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Soma (song)

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"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

"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] 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]

Covers

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. ^ a b c 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