Billy Corgan: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@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.

[@TheDeadFlashYT]

Tonight, Tonight is one of the most beautiful songs ever

[@feferosette]

Yes it is!

[@denisecounts5381]

The music!!

[@gnarlyishellagnarly]

I like mayonnaise

[@harveyandruss8748]

I didn't mind Today either....

[@saschab2992]

makes me remember the good old days :) i could cry everytime i hear it

[@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.

[@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 :)

[@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

[@MrMPS-gz1zm]

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

[@memorygood2091]

Indeed 90's is the best, with so many excellent bands like Metallica, Nirvana, Guns N Roses, Smashing Pumpkins, Megadeath...just name a few. But nothing so exciting after the 90's, I guess kids after the 90's were all distracted by computer games and stuff like that. 🤣🤣🤣

[@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?

[@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.

[@lmcc8798]

The recording quality is insane.

[@peanutbutterrobot]

little too much on the highs in the mix, but it does sound good.

[@robertadams2365]

@@peanutbutterrobot agree but hey….beauty is never perfect.

[@peanutbutterrobot]

@@robertadams2365 ain't that the truth

[@MrOffthebank]

Whoever got him on Tiny Desk needs a raise!

[@eighty4218]

0:00 "Tonight, Tonight" 4:30 "Aeronaut" 8:03 "Mandarynne"

[@elr1cbros]

Ty

[@KarlRock]

Thx

[@Fatality2k6]

thanks mate

[@bonaventura7908]

Thx ❤️

[@JohnnyOFarrell]

Thank you

[@phantomphotography7392]

One of the most talented music composers of any generation. His music will be even more appreciated as time goes on. Thank you for all the work you have done, so much appreciated.

[@noorwananoordin3288]

my eyes are watery after hearing tonight, tonight again after a long while... thanks SP

[@feferosette]

Yes I love this song so much. The official music video is wonderful.

[@Roitherkur]

Sound quality on this is simply amazing. Nothing short of a studio recording.

[@WGBHMusic]

I'll always have a soft spot for Billy Corgan/Smashing Pumpkins. Crowd surfed for the first time in 1994 seeing them in Fitchburg, MA (then called Wallace Civic Center). Loved the ability of that band to go from raw power to quiet, melancholy in a heartbeat. Wonderful surprise to see him on the Tiny Desk & his new songs are beautiful.

[@lizquandt]

WGBH Music you mean *mellon collie? :^)

[@MountEmult]

i was at that show! Wow, totally forgot about that. Fun.

[@WGBHMusic]

Nice! I remember it basically being a hockey arena... the crowd lost their minds when they played Rocket two or three songs in... Siamese Dream was taking over the airwaves. Good times.

[@MountEmult]

Yeah, it was a medium sized hockey arena, I actually played hockey there many years earlier! Which I also just remembered when you mentioned that!!! I remembered being shocked that they were playing in Fitchburg. We traveled down from Umass Amherst for the show. Yeah it was crazy.

[@ElephantsAreAfraidofBees]

Saw Jane's Addiction there too. Odd little venue but good memories!

[@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.

[@judasjoga]

❤

[@cesnav7593]

❤❤❤

[@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

[@ANNIHILISTIC]

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

[@solarsatori]

Omg, takes me straight back to the hardest point in my life with the music that got me through all the bullshit. Billy was so important to my coming of age.

[@TheBent139]

I clicked on this not expecting much, maybe a musician past his prime, in decline. He sounds better than ever and these were beautiful tunes. Loved "Aeronaut" and "Mandarynne", and of course Tonight Tonight. Very well done. You know a great musician when they can play in a situation like this one. It cuts the wheat from the chaff. Doing my shoe gazing days I drove around an entire summer never taking Siamese Dream out of my changer just living that album.

[@nebulous8389]

He never declined just a misstep with Zeitgeist but still a solid album

[@friendship6668]

With his 2 recent acoustic solo records & the new Pumpkins album its like he found it again. Thats for sure. And their live performances are amazing. His voice really is great But even his experimental synth albums Aegea & Siddhartha are intriguing

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@nebulous8389 Zeitgeist is great. Maybe not "soulful", but very technical and well constructed. Monuments to an Elegy is when he started to fall off. Its been downhill since.

[@nebulous8389]

@@alibabaschultz352 I think I was expecting more of a sound that was like their recent album AMM has and was disappointed also the mix was terrible and hurt it. The live version of the song sounded much better and had more energy. I don't understand how they could of thought it was a good mix. Maybe they are all deaf

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@nebulous8389 Well, i wont completely disagree about the mix. That being said, i think the mix is leagues better than almost anything he has put out in the last decade.

[@NoDozBukowski]

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

[@Robski_Slavinski]

Was smitten over 30 years ago and still am!

[@HeROsiNhEaVeN]

What a treat....Billy is a true musical genius...

[@miri__5770]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@MarzAdam]

He might be complicated, but his music is simple and magical...

[@bm-ye1jj]

Perfectly said

[@jerryboy3301]

Musical geniuses are often complicated.....

[@jett3474]

Well, I wouldn't exactly say his music is simple

[@TheMightyChuRro]

@@jett3474 simple-ish chord progressions with really good layering. Although to layer and make songs the way he does one needs a not so simple brain for sure

[@alibabaschultz352]

@@TheMightyChuRro In the realm of Pop music, Pumpkins songs are fairly complex.

