'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' 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.