Tear - The Smashing Pumpkins

1998/05/28-Botanique Gardens; Brussels, BE
i can watch this one over and over.

[@ibrochow]

I’ve no idea why Adore was so badly received. It’s an absolutely wonderful album containing several of Billy’s masterpieces. Machina is also excellent. Their live performances at this time were exceptional. An extraordinary band ❤️

[@shinzontheta]

Adore got shit on cause it got released about 10 years to early for the general population. Machina got shit on because Corgan tried to be trendy and be a ass about it

[@ibrochow]

@@shinzontheta I agree that Adore was well before it’s time.

[@pablovieytes1333]

The story of an uncomprehended masterpiece. Saludos desde Uruguay

[@dabeln1]

It wasn't poorly received. It was not as successful, but it was still a success.

[@kylereece1979]

Before the albums release, Billy was voicing how he was fed up of rock music in general, and that they were not part of the rock scene asmuch. I remember myself being a bit let down by that statement. I actually didnt like Adore initially, I wanted a more balanced album with rock out music in there aswell. I understood the story, emotion journey and weight that Billy had when writing and recording it, and appreciated that. But I think for some fans, it wasnt "rocky" enough initially, Some time later, I revisited it, and then I got it. I still think perhaps, the second half on the album meanders a bit with a couple of fillers that could have been omitted, like "Anne Dog". But when it is good, it is amazing. I love this version of the song. I think this version would have been amazing on the album. 👍👍

[@schuniza]

A voice that would never make it on pop voice shows. They can kiss his ass. We don't always want perfect runs. His voice is original, smooth, and REAL. It's strange and imperfect, and we need imperfect in a world obssessed with it. His voice is alien and velvet here. Ive heard him live and it's so rich. When he gets into it, it's like you're not there, it's him in the music, and he feels it all. It's incredible. Lyricism, instrumental skill, performance, originality. He has it all. But you'll never hear mainstream media acknowledge it. They're looking for fake, because fake sells. PS i need his leather jacket

[@albertcabrejo]

I already have the jaclet. Missing the rest.

[@andreaalvarez6840]

I love his voice. I think its incredible

[@Jept]

18 years ago ..... Still uploaded! I commented 14 years ago 🤣 still here ✌️☺️ still the best version!!

[@Sunjamaa]

Im the uploader! It’s in an account I can’t get into anymore! Came here to say the same thing 👋🏾😅 times flies

[@gishgeek]

Infinite thanks for uploading back then. I 100% embedded this very video on my MySpace page those many moons ago and will continue to come back to watch this masterpiece when the urge hits.

[@franciscaaravena8542]

THIS IS FUCKING ART!

[@Celula002]

I like this better than the album version!

[@user-ti6rl9yk4b]

Me too.

[@corvusala]

It should have sounded like this on the album.

[@Acegalaxi]

I would go so far as to say this is THE best live version of any song. Ever.

[@hndrx1467]

Jason Galati i would go that far too! Your opinion is the right one!

[@robertsecrest3962]

I'm mad at myself for never listening to this song when it came out. Stupidity

[@JohnDoe-xk1dv]

Agreed - it's such a shame the fizz and crackle on the audio track - can only imagine how great this additionally would be if captured with best audio recorders today.

[@TheSutekh]

@@JohnDoe-xk1dv It's the upload. The audio for this show off the soundboard in excellent quality is out there. Search for tsp1998-05-28, grab the flacs, listen to track 5. You're welcome. Best version of one of my all-time fav songs!

[@3500BP]

TheSutekh thank you! Thank you! Never saw archive.org before! Now to figure out how to record off of it!

[@UncleAnaesthesia]

All comments about performance aside, this has to be one of the earliest KZbin clips ever uploaded that's still up. Jezus.

[@Jept]

Just checked my comment from 14 years ago 😅 ouch !

[@jaguedes100]

this is the most outstanding version for this song. can't get better than this.

[@NearTheLimits]

You can see Billy enjoying his performance

[@nicolasampaio]

Maybe the best perfomance?

[@LuizMGRamos]

there is a Atlanta version that in my opinion is their live masterpiece for this song.

[@zachiswayposi1]

@@LuizMGRamos Thanks for mentioning this. I hunted it down and it might be my favorite recording of any song ever

[@TT-yr1eh]

@@zachiswayposi1 Any chance you could post the link here for us? 🤩 Many thanks!

[@zachiswayposi1]

@@TT-yr1eh kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmOwgoSajp51jc0si=lrDhW8AXi-2hZdKA

[@ThaMCE]

This was probably one of their BEST albums...I loved this and "For Martha." This version is KILLER!!!

[@SupersonicTartanDeathMachine1]

Musically speaking, what is not inspiring about this. Just incredible.

[@SupersonicTartanDeathMachine1]

Piano Guy totally owns this... :)EDIT: so does the drummer. Love watching this guy... even if he isn't Jimmy.

