins collaborator Linda Strawberry. Fans of the band were recruited as extras for the video.[6] The music video features Mark McGrath of the rock band Sugar Ray playing the role of DJ Jackie Cherry, who has recruited the band to promote a Halloween haunted house charity event. The band must survive the night at the house to win the money for charity. Each member is visited by apparent ghosts and demonic creatures, including members of Drab Majesty, before it is revealed that Corgan is in control of all the preceding events that unfolded.[7]

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

Rolling Stone was positive about the track, describing it as having "bright melodies" and that it was reminiscent of the band's hit single "1979".[8] Uproxx said the song "finds the band recapturing some of their past glory" and that Corgan's delivery is "melodic and accessible".[9]

Lyrics[edit | edit source]

Blur like a rocket
Torch like a dying sun
Snap like a dragon
Dive like a pelican

Kingdoms of my kingdom come

Skip like a prophet
Spit like a poet's gun
But say how long can this go on?

Stumbling before you speak
Stunning and stunning and stunning the black
You turn turncoat
Inward to seek out all your hopes
It's your signals
That hurts me most

We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts
We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts

Rule like a tyrant
Make like a valentine
Tear like a siren
Sulk like a sunken mine

Kingdoms of my kingdom come
It's all but one, so

Row like a felon
Drown like a captain's son
But say how long can this go on?

We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts
We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts

Stumbling before you speak
Stunning and stunning with cannons to lead
And tigers tight
You scan the fields, someone dies tonight
It's tragic, but at least it's not you

We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts
We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts
We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts
We're in the middle
We're in the middle
Ghosts

Digital download[edit | edit source]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)"Billy Corgan3:30

Release history[edit | edit source]

Released Label Catalog ID Format Country External sites
September 14, 2018 Napalm Digital Worldwide Discogs MusicBrainz [1]

More releases: DiscogsMusicBrainz

Personnel[edit | edit source]

Band

Production

Charts[edit | edit source]

Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[10] 38
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[11] 41
Canada Rock (Billboard)[12] 46

Availability

TitleNotesType
Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)Single
Shiny and Oh So Bright - Vol. 1 / LP: No Past. No Future. No Sun.Main releaseStudio

Tour stats

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) single information", Amazon, Retrieved on September 5, 2018.
  2. Sodomsky, Sam; Kim, Michelle (September 14, 2018). "Smashing Pumpkins Announce New Album, Share Song: Listen". Pitchfork. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  3. 3.0 3.1 "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) Twitter announcement", Twitter, Retrieved on September 14, 2020.
  4. "SP New Album", Alternative Nation, August 28, 2018. Retrieved on September 4, 2018.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "SP Interview", LoudWire, July 3, 2018. Retrieved on September 4, 2018.
  6. "Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts) music video production info", Instagram, Retrieved on September 13, 2018.
  7. "Smashing Pumpkins Tap Mark McGrath for Macabre 'Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  8. "Smashing Pumpkins announce new album, new song 'Silvery Sometimes (Ghosts)'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  9. "The Smashing Pumpkins Recapture Their Past Glory On Their New Song, 'Silver Sometime (Ghosts)'". Uproxx. Retrieved October 24, 2018.
  10. "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
  11. "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  12. "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard. Retrieved September 14, 2018.

External links[edit | edit source]