Cherub Rock Diving into the Anthem of Disillusionment
Lyrics
Freak outAnd give in
Doesn’t matter what you believe in
Stay cool
And be somebody’s fool this year
‘Cause they know
Who is righteous, what is bold
So I’m told
Who wants honey?
As long as there’s some money
Who wants that honey?
Hipsters unite
Come align for the big fight to rock for you
But beware
All those angels with their wings glued on
‘Cause deep down
They are frightened and they’re scared
If you don’t stare
Who wants honey?
As long as there’s some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Tell me all of your secrets
Cannot help but believe this is true
Tell me all of your secrets
I know, I know, I know
Should have listened when I was told
Who wants that honey?
As long as there’s some money
Who wants that honey?
Let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
Let, let me out
The early 90s saw a seismic shift in the music landscape with the emergence of alternative rock, epitomized by the iconic band The Smashing Pumpkins. Their 1993 hit ‘Cherub Rock,’ a track throbbing with gritty guitar riffs and introspective angst, serves as a time capsule of this era. But beneath the surface of this seemingly straightforward rock tune lies a tapestry of nuanced social commentary.
As we peel back the layers of ‘Cherub Rock,’ we find a song steeped in a complex mixture of defiance, disillusionment, and a piercing critique of the music industry’s machinery. It’s a powerful concoction that has cemented the track as a timeless anthem for those feeling alienated by the very system that seeks to elevate them.
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From the first line, ‘Cherub Rock’ thrums with a sense of rebellion. The song opens with the imperative ‘Freak out / And give in,’ which immediately positions it as an anti-establishment anthem. It’s an invitation to the marginalized and the misunderstood to embrace their idiosyncrasies and to submit to the rebellion against conformist pressures.
The Pumpkins deliver a sonic contradiction—lulling yet explosive—mirroring the juxtaposition of surrendering to and fighting against the system. A closer look at the lyrics reveals that the rebels’ rally cry isn’t just about nonconformity; it’s a strategic incitement to own one’s uniqueness in the face of an industry that perennially seeks to homogenize creativity.
The Honey Trap: A Critique of Commercialism
The refrain ‘Who wants honey? / As long as there’s some money’ serves as a scathing metaphor for the commodification of music. It poses a rhetorical question that mocks the industry’s tendency to prioritize profit over artistic purity. The ‘honey’ represents the sweet allure of commercial success, suggesting that authenticity is often sacrificed for financial gain.
Corgan’s ironic tone underscores the idea that artists and consumers alike are ensnared in a system where monetary value suppresses genuine talent. ‘Cherub Rock’ is a cautionary tale, warning of the empty promise of ‘honey’ and what one must forfeit to attain it. This critique lies at the heart of the song’s enduring relevance.
When Angels Fall: The Illusion of Innocence
One of the most visually evocative lyrics in ‘Cherub Rock’ is the image of ‘angels with their wings glued on.’ This line is a stark metaphor for the falseness that can pervade the music industry—a place where image often trumps substance. The line points to the illusion of innocence and integrity that industry players project while masking their true, often more self-serving intentions.
By suggesting angels—traditionally symbols of purity—are in fact ‘frightened and scared,’ Corgan flips the script on the notion of moral superiority. It’s a poignant reminder that those who occupy the high ground are not always what they seem, and in the hypercritical world of rock stardom, authenticity is the first casualty.
The Cry for Escape in ‘Let me out’
The pumpkins repeatedly cry ‘Let me out’ throughout ‘Cherub Rock,’ acting as a desperate plea for release. This haunting repetition resonates with anyone feeling trapped by expectations or the pressure to conform. It’s as much a demand for personal liberation as it is a renouncement of the forces that bind creativity.
These words aren’t just the voice of the artist seeking freedom; they’re an invitation to the listener to break free from their own constraints. It’s this universality that makes ‘Cherub Rock’ and the sentiment it expresses a beacon for anyone yearning to escape the confines of their personal ‘rock’—whatever form that may take.
Memorable Lines that Unveil a Hidden Meaning
‘Tell me all of your secrets / Cannot help but believe this is true’—this plea for intimate knowledge is twofold. On one side, it’s an artist’s cry against the façade that people, including themselves, put up. On the other, it suggests a deeper yearning for truth in an industry rife with deception.
‘Should have listened when I was told’ brings with it the bitter taste of regret, implying a willful ignorance that has led to disillusionment. These lines encapsulate the hidden meaning of ‘Cherub Rock’: the struggle between naivety and enlightenment and the difficult journey to reconcile the two in the pursuit of artistic integrity.
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