[@SupersonicTartanDeathMachine1]

Just too bad the video is a bit old and raggedy ;)

[@KALONERD]

maybe you, the reader will be interested in this story as it made me cry listening to this song, on my 18th birthday i was walking to my grandmothers and me and my brother had smoked some weed, i started getting bad paranoia about my brother getting hit by a car and couldn't stop it, then the next day he showed me this song and i felt like he knew what i was thinking, ever since then i have been scarred by the ordeal, just thought i'd share my horrible experience with whoever is reading this, anyway i am in much better states of mind now and i hope you, the reader is having a good life.

[@SWAllen420]

He hired three drummers and still couldn't replace Jimmy Chamberlain.

[@Acegalaxi]

To appreciate the genius of this version, one must first listen to the Adore album version. This KICKS ITS ASS!!

[@Acegalaxi]

Is this or is this not Billy's "Bohemian Rhapsody"? Not in terms of lyrical content or musical style, but in terms of grandiose and passion for his art. I've probably left like 6 comments on this vid in the past. But I don't care. I will always come back to it for more!!

[@tom1957]

I think Porcelina of Vast Oceans is a little bit more like the bohemian rhapsody for the smashing pumpkins. It's amazing. The building up and ending is insane

[@Zombichh]

It’s adorable, don’t stop! Lol.

[@lueysixty-six7300]

Its wonderful! Underrated, lost behind albums and albums of all killer-no-filler..after the dizzying heights of Meloncholly and the Aeroplane Flies high etc.. even the diehard fans got fatigue.. and many didn't bother to listen to Adore all the way through. I did, and as soon as I heard it I knew I'd stumbled onto something especially special! Great performance. At their peak. Great times..

[@cristianhiguita8294]

I think Behold! The Night Mare should be

[@trekgreenwood6743]

It feels more like a November Rain than a Bohemian Rhapsody.

[@dsthez55]

I keep coming back to this live version of tear at least twice a year. Lol

[@TheH3dgie]

This version of this song is the Pumpkins greatest work in my opinion, I love so much of their music, but this just destroys it all. If only it was recorded like this on the album.

[@evening4092]

I must be the only one who prefers the album version lol

[@35mmraw]

I keep coming back to this dodgy crackly youtube vid since close to when it was uploaded and still think it's probably the best live performance in musical history. It's utterly epic

[@NiBz33]

I do watch this over and over! 2021

[@amelfalaise]

The way he moves his head forth and back and then forth again while singing 'where is your heart?' just kills me every time.

[@wojciech2277]

bassist is beautiful

[@anelehgram]

This is what i call taking a music to the next level! WOW...

[@lucasaiello]

you dont know how much i want this song in hq.... this is a fucking master piece!!

[@thiagojdr]

Me too

[@EmericRoad]

Their best live song,absolutely fabulous...and the piano adds a great touch.

[@timmya4000]

i think this is billys best vocal performance that ive seen. flawless

[@Acegalaxi]

That crescendo from 4:57 gets me EVERY time!

[@dingdongmotherlover]

That's passion, I mean your comments. I like you for that, cudos to you my friend. Music connects, no matter where you're from or who you are.

[@adampopeens2728]

A Godspeed! You Black Emperor interlude

[@RodrigoPalmer91]

Incredible performance. Everything sounds perfect, beautiful. One of the best songs, from (in my humble opinion) the best album of the band.

[@vtelopez492]

What a great version of Tear

[@xUschiliciousx]

When you listen closely it's awesomely genius

[@ghostchild1979]

this was always my favorite song off adore. so powerful, and so vivid. you can just feel the pain spilling forth from his soul in those lyrics. and this is an AWESOME adaptation of it. I can only imagine what it would have sounded like with jimmy on drums and recorded at this pace and in this style in the studio. aronoff is a good drummer, but he never did fit SP's style to me. they're the most prolific band to come out of the 90's, but they're just not the same without jimmy.

[@jtoumai]

for me it was this or Crestfallen

[@MichaelMitchell-nn2ig]

I'd love to have seen this album live. I just HAD to be a year old at the time.

[@MrBilboDent]

Michael Mitchell I would have been a year old if this was performed a day later lol

[@Doogle946]

I was born just a year after. Hahaha

[@lauraappel2000]

+Michael Mitchell im a millenium kid but my australian friend (he has a band called ONLY RIDE HERE, you can check it out if you want to :D) told me about them and i friggin love his special voice, ive never heard anything like that before.

[@TheH3dgie]

+Michael Mitchell This album live was some of the pumpkins best music. I think it could have been just a huge as MCIS if it was recorded this way in the studio.

[@SoulLoveBase]

to this day nothing tops this performance. that's one amazing ... just amazing

[@jrgp2040]

I never thought this song could be played live. Sounds much better than on the album.

