The Celestials
"The Celestials" | ||||
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Single by The Smashing Pumpkins | ||||
Released | June 21, 2012 (promo) October 14, 2012 (7" single) | |||
Format | Digital download, 7" vinyl | |||
Studio sessions | ||||
Genre | Rock | |||
Length | 3:58 | |||
Label | EMI/Caroline | |||
Songwriter(s) | Billy Corgan | |||
Producer(s) | Billy Corgan, Bjorn Thorsrud | |||
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology | ||||
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Promotional CD cover | ||||
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"The Celestials" is the first single from The Smashing Pumpkins' ninth album Oceania. It was originally sent to radio airplay as a promotional single on June 21, 2012. The band performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on August 23, 2012.[1]
Background and recording[edit | edit source]
In an interview with MusicRadar, Corgan stated, "I have all of these vintage keyboards that we just crank out when I need something, so I don't really know what's on here. It's some super, highly obscure '70s keyboard." He added, "The arrangement is kind of like classic MTV, circa 1994. You start with the acoustic and then the band kicks in grunge."[2]
Reception[edit | edit source]
The track has received positive reviews. Tree Riddle of Loudwire praised the track's sound, stating "Acoustic guitar and orchestral swells dominate the beginning, along with Corgan’s tortured vocals (which actually have a better, more polished sound than on other recent works). Once the full band kicks in, you realize that this is the standout track on the album. 'The Celestials' employs all the elements that make a classic Pumpkins song, and is likely the best released under the name in over a decade. Corgan caps off the tune by matching the line "Everything I want is free" with a beautifully reserved lead guitar riff."[3] RedEye favorably compared it to one of the band's biggest songs, "Disarm", from their album Siamese Dream, calling it a "...nod to the Pumpkins' past. Its acoustic guitar and orchestration make it, if not a sibling, then a distant cousin to the classic "Disarm".[4] Similarly, CraveOnline compared it to the most acoustic aspects of their Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness album and said that "...The song is catchy but with a injection of prog-rock that keeps it from collapsing on itself."[5]
The track was included on Loudwire's list of "Best Rock Songs of 2012."[6]
Track listing[edit | edit source]
Release in Autumn 2012, this 7" single came packaged in a cardboard box and a t-shirt. It was sold exclusively at Target and of unknown quantity.
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Celestials" | 3:55 |
2. | "Inkless" (Original Mix) | 3:05 |
No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "The Celestials" | 3:38 |
Release history[edit | edit source]
Released | Label | Catalog ID | Format | Country | Discogs | MusicBrainz | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 14, 2012 | Martha's Music | MM 007 | 7" + t-shirt | US | 3952566 | 623108e8-c22e-4ffa-80a7-c5a8fa5e274d | [1] |
June 21, 2012 | Martha's Music | CD | US | 3841672 | [2] |
More releases: Discogs • MusicBrainz
Charts[edit | edit source]
Chart (2012) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[7] | 29 |
Canada Rock (Billboard)[8] | 40 |
US Hot Rock Songs (Billboard)[9] | 45 |
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[10] | 62 |
Availability
Title | Notes | Type |
---|---|---|
Oceania | Studio | |
The Celestials | US single | Single |
Oceania: Live in NYC | Live • Video |
Tour stats
- Total plays: 69 plays , 2 artists
- First performance: The Smashing Pumpkins 2012-06-19 at iHeartRadio Theater, New York, NY, US
- Last performance: Billy Corgan 2017-09-23 at Madame ZuZu's, Highland Park, IL, US
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Smashing Pumpkins To Perform On Jay Leno This Week
- ↑ Joe Bosso (June 13, 2012). "Interview: Billy Corgan talks The Smashing Pumpkins' Oceania track-by-track". MusicRadar. Retrieved July 21, 2012.
- ↑ Riddle, Tree (April 3, 2012). "The Smashing Pumpkins, 'Oceania' – Album Review". Loudwire. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ↑ Moore, Brian (June 15, 2012). "Album review: Smashing Pumpkins, 'Oceania'". RedEye. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ↑ Robinson, Iann (June 20, 2012). "Review: Smashing Pumpkins - Oceania". CraveOnline. Retrieved July 3, 2012.
- ↑ Hartmann, Graham. "Smashing Pumpkins, 'The Celestials'". Loudwire. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
- ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Alternative Songs)". Billboard.
- ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Canada Rock)". Billboard.
- ↑ "The Smashing Pumpkins Chart History (Hot Rock Songs)". Billboard.
- ↑ "Ultratop.be – The Smashing Pumpkins – The Celestials" (in Dutch). Ultratip.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Oceania songs
- 2012 singles
- 2012 songs
- Songs written by Billy Corgan
- Songs produced by Billy Corgan
- Songs produced by Bjorn Thorsrud
- Songs
- Singles
- The Smashing Pumpkins singles
- The Smashing Pumpkins songs
- Billboard Alternative songs
- Canada Rock songs
- Billboard Hot Rock songs
- Belgium (Ultratop Flanders) songs
- Caroline Records singles
- EMI Records singles