Where Rain Must Fall
"Where Rain Must Fall" is the eighth track from Act I of The Smashing Pumpkins' 2023 rock opera, ATUM.
Billy Corgan calls it a "very romantic song," comparing it to old Hollywood musicals. He said he always wanted to write a song in this style, but "everyone around him [not the band] wants him to write Alternative rock hits." Had it not been for the ATUM story, the song may have never been written.
Like the previous track, "Steps In Time", "Where Rain Must Fall" is sung by the ATUM character, June, making it the only song on the album adjacent to another song by the same character.[1]
Synopsis[edit | edit source]
(performed by June amongst the heavens, and in fantasy alongside the thousands of other craft in space with her)
Now that June has heard the good news from Earth that people still care about Shiny, she is excited and feels that her destiny to be with Shiny is now sealed. "Shiny's love is in her grasp, at least psychologically," explained Corgan. "Where Rain Must Fall" is meant to represent the fantasy of what June's life will be like with Shiny. She takes a "starway" to the stars to reach him. This line was originally worded as "stairway to the stars" but Corgan felt that was "too obvious."[1]
Lyrics[edit | edit source]
far, too far
us gladrags wander a dull roar
and a path that's too barbed
yet, be reminded senescence don't fare
and hours just a'int ours
in all that you are
i'm comin' to roust you
buttoned by high noons
whirling in 'how de-do'
it's never as taught
been sitting in my room
hanging on my moons
it's better to live than talk
on a star-way to the…
soul infernal
hark! as eternal
through tides of kerosene
just put your mind out
where it can't be reached
on a star-way to the stars
a star-way to the stars
i'm comin' to roust you
buttoned by high noons
whirling in 'how de-do'
on a star-way to the stars
a star way to the stars
stars… to where you are
on a star-way to the stars
a star-way to the stars
Availability
| Title | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| ATUM | Act I | Studio |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Corgan, Billy. "Where Rain Must Fall (with Adam Lehrer)". Thirty-Three (Podcast). Retrieved December 8, 2022.