Smashing Young Man

Album: Collective Soul (1995)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When Collective Soul took off in 1994 with their song "Shine," Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins slagged them off, calling their frontman Ed Roland a "shameless rip-off artist." Corgan was referring to similarities between "Shine" and Smashing Pumpkins songs like "Rhinoceros," "Drown" and "Snail." On this track, Roland fires back, never mentioning Corgan by name but calling this Smashing Young Man "synthetic-like," and saying he lives in a "self-lit spotlight."

    Roland's guitar riff on "Shine" dates back to 1989, pre-dating the Smashing Pumpkins songs he was accused of stealing.
  • For a while, Ed Roland claimed, incredulously, that the song was not about Corgan but inspired by the British term "smashing," which he heard in England.

Comments: 5

  • Luna Loud from Royal Woods, MichiganI jumped on stage during a Pumpkins show and Billy hit me on the head with a guitar. Now my sister Lucy won't go to concerts with me anymore. Lol!
  • Kirk Kobane from Under The GraveBoth bands are great
  • Nathan from Sherwood, OrCollective soul is the greatest rock band ever!!
  • S from Aberdeen, United StatesCollective Soul is awesome
  • Rick from Humboldt, Iacollective soul rocks
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Francesca Battistelli

Francesca BattistelliSongwriter Interviews

The 2011 Artist of the Year at the Dove Awards isn't your typical gospel diva, and she thinks that's a good thing.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

David Bowie Lyrics Quiz

David Bowie Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

How well do you know your David Bowie lyrics? Take this quiz to find out.

Lita Ford

Lita FordSongwriter Interviews

Lita talks about how they wrote songs in The Runaways, and how she feels about her biggest hit being written by somebody else.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")

Director Wes Edwards ("Drunk on a Plane")Song Writing

Wes Edwards takes us behind the scenes of videos he shot for Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley and Chase Bryant. The train was real - the airplane was not.