[@adrianalvarado1206]

The best song of Smashing for me , and this version es fucking awsome and Aronoff great , great drummer

[@e8tballz]

Adrián Alvarado Kennybis a machine. I was wondering how Jimmy would’ve approached this arrangement. He’s much more jazz oriented. While Kenny really wanted to make it rock.

[@cemsi27]

Aronoff is a beast !!!

[@touchandgod]

Beautifully orchestral structure, lead by Billy at his most vocally emotive wonderful. Love the piano, love the weariness in his voice when he says "I saw you there", love the guitar effects and the complexity of sound. Ace performance.

[@ssbasran]

What a force! I didn't think Tear could sound so full.

[@aimson]

Here is a quote from Drummerworld: "With a style of playing that combines power and finesse, Kenny was named the #1 Pop/Rock Drummer and the #1 Studio Drummer for five consecutive years by the readers of Modern Drummer Magazine, and in addition has played on over 30 Grammy-nominated recordings." So yeah, lay off Kenny Aronoff, he's a great drummer and adds an interesting style that you can either like or dislike. Personally, I prefer Jimmy.

[@AltCTRLF8]

i still prefer Jimmy, but i definitely appreciate Kenny’s great work during the Adore tour. He really helped lift the songs.

[@NS222]

This is art... I love this song and this live performance... Anyone who's into music will agree... Billy you are great! I love the pumpkins!!!!!!

[@Bangkok112]

Loved this song, helped me through many nights studying for exams. One thing about the recording, drums are way too loud!

[@monkeyliver1986]

And the guitar is way to quiet

[@manager4409]

The heavy drums are the best part

[@theogelber2534]

You are possibly one of the densest individuals walking the earth. You should invest in high fidelity listening equipment. Also maybe a toaster and a nice big bathtub. 16 years later, how does it feel to revisit this comment and realize what an incorrect dolt you are. The drums are absolutely perfectly mixed. I'd like to see you mix some drums, rick rubin.

[@PetervanO32]

Please acknowledge that the magnificent Jimmy Chamberlin is the extremely powerful backbone of the Smashing Pumpkins in this period, especially in this song. No wonder his performance comes across as LOUD!

[@ryanf9028]

What I wouldn’t give to go back in time and see Smashing Pumpkins live in their prime

[@rudy4pl]

This performance just has something in it, something that makes you come back and watch it over again.

[@hunt2151]

At a normal rock concert, the crowd is jumping around going crazy.....look at the crowd in this performance and they were in shock and awe while soaking it in. Fuckin amazing

[@user-or2nw5ot5n]

I wish i could travel in time and go to that concert. PERFECT performance

[@aronizer]

This is pure magic... it gives me goosebumps.

[@andreaalvarez6840]

What an incredible song. One of my favorites. Pierces my heart

[@ben.futureprimitive]

The best band of the 90s.. their musical creative directions tops any of alternative acts in the 90s..

[@bigjohnthered1]

Id love this album to be redone as heavy as this. Don't get me wrong I love the original but I think Adore done like this would be amazing.

[@werideatdusk]

The live versions of this, Ava Adore, Pug, Shame, Daphne Descends... even Crestfallen. All heavy and amazing.

[@rabblerouser6744]

YUP

[@agusua1]

love Billy's guitar...long time ago, but still shivering and so magic...

[@jamescoole]

I swear, this physically gives me goosebumps every time I watch it. Fuck...

[@KeikaStrife]

This performance is beyond description. It never ceases to leave me utterly absorbed and speechless. @_@ There's nothing else I can say...

[@benitojrmanzon1648]

I'm working overseas 1999 and the time I purchased this album. The only album that I everyday spin is "Adore", then play it without skipping since I love all the tracks!

[@QualityOfTheBeard]

I can't believe how ridiculously good they sound live.

[@timm6061]

first time i heard this song i had to cry. Beautiful lyrics.

[@BloodyRose3000]

OMG AMAZING!!!! The best song on Adore!

[@polkadancer16]

PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST PERFORMANCES THEY HAVE EVER PUT ON ! i could watch this video a million times and not get bored ! they are an amazing band and they can turn an electronica song just incredible and put on a performance. they are litterally genious' on the stage !!!!!!

[@Streifh]

Beautiful version... SP are an incredible live band

[@zerocorgan88]

one of the best performances ever

[@skylar337]

Wow. This song is amazing. Even better live.

[@Metal649]

The Smashing Pumpkins are amazing.

[@msj56]

I keep watching this over and over. It's so amazing. I wish the album was like this.

[@DalePicolet]

I don't know how many times I've watched this. Not enough apparently. I keep coming back...

[@Linzuar]

This is AMAZING. I am so grateful somebody posted it!!

