Billy Corgan: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Nov. 20, 2017 | Robin Hilton -- Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan is a complicated guy. In the years since that iconic and much-beloved rock band broke up in 2000, Corgan has continued to put out music under various names and projects - including several releases as Smashing Pumpkins, with different lineups - while often stumbling through a bumpy minefield of his own making. To the head-scratching surprise of some longtime fans, he's gotten heavily involved in pro wrestling, talked conspiracy theories during several appearances on The Alex Jones Show (warning of weaponized zombies in one interview), and, over the years, lobbed innumerable grievances about former bandmates, while trashing other musicians and publicly feuding with a revolving cast of celebrities and public figures.
More recently, Corgan seems to have mellowed. He opted to release his new solo album Ogilala, under his (very grownup-sounding) full name, William Patrick Corgan (though he very recently changed it back to Billy Corgan on streaming services and KZbin), and filled the record with beautifully rendered acoustic songs built on piano and strings.
When he settled in for this memorable Tiny Desk performance with a string quartet he'd just met hours before, Corgan was nothing but a good-natured delight. After years of selling millions of records and playing packed arenas, he showed up in a cab with just his tour manager and, during setup and rehearsals, joked about being all DIY now.
Dressed for winter weather in a heavy scarf, hoodie, down jacket and cap, Corgan opened with a stirring rendition of the 1995 Smashing Pumpkins song "Tonight, Tonight." It was a transporting moment that left some fans in the NPR offices a little misty eyed. Corgan then followed with two Ogilala standouts, "Aeornaut" and "Mandarynne," songs about staying strong and true to yourself and soldiering on in the face of a troubled world.
The Smashing Pumpkins always had a soft side, from the more melancholy moments of 1991's "Rhinoceros" to "Sweet Sweet," "Take Me Down" and Adore's gorgeous opener, "To Shelia." But here the beauty and grace of Corgan's poetry and songwriting is on full display.
Set List
"Tonight, Tonight"
"Aeronaut"
"Mandarynne"
MUSICIANS
Billy Corgan (vocals, guitar, piano), Kristin Bakkegard (violin), Livy Amoruso (violin), Paul Bagley (viola), Carol Anne Bosco (cello)
CREDITS
Producers: Robin Hilton, Morgan Noelle Smith; Creative Director: Bob Boilen; Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin; Videographers: Morgan Noelle Smith, Nicholas Garbaty, Alyse Young; Production Assistant: Salvatore Maicki; Photo: Jennifer Kerrigan/NPR
For more Tiny Desk concerts, subscribe to our podcast.

[@tankerock]

We will never know the temperature of that room.

[@sojeda82]

best comment ever. it seems you have all four seasons in that room. at once

[@reeddavis6216]

Very underrated comment

[@quentinmckay8658]

🤣

[@ohshiz4244]

Is this comment based upon the string section's dress compared with BC's? BC rarely wears short sleeve. I *think* this may be due to his Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. If so, it'd be just him...which would be no different than most of us who are overly sensitive to our perceived imperfections. -If I am wrong about all of this just ignore me. :)

[@edwinzer0]

😂😂😂

[@scottvaughn9]

The folks who run the sound / eq for these TinyDesk shows are heroes.

[@jawless7616]

I was just thinking its nice to HEAR his voice again.

[@ashleyo8889]

hell yeah they are :-)

[@georgesteinhagen8147]

Unbelievable what they do... hats off!!!

[@rodneystephenson7693]

Why you dont see events like this at Wal-Mart haha. Somebody at this dang shop is a god and deserves some form of recognition.

[@breezzythumper]

Agreed! Wish I could like comment again.

[@waz3128]

the older I get the more it feels like I'm hearing Tonight Tonight for the first time

[@Adamchevy]

Absolutely, what an impressively great song!

[@MyEnemy]

I love you.

[@guillaumeduflo6206]

We thought our heroes would never get old. But they did so did we ...

