Smashing Pumpkins - Bullet With Butterfly Wings

I've had a love/hate relationship with Smashing Pumpkins over the years. I really liked "Siva" when I first heard it. I'm no fan of 70's rock, but somehow the Pumpkins had massaged 70's rock into something that didn't suck- that's no small feat. And, then when "Siamese Dream" was release, and "Cherub Rock" and "Disarm" were getting airplay, I enjoyed them immensely. But, then, 120 Minutes started playing the video for "Today" quite a bit and that song, at the time, really irritated me. Then, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness" was released and suddenly, it seemed like all the stupid people liked Smashing Pumpkins (I'm a hopeless snob when it comes to music). So, I just kind of wrote the Pumpkins off at that point.

Recently, I've rediscovered "Gish" and started listening to them again. I've even made my peace with "Mellon Collie". I had luke warm feelings about "Bullet With Butterfly Wings" back when it came out. I obviously listened to it enough to get the themes about alienation, isolation, and inadequacy but, I was not listening enough to be clued into the anti-religious themes. I like the mention of Job. I also like the assertion that the song's protagonist is beyond being saved. Why do I like this? Is it because I have black heart, know I'm hell bound and want as many of god's children to suffer my same fate and be miserable like me? Nah. That would be too easy and cliched. I like it because it calls into question strict ahderence to a dogma that I find slightly illogical at best, and ludicrous at worst.

Bullet With Butterfly Wings by Smashing Pumpkins The world is a vampire, sent to drain Secret destroyers, hold you up to the flames And what do I get, for my pain? Betrayed desires, and a piece of the game Even though I know -- I suppose I'll show All my cool and cold-like old Job Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage Then someone will say what is lost can never be saved Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage Now I'm naked, nothing but an animal But can you fake it, for just one more show And what do you want, I want to change And what have you got When you feel the same Even though I know--I suppose I'll show All my cool and cold--like old Job Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage Then someone will say what is lost can never be saved Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage Tell me I'm the only one Tell me there's no other one Jesus was an only son Tell me I'm the chosen one Jesus was an only son for you Despite all my rage, I am still just a rat in a cage And I still believe that I cannot be saved