[@hndrx1467]

Could you imagine being there in person? Hearing this live and loud? I do believe this is the by far the best version, performance of this song and maybe even of any song. Just great! I truly regret not going to any of their shows when I was younger when they still had the original line-up. I remember when I was in 10th grade they were in Pensacola fl during MCIS tour which was only an hour drive from me and I couldn't go because it was on a "school night" and mom wouldn't let me go. Lol I'm still pouting about that.

[@Mac_987]

The pumpkins never seize to amaze me with how diversely talented they are...whoa, they play beautiful music, whether it's a rock song, love song, pop song, classical song, the list goes on and on what other band can do what they can?

[@pabloman82]

Una cancion con mucha fuerza, mucho dolor, y en esta interpretacion sentis -mas aun- la presencia de algo grandioso. Eriza la piel

[@HaswarX]

Oh man. Hard to believe I was 14 at the time of this performance. It's still one of my favourite albums.

[@fabien1321]

All the mp3 of this live - in quite good quality - can be downloaded here: archive.org/details/tsp1998-05-28.flac16

[@jaimecss]

Thanks for sharing!

[@DafneMarchesan]

you are an angel

[@ekvons]

I have to agree. I have this song on repeat for weeks now and everytime I hear it, it moves my insides!

[@Alfarc83]

I think I've watched this video a hundred of times...and I'm not tired :-D

[@ubilubi1766]

oh my god, i let go of SP for years and came back now. how can i have forgoten of this song? the melody man, touches my heart so deeply.

[@rockxaction]

How can you possibly think the piano is horrible? It's amazing!!

[@madrigalfco67]

a masterpiece, nice arrangements, love it!!!,

[@fuzznow2]

This song is great. I freaking LOVE the piano. :3

[@ArmoredScorn]

This song's a tearjerker for sure, beautiful tune.

[@TheWriterNW]

Adore is a masterpiece. And then consider everything the band was going through at the time. It's amazing that Billy still created this work of art amid all the chaos.

[@girlydress]

pumpkins forever *.* i miss james and darcy tough ;( best band ever

[@AhgKairos]

Lovely.... I've heard the song endless times... the feeling is just amazing... also from the album itself...

[@braitmad]

this is the best smashing pumpkins video on youtube

[@vziou]

as a huge pumpkins fan, i have watched many many live videos and i like almost every single one, but rarely one will amaze me. That was TOTALLY AMAZING. wow. thanks for it.

[@anibalmedinaperez1540]

2018, and still being one of the most incredible 90's rock performance

[@jasperoop7556]

sure is

[@joshuamcinnis5770]

My guy, it's still gonna be one of the best 90s performances in 2025, simply because there won't be anymore performances from the 90s

[@PeoplesChoiceofficial]

oh god ...masterpiece

[@touchandgod]

This is incredible. His band are geniuses under his control and he himself still shows through as the utterly brilliant guitarist he is. And his voice . . . well fuck. There's passion and there's passion and there's Billy here.

[@countlordshaun1331]

Dude, that Drummer means business.

[@jimenaailinberasayanaquin8853]

Cuanta magia junta... Billy amo tu música ❤ Gracias por tanto!!! Sos eterno!!!

[@Lorenzo-ts7xn]

Capolavoro assoluto ❤❤ una delle canzoni più belle... emozionanti e struggenti mai scritte

[@chirrrs]

Incredible performance of my favorite Pumpkins song!

[@Ezniter]

This performance just blew my mind! plain Awesome!!! My absolutely favorite song ever!

[@nicolaasvandenbroek3782]

jesus, mother of mary........

[@bigchrisspender]

Wow, how time has shown how great this album really was. So glad, now, that they did this whole piano and percussion infused 'park rock' thing!

[@julienbarret6082]

The Greatest ever song ever listening,thank you!

[@Psychedeeelic]

Woah I was only 9 when this was live, but I just realized one of my favorite live performances too place across the street from where I lived during my student exchange time last year... crazy.

[@vereenjohn9916]

I would CRY if I ever heard this LIVE!! LOVE THIS LIVE VERSION!!!😍🥰 Billy, plz play this LIVE next time you tour? 1😭😫

[@JackRoland]

i saw an explosions in the sky concert and their performance was so fricken good... i can not imagine how fucking good this would sound live. I wish I was there at that right there.. whoever saw that performance in brussels is fortunate.

[@ironvlaiden]

I saw the SM on this world tour, it was my first concert ever!! I loved the versions they played from the Adore album! this is Majestic !

[@artscollab]

Billy’s smile at 3:18 I love it

[@paranormal17]

one of the best live bands there are. I dont really like the studio version of tear but this version makes it one of my favorite songs of all time

[@whitepony1986]

i watched it like 100 times

[@AlexTheGreat89]

mind blowing. I can't wait to see them in june.

[@akrushmi]

One of the best live songs I've ever seen. And I haven't even seen it live. :(