[@foxlight3]

I feel that too

[@thytoe]

You can never leave without leaving a piece of youth :)

[@AlexanderKnollwood]

Big props to Jerry Cantrell on the viola. A humble, dynamic talent.

[@dsmoreira2010]

now i can't stop thinking about a Tiny Desk with AiC

[@mountainspeaksfire7041]

🤣😂

[@mojojoe-jo2170]

Also for not so subtly eyeballing the cellist a reminder to emphasize the 3 on the opener

[@mack86523]

I just spit water out on my keyboard.

[@followdanger890]

@@dsmoreira2010 same, that would be insanity.

[@samhynninen]

This is probably the best version of Tonight Tonight. The vocals are so sensitive and you can hear Billy's age and maturity in them.

[@greenmatrix30seven]

He is going super within performing this 1

[@rioslatino]

a wise comment bud!

[@averyprice9422]

1998 at The Grand Ole Opry House...

[@jhlikuu]

exactly

[@miss.fit_meg]

I met Billy during a layover in Texas. I was at a really rough point in my life and he was really sweet and insightful. Amazing person and amazing talent

[@davidpetersen9276]

Could you imagine being one of the string players finding out you are going to play with Bily Corgan, and then getting the sheet music to "Tonight, Tonight." I've seen some awesome stuff on Tiny Desk but that has to be one of my favorite of all time.

[@MrMPS-gz1zm]

The 90’s... golden era. So many good memoirs listening Corgan’s voice.

[@creativephotographie]

Wow, his voice is strong here. The strings add so much depth. Very moving and we'll done. I wish him nothing but good things

[@robertadams2365]

Right? I hope he preserves the voice of Gen X.

[@marianaluisinafarias6717]

Those violins at the beginning of the amazing performance of "Tonight, tonight" gave me goose bumps. Love u, Billy.

[@screamingtrees9619]

Mariana Luisina Farias yea the violins make me sad, it hurts. Love this version of tonight.

[@JuanCarlosPrada]

Wonderful version of Tonight, Tonight. It really shows, once again, how great that song is. Thank you, Billy.

[@JacobFrey]

yes yes yes

[@marcelopepinho]

Epic....in every style he plays .... this song will be remembered forever and ever

[@julianinglis4383]

Juan Carlos Prada i

[@gloriaotto1066]

When I was a freshman in high school, there was this awesome upper classman I really looked up to, and she kind of took this nerdy, sheltered kid under her wing and taught me about what was cool in high school in the mid 90s. My education started with music, and she made me a mixed tape. The first track on side 1 was Bullet with Butterfly Wings, and that was my intro to the Smashing Pumpkins. When I started driving myself to school a couple years later, I played that tape on the way to school every morning, always starting with track 1, side 1, until I graduated from high school. I still adore Billy Corgan's distinctive voice, which has really just improved with maturity, it seems.

[@judasRP]

❤

[@MrOffthebank]

Whoever got him on Tiny Desk needs a raise!

[@JamesYShih]

Tonight, Tonight (via Wikipedia): "...the song is addressed to himself [Billy Corgan], who escaped from an abusive childhood against all odds, so as to keep him believing in himself." Knowing that, when he sings (2:25): "...the place I was born." The way he changes the lyric from "you" to "I" gives me chills.

[@yurimujica9459]

He changed that part of the original song,it Says "you were born"

[@aybproducciones2909]

I read something similar about "Disarm", supposedly about his experience as a foster kid.

[@Thomas-pu7nl]

No sorry... "the city by the lake the place I was born." is just Chicago where... he was born...

[@JamesYShih]

@@Thomas-pu7nl yup, which is next to Lake Michigan. No disagreement there. By him changing the pronoun from "you" to "I" makes the song even more personal.

[@noelNJA82]

@@JamesYShih definitely picked up on that too, very subtle but powerful change.