[@thomasredden4263]

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

[@esdrasmanrique6457]

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

[@BYTHEWAY9-x9g]

me too

[@robertadams2365]

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

It's funny; cause I'm moderately autistic, although I've always loved music of all sorts, when I first heard his voice, it was kind of grating on my ears... I've got sensitive hearing. So glad that I stuck with his voice though because I grew to absolutely adore it for its unique tone. This then allowed me to enjoy so much of his music. MCAIS was probably the most important cd purchase I made during my youth.

[@dubdubdubdub]

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

[@gregkosinski2303]

She plays the chello beautifully.

[@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.

[@Xuevium]

Billy Corgan shaped my whole musical world.

[@derekfernandez7701]

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

[@sharathvsastry]

Did not expect Tiny Desk to bring this legend here! I'm so happy!!!

[@ithaca976]

So glad to see William Patrick Corgan play with Legolas before i died.

[@te9591]

That violinist operates his stringed instrument like a professional killer.

[@stolky19]

😂😂​@@te9591

[@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.

[@alexkenley1]

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

[@Retrodee]

I've always loved Billy Corgans songs. His voice is beautiful.

[@rl9427]

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

[@wesleyAlan9179]

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

[@MrGodforPresident]

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

[@biorythmicshifter]

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

[@Bwoo1800]

So underrated as a songwriter and musician. Shaped a lot of my teenage years with the Pumpkins. Such a diverse talented band no matter how the lineup changed.

[@Caine99223]

David Pearson I think what he means is that not too many people mention Billy’s name when they talk about the greatest songwriters/musicians. I’m just talking about the conversations I’ve experienced though. The smashing pumpkins are not a very popular band where I live and I’m one of the few teenagers that like them. Of course most people where I am know 1979 though. Again, just speaking from my experiences so I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s completely different where u are.

[@greyrinnon5907]

Best songwriter of all time

[@thefabulous4]

Underrated? He is regarded as an all time great. Make no mistake

[@sspbrazil]

WoodrowWilson underrated? He’s a millionaire. I wouldn’t say that’s underrated. Lol.

[@teamEP789]

THERE'S the guy with the "underrated" comment

[@Bilsuburbians]

Billy's voice always have a way to touch the listener to bring back old memories. Is it only me?

[@dimebrad2760]

No its not only you. Billy sounds incredible imo one of a kind.

[@xXxDigitalBathxXx]

Agreed

[@r.styles_chan8632]

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

[@rishabhjain545]

Billy Corgan is a star

[@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...

[@aaroney132]

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

[@BrianAnderson-7]

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.

[@MIKERUPTION]

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

[@zzarkS]

This sent me right back into one of the best times in my life.

[@JoaoPaulo-mn3kc]

Chorei assistindo aqui, eu simplesmente amo o billy, assisti ao show deles em 1996, eu tinha 16 anos, ele foi o meu herói da minha adolescência. Obrigado Billy, vc fez muitas pessoas felizes com a sua música incrível. Te amo ❤️

[@raygarzajr5032]

Such a unique voice.

[@hisyam9271]

what a great voice

[@giorginololli]

A great artist

[@NeverSaySandwich1]

Whiny, yet whispy. Iconic

[@feferosette]

Yes! I love his voice.

[@Bryman5000]

Dude is a studio singer.

[@Machinu5]

Waited my whole life to see them in concert and finally did last fall. It was awesome, they were phenomenal and I'll never forget it.

[@giovannyandrescortesrodrig2846]

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

[@anthonyfuchs9787]

He manages to tap into what we've all felt. It feels like being in a dark forest. A beautiful one. Eternal fall but finding comfort in the loneliness.

[@edwill1595]

I saw smashing pumpkins in 2000 in South Africa! Amazing show!

[@tiptonjw]

He’s so good. One of the best 90s bands.

[@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.

[@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!!

[@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.

[@LOVERGEIST777]

So beautiful

[@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.

[@xyu_official77]

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

[@kooskansloos4834]

I don't always get melancholy when listening music, but when I hear the Smashing Pumpkins, I get melancholied to infinite sadness.

[@plsdetox8820]

I know it's been 4 years since you said this, but you should know that this stranger appreciates this comment.

[@xzysyndrome]

This is not the Smashing Pumpkins...this is The Ego and some string players.

[@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.

[@Mrfistoon]

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

[@TranscendentalTunes]

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

[@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.

[@heatseeker9738]

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

[@Knipchick]

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

[@dafuzzyguitar]

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

[@mark-by-marklee]

He got old but his voice is still young enough I shocked after listening to his voice Forever young !!

[@everycoLor_312]

Awesome. I remember Smashing Pumpkins played every night @ the Metro in the early 90s..thankyou everybody!

[@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...

[@MalevolentElephant]

WOW HOW DID I MISS THIS ONE????

[@scooter2163]

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

[@Vargasgirl82]

Crazy to see him older...my era❤

[@ndywlf7746]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@spc_wmn]

El NPR que no quería que acabara, Grande Corgan!!

[@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.

[@jessicabremer9735]

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

[@mldowjr08]

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

[@jaclynbuntrock448]

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

[@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.....

[@allens5582]

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

[@lindsayterramiggi2250]

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

[@PodOfHeat]

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

[@danielvanheurck5305]

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

[@lukewiese6684]

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

[@gregkosinski2303]

No need to swear

[@peterthirdandthebridges]

@@gregkosinski2303 bruh

[@stolky19]

..it's a Yamaha L-series acoustic - of course it does!

[@Melly402]

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

[@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

[@killerkali2007]

Excellent opener.. 0:36-1:15 mark..when the violin player embraces the pure magic happening at the moment. She gets it too..touching

[@MrTelecosta]

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

[@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!❤️

[@gregorymitarsarovich113]

very recently harbored a powerful fascination with this guy and smashing pumpkins