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"The Last Song" is a b-side from the "Thirty-Three" single by The Smashing Pumpkins. Written by Billy Corgan, it is the only b-side written entirely after the album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness was completed. After contemplating holding the song for the next Smashing Pumpkins record, Corgan decided the song was so in the spirit of Mellon Collie that is should be an extra track.[1]
The song is of particular significance because the guitar solo used in the song is played by Corgan's father, William Corgan Sr. Although the relationship between the two was often contemptuous, after the song was released the junior Corgan expressed great pride and admiration for his father's influence on his guitar playing.[1] In February 1997, Billy Corgan summed up this influence:
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The ironic thing is, although I don't think my dad was as supportive as he could have been, I still was so influenced by his playing. So, one way or the other, he's had his impact on me. It's really cool to hear your father playing on something you wrote. I don't know what to equate it to.[2] |
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Billy Corgan and his father would later play together at a benefit concert for homeless teenagers called "The First Waltz".[3]
Upon the release of The Aeroplane Flies High box set, the song received attention from many reviewers and fans. Corgan himself considers "The Last Song" the most personally important song on The Aeroplane Flies High.[4] Rolling Stone called the song "stately and anthemic, blessed with a delicacy and grace that is unlike anything else in the band's catalog."[5] Despite this warm reception, the song was only played live in its entirety once,[6] during the band's farewell show on December 2, 2000.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Corgan, Billy. "King B's", Guitar World, January 1997. (English)
- ^ Di Perna, Alan. "Flying High Again", Guitar School, February 1997. (English)
- ^ Nelson, Chris (1999-03-26). Billy Corgan Performs With Father (English). VH1.com.
- ^ Listessa Interviews Billy Corgan, 1998/05/29. Retrieved on 2007-06-08.
- ^ Moon, Tom (1996-12-12). The Aeroplane Flies High: Review (http) (English). Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2006-09-27.
- ^ The Last Song. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
- ^ 2000-12-02, Metro. SPLRA.org. Retrieved on 2007-02-26.
