🎵 Smashing Pumpkins - Disarm REACTION

[@michaelwillis7832]

In a 1993 interview with Australian music video program RAGE, Billy Corgan from Smashing Pumpkins explains the written concept behind his song Disarm that details his narrative that he was abused as a child by his parents: "The reason I wrote Disarm was because I didn’t have the guts to kill my parents, so I thought I’d get back at them through song. And rather than have an angry, angry, angry violent song, I’d thought I’d write something beautiful and make them realize what tender feelings I have in my heart, and make them feel really bad for treating me like shit."

[@bigrig4385]

Pretty sure either his mom or step mom said he should've been aborted also.

[@CitizenScorn]

Never knew that and have been listening to them for 27 years lol. Thank you for letting me know 🤘

[@michaelwillis7832]

@Citizen Scorn You're very welcome, I grew up on listening to Smashing Pumpkins since I was around 8/9 years old at the time when Siamese Dream was released in 93' and I loved their music ever since then. Billy Corgan suffered having a nervous breakdown, suicidal thoughts and a severe case of writers block making Siamese Dream, he was under a lot of intense pressure to make a classic album. After he suffered a nervous breakdown, Corgan began visiting a therapist. Consequently, his lyrics became more explicit about his troubled past and his insecurities. James Iha and D'Arcy Wretzky had ended their romantic relationship prior during the Gish Tour, They’d were dating since 1988, and split just before the band’s gig at the 1992 Reading Festival (the same year that Nirvana headlined and Kurt Cobain was famously brought onstage in a wheelchair). D'Arcy temporarily quit the band only for producer Butch Vig to talk her back into coming back. Jimmy Chamberlain would disappear on weeks on end on a drug bender-he was addicted to heroin at the time. The band chose to record at Triclops Sound Studios in Marietta, Georgia, partly in order to “keep [Chamberlin] isolated from these types of temptations and stay focused,”. Recording Sessions actually started from December 92'-March 93. Billy Corgan's desire for musical perfection put further strain on the already-frayed relationships between the band members. Producer Butch Vig later recalled, "D'arcy would lock herself in the bathroom, James wouldn't say anything, or Billy would lock himself in the control room". While Chamberlin performed all drum parts on the album, he would disappear for days on drug benders that caused everyone to fear for his life. After one incident where the drummer had disappeared for two or three days, Corgan "put the hammer down", according to Vig, and had Chamberlin perform the drum part for "Cherub Rock" until his hands bled. Due to Corgan's urging, Chamberlin checked into a rehab clinic. Virgin Records began to grow impatient with the album's recording as it went over budget and became behind schedule. The band, however, would not let the company cut corners if it meant compromising the sound.[15] By the time recording was completed, Corgan and Vig felt too emotionally exhausted to mix the record. Corgan suggested that engineer Alan Moulder mix the album, due to his work on Loveless by My Bloody Valentine.Moulder booked two weeks in a studio to mix the album; the mix ended up taking 36 days to complete.Eventually, the album was finished after four months and $250,000 over budget

[@michaelwillis7832]

@@gndvancil His mother was upset , I remember that Billy Corgan mentioned that when he came home for Christmas that she was holding The Spin Magazine with the article of his band and what he was talking about particularly the abuse that he suffered from as a child asking what the f*ck did he say?

[@ryanbecker6135]

@@gndvancil I just heard an interview where he discussed that his father denied that he did anything wrong almost up until the point he died.

[@bevil4aday]

So glad I was young man in the 90s. The music, the vibes, the atmosphere of the decade was unmistakable and nearly decadent, in some respects was decadent. Hope you guys are well and that you got your truck fixed, Brad.

[@damianreid2452]

Know what you mean. I've heard some people say it was a bit like the sixties but in the nineties.

[@Valorius]

The 90s were the last American decade. 911 ruined everything.

[@pressman1788]

Being a teen in the 90’s was great! Some of the best times in my life. Transition from 80’s to 90’s music, movies and life in general seem to be coming from all directions. Everything today seems to be so clamped down and so sterile. Everyone has to be inside a narrow window to be accepted by the woke mob of society or you will be canceled. So many comedians have to be paranoid about every word they say because of some bullshit backlash they might receive. We aren’t growing as a society.I’m glad I grew up when I did. The 90’s felt a lot more free!

[@TheJoshuaPimentel]

Hell yep.

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here..I can totally identify..As I was a young woman in the 90's..

