Billy Corgan wrote “1979” as a farewell to his youth, inspired by a moment stuck at a light heading into the city.
The music video for “1979” depicts an idealized version of suburban teenage angst, featuring real high schoolers and Smashing Pumpkins members.
The house party scene in the video almost never made it to film due to lost tapes, but a sequel video for “Perfect” was later made with original cast members.
The band performed live during the house party segment, turning it into a mini concert to engage the bored teenagers on set.
The enduring legacy of “1979” and Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness is a source of pride for The Smashing Pumpkins, with Corgan expressing gratitude for new generations forming deep emotional connections to the album.
