In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Pledged your faith
My heart embraced
Struggle to renew
Blurry mind
So hypnotized
Fast enough who
Wonder where you are
Tristessa
Soul takes soul
As I take eye
I will wait for you
Hang on to your life
Tristessa
I love you true
Surely I do
I love you true
Surely I do
Surely I do
Surely I do (no)
Do you ever wake up and find yourself alone?
Do you ever wake far from home?
What you believe
You'll wish to receive
I won't believe in you
Tristessa
Tristessa
Tristessa
My heart embraced
Struggle to renew
Blurry mind
So hypnotized
Fast enough who
Wonder where you are
Tristessa
Soul takes soul
As I take eye
I will wait for you
Hang on to your life
Tristessa
I love you true
Surely I do
I love you true
Surely I do
Surely I do
Surely I do (no)
Do you ever wake up and find yourself alone?
Do you ever wake far from home?
What you believe
You'll wish to receive
I won't believe in you
Tristessa
Tristessa
Tristessa
Lyrics submitted by Ice, edited by BIRDDUDE830
Tristessa Lyrics as written by William Patrick Corgan
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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'Tristessa' is one of my favorite Smashing Pumpkins songs. The title is believed to come from the Jack Kerouac book, but even if it didn't, 'tristessa' is an alternate spelling of the Spanish word 'tristeza', which means 'sadness.' So, if you substitute 'sadness' with every 'tristessa' in the lyrics, the song's meaning can seem a little clearer. Personally, I feel that the song is about an inner battle with one's sadness. Will you believe in your sadness, rather than yourself? I also see it as wanting to turn to your sadness for comfort, almost like having a relationship with it or being in love with this feeling, because it's an easy way out. The lyrics to a later Smashing Pumpkins song, 'Zero', state "Intoxicated with the madness, I'm in love with my sadness," which can relate to this song.
"Tristessa" means "sadness" in spanish. No idea what the song is about, though.
Tristessa is also a book by Jack Kerouac.
Tristessa is an awesome Kerouac book; Desolation Angels is the best, though.
i wonder what this song is about too...i'm absolutely in love with the word "tristessa", even more so now that i know that it means sadness.
I thought Tristessa was French, but thats Tristesse. I got that from MSP's La Tristesse Durera (The Sadness Will Last)... Ah well. Brilliant song though!
tristessa could be italian, but isn't spanish, that's for sure. Now, Tristesa is too sadness in spanish... i believe this song goes somehow together with mellon collie.., the infinite sadness, you know, the feeling of lost, but also hope (and sadness)... The beggining is much alike i am one.
lol, ampr I listened to this song I thought it really was I am one. Anyway, I am spanish and tristeza is sadness in spanish, so good job in finding out.
It is likely he took the name from the Jack Kerouac book though. Kerouac probably got the name from the Spanish word tristeza, as the story is set in Mexico.
I love this song. I frickin love the drums.
The way he uses Tristessa, it sounds like it'd be a girl's name. So maybe he's referring to sadness as a girl?