[@jeffpatton2866]

"Disarm you with a smile" refers to lead singer Billy Corgan's efforts to disarm his parents' violence through smiling and making everyone cheerful. "The killer in me is the killer in you" refers to Billy considering vengeance against his parents while they were sleeping. "What I choose is my voice" shows Billy's decision to stop the violent pattern. "I used to be a little boy. So old in my shoes" refers to Billy having to mature too quickly, which is common in abusive households. I love this song because I once was a foster parent and raised 13 kids who grew up in the same environment as Billy. Thanks for the reaction.

[@scottNNJ]

What a great thing you’ve done, taking in all those kids and giving them a stable childhood that they wouldn’t have otherwise had. The world could use more people like you.

[@jeffpatton2866]

@@scottNNJ thank you.

[@ryanallen8172]

YES!

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here..Can absolutely identify 100 with what Billy Corgan was thinking and saying in this song..

[@zoegartham312]

Thank you for this. I've loved the song for probably 18 years now, and it has always been one of those songs where I mumble half the words because I couldn't hear them clearly. I probably should have looked them up at some point, but never got around to it. I always thought it started with "Stab you with a smile," and I had absolutely no clue that they were singing, "So old in my shoes,". So thanks so much for breaking it down like this. It really makes this song so much more poignant knowing the true words and how they tie in with the meaning of the song.

[@stubbzzz]

This song made me weep the first time I heard. Still one of my favorite string arrangements ever

[@adamdonovan4071]

Check out Tonight, Tonight for an even more elaborate orchestral/rock mash up. They do it really well.

[@wsn0009]

1st Smashing Pumpkins song I heard, and it made me a fan right away. Ahh the 90s, back when MTV was still good 😆

[@TypicallyWhat]

Same. Saw the video on mtv and was immediately obsessed.

[@zmarko]

I can't believe this album is nearly 30 years old. The whole album is amazing. Amazing 30 years ago, still amazing today.

[@sunshineeddy6849]

I’ve bought this album three times, in three formats. I think it’s the only album I’ve done so with. I think I’m going to listen to it now.

[@locutus1126]

@@sunshineeddy6849 I bought dark side of the moon and a few zep albums on record, cd, remastered cd, digitally remastered cd, digital and 50th anniversary record for dark side, which has sound cleaned up and with head phones is great. All these formats may seem like a cash grab but sometimes they can clean up each track and the sound is richer

[@BearIslandComics]

Man...I'd forgotten how absolutely perfect the strings & bells in this song are. Goosebumps @ 3:32

[@jcweb21]

“A killer in me is the killer in you” is him talking to his parents. A child is not bad on their own but is a product of how the parents raised them. A child is the mirror of the parent, so if a child is “bad”, it is a reflection of the parent.

[@neilkapelka2557]

Smashing Pumpkins had an incredible run of albums back in the 90’s. The video for “Rocket” has always been a favorite of mine and worth checking out.

[@JohnEDepth752]

"I'd torch my soul to show the world that I am pure, deep inside my heart." One of my favorite lines of any song ever.

[@nzmarco]

My favourite SP song.

[@THEDEEPDIVE]

@@nzmarco Rocket made my top 10 of our Top 50 SP songs series

[@goldenageofdinosaurs7192]

I love both the song & video.

[@moleman1976]

Any time I see a reactor watching SP, I throw out "Mayonnaise" - it's an unbelievably beautiful song that wasn't released as a single but definitely deserves to be heard!

[@revylokesh1783]

Yeah, it's my favorite song from SD

[@matthewgriffin5155]

They reacted to that song a few months back. Just fyi...

[@nathanpowell5941]

My absolute favorite Pumpkins song! Last I checked, I only found one react video on YT for it. Now it sounds like I should be able to find it in Brad & Lex's video list. I'm off to find it right now

[@jebsmith5455]

Omg Mayonnaise is amazing. Good call!

[@jayredz7807]

Rhinoceros

[@endocry]

I remember when I was around 11 or 12 and I heard that Billy wrote this song about an abusive childhood, it gave me hope and inspiration, particularly the music video. It demonstrated to me that you can come from nothing, and feel like you’re nothing yet go on to create something this beautiful.

[@haroldeskeets9805]

Wow ...... high school days. The ninety's were awesome . I remember when these guys came out. Their sound was so different back then. love the expression on y'all faces when you hear something from back in the day for the first time. Rock on yo. Rock on peace

[@go234ko96ts5]

One of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins song. There is so much meaning in the words and delivery.Lead singer Billy Corgan says the song deals with the rocky relationship he had with his parents. The video also was unique in the way it was presented and carried out.

[@cberkley4582]

My mother is currently passing, this is her favorite song of all time. Funny to see someone hear it for the first time. I have the deepest core memories of this playing and it just feels like my mom when I hear it.