[@hitsfromthebong7629]

Damn Billy's still got it! Hopefully a reunion next year! I was 17 when Mellon collie and the infinite sadness was released, Miss the 90's!

[@esdrasmanrique6457]

There's something about Billy's voice that I have always loved

[@BORDEMER78]

me too

[@robertadams2365]

Because it comes from his soul. When he sings, you can tell he feels it.

[@dubdubdubdub]

Best tiny desk I've seen in a long time, absolutely beautiful, and that chellist...... perfection.

[@gregkosinski2303]

She plays the chello beautifully.

[@miri__5770]

I love this so much. Wish he would've sang "Galapagos"

[@TWHueyGuitar]

I'm waiting for the Smashing Pumpkins song called "Tomorrow" which brings their trilogy of "Today" and "Tonight" to completion.

[@dewilew2137]

Travis Huey maybe we will get a yesterday as well

[@GroovesAndLands]

Maybe it should be called Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow ???

[@bradley1048]

The Before Trilogy of music.

[@fernandoretamalesl]

I of the Mourning was a close one.

[@xyu2198]

yesterday - the beatles today - the smashing pumpkins tomorrow - silverchair

[@thomasredden4263]

You ever think about how hard it would be to level a concert like this? Mad skills by the sound engineer

[@TorToroPorco]

The sound engineering @ NPR Music is superb. Similarly Live on KEXP in Seattle does a stellar job as well. The audio quality is often better than the actual studio recordings or live venue performances.

[@NoDozBukowski]

I'd just like to say that I do, in fact, believe in Billy Corgan.

[@derekfernandez7701]

8:51 This bit reminded me of the end of Hummer (like an echo of that era) - so beautiful thank you! 😍

[@pineapplepeanuts]

Corgan is underrated if that's possible. One of my favorite musicians over the years. Great songwriter and lyricist. He's been at it for literally more than 30 years and has somehow remained inspired and able to write songs that make you listen.

[@bm-ye1jj]

His words are magic. Probably bc he says he creates his songs as poems before translating them to lyrics

[@AntonioCrashMusic]

Underrated? He won two grammys (and 12 nominations), he won 7 MTV awards (16 nominations) and more than 30 million albums sold worldwide...

[@rl9427]

The 90's.....great time to come of age with great music.

[@wesleyalan9179]

Yep..I miss it...A LOT!

[@ANNIHILISTIC]

I love love love how this video just straight away opens with Tonight.

[@alexkenley1]

Aeronaut is such a beautiful song. I hope he never stops writing.

[@MrGodforPresident]

Billy never sold out in my opinion, still makes good music & true to his own style, God bless you brother

[@SweetTone76]

Seriously what absolute amazing song writing... no bells or whistles just pure talent.

[@paulbedell8234]

MrRicepaper Billy took these songs to Rick Ruben as “rough” demos. Expecting rick to want more production. He wanted them all stripped down just like this. I’m glad billy went to Rick and put his trust in him. The entire new BC album is Awesome. Rick deserves some credit I think.

[@r.styles_chan8632]

i love the intimacy of tiny desk concerts. They make musical performances feel more personal and warm :)

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

I remember first finding Smashing Pumpkins when I was in third grade. At the time, I wasn't allowed to listen to secular music (in all fairness third grade is probably a little early for Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness) but Stacy was a fifth grader down the street who wore Chucks and played a Strat and had a giant Nirvana poster and I was obsessed with her. I remember when she gave me a single track tape with Bullet With Butterfly Wings and I listened to it over and over (quietly in my room so my parents couldn't hear) literally until it fell apart in my tape player. I think I cried myself to sleep that night. Years later when I got my first job, I realized I couldn't be kept from listening to what I wanted to listen to and staring at my first paycheck in epiphany, I frantically and recklessly drove to the record store in the mall and bought the first album I ever bought with my own money: Siamese Dream. And then I played it until it was almost transparent and too scratched to all hell to make it more than 30 seconds into "Today." So I bought it again. In fact, I bought that album 4 times before CDs became a novelty and now it's just downloaded on my phone. I don't know what it was about Billy Corgan's voice that hooked me but it got in deep man, and never really let go. So when I say I love this man I mean I love him. I hate how overused and cliche this is but Billy Corgan changed my life. Well, him and Stacy Pfeiffer from down the street. She was a total badass.

