For Martha by Smashing Pumpkins

Album: Adore (1998)

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Songfacts®:

Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan wrote this song as a tribute to his mother, Martha Corgan. She died of cancer in 1996, and it was a lot harder on Corgan than he had feared.

Billy had a rough childhood, which he expresses in the 1993 song "Disarm." Therapy taught him to forgive, and he worked toward that goal.
Corgan was going through a lot when he wrote this song after his mother's death in 1996. His marriage was falling apart, and while the band were touring for their Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness album, touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin died of a heroin overdose.
The song is part of the 1998 Smashing Pumpkins album Adore, which is informed in large part by Martha's death.

Comments: 5

Chloe from Brisbane, AustraliaIts just so sad,
I remeber reading that his mum went to a mental insitution at one point. It must have been hard on him going through that, and her death. he was relied on alot as a young boy.
Sam from Austin, Txthe first time i heard this song i was blown away and i listened to it over and over. i determine the song to be about the death of a loved one
Matt from Monroe, LaA real beauty..this one....i love so many of Billy's songs...but this one is a tear jerker..
John from Raleigh, NcA beautiful song that actually means something. I don't know it didn't get more attention.
Nader from Durham, NcWithout a doubt, one of the most beautiful songs of all time. "Shadows kept alive"...no one can write lyrics like Billy.

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