"Today" is a landmark single by The Smashing Pumpkins, released in September 1993 as the second single from their breakthrough album Siamese Dream. Written by frontman Billy Corgan, the song is renowned for its juxtaposition of upbeat, melodic music with dark, deeply personal lyrics123.
Meaning and Themes
- Despite its bright, catchy sound, "Today" was written during a period of profound depression for Corgan, who has openly stated that he was experiencing suicidal thoughts at the time123. The lyrics, while seemingly optimistic ("Today is the greatest day I've ever known"), are laced with irony and despair.
- Corgan explained: “I just thought it was funny to write a song that said today is the greatest day of your life because it can’t get any worse.”
The song is thus both a cry for help and a reflection on survival, using the language of hope to mask pain3. - The contrast between the song's cheerful melody and its grim subject matter left many listeners unaware of its true meaning, making it a powerful example of how pop music can carry complex emotional weight beneath the surface12.
Composition and Sound
- "Today" is written in E-flat major and alternates between quiet, dreamy verses and loud, layered choruses with distorted guitars—a hallmark of the band's sound12.
- Corgan played most of the guitar and bass parts himself, seeking a precise sound for the recording12.
- The song’s structure, with its memorable opening riff and dynamic shifts, helped define the alternative rock sound of the early 1990s12.
Reception and Legacy
- "Today" was a critical and commercial success, helping to propel Siamese Dream and The Smashing Pumpkins into the mainstream12.
- It is widely regarded as one of the defining songs of its generation, praised for mirroring the fractured alienation of American youth in the 1990s12.
- The song reached number four on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and has been included in numerous "best of" lists12.
Music Video
- The music video, inspired by Corgan’s memory of an ice cream truck driver giving away his remaining stock, features the band in a surreal, sun-drenched desert setting, visually echoing the song’s bittersweet tone.
Key Details Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Release Date | September 1993 |
| Album | Siamese Dream |
| Writer | Billy Corgan |
| Themes | Depression, irony, survival, hope, alienation |
| Musical Style | Alternative rock, dynamic shifts, layered guitars |
| Chart Success | #4 Billboard Modern Rock Tracks, mainstream breakthrough |
| Legacy | Defining 1990s anthem, praised for emotional complexity |
"Today" endures as an anthem of bittersweet resilience, its lasting power rooted in the tension between its sunny sound and the darkness at its core123.
