Thirty-Three

by

The Smashing Pumpkins

Album: Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness      Released: 1995

US Chart: 39     UK Chart: 21

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Many fans think this song is a reference to Christ. Billy Corgan has never said that or denounced it.

In an interview with Guitar World magazine, Corgan said, "It was the first song I wrote when I got home from the Siamese Dream Tour. I used a drum machine and the the words just fell out." (thanks, Matt - Ruston, LA, for above 2)

The video was the first one lead singer Billy Corgan directed (he worked on it with Yelena Yemchuk, his girlfriend at the time). Drummer Jimmy Chamberlain had recently left the band, so only 3 Smashing Pumpkins are in it.

This was the first song Billy Corgan wrote after coming home from the Siamese Dream tours. (thanks, Juan-Carlos - Herndon, VA)

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Comments:

I think 33 does refer to Jesus. The song is a bittersweet ode to Corgan's own ambivalence toward Christian spirituality, as narrated alternately by Jesus and Corgan. "Supper's waiting on the table..." refers to the open invitation. "Tomorrow's just an excuse away" refers to Corgan's undecided (but knowing) heart. Corgan, ever a poet of the moment, decides to take the plunge: "I'll make the effort" and "graceful swans of never topple to the earth". "Steeple guide me to my heart and home." Steeples point up.
- Rono, Chicago, Afghanistan

Everytime I hear this song it puts me in what I call a "thinking" frame of mind.
- Nicole, Plymouth, MA

This song was never really popular but it's my favorite track on Mellion Collie. Billy Corgan is a talented songwriter.
- Theresa, Murfreesboro, TN

Man, that makes complete sense. First Verses refer to the Last Supper (supper's waiting on the table). THe 2nd to the Crucification (The sun is out and up and down again). It even refeers to The Last Temptation of Christ("And for a moment i lose myself wrapped up in the pleasures of the world"). And the 3rd: the ressurection ("I've journeyed here and there and back again")!! Among many other references...
- Douglas, São Paulo, Brazil

Okay, just because the song is a number everyone has to connect it with Jesus. Honestly. The song has nothing to do with Jesus. Like all Smashing Pumpkins songs, the lyrics are AMBIGUOUS.
- Broc, Ass, ME

Actually there are multiple theories for it,but Im going for the fortune cookie one.Asian powa baby.
- Matt, Houston, TX

I always thought this song was about a person at the age of 33 looking around at how his life had changed and realizing that, as much as they loved their older, uncommitted life, things are better now that it actually matters whether they're home for supper or not. But the music lets you know that there's a little sadness for what has been lost.
- Mark, Madison, WI

The Smashing Pumpkins seem to write some the of the most beautiful and touching songs known to man and you can add 33 to that resume
- chris, new york, NY

i agree with siddartha, billy corgan was 33 when the smashing pumpkins broke up in 2000.
- derek, chandler, AZ

"Graceful Swans Of Never topple to the earth" Graceful S.O.N. topple to the earth, that really makes me think... Could it really be about Christ?
- Jimmy, Jukebox, United States

On Storytellers, Billy said that he wrote this song during the time he was newly married and moved into his new home with his new wife. It is a wish that this relationship will last forever. He also stated that now (the time of the taping) the song is, to him, a wish unwished.
- Isaac, All Over, India

The title 33 ACTUALLY referring to a number given to billy corgan from a friend who was a "psychic" or terot card reader, the number 33 meant something was supposedly going to change for him at the age 33. Also, Billy was going to write two other songs called 66 and 99. Caught this info in a downloaded interview of billy on the web.
- Siddartha, Sarasota, FL

I had never even cosidered it to be about Jesus. Weird, but it might be true.
- john, Raleigh, NC

I have heard that it is called thirty-three because billy saw the "33" on a rolling rock bottle. the idea being that the title has nothing to do with the song.
- Matthias, lala, FL

That was a messed up song and now i understand it completely, thanks.
- Susan, Scarsdale, NY

I think that this could definitely be about Jesus, but I probably would not have picked up on that without Kate's comment. The comments about love, grace and in particular the "Deep in thought I forgive everyone" definitely could indicate that it is written from the point of view of Jesus the day before he died. Gotta love the Pumpkins...
- Jake, Barrie, Canada

actually it is about Jesus. He was 33 when he died. the line "supper's waiting on the table" is referring to the last supper.
- kate, union, KY

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