Zowie

From SPCodex, The Smashing Pumpkins wiki
"Zowie"
Song by Billy Corgan
ReleasedOctober 13, 2017
Studio sessionsJuly and October 2016 – Shangri La Studios
Length2:41
Songwriter(s)Billy Corgan

"Zowie" (pronounced like "zaow-ee", full name "Zowie Bowie") is a song off of Billy Corgan's second studio album, Ogilala. The song was written as a tribute to David Bowie following his death in 2016,[1] and is named after his son. However Corgan pronounces it like "zaow-ee", just like Bowie's was originally (and often still is) pronounced in England.

In a 2017 interview with Howard Stern, Corgan explained that when wrote the opening chord sequence, it reminded him of Bowie. Through the rest of the songwriting process, Bowie "rode shotgun" with him. He considered the song "a very personal way to say thank you" to Bowie.

Videos[edit | edit source]

Live debut, October 1, 2017
Billy Corgan on Writing "Zowie" for David Bowie (2017)

Lyrics[edit | edit source]

I foraged 'neath the darkest eaves, but why?
I've coughed into the sparkling breach, oh!
But underline, Hosannas ought
Not be so lost as I

When life keeps a running faster than your scars
And Cain isn't able to build a superstar
I'll carry back your love to win

I've caved on empires meek and drab, for sky
I've shattered promise after peak, ooh!
Yet Anodyne! No canyon currs
Not after spurs like mine!

That life keeps up running faster than your scars
And Cain isn't able to build a superstar
I'll carry back your love to win

Availability

TitleNotesType
OgilalaStudio
PillboxVideo
Neath The Darkest EvesOriginal video releaseLive • Video

Tour stats

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Kaye, Ben. "Billy Corgan debuts David Bowie tribute "Zowie", James Iha collaboration "Processional" live: Watch". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 27, 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]