"Tristessa" is a song by American alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. The single was the Pumpkins' second ever release, and their first, and only, release on Sub Pop. Sub Pop released it as their "Single of the Month".(November 26, 2000). "Mellon Collie Billy Singer Reflects on Life Before, During and after The Smashing Pumpkins", Chicago Tribune, p. 7.1. It was written by Billy Corgan and later re-recorded for their debut album, Gish.
Background The title is a direct allusion to Jack Kerouac's 1960 novella of the same name.Hanson, Amy (2004). Smashing Pumpkins: Tales of a Scorched Earth. Helter Skelter Pub. p. 49. . There were about 2,500 of the original 7" single pressed on pink marbled vinyl, while the rest (3,000) were pressed on black vinyl. It is estimated that an additional 100 to 200 were pressed on grey marbled wax. These are especially rare and have sold for several hundred dollars apiece.Pette, John (October 20, 2019). "SP90 Smashing Pumpkins", Pette Discographies. Retrieved April 19, 2025.
Following the release of "Tristessa", the Smashing Pumpkins were targets of a bidding war by multiple record labels, and ended up signing to Caroline Records.Konig, Bill (February 7, 2000). "Smashing Pumpkins Return to Rock", CMJ New Music Report 61 (6): 1.Gulla, Bob (2006). The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: The grunge and post-grunge years, 1991–2005. Greenwood Press. p. 60. .Ali, Lorraine (October 17, 1993). "Gourds a-Flyin': Smashing Pumpkins leader Billy Corgan doesn't really expect the band's alternative rock to take anyone completely by surprise. He just unleashes his emotions and tries to deliver a sonic assault diverse enough to match", Los Angeles Times, p. 60. Unlike "I Am One", which was also re-recorded for Gish, "Tristessa" did not receive a second single release, and neither version of the song appears on the 2001 greatest hits collection, Rotten Apples.
Critical reception CMJ called it "a grinding, drawled-out, lascivious rocker with a chisel-sharp pop aesthetic".(January 5, 2004). "1991", CMJ New Music Report 78 (847): 30. The Chicago Sun-Times said it was an "epic rocker".Corcoran, Michael (June 9, 1991). "Smashing Pumpkins sounds totally fresh: Local band's debut is whipped delight", Chicago Sun-Times, p. 11. In 2007, Spinner wrote, "a decade after the onset of diminishing returns, 'Tristessa' remains an absolute monster".Sullivan, James (January 29, 2007). "IFLTS: 'Tristessa,' Smashing Pumpkins", Spinner. Retrieved August 31, 2011.
Track listing All songs written by Billy Corgan
"Tristessa" – 3:40 "La Dolly Vita" – 4:15 "Honeyspider" – 2:55 (present on UK 12" only)
References