[@KeliRay]

This is one of the best things I've ever read.

[@anthonycusinato3969]

Keli Renda you should maybe try getting yourself down to a little more reading...

[@kasimndfck5320]

😿😻👁️‍🗨️💘

[@Away.Aweigh.A.Way.]

anthony cusinato maybe try not shitting on something other people find positive, you insufferable child

[@KeliRay]

wat?

[@tjgurn9382]

His voice is hauntingly beautiful and the writing just rips your heart out

[@stevenstewart6349]

Corgan's voice has aged like fine whine.

[@jamesfullwood7788]

I don't think anybody's going to get that.

[@rhysj4926]

Anthony kiedis voice aged like milk

[@el34glo59]

@@rhysj4926 Kiedis never had a voice

[@somewhereinbetwixt]

Took me a sec but I see what you did there.

[@alexkenley1]

doesn't matter still good

[@biorythmicshifter]

Damn...I had no idea he was that good. These are fantastic performances...

[@BrianAndersonPhotography]

wow...this is why I love NPR

[@MrWiggnuts]

Brian Anderson you are everywhere

[@rhysj4926]

Marry it then

[@daytonabeachUSA]

Eh npr blows. However they’ve really nailed it with this series a few times. It bothers me that liberals identify with npr. It’s nothing more than establishment tripe.

[@TranscendentalTunes]

Blasting Cherub Rock before school started, walking the campus, feeling like a fucking badass. Smashing Pumpkins is life

[@ejicon3099]

The soundtrack to my youth was everything Smashing Pumpkins. I know Billy and the band have been through a lot... so it's very heart warming to see him continuing doing his thing. MCATIS and Adore are where I first noticed Billy's softer side and his new solo album looks to be very promising. Great performance. The string quartet were just as amazing (also love what they did for Alt-J.) Thanks so much for sharing this.

[@giovannyandrescortesrodrig2846]

Just imagine yourself standing over there listening to this magnificent and glorious concert.

[@lukewiese6684]

That guitar sounds fucking phenomenal. So does Billy's voice. So do the strings.

[@gregkosinski2303]

No need to swear

[@peterthirdandthebridges]

@@gregkosinski2303 bruh

[@C0C0_Nuts]

Who else could hear the Jellybelly guitar intro as soon as Tonight Tonight ended?

[@ChopAndBrew]

Yes! Embedded in my blood!

[@drummingbad9358]

for sure!

[@foxlight3]

ya no avoiding that, I have to get my kids freaking albums that aren't digital

[@SPACEB0YZER0]

Lol yep

[@trisooma6348]

anticipation sucks; I paused this vid and listened to Jellybelly (instant gratification, plz)

[@AGilbii]

Tonight, Tonight was the first song I taught myself on guitar. Billy Corgan and the Smashing Pumpkins are the reason I wanted to learn how to play.

[@MIKERUPTION]

Not only can Billy rock out, but he also writes these beautiful songs!

[@heatseeker9738]

his voice has not changed with age at all, that's awesome.

[@aaroney132]

Honestly, one of my favorite musicians, He's so genuine, talented, passionate, intelligent, and compassionate. Love his music, truly resonates with me.

[@bmorebob6624]

I realize he’s played and sung “Tonight” a million times but it’s got to be an extremely difficult tune to pull off yet he absolutely kills it here. Fucking amazing.

[@jawless7616]

I'll never forget my very first concert. Smashing Pumpkins at the bronco bowl in Dallas Texas. 1996 I was 11. I count myself lucky to experience them before their fall.... miss you D'arcy get yourself clean and come back to us.

