Superchrist
| "Superchrist" | |
|---|---|
 File artwork from the G.L.O.W. digital 45 | |
| Song by The Smashing Pumpkins | |
| Released | February 27, 2008 |
| Genre | Alternative rock, psychedelic rock |
| Length | 7:05 |
| Songwriter(s) | Billy Corgan |
| Producer(s) | Billy Corgan, Jimmy Chamberlin, Kerry Brown |
"Superchrist" is a 2008 song by The Smashing Pumpkins.
History
The song originated during the sessions for Zeitgeist, but Billy Corgan opted against recording the track for the album, stating that he "didn't understand the song, and thought playing it on tour would help us sort it out."[1] "Superchrist" received its live debut on July 24, 2007 during their residency at The Fillmore, and would go on to become a staple at the bands' live shows. It was finally recorded in January 2008 at Sunset Sound,[2] co-produced by Kerry Brown of the band Catherine (and also the ex-husband of former Smashing Pumpkins bassist, D'arcy Wretzky).[3]
Although not a single, the song was highly publicized by the band, including a music video that debuted on MySpace on February 27, 2008; it was also notable for being the band's first release without a record label.[4] The song was initially available in a limited capacity on the compilation Fresh Cuts: Volume 2. Available solely in Guitar Center outlets, the album otherwise featured songs performed by Guitar Center employees.[1] A more general release was later given to the track digitally on the iTunes Store on November 4, 2008, packaged with "G.L.O.W." as a 'digital 45".'[5]
Style
The song, with a time signature of 6/8, is fairly heavy and has been described by the band as "psychedelic", which Corgan partly attributes to co-producer Kerry Brown. Corgan declared that "Superchrist" is an indication of the band being "back in free territory".[6]
Music video
The official music video debuted on MySpace on February 27, 2008, directed and edited by Justin Coloma.[7] The video features Corgan and Chamberlin performing the song with Gary Stern and Sky Saxon from The Seeds on bass guitar and tambourine, respectively.[7] Corgan collaborator Linda Strawberry, photographer Kristin Burns, Hanna Beth, and Audrey Kitching appear in nurse costumes before photographing and injecting Sky Saxon, violinist Ysanne Spevack appears playing metal violin, and porn star Sasha Grey appears as a dancer.[7] It was the first Pumpkins video since the reunion to not feature touring members Jeff Schroeder, Ginger Pooley, and Lisa Harriton.
Lyrics
Evolution, disillusion, rise
One solution, one that takes you beyond
This love, and mine
For I, bleed time
Love his name
Love, love
Love is his play
Personnel
- Billy Corgan – vocals, guitar, bass, production, mixing
- Jimmy Chamberlin – drums, percussion, production, mixing
- Kerry Brown – production, mixing
- Stephen Marcussen – mastering
- Ysanne Spevack – violin
Availability
| Title | Notes | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Cuts: Volume 2 | Compilation | |
| G.L.O.W. | Digital 45 | Single |
| If All Goes Wrong | The Fillmore Residency | Video |
| Celebrating *20* Years of Sadness | Live |
Tour stats
- Total plays: 155 plays (154 full, 1 abandoned, 3 soundcheck)
- First performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 2007-07-24 at The Fillmore, San Francisco, CA, US
- Last performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 2019-08-31 at Shoreline Amphitheatre, Mountain View, CA, US
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cohen, Jonathan. "Exclusive: New Pumpkins Song On Guitar Center CD". Billboard. 2008-02-14.
- ↑ Guitar Center Interviews Billy Corgan Archived January 2, 2012, at the w:Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Superchrist lives! Archived August 28, 2008, at the w:Wayback Machine". SmashingPumpkins.com 2008-01-09.
- ↑ "Artist Interviews: Billy Corgan Archived January 2, 2012, at the w:Wayback Machine". Guitarcenter.com 2008-02-28.
- ↑ G.L.O.W. + Superchrist available in the US iTunes store Archived February 18, 2012, at the w:Wayback Machine". SmashingPumpkins.com. 2008-11-04.
- ↑ Serpick, Evan. "Corgan's Fury: Exclusive Q&A". Rolling Stone. 2008-03-26.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "The Smashing Pumpkins - Superchrist". myspacetv.com. Archived from the original on March 1, 2008.