[@andywells5218]

Grew up with their music. It made me feel seen and understood. Not alone. They’re so creative and their catalogue is deep.

[@chasechevy8933]

I love this song. One of the best ever. The song was a way for Corgan to make his parents feel like shxt for abusing him as a child. Legendary stuff

[@Justin-td4bb]

Smashing pumpkins are prolifically amazing. So much amazing material

[@MercyfulFate1000]

This has the be one of the most ear pleasing pieces of noise ever created. Super soothing and takes me back to my teen years.

[@daniellelois4905]

This song is engraved into my brain. Billy's voice and the pumpkin sound is just everything that is nostalgia for me ❤️🎃

[@MrPhooey442]

I was about 10 years old when a friend introduced me to this song. Brings me right back to that little room. Sweating from just coming in from playing basketball in the driveway. Sitting on the carpet in the cool A/C. 36 and still feels like yesterday.

[@daniellelois4905]

@@MrPhooey442 the memories are definitely still fresh and I am 38 😂 just proves how epic the pumpkins were

[@notputtingmyrealnameonyout9034]

this song made me cry the first time i listened to it, definitely an all time favorite

[@willpina]

I love how this song starts with very few instruments and slowly becomes fuller and richer. I think it follows the message of the song, which is about Billy being abandoned as a child, but instead of feeling weak and helpless, he grew and became stronger because of it.

[@bschuler6216]

I remember anticipating this album coming out. I had a cassette of Gish, and really dug it. Then in 1993, this album blew me away. This is SP at their peak. I've always loved this song! Along with Luna, Soma & Mayonnaise. So much teenage angst, lol.

[@common380]

I think he was singing to his lost innocence

[@kutark]

Beautiful song. One of their best.

[@continentalaquatics2725]

I forgot how powerful this song is. Thanks for reminding me!

[@MinimalAesthetics]

This is my favourite Smashing Pumpkins song. The whole Siamese Dream album is classic

[@xerxes9929]

“I feel like this is supposed to take you on a trip.” “Where?” “Somewhere that doesn’t even exist.” Lex is such a beautiful soul, she just understands music. Purely awesome.

[@damianreid2452]

Fantastic song from a fantastic band and hard to believe it's almost thirty years since its release. SOOO much great music in the nineties I think we just sort of took it for granted at the time. Looking back I do wonder if we were a bit spoilt.

[@joemachine4714]

One of the rare songs that is too short instead of too long.

[@xanajak]

This is their best song, and video. Penetrates all the way down to the bone.

[@TimothyEvans-u2c]

Such a beautiful , beautiful song.....

[@examiningdata7952]

Billy corgan smashing pumpkins. Homer Simpson smiling politely

[@mikefetterman6782]

Billy sings in his "Head voice" with the nasally tone most of the time. The edge comes when he draws the emphasis down to his chest voice. Known more for his unique guitar works, than his singing voice, although the guy can seriously carry a tune.

[@mikefetterman6782]

lots of rockers used cellos and other strings in their songs. (BEATLES...) Cellos are very bassy and can really add to emphasis to emote something in a song. ( Eleanor Rigby)

[@mandu6665]

I recommend Bone Thugs N Harmony "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" if you've never heard it.

[@nethrelm]

If we're going down the Bone Thugs path then man.... add East 1999, 1st of Tha Month, Mo'murda, Tha Crossroads (my favorite), Everyday Thang, and If I Could Teach The World (my other favorite) to the list at a minimum! Brad listened to rap though, so he probably already knows a lot of Bone Thugs I would guess?

[@Lymbe06]

@@nethrelm see you at the crossroads!

[@nicholasbennett3169]

The lead singer did not have a good childhood. He was basically abandoned at an early age and abused. This song is inspired by this.

[@PmpnAintEZ]

You're supposed to take a past trip to your childhood, and realize what has happened since then, in which decisions have made your character.

[@PmpnAintEZ]

Brad is dumb, bro

[@futurereflections4097]

This song sounds so heavenly. It will always be one of my favorites

[@ericsmith6615]

Wife here..This song is 🔥!!..Brad and Lex the Cello and Acoustic are truly amazing in this song..Very pretty..!!..Cracking up at.."That's not the same"🤣💞❤..needs help"...Yeah.., I agree .., talking to inner child..

[@blueeyedcowboy8291]

Thru the arms of Ruby is a Smashing Pumpkins masterpiece. It is a must watch.

