Disarm

Categories: Smashing Pumpkins songs | 1993 songs

"Disarm"
Image:SmashingPumpkins-DisarmHeart.jpg
Image:SmashingPumpkins-DisarmSmile.jpg
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
From the album Siamese Dream
Single Released	22 March 1994
Single Format	vinyl record (7" & 12") and 2 CDs
Recorded	1993
Genre	Alternative rock
Song Length	3:17
Record label	Virgin Records
Producer	Butch Vig & Billy Corgan
Chart positions	#11 (UK Singles Chart) #8 (US Modern Rock Tracks) #5 (US Mainstream Rock Tracks)
The Smashing Pumpkins single chronology
"Today" 1993	"Disarm" 1994	"Rocket" 1994

"Disarm" is a song by The Smashing Pumpkins (then known simply as Smashing Pumpkins). It was the third single from their second album, Siamese Dream. "Disarm" was written by Billy Corgan and is regarded by most to be one of their best songs. Its string and acoustic instrument driven melodies make it one of the most popular ballad-like songs released by The Smashing Pumpkins.

Publicly, Corgan has always asserted that the song was about the shaky relationship he had with his parents while growing up.

Because of the lyric "cut that little child," the BBC banned the song from radio airplay in the United Kingdom.

While the Pumpkins had many softer and acoustic driven versions of many of their louder, more rock style songs, "Disarm" actually had a loud and heavy electric version that was performed semi-regularly and is featured on the Vieuphoria video. The electric version changes the tone of the song from that of a powerful yet sad ballad to a more angst-driven rock song.

The single was released with 2 different versions. The 2 versions (Heart and Smile) featured different artwork and different B-sides.

The music video, directed by Jake Scott, is black and white and shows the members of the band appearing to float over images of a house, while at the same time an old man walks through an underpass while home movie-esque, color footage shows a young boy (presumably the old man in his youth) playing outside. Billy Corgan has said that he didn't want the old man in the video, but Scott insisted.