Meaning of “Today” by The Smashing Pumpkins
As the story goes, after the mild yet notable success of their debut album “Gish” (1991) – which didn’t perform particularly well chart-wise but did eventually earn RIAA platinum certification – the members of Smashing Pumpkins went on to experience their own respective issues.
As for the band’s frontman Billy Corgan, who wrote “Today”, his was an extreme depression, coupled with writer’s block, which we would have to presume is a very serious affliction for someone who makes his living in large part from creative writing.
Indeed Virgin Records, the label that eventually put this track out, reportedly exerted “a lot of pressure” on the band to expeditiously complete a second LP, which turned out to be 1993’s “Siamese Dream”.
Out of all that stress and melancholy that Corgan was experiencing, which lasted almost an entire year, “Today” was born. And of further note is the fact that Billy was actually suicidal at that time.
The Lyrics of “Today”
Some analysts have even been able to gather that these lyrics are about a desire to leave this world, even though the wording never goes there directly. However, what is discernible, especially as far as the two actual verses are concerned, is that the vocalist is questioning the value of life in general. He basically has seemingly come to the conclusion that his own life is too messed up to rectify.
This song overtly practices misdirection, in that the chorus rather revolves around Billy celebrating “today” as “the greatest day”. All lyrics considered, that assertion is obviously a sarcastic one.
But coupled with the bridge, in which Corgan is expressing his desire “to turn you on”, it’s almost as if this song can be interpreted in two different ways. For instance, the phrase “can’t live for tomorrow”, as found in the first verse, coupled with the singer putting forth that “today is the greatest day” can reasonably be interpreted as if he’s espousing the notion of living for today as opposed to tomorrow.
But we know the actual background of this piece. Or as Billy put, “Today” is “a chirpy song about (his own) near-suicide”. So it’s like, don’t let the apparent positivity fool you. And that’s because in its entirety, this track does more or less clearly reflect the musings of a narrator who has become woefully depressed.
“Today is the greatest
Day I’ve ever known
Can’t live for tomorrow
Tomorrow’s much too long
I’ll burn my eyes out
Before I get out”
Release Date of “Today”
This is the title of the second single and third track from the album “Siamese Dream”, which is a sophomore studio project from The Smashing Pumpkins. “Today” was officially put out during September of 1993.
Writing & Production
The group’s member and lead singer Billy Corgan is credited as the sole author of this tune. He also took charge of its production, receiving support from a famed US record producer named Butch Vig.
Album
The “Siamese Dream” project was officially issued on July 27 of 1993, with Virgin Records being the record company behind its release.
“Siamese Dream” produced a total of four singles, with “Cherub Rock” being its first single. This track was issued in June of 1993. “Disarm” and “Rocket” are the titles of its third and fourth singles, which were, respectively, issued in February and December of 1994
