Billy Corgan's songs that make him feel good

from Take 5 · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

35 years ago, we met a band called Smashing Pumpkins. Rising in the wave of American grunge, the Chicago band were led by the iconic voice of Billy Corgan and would rise and rise like all their contemporaries, over the coming years. If you know anything about music history, you know the story of the Pumpkins is a tumultuous one. But Billy has continued through it all. Back in 2012, Billy was in Australia to play Splendour in the Grass with the latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. With a new album under their belt, he was in a buoyant mood and up for an epic conversation when he joined Zan to Take 5Billy is always good chat, but if you've ever wondered about the music that made him, this conversation is a dream. So settle in, don your flanny, and discover the songs that make Billy Corgan feel good.Billy Corgan's song choices:Yes - And You and IUFO - Love to LoveNeil Young - Ambulance BluesDavid Bowie - Space OddityLou Reed - Berlin00:23 Introduction to Billy Corgan01:43 Creating music during difficult times04:25 1972 and guitar supergroup Yes05:50 Yes - 'And You and I'07:38 When Billy discovered music11:43 British Hard Rock inspirations13:08 UFO - 'Love to Love'14:30 Moving away from mainstream needs15:23 Neil Young - 'Ambulance Blues'16:40 Sad music making you feel better18:50 The definitive anthem of alienation19:24 David Bowie - 'Space Oddity'20:40 Technology and disconnection 28:10 Lou Reed - 'Berlin'29:47 Next weeks guest

What this episode covers

35 years ago, we met a band called Smashing Pumpkins. Rising in the wave of American grunge, the Chicago band were led by the iconic voice of Billy Corgan and would rise and rise like all their contemporaries, over the coming years. If you know anything about music history, you know the story of the Pumpkins is a tumultuous one. But Billy has continued through it all. Back in 2012, Billy was in Australia to play Splendour in the Grass with the latest incarnation of Smashing Pumpkins. With a new album under their belt, he was in a buoyant mood and up for an epic conversation when he joined Zan to Take 5 Billy is always good chat, but if you've ever wondered about the music that made him, this conversation is a dream. So settle in, don your flanny, and discover the songs that make Billy Corgan feel good. Billy Corgan's song choices: Yes - And You and I UFO - Love to Love Neil Young - Ambulance Blues David Bowie - Space Oddity Lou Reed - Berlin 00:23 Introduction to Billy Corgan 01:43 Creating music during difficult times 04:25 1972 and guitar supergroup Yes 05:50 Yes - 'And You and I' 07:38 When Billy discovered music 11:43 British Hard Rock inspirations 13:08 UFO - 'Love to Love' 14:30 Moving away from mainstream needs 15:23 Neil Young - 'Ambulance Blues' 16:40 Sad music making you feel better 18:50 The definitive anthem of alienation 19:24 David Bowie - 'Space Oddity' 20:40 Technology and disconnection 28:10 Lou Reed - 'Berlin' 29:47 Next weeks guest

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Billy Corgan's songs that make him feel good

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This episode was published on April 23, 2026.

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