[@MrSteve88]

No one sounds like Billy. This is one of his better vocal performances

[@heliosvice]

The Smashing Pumpkins- Tonight Tonight And Geek USA Both songs are a must

[@_non_zero_sum_game8958]

"that's not the same, you need therapy" that killed me.

[@ismaellara4007]

That song is beautiful, it is about a child that is abuse by his parents, that what is means

[@maahtcancelstheuniverse5922]

One of the greatest songs in history. Also lex, spot on impersonation of Billy. Lolol

[@johnmordecai2776]

Apparently the song is about his own abusive childhood; he says he wrote it the day he decided NOT to kill himself...

[@blindguardian1979]

this songs always brings me back to my junior high days...still enjoy it to this day

[@richardzavacki6346]

I love when Lex tries to explain how she perceives "odd vocals."

[@djdonald243]

This song is so, so dark that you have to be alone to fully experience it. For me the experience is like when I watched Schindler's List, with the loss of innocence theme. Remember the kid who was shown in color, while the rest of the film was in black and white.

[@Bee-28]

So beautiful. I cannot express how much Smashing Pumpkins have enriched my life. With regards to Billy's voice, I think it creates the perfect juxtaposition with the instrumentation in this song. Without his idiosyncratic scratchy, nasally yet powerful raw voice, the song would be too syrupy. PS: Still waiting for "Self Destructor" by Chevelle .....waiting ................... waiting .... ......... .still waiting ..............................

[@MartinBryan]

They started recording this album and then half band wound up in rehab. The singer/main guitar player Billy Corgan found out that the label was sending someone in person to check on their progress in the studio. So we had to basically finished the album single-handedly.

[@therageincajun]

Love this song. Smashing Pumpkins were huge in the 90s. They were the first concert I ever went to back in 1996 when I was in 9th grade. The Infinite Sadness tour. They played all my favorite songs and it's something I'll never forget. I still have the ticket stub to this day. Also Garbage opened up before them and they were awesome to.

[@dionshare7103]

Cool to see someone reacting to this song. I don't think I have seen enough Smashing Pumpkins reactions.

[@Noricavus]

Crazy coincidence to be wearing a pumpkins t-shirt today. I've been feeling nostalgic all week thanks to Pearl Jam having Dave Krusen back on drums.

[@1987colombiano]

I was wearing a t-shirt of them too ☺️ is the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness t-shirt, and what is yours?

[@Noricavus]

@@1987colombiano Indeed it was!

[@CaffeineNightOwl]

"the killer in meeeee ..." just legendary

[@joyouslyprofane]

YES i love that you're listening to more pumpkins. such a good band

[@ZionOrange]

oh my a flash back to the 90s the greatest era for music

[@ileiahall7523]

This is one of my favorite songs ever

[@SIXX2772]

Essence of the 90s after grunge....the 90s was great

[@willybubba]

The Smashing Pumpkins are the type of band where you either love them or your hate them. Most of the hate comes from Billy's voice. I personally love them, but I maybe bias because they are a Chicago band, and I live near Chicago. Also because of memories that I share with several of there albums. For instance, I had just turned 13 and I remember buying the cassette tape and listening to it all the time while delivery newspapers after school and on the weekends. There next album, Pisces Iscariot, was gifted to me by my Aunt. I loved it so much! I went on to buy their next couple albums on CD's and for Christmas 1996, my parents gave me The Aeroplane Flies High Box Set. That is really good and it has some other vocals/singers on it.

[@sephiroth10191]

You guys should check out their song "thirty three". It's their best song imo

[@ryanallen8172]

agree!

[@JoeMama410]

Cellos and string quartets were popular in 90s alternative rock and I was really into it. I still love it.

[@brianalbert8077]

You guys make me smile! of all the people on here doing reaction videos, you rwo are by far my faves. Your differences make you stronger...and i guess it helps that i share Lex's love of lead guitar

[@charliet.sanford2495]

Killer song. I don’t even know exactly what it’s about, but the the first time I heard it, I teared up. Sometimes they just get to you, I guess.

[@philserna3581]

I love watching these 2 break it down. They are so entertaining. Keep on keeping on Brad and Lex.

[@JayOwinFull]

So excited to be seeing Smashing Pumpkins next week at Summer Camp! They were my first concert and I haven't seen then since.

[@DarthRaider520]

This song is about his abuse as a child.

[@keithschofield1158]

His vocals aren't odd Billy Corrigan was one the best vocals of the nineties

[@Rhiannon011]

I agree, I love his voice and in this song his voice is very "emotionally primal" which makes it perfect dealing with his painful childhood.

[@TheKillerInYou1979]

Sweet choice! You either love or hate Billy's voice.

