The Smashing Pumpkins – Thirty Three

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speak to me in a language i can hear
humor me before i have to go
deep in thought i forgive everyone
as the cluttered streets greet me once again
i know i can't be late, supper's waiting on the table
tomorrow's just an excuse away
so I pull my collar up and face the cold, on my own
the earth laughs beneath my heavy feet
at the blasphemy in my old jangly walk
steeple guide me to my heart and home
the sun is out and up and down again
i know i'll make it, love can last forever
graceful swans of never topple to the earth
and you can make it last, forever you
you can make it last, forever you
and for a moment i lose myself
wrapped up in the pleasures of the world
i've journeyed here and there and back again
but in the same old haunts i still find my friends
mysteries not ready to reveal
sympathies i'm ready to return
i'll make the effort, love can last forever
graceful swans of never topple to the earth
tomorrow's just an excuse
and you can make it last, forever you
you can make it last, forever you

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Lyrics submitted by starla33

Track duration: 04:11


Thirty Three song meanings
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79 Comments

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  • +1
    General Comment:This song is open for interpretation, since I doubt Billy's going to tell us exactly what he was thinking when he wrote this anytime soon. I don't like seeing all these Christians and athiests insulting each other. Personally, I actually agree that Jesus probably does have to do with the title, knowing how spiritual Billy's lyrics always are. But if you don't think so, your interpretation's okay too.

    33's also the number of the freemasons, just an FYI.
    Flag weirdogrrlon January 27, 2013   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:One of the most well written, well composed songs I have ever had the pleasure of listening too in my life thus far. At times it does sound like Corgan is referring to Jesus, but also referring to what could possibly his own self doubt or losing faith and regaining it again through music? Either way, we truly have to recognize this piece of literature as a piece of precious history. It is so rare that we as people find a truly talented writer such as Corgan. I am proud to have experienced his music through the 90`s and beyond and will continually pass ti down with the generations to come.
    Flag Steven81on November 03, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:WOW amazing when people dont know what they are talking about, the crap that flies out their mouth! SMH. The people that said this song is about Jesus hit the nail on the head. Jesus was 33 years old when he died on the cross for our sins.( Many athletes for this reason where the number 33. Billy does talk of himself in parts of this song, going back and forth about himself and then Jesus ex: "for a moment i loose myself, rapped up in the pleasures of the world". Which so many of us do. the bible states "set your minds on above , not on earthly things". Song says Suppers waiting on the table: He's talking about Jesus' last Supper.The song is basically the last moments of Jesus, from the supper to walking the streets carrying the heavy cross ( Jangly walk), to his return(Sympathies I'm ready to return. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins you will in turn have eternal life. Song says: "you(Jesus) can make it last forever, you. He ends the song, "Forever you". ( Forever Jesus) because he is forever.

    Come on Athiest loving this song doesnt mean you have to love Jesus. Does it make you feel guilty now? Do you have the song now? LOL. I love Both, one more than the other tho.
    You cant see the air but you know its there and love to breathe it. The same goes for Jesus, The Son and Holy Ghost.
    Sorry I had to take you all to Church. Great Album by the way!!!
    Flag Bucshot07on August 12, 2012   Link
    • 1 Reply
  • 0
    General Comment:WOW amazing when people dont know what they are talking about, the crap that flies out their mouth! SMH. The people that said this song is about Jesus hit the nail on the head. Jesus was 33 years old when he died on the cross for our sins.( Many athletes for this reason where the number 33. Billy does talk of himself in parts of this song, going back and forth about himself and then Jesus ex: "for a moment i loose myself, rapped up in the pleasures of the world". Which so many of us do. the bible states "set your minds on above , not on earthly things". Song says Suppers waiting on the table: He's talking about Jesus' last Supper.The song is basically the last moments of Jesus, from the supper to walking the streets carrying the heavy cross ( Jangly walk), to his return(Sympathies I'm ready to return. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins you will in turn have eternal life. Song says: "you(Jesus) can make it last forever, you. He ends the song, "Forever you". ( Forever Jesus) because he is forever.

