by The Smashing Pumpkins · 2024
The song Cherub Rock by The Smashing Pumpkins is about rejecting the hypocrisy and superficiality of the music industry and alternative scene, criticizing those who conform for popularity or profit rather than staying true to themselves.
This song has been Shazamed over 678,416 times. As of this writing, Cherub Rock is ranked 152
‘Cherub Rock’ by The Smashing Pumpkins is a famous rock song from the 90s, and in this article, we’ll be exploring what it’s really about. We’ll break down the music, the lyrics, and the feelings behind it so we can understand why it still matters today. ⬇️
The song bursts open with electrifying guitars, creating an atmosphere that’s rebellious yet strangely inviting. Its narrative circles around authenticity, calling out the music industry’s hypocrisy and the pressure to conform.
When we reach the chorus—“Who wants honey? As long as there’s some money”—we’re hit with cynicism wrapped in a catchy melody. It’s almost like a sneer at those who chase fame or fortune, asking us to question what’s really sweet in life. We find ourselves tangled up in the song’s sarcasm and longing for something real, something more than just glittery promises.
The verses paint a scene of outsiders and misfits (“Freak out and give in… stay cool and be somebody’s fool this year”)—it’s as if Billy Corgan is rallying us to see through the fake halos of “angels with their wings glued on.” The line “hipsters unite, come align for the big fight to rock” both mocks and embraces those who resist the mainstream, while admitting that deep down, everyone’s a little scared if you look too closely. There’s a raw honesty simmering beneath the bravado, the fear of being exposed, the hunger to belong.
In the bridge, vulnerability takes center stage—“Tell me all of your secrets… I know, I know, I know should have listened when I was told”—as if the narrator is tired of posturing and just wants truth, even if it’s messy or painful. The repeated plea, “let me out,” echoes desperation to escape the suffocating expectations and facades.
The real power of “Cherub Rock” lies in its ability to rip the mask off the glamorous world of rock, showing us that behind the noise and spectacle, we’re all just searching for a place where we can be ourselves, flaws and all.
Writer(s) of Cherub Rock:
