18 April 2024

DROWN is one of the best songs Billy Corgan ever wrote for/with
THE SMASHING PUMPKINS. It happened after their 1991 Gish LP
came out, and featured on the soundtrack of 1992 romantic comedy
film Singles by Cameron Crowe.

It should have been a huge hit.

Billy Corgan:“We wanted it to be a single, we were pushing for it. I was even willing
to make it a video. Radio stations were playing it. And when it came time for the third
single (off the soundtrack) , they said, ‘Screaming Trees.’ And I was like, ‘Screaming Trees??’
But what label is Alice in Chains on and what label are the Screaming Trees on? ‘Epic‘,
which is the label that put out the soundtrack. And that’s what killed the song.”

Afterward, in 2001, SP included the song on their Greatests Hits compilation
Rotten Apples, although they cut it, incredibly, in half, killing the flabbergasting
guitar solo in the process.

Here’s the full movie soundtrack version.

I almost forgot why I started this post in the first place. So here we go. Canadian artist ALICE GLASS, former vocalist of EBM trash duo Chrystal Castles just shared her version of the song.

Glass: “I believe in the power of art to transcend betrayal and disappointment. “Drown” is not just a cover; it’s a testament to resilience and artistic integrity. This track was created after we were asked to be a part of an exciting compilation that ultimately didn’t end up happening. But I didn’t want that to stop us from sharing our interpretation of this iconic Smashing Pumpkins track. This release is a declaration of autonomy and a reminder that true artistry cannot be stifled by broken promises.”

Glass really turned it upside down. Check it out.

(Image Alice Glass: cover of her solo debut LP ‘PREY//IV)