Spellbinding

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"Spellbinding"
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
Album
Lyrics
Lyrics
Tabs
Video
Spotify
ReleasedMarch 28, 2023
GenreElectronic rock, pop rock
Length4:06
LabelMartha's Music
Songwriter(s)Billy Corgan
Producer(s)Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"Beguiled"
(2022) 		"Spellbinding"
(2023) 		"Empires"
(2023)
  1. Atum
  2. Butterfly Suite
  3. The Good In Goodbye
  4. Embracer
  5. With Ado I Do
  6. Hooligan
  7. Steps In Time
  8. Where Rain Must Fall
  9. Beyond The Vale
  10. Hooray!
  11. The Gold Mask
  12. Avalanche
  13. Empires
  14. Neophyte
  15. Moss
  16. Night Waves
  17. Space Age
  18. Every Morning
  19. To The Grays
  20. Beguiled
  21. The Culling
  22. Springtimes
  23. Sojourner
  24. That Which Animates The Spirit
  25. The Canary Trainer
  26. Pacer
  27. In Lieu Of Failure
  28. Cenotaph
  29. Harmageddon
  30. Fireflies
  31. Intergalatic
  32. Spellbinding
  33. Of Wings
  34. Simmatar
  35. Magdalena
  36. Saffron
  37. Zope
  38. Huzzah!
  39. Automaton
  40. MaryQ
  41. Burr
  42. Excelsior
  43. Necromance

"Spellbinding" is the second single from The Smashing Pumpkins' twelfth studio album, ATUM. The song was released on streaming platforms on March 28, 2023.[1] It was also then featured in the end credits of Murder Mystery 2 on Netflix which was released on March 31, 2023.

Background[edit | edit source]

In an interview with Q101's Brian and Kenzie Show on July 4, 2023, Billy Corgan explained the story behind the noted chorus of "Spellbinding".

During the making of ATUM, the band originally only had the opening riff recorded, with the rest of the song written differently than it how ended up on the album. Corgan stated that the following morning, he woke from a dream with the "take me away, I'm going to find you" melody playing in his head, thinking it sounded similar to something he may have already written. Nonetheless, he recorded the idea on his phone so as not to forget about it.[2]

That same morning, Corgan arrived to the studio before Chamberlin, who was to record the drums for the original version of the song. Corgan asked to record the idea from his dream, which they did. Later that day recording continued on what became "Spellbinding", but the band felt something was missing. It occurred to Corgan that the melody idea from the dream might fit. It not only fit, but was roughly the same tempo and key.[2]

Critical reception[edit | edit source]

Upon its release, "Spellbinding" received fairly positive reviews. They especially praised how the song mixed the band's modern synth sound with its classic guitar and drum sounds.[3]

Much like the prior single "Beguiled", "Spellbinding" performed moderately well in the United States on the Billboard Charts. In March 2023 the single reached number 26 on the Rock Airplay and also hit the top 20 of the Alternative Airplay chart, reaching number 18. The release marks the first time since the year 2000 that the band have had two consecutive top 20 hits, with the previous being "The Everlasting Gaze" and "Stand Inside Your Love" charting at number 4 and number 2 respectively on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart.

Synopsis[edit | edit source]

Main article: ATUM (synopsis)

(performed by Shiny from his ship's bridge)

Still at the standoff, Osirah pulls the trigger of the laser gun. Although, the bullet hits Ruby instead as she positioned herself in front of Shiny before Osirah shot. The X+I, who were waiting idly by, rush and apprehend Osirah. And in the rush of the moment, Shiny hops in the open capsule that Ruby has been preparing for launch and lifts off. Shiny and the ruined, half-disabled Ruby are free.[4]


Music video[edit | edit source]

The music video was released on June 28, 2023, and was directed by Kevin Kerslake – who had directed the "Cherub Rock" music video almost 30 years earlier.[5] The video was created entirely using the Unreal Engine 3D computer graphics software, which is used primarily by game developers. Similarly, the band all had to wear specialized suits for motion capturing in order to translate them into the digital realm. Kerslake stated adding in the guitars, drum kit, among other things added challenges that wouldn't normally play a role in this form of 3D modeling.[6]

Unlike other ATUM singles, the video closely aligns with the rock opera story, depicting the characters Shiny (as Corgan), June, and Ruby. Within the story, the video largely takes place in what Corgan refers to as June's "death dream". He essentially told Kerslake to "do whatever [he] wants" with the video, and was pleased with the outcome, even stating the computer-aided technology gave him hope to perhaps one day do something similar for a full ATUM film.[6]

The end of the video features audio from the subsequent and final track from ATUM, "Of Wings". This final scene depicts the character Shiny going after June, while also hinting at what happens next after the end of the ATUM story.[6]

Lyrics[edit | edit source]

It's Berlin baby
Luxor ‘n daisies
And I’m plumb crazy
For your tomorrows
It's Weimar, lately
Luxor ‘n daisies
And I’m plumb crazy
For your tomorrows

Take me away I'm gonna find you
Take me away I'm gonna find you
‘Cause nobody else could ever mind you
Take me away I'm gonna find you

Can you feel this
Can you feel this
I can feel this
For your tomorrows
It's Berlin baby
Luxor ‘n daisies
And I'm plumb crazy

Take me away I'm gonna find you
Take me away I'm gonna find you
‘Cause nobody else could ever mind you
Take me away I'm gonna find you
You drew to this rye
While I was righting my own sun
Bright as your eye, and glitched

Take me away I'm gonna find you
Take me away I'm gonna find you
‘Cause nobody else could ever mind you
Take me away I'm gonna find you
It's Berlin, baby, Weimar blues!
Blues and grays won't make the change
Can you feel this love I've made
Take me away
Take me away

Take me away I'm gonna find you

Release[edit | edit source]

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Spellbinding"Billy Corgan4:06
Released Label Catalog ID Format Country External sites
2023-03-28 Martha's Music Digital Worldwide [1]

Personnel[edit | edit source]

Charts[edit | edit source]

Chart (2023) Peak
position
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[7] 16
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[8] 26

Availability

TitleNotesType
ATUMAct IIIStudio
SpellbindingSingle

Tour stats

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ https://www.nme.com/news/music/smashing-pumpkins-share-new-song-spellbinding-announce-us-tour-with-interpol-3422030
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "FULL INTERVIEW! Billy Corgan On Rivalry with Nirvana, 'Siamese Dream' 30th Anniversary, and more!". YouTube. July 4, 2023.
  3. ↑ https://music.mxdwn.com/2023/03/28/news/the-smashing-pumpkins-shares-fiery-new-single-spellbinding/
  4. ↑ Corgan, Billy. "Spellbinding". Thirty-Three (Podcast). Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  5. ↑ https://www.instagram.com/p/CtxZr1XJviu/
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "The Smashing Pumpkins' YouTube Premium Afterparty". YouTube. Retrieved June 28, 2023. ("Spellbinding" music video release after-party conversation with Corgan and Kerslake; available only to YouTube Premium members)
  7. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  8. ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Rock Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.

External links[edit | edit source]

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