[@steviekc9057]

Side one of Siamese Dream was my fall asleep music for a good chunk of my Senior year. So great to trance out with!

[@oscarrios6048]

They do an awesome cover of Landslide by Fleetwood Mac

[@sarahpope8658]

Played it, among other songs, at my sister's funeral...The Smashing Pumpkins were always her favorite.

[@jibernish]

I'm sorry to hear that. I can only imagine hearing those songs in that context. I want disarm played at mine.

[@sarahpope8658]

@@jibernish personally I want Mayonnaise and Muzzle....

[@jibernish]

@@sarahpope8658 good choices for hopefully a date far in the future

[@yeahboiii6640]

LOVE Smashing Pumpkins! Love Billy Corgan's vocals! Grunge era epic album.

[@Manc78]

My favourite Smashing Pumpkins song.. And they have loads of great songs. The words are special.

[@Evarnet]

More Pumpkins please :) The album Siamese Dream is back to back tunes. An album I do not skip a track on!

[@nzmarco]

To this day, my favourite complete album.

[@willfromyadkinville]

i love the Smashing Pumpkins so much!

[@eximusic]

Acoustic guitar and strings (cello & violins) is one of the most common pairings in rock music going back to The Beatles Yesterday.

[@detredwings21]

Corgan has stated that the song reflects the shaky relationship he had with his parents while growing up

[@Zipgun66]

Brad..."That's not the same." LOL

[@RogerSanGabriel]

I remember this song in highschool in Moreno Valley what a great song. It brings back good memories.

[@7475bluesman]

This is a beautiful song about a horrific topic. So well done. I'm haunted everytime I hear it. Thanks for sharing. You guys rock!

[@swinglow33]

The song's author and lead singer Billy Corgan was quoted in an interview about "Disarm" as saying, "I never really had the guts to kill my parents, so I wrote a song about it instead." When he wrote this song, he was at a point where he was really angry at his parents for always making him feel lower than he really was. Corgan has described this song as being "about my childhood and how I turned into an a--hole." -Song Facts

[@THEDEEPDIVE]

Oh hell yes.. this song is iconic and amazing. We are doing Top 50 SP songs of all time series on my channel. This is a top 10 for me easily and this band CHANGED MY FN LIFE.

[@raidernation9019]

Ava Adore is a good Pumpkins one

[@jonathanherb3752]

My favourite SP song. I could listen to it all day.

[@dionshare7103]

Billy Corgan for with those vocals. That's just the way he is with his voice. Don't know if you reacted to their song Today but you get to hear a different Corgan voice.

[@billspivey6919]

The depressed side of me loved them

[@suzannesellers7383]

The string instruments are gorgeous.

[@Cadinho93]

You guys should react to… The Smashing Pumpkins - Ava Adore 🎸🤘

[@kutark]

Big facts

[@LivingInTheKaliYogurt]

Yes-big co-sign on that.

[@joemachine4714]

an aquired taste. one of the best videos

[@ShreddFly]

Hey guys what's up! Greeting from South Florida! Great band great album! You guys rock! God bless you! Peace! How about some Tori Amos?

[@fgwilli76]

Billy Corrigan is out there. The analyst's are right. But the uniqueness is what made Smashing Pumpkins so iconic. Won tons of Grammys. Still going too..

[@Shiby23]

I love me some Smashing Pumpkins, hope to hear more from you guys

[@stephenarmstrong3265]

Bad things happen to all of us, choices you/I make to deal with them sets us apart from the loop of pain.

[@shaneptc23]

Smashing was good since start and went to their Block E concert to in Minneapolis in 7-17-98 that was free in only city that let them in the U.S.. It was epic! Over 100'000 were there and wish had cell phones to record back then but now just VHS finds on youtube

[@feferosette]

I love The Smashing Pumpkins.

[@dudermcdudeface3674]

Didn't love this one as much as SP's harder stuff at first, but it grew on me over time.

[@UPYOUREYEBALL]

Excellent tune. Trip is right...this is smoking music. I remember when this came out....sorta. Brad anyone ever tell you you like Jamie Fox...you could be his son or maybe a brother lol

[@bugout2hills]

This song brings back memories of being a kid and not having to worry about bills and relationships

[@bartellender6782]

You can always count on Brad to stop the song as soon as it is vibing up. Lol

[@EM1R8T1961]

I damn near cried first time my feeble mind made sense of the lyrics. It was basically a retelling the unfair childhood relationship my older boy had with his mom and it's still toxic in a adult way.

[@Werdna27]

Try "Speed Kills (Rare Version)" by Smashing Pumpkins. Incredibly mystical piece of music