Soma (song)

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

For other uses, see Soma.
"Soma"
Song by The Smashing Pumpkins
from the album Siamese Dream
Released27 July 1993
Recorded1992 - 1993
GenrePsychedelic rock[1]
Length6:39
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Billy Corgan, James Iha
Producer(s)Butch Vig, Billy Corgan

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] The song is said to have included up to 40 overdubbed guitar tracks.[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]

Tribute album cover

American band Poison the Well covered the song for Reignition Records' 2005 tribute compilation The Killer in You: A Tribute to Smashing Pumpkins. In his review of the album, their rendition was said to be "probably the best of the bunch" by AllMusic's Greg Prato.[9]

References
  1. Terich, Jeff. "Smashing Pumpkins : Siamese Dream (Deluxe Edition)". Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  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. 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


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