On The Howard Stern Show yesterday, Howard asked Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan what he thinks when he sees Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington ‘throwing in the towel.’ Billy said seeing them die hurts at a really deep level. He said he never met Chester, but he did know Chris pretty well. He said Chester had a great set of pipes.
Later in the interview, Corgan discussed suicide again when discussing the song “Now and Then.”
Howard asked if he has written any songs about his parents, and Billy said he has, and he was playing one last night called “Now and Then.” He said it’s brutal. He then told Howard what some of the lyrics are, and that they’re so fucked up.
He said that was from a solo album from about 2005. Billy said he had a friend who hung himself, and when kids are exposed to suicide the kids around them have more of a chance of doing it. Billy said that was one of the most messed up things. He said that he just disappeared and you just heard rumors. He said his sister eventually confirmed it.
“Now (And Then)” lyrics
Peace colours
What’s left of mine
I used to find
Pennies crushed on tracks
It’s a long way back to the station
Now and then
I could be a friend
I could be a friend
Now and then
Now and then to you
I could be a friend of use
So hide me when you go
Back amongst the reeds
Cable coils
Around my neck
Whatever’s best
It seems insane to me
Can’t escape the family tree
Roots are buried deep
Deep as you can climb
I’ll do
I could be a friend to you
Now and then
I could be a friend
Now and then
I could be a friend
Now and then to you
I could be a friend of use
No second chance at this
I’ll watch you making love with them
Build a fire
Behind the school
Come and visit soon
If you’re blue and alone
Hold my hand they’re coming back for more
There’s always one more score
I’m sure to balme for this
I’ve got to get this change through and through
Now and then
I could be a friend
I could be a friend
Now and then
I could be a friend
I could be a friend
Now and then
Now and then
