Of course this is about Billy's disillusionment with the music industry (similar vibe to Bullet with the Butterfly Wings) but I'm wondering if the meaning can be broadened out to say something about society more generally. People don't care so much about the "good stuff" (honey) like quality and integrity, it's all about what sells. Industries decide "who is righteous, what is bold" and clever marketing convinces consumers what they want, need, and to some extent how they should think. Obviously Billy feels like he'll be a "somebody's fool" if he "gives in" to curbs on his creatively, but equally, we as consumers are all guilty of being fools too. I think in the second verse he's recognising that consumers have a voice, but there's something unconvincing about it, like he doubts anything is likely to actually change. Maybe it's the "hipsters unite" line - sounds a bit ironic to me.
@itmeanskurt It's certainly not my explanation of every Pumpkins song, it's my explanation of THIS Pumpkins song. And it's pretty similar to other peoples' interpretations because sometimes lyrics do just mean what they say.
@itmeanskurt It's certainly not my explanation of every Pumpkins song, it's my explanation of THIS Pumpkins song. And it's pretty similar to other peoples' interpretations because sometimes lyrics do just mean what they say.
Of course this is about Billy's disillusionment with the music industry (similar vibe to Bullet with the Butterfly Wings) but I'm wondering if the meaning can be broadened out to say something about society more generally. People don't care so much about the "good stuff" (honey) like quality and integrity, it's all about what sells. Industries decide "who is righteous, what is bold" and clever marketing convinces consumers what they want, need, and to some extent how they should think. Obviously Billy feels like he'll be a "somebody's fool" if he "gives in" to curbs on his creatively, but equally, we as consumers are all guilty of being fools too. I think in the second verse he's recognising that consumers have a voice, but there's something unconvincing about it, like he doubts anything is likely to actually change. Maybe it's the "hipsters unite" line - sounds a bit ironic to me.
@hev88 Uh, why is this the explanation to every Smashing Pumpkins song?
@hev88 Uh, why is this the explanation to every Smashing Pumpkins song?
@itmeanskurt It's certainly not my explanation of every Pumpkins song, it's my explanation of THIS Pumpkins song. And it's pretty similar to other peoples' interpretations because sometimes lyrics do just mean what they say.
@itmeanskurt It's certainly not my explanation of every Pumpkins song, it's my explanation of THIS Pumpkins song. And it's pretty similar to other peoples' interpretations because sometimes lyrics do just mean what they say.
@hev88 And sometimes the lyrics just mean Kurt Cobain, lol. Which is probably what this song actually means
@hev88 And sometimes the lyrics just mean Kurt Cobain, lol. Which is probably what this song actually means
@itmeanskurt Probably. But seriously, don't go there lol, THAT really does wind me up!
@itmeanskurt Probably. But seriously, don't go there lol, THAT really does wind me up!