[@brunosilvanois]

Incredible how Billy's voice improved a lot

[@heathkitchen6475]

Sitting around a fire with a dozen of my friends on a perfect night listening to songs like Tonight Tonight is one of my favorite memories.

[@Mrfistoon]

this man is a genius songmaker. enjoying all the old and new songs from him

[@jessicabremer9735]

I love he did "Tonight, Tonight." iconic Pumpkins.

[@dafuzzyguitar]

at 8:51....its the ending of Hummer....Billy you absolute legend you've done it again

[@whatsyourglitch]

I was a member of the Smashing Pumpkins' fan club back in 1994. It is so refreshing to hear Billy sing like this again.

[@puertoblack4605]

Shout out to the violinists.

[@jamesfullwood7788]

And the violist and the cellist....

[@drewcamero1489]

PuertoBlack their inner and outer beauty is such a counter point to Billy goat gruff

[@scooter2163]

Mandarynne mesmerized me the first time I heard it, and it's only gotten better since. I keep coming back.

[@iraqdon1964]

Never knew anything about The Pumpkins until 1999 and I met a Japanese in a small town near Hiroshima who had very little in physical possessions. But they had the Adore Smashing Pumpkins CD. And I was hooked.....

[@jaclynbuntrock448]

I wish that he would make more music like this. Just him. His music. His instrumentals are so soothing.

[@Knipchick]

I always loved the strings of Tonight Tonight. Those strings enchanted me at the age of 12 & still am.

[@TheDjcloudy108]

Super nice guy in person. Definitely had a fanboy moment when I waited on him at a small vegetarian restaurant in Dallas.

[@BrxIghtside]

Nursecloudy 108 should have given him a smashed pumpkin drink

[@te9591]

Wow, what a neat experience. Didnt know he was vegetarian.

[@jasex33]

D. Cloudy 108 you’re cute lol

[@Th3DarkCanuck]

Dallas has vegan restaurants?

[@danielvanheurck5305]

Such a wonderful performance, Billy's sensitive voice together with the string instruments and the piano, totally Smaching Pumpkings.

[@randomhero456]

Couldn’t have clicked this faster.

[@CamKnoppMusic]

I was like "HOLY SHIT!" when I saw it

[@mayradreschererramouspe2929]

[@SoundAuthor]

same ;)

[@phoebiechurch6303]

Hell yes.

[@mattyfarrelly521]

Same bro

[@patrickreagan7784]

Can still deliver after all these years.Nice going brother.

[@leovlogslife]

Tonight, Tonight is just so timeless. I never get bored of listening to it. Thank you Billy for this song. Something very Wordsworthian about it too I think

[@zpeck81]

I honestly keep coming back to this video. The most beautiful music I've heard ❤❤❤❤

[@lindsayterramiggi2250]

There is still a lot of life left in his voice.

[@pablo_ramone]

believe.. in the resolute urgency of now.. and if you believe there's not a chance.. tonight. OUT OF THIS WORLD BILLY CORGAN!!

[@varialheelz]

Oh! Sweet adolescence.... Such nostalgia and emotion. Tonight tonight makes me cry whenever I hear it. So beautiful and so definitive of an era, for me...

[@Pippy187]

Aeronaut beautifully crushes my soul

[@eduardocandidodasilva3332]

This performance is impressive! It's a delight to see the artist performing like this, singing the song as beautifully as the original recording.

[@PodOfHeat]

Beautiful. Always loved Tonight Tonight.... really touched me hearing it played first here.

[@BaghaShams]

Thanks for the credits at the end letting us know that some parts were written by William Patrick Corgan and some parts by Billy Corgan

[@allens5582]

An amazing performance by Billy. Love the two new tracks from his Ogilala album.

[@Melly402]

I care not his qualms or grievances, that man’s voice is uniquely timeless. Beautiful. Kudos to to all involved in this creation.

