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1979

"1979" is a song by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"1979" is a song by the American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was released on January 23, 1996, as the second single from the band's third studio album, "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness". The song became the Smashing Pumpkins' highest-charting single and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video.

Background

"1979" was issued in 1996 as the second single from the Smashing Pumpkins' album "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness". It was written by Billy Corgan and became one of the band's most commercially successful songs.

Composition and style

The song is described as alternative rock, art rock, and synth-pop, and it features loops and samples that differed from earlier Smashing Pumpkins material.

Commercial performance

"1979" became the band's highest-charting single in the United States, peaking at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts.

Music video and awards

The official music video, directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, won Best Alternative Video at the MTV Video Music Awards in 1996. The song also received two Grammy nominations.

Key facts

  • "1979" was released as the second single from "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness".
  • The song was written by Billy Corgan.
  • It reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the band's highest-charting single.
  • It also reached No. 1 on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts.
  • The music video won Best Alternative Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.
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Canadian context

The Smashing Pumpkins have had significant airplay and fan recognition in Canada, and "1979" is one of their best-known songs among Canadian alternative rock listeners.

Frequently asked questions

Who wrote "1979"?
Billy Corgan wrote "1979".
When was "1979" released?
It was released on January 23, 1996.
What album is "1979" from?
It is from "Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness".
How did "1979" perform on the charts?
It peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 1 on both the Mainstream Rock Tracks and Modern Rock Tracks charts.
Did "1979" win any awards?
Yes. Its video won Best Alternative Video at the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards.
What genre is "1979"?
It is commonly classified as alternative rock, art rock, and synth-pop.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1979_(song)
    Supports: Release date, writer, album, genre, chart performance, and Grammy nominations.
  2. YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aeETEoNfOg
    Supports: Official music video and MTV Video Music Award information in the video description.
  3. Spotify — https://open.spotify.com/track/5QLHGv0DfpeXLNFo7SFEy1
    Supports: Track identity and remastered release listing.