    Come on Athiest loving this song doesnt mean you have to love Jesus. Does it make you feel guilty now? Do you have the song now? LOL. I love Both, one more than the other tho.
    You cant see the air but you know its there and love to breathe it. The same goes for Jesus, The Son and Holy Ghost.
    Sorry I had to take you all to Church. Great Album by the way!!!
    Flag Bucshot07on August 12, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:After reading these comments, I feel like all of my english teachers must be unanimously having heart attacks somewhere.
    Now that I got that off of my chest, I want to start by saying that I was raised Catholic. I must also state that I now consider myself to have no religious affiliation whatsoever.
    I have been listening to this song for years, and I have never once thought that any part of this song had to do with Jesus or religion. (except the steeple line, in which he is obviously stating sarcastically after referring to his walk as blasphemous and jangley)
    Coming from someone who takes very little of what songs say literally, I would say that the meaning of this song has to do with someone going through a very emotional part of life. This is an ongoing topic in many of the pumpkins songs and also gives the listener a feeling of looking inward on their own lifetime and experiences.
    It IS a beautiful song, and feel free to take it how you like, but I just don't see this song as religious at all. People who are deeply religious see their religion in a lot of things throughout thier lives. (even toast)
    Flag DreadPirateRobertson July 15, 2012   Link
  • -1
    My Opinion:It does sound to me that it is the last days of Christ's life. Or That Billy (or anyone else) is feeling similarity between Christ's last days and his own imediate problems. He does say "Pull my collar up and face the cold, on my own" which seems like he has been forced out of his dwelling into the cold and is off to find new shelter (I know the feeling). Their are a lot of similarities of the lyrics and the last days of Christ. It is unmistakeable (to me anyway). BTW, all the jerks with the negitive comments, say what you will, am I not entitled to my own opinion and beliefs. I really don't care, stab away! I live in the U.S.A. an free speech is one of our greatest freedoms.
    Flag Disowned2011on January 08, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:To "lagwagon182". I am so sick ot athiest or more or less ANTIthiest giving Christians a hard time or just anyone else just refering to Jesus or the All Mighty. It is just this persons feelings or THEIR interpitation of the song. I am a Christian and am suppost to turn the other cheek but all FOUR cheeks are raw, face and backside! Make an interpitation and leave this guy alone. BTW, Jesus did and does exist. So did Pontius Pilot, as did many other Romans, Jews, Gentiles and HEATHENS!
    Also 33 is a great song.
    Flag Disowned2011on January 04, 2012   Link
  • -1
    General Comment:depressing song.
    Flag clarellevon March 30, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:The album cover?!?!?!
    it is not jesus
    i am studying the romanovs at school and that cartoon on the front is representing Rasputin and the tsar and Tsarina of Russia, I've seen this cartoon many times and it deffinatley matches the one on the cover of 33
    is this a coincidence or a possiblity of the meaning of the song
    there are some parts of the Romanov's story that match this song
    anyone have any idea???
    Flag Dudee16on March 10, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:OK, I'm a bit late to the party here...but I've always loved this song, and my interpretation doesn't match those that I've seen above (not that those are any less valid), so here goes:

    To me, the song is all about someone who is 33, and in a marriage...and although that marriage isn't unhappy as such, he's feeling restless.

    So, the first verse captures that feeling when you're enjoying just hanging out with friends and people with less responsibilties, but you know that, due to your duties, you have to leave, even though you'd rather stay and enjoy the feeling of freedom. So the singer's in a bar, but has to say his goodbyes and get home to his wife (and family), reluctantly.
    "Steeple guide me to my heart and home" - a church steeple acting as a literal landmark as the singer 'finds' his way home, as it stands out against the skyline, but also a metaphorical one, as he sees the builds where he was married and made his vows.

    In the rest of the song, the singer is willing himself to be strong and make his marriage last and be happy, but a part of his mind is lamenting the freedom that he has given up, which he sees others still enjoying. It's not even about wanting to be unfaithful romantically...it just captures that feeling of 'having to be somewhere' when you'd rather be a free spirit.

    That's it for me really - I could break it down line for line, but if you run with this interpretation, it all kind of makes sense. being 33...but kind of wanting to be 23 and carefree again!!
    Flag Lineyon December 14, 2010   Link
    • 2 Replies

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