[@shaunkelly3149]

I used to like Smashing Pumpkins. I still do but I used to, too.

[@Chrisscappatore]

me too i used to also and i still do

[@mldowjr08]

So underrated!!! He is Awesome!!! I appreciate him and his music the older I get....

[@noisyshack3807]

This version of “Tonight” is so great! One of my all time favorites.

[@miadenfria]

Billy’s music is like a journey to me Every single tone is so soul pleasing! His voice is really out of this world..all my love to Billy and the band!❤️

[@neonpayphone]

was just listening to him on Joe Rogan's podcast recently and seems like such a genuinely nice and intelligent dude. he was talking about his smaller shows he's doing for his new album so it's cool to see this pop up!

[@billallen540]

Ed Harris. He’s also wearing the same thing he wore with Joe Rogan

[@ComaAlpha]

In the Rogan interview did they mention his plans for NWA? I can't stand the PG company anymore. They need legitimate competition again like The Monday Night Wars.

[@sselfless]

the magic of the YT algorithm

[@LightYagami-wt1jw]

New album's out!!

[@ComaAlpha]

@C F wow, you're an idiot and missed the point completely. What I meant was that WWe needs competition like WWF vs WCW vs distant third ECW back in the day. AEW might be that competition. They have a Wednesday slot and you can never go wrong with JR on commentary.

[@Hello.Newman]

When I hear the pumpkins, I’m thrown back to the 90’s. Back to a random sunny day when life was just bright and optimistic. Of course, I was also a kid in the 90s….i wonder if that has anything to do with those feelings of nostalgia…

[@XX-bo5pb]

One of my favourite musicians of all time

[@Podus81]

Criminally underrated.

[@matthewjdouglas6471]

Amazing artist, i don't care if people think he's big headed. He's has every right to be. The oozes talent from every pore

[@CaitlinEaster]

Very "npr" of them to corrupt this beautiful offering with a politicized smear. He's amazing, sp is my enduring soundtrack, this man is why.

[@rishabhjain545]

Billy Corgan is a star

[@gravis00]

Absolutely one of the best albums ever created, Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. Fuck! The 90s kicked ass!!!

[@-Subtle-]

They really did. In every genre.

[@ustheserfs]

wonderful when the lyrics of a tune hit you the same way you first heard them years later. the song transcends our limited understanding of the passage of time.

[@LOVERGEIST777]

So beautiful

[@quintonobrien7209]

Has anyone else noticed one of the String Quartet bears striking resemblance to Vigo from Ghostbusters 2?

[@DjZeroGX]

90's man Still always great hear his songs.

[@TheRebelWithoutApplause]

"Believe in me, as I believe in y-o-u-u..." Masterclass.

[@MalevolentElephant]

WOW HOW DID I MISS THIS ONE????

[@ndywlf7746]

Wow I honestly didn't know he was this good. My bad. Really wonderful.

[@satelliteRadar]

Tonight, tonight may be one of the best songs to come out of the 90’s.

[@zpeck81]

Dont think I have heard a better rendition of Tonight Tonight. Beautiful ❤❤❤

[@MrTelecosta]

What a beautiful version of tonight tonight, Billy is an amazing songwriter

[@user-be5qg7mr1s]

i grew up listening to this in high school...love the live strings

[@Bryce_Hall]

Just what my heart needed

[@te9591]

Yeah, that second track.

[@truthseeker6532]

SO BADASS!!!!

[@gpstenholm23]

Mandarynne is one of his best songs ever

[@carlatrujillog]

Can't describe the chills I get every time I watch this concert. Love it to pieces 🖤🥺

[@stratogore]

I like the way he plays piano. He plays it with certain fingers, unique, looks self taught, which is awesome

[@Porkchopportugal]

Hands down my favourite voice in the culture of music ❤

[@justoalbertomedranotelon8631]

Listening to this song I feel that it was only yesterday that I saw the premiere on TRL and I still feel alive. Applause Billy!