Soma (song)

"Soma"
Song by The Smashing Pumpkins
from the album Siamese Dream
Released 27 July 1993
Recorded 1992 - 1993
Genre Psychedelic rock[1]
Length 6:39
Label Virgin
Songwriter(s) Billy Corgan, James Iha
Producer(s) Butch Vig, Billy Corgan

"Soma", originally called "Coma",[2] is a track on the album Siamese Dream by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Overview

The song-writing credits list James Iha and Billy Corgan as co-authors, but Corgan claims that Iha only wrote the chord structure for the beginning of the song, and that Corgan himself wrote the rest.[3] One of the longest songs to appear on a Smashing Pumpkins album, it is said to have included up to 40 guitar tracks over the course of the song.[4] Corgan says the song "is based on the idea that a love relationship is almost the same as opium: it slowly puts you to sleep, it soothes you, and gives you the illusion of sureness and security."[5] It was also acknowledged that song was inspired by Corgan's break-up with his ex-wife, Chris Fabian.[6][7] The song also contains references to a hallucinogenic drug which was featured in Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World[8] and features a prominent piano figure by Mike Mills of R.E.M.[9][10]

Reception

The song received positive reviews. Ned Raggett of Allmusic especially praised the song's guitar solo, while spotting elements from gothic rock and psychedelic rock.[9] The song was also likened to Prince's "The Beautiful Ones".[9][11] The critically acclaimed guitar solo was rated as the 24th in Rolling Stone's "The 25 Coolest Guitar Solos" list.[12] The guitar solo was placed as 41st in NME's "50 Greatest Guitar Solos" list.[13]

Covers

References

  1. ↑ http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/smashing-pumpkins-siamese-dream-deluxe-edition/
  2. ↑ Hunter, James. "The Pumpkins Won't Be Smashed", Musician Magazine. July 1994.
  3. ↑ If All Goes Wrong. Dir. Jack Guliek. Perf. Smashing Pumpkins. DVD. Coming Home Media, 2008.
  4. ↑ "Smashing Pumpkins - Siamese Dream (1993)". Punknews.org. March 25, 2011. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  5. ↑ van den Berg, Erik. "Smashing Pumpkins." Oor. 10 June 1993
  6. ↑ Hanson (2004), p.88
  7. ↑ Dimery, Robert and Michael Lydon (2010), p.706
  8. ↑ Lett, Jr. (2008), p.131
  9. 1 2 3 Raggett, Ned. "Smashing Pumpkins - Soma". Allmusic. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  10. ↑ Reisfeld (1996), p.140
  11. ↑ Raggett, Ned (November 28, 2011). "The Smashing Pumpkins Siamese Dream [Deluxe Edition]". Pitchfork. Retrieved January 2, 2013.
  12. ↑ "The 25 Coolest Guitar Solos". RollingStone.com. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2006-08-12.
  13. ↑ Coombs-Roberts, Kris. "50 Greatest Guitar Solos - 41 - Smashing Pumpkins - 'Soma'". NME. Retrieved January 2, 2013.

Sources

  • Dimery, Robert & Michael Lydon (2010). 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. Universe. ISBN 0789320746.
  • Hanson, Amy (2004). Smashing Pumpkins: Tales of a Scorched Earth. Helter Skelter Pub. ISBN 1900924684.
  • Lett, Jr., Donald G. (2008). Phoenix Rising: The Rise and Fall of the American Republic. Phoenix Rising. ISBN 1434364119.
  • Reisfeld, Randi (1996). This Is the Sound: The Best of Alternative Rock. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689806701.
  • Starkie, Zachary J. (2008). Cool Kids Never Have the Time: The Music of the Smashing Pumpkins and Youth of the 1990s. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. School of Music. ProQuest. ISBN 0549559930.


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