"Muzzle" is a song by American
alternative rock
Alternative rock (also known as alternative music, alt-rock or simply alternative) is a category of rock music that evolved from the independent music underground of the 1970s. Alternative rock acts achieved mainstream success in the 1990s w ...
band
the Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins (also simply known as Smashing Pumpkins) are an American alternative rock band formed in Chicago in 1988 by frontman and guitarist Billy Corgan, guitarist James Iha, bassist D'arcy Wretzky and drummer Jimmy Chamberlin. The ...
from their third album, ''
Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness''. It was one of the last songs written by
Billy Corgan
William Patrick Corgan Jr. (born March 17, 1967) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the co-founder, lead guitarist, primary songwriter, singer, and only constant member of alter ...
for ''Mellon Collie'', with the song's lyrics referring to what Corgan thought the public's perception was of him at the time. It was rumored to be the Smashing Pumpkins’ fifth and final single from this album, as is evidenced by the fact that a
promotional single
A promotional recording, promo, or plug copy is an audio or video recording distributed free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available. Promos are normally sent directly to broadcasters, such as mu ...
for the song was issued to radio stations worldwide. However, the song "
Thirty-Three" was released as the fifth and final single instead.
There was a rumor that a
music video
A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
was filmed for "Muzzle" with drummer
Jimmy Chamberlin
James Joseph Chamberlin (born June 10, 1964) is an American drummer and record producer. Described as "one of the most powerful drummers in rock," he is best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. Following the ...
, but was never released. Billy Corgan has, however, denied this. The band went on to perform "Muzzle" for their next television appearance on ''
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' is an American television talk show broadcast by NBC. The show is the second installment of the ''Late Night (franchise), Late Night'' franchise originally established by David Letterman. Hosted by Conan O'Brie ...
'' with replacement drummer,
Matt Walker.
Chart performance
"Muzzle" reached number 10 on the US
Mainstream Rock Tracks
Mainstream Rock is a music chart published by '' Billboard'' magazine that ranks the most-played songs on mainstream rock radio stations in the United States. It is an administrative category that combines the " active rock" and " heritage rock" ...
chart and number eight on the US
Modern Rock Tracks
Alternative Airplay (formerly known as Modern Rock Tracks between 1988 and 2009, and Alternative Songs between 2009 and 2020) is a music chart published in the American magazine ''Billboard'' since September 10, 1988. It ranks the 40 most-playe ...
chart.
It reached number one on the alternative chart in Canada.
Charts
Weekly charts
Year-end charts
See also
*
List of ''RPM'' Rock/Alternative number-one singles (Canada)
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Muzzle (Song)
The Smashing Pumpkins songs
1995 songs
1996 singles
Song recordings produced by Alan Moulder
Song recordings produced by Billy Corgan
Song recordings produced by Flood (producer)
Songs written by Billy Corgan