Tristessa

"Tristessa" is the second ever release by The Smashing Pumpkins, and their first, and only, release on Sub Pop. Sub Pop released it as their "Single of the Month".(November 26, 2000). "Mellon Collie Billy Singer Reflects on Life Before, During and after The Smashing Pumpkins", Chicago Tribune, p. 7.1. It was written by Billy Corgan and later re-recorded for their debut album, Gish. The title is a direct allusion to Jack Kerouac's 1960 novella of the same name.Hanson, Amy (2004). Smashing Pumpkins: Tales of a Scorched Earth. Helter Skelter Pub. p. 49. . There were about 4,000 of the original 7" single pressed in pink vinyl,Chuck Miller, Tracy L. Schmidt (2004). Warman's American records: identification and price guide. Krause Publications. p. 36. . while the rest were pressed in black vinyl. A failure to change the wax color between pressings resulted in about 100 that were pressed in grey-colored wax. These are especially rare and have sold for several hundred dollars apiece.
Following the release of "Tristessa", the Smashing Pumpkins were targets of a bidding war by multiple record labels, and ended up signing to Caroline Records.Konig, Bill (February 7, 2000). "Smashing Pumpkins Return to Rock", CMJ New Music Report 61 (6): 1.Gulla, Bob (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: The grunge and post-grunge years, 1991–2005. Greenwood Press. p. 60. .Ali, Lorraine (October 17, 1993). "Gourds a-Flyin': Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan doesn't really expect the band's alternative rock to take anyone completely by surprise. He just unleashes his emotions and tries to deliver a sonic assault diverse enough to match", Los Angeles Times, p. 60. Unlike "I Am One", which was also re-recorded for Gish, "Tristessa" did not receive a second single release, and neither version of the song appears on the 2001 greatest hits collection, Rotten Apples.
== Background ==
Corgan got the title from a Jack Kerouac book someone had given him that was written about a Mexican prostitute. Corgan said he loved the idea of a girl named Tristessa.
In a 2020 Instagram video, Corgan said that while he loves the guitar tones on the song, he never thought much of the composition compared to the other tracks. He as far as to say that it's the song he regrets the most, and felt later songs such as "Drown" would have been a better fit.
The song was written in around 2 to 3 days, and was performed live before releasing it as a single on Sub Pop. The Gish re-recording "brought no improvement on arrangement" and was "complete insanity", but that he's grateful helped build such a successful record.
The backside of the single is a photo of Jimmy Chamberlin with his bowl haircut. He was not on the front cover because he didn't show up for photo shoot.Trivia game at the November 20, 2019 Billy Corgan solo show (see banter section)
== Critical reception ==
CMJ called it "a grinding, drawled-out, lascivious rocker with a chisel-sharp pop aesthetic".(January 5, 2004). "1991", CMJ New Music Report 78 (847): 30. The Chicago Sun-Times said it was an "epic rocker".Corcoran, Michael (June 9, 1991). "Smashing Pumpkins sounds totally fresh: Local band's debut is whipped delight", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 11. In 2007, Spinner wrote, "a decade after the onset of diminishing returns, 'Tristessa' remains an absolute monster".Sullivan, James (January 29, 2007). "IFLTS: 'Tristessa,' Smashing Pumpkins", Spinner. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
== Lyrics ==
==Track listing==
== Release history ==
== References ==
== External links ==
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Category:Sub Pop singles