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Tristessa Lyrics

Pledge of faith I hardly break
Struggle to return
Blurry mind so hypnotized
Fast enough to burn
Wonder where you are?
Tristessa

Soul take soul as eye take eye
I will wait for you
Want to believe your wish to receive
Want to believe in you
Hang on to your life
Tristessa

I love you true
Surely I do

Did you ever wake up and find yourself alone?
Did you ever wake up far from home?
Want to believe your wish to receive
Want to believe in you
Tristessa
Song Info
Submitted by
ice On Apr 01, 2001
12 Meanings

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Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

'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.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

"Tristessa" means "sadness" in spanish. No idea what the song is about, though.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

Tristessa is also a book by Jack Kerouac.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

Tristessa is an awesome Kerouac book; Desolation Angels is the best, though.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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!

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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.

Cover art for Tristessa lyrics by Smashing Pumpkins, The

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?

 
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