Posted by Andrew Unterberger on 06/02/2011 at 12:14 PM News

The Popdust Files: billy corgan, hall of fame, smashing pumpkins

When discussing the pantheon of pretentious, self-consciousness-devoid song titles, no institution is more respected than the Billy Corgan Ridiculous Song Title Hall of Fame. Founded in 1991 and consisting mainly of titles from Corgan’s 20 years as the lead creative force behind alt-rock legends Smashing Pumpkins, induction into this prestigious club means that you are now 100% unassailable in your status as one of the all-time elites in preposterous titling, worthy of the most drug-addled prog-rock albums and miserable collections of mediocre poetry.

Usually, it takes a five-year waiting period and a great deal of discussion and debate for a song title to be inducted as a new member into the BCRSTHOF. But occasionally, a new crop of talent emerges whose HoF qualifications are so undeniable, that there’s no point in waiting. Such was the case when Corgan announced the tracklisting for his band Smashing Pumpkins’ upcoming album, Oceania, over Twitter yesterday:

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/Billy/status/75664318246559744"]

[blackbirdpie url="http://twitter.com/#!/Billy/status/75897531975999488"]

 

So congratulations to “Panopticon,” “The Chimera,” “Inkless,” “My Love is Winter,” and “Quasar” on their instant induction into the BCRSTHOF. Ceremonies will be held upon the album’s official release on September 1st, and will take place at the center of the Earth, hosted by the ghost of Carl Sagan. (Unless, of course, anyone wants to make a case that these titles don’t have the necessary HoF resumes? No? Good.)

And just in case you need a quick refresher, here’s a list of the song titles that have been inducted since the Hall’s founding 20 years ago:

“7 Shades of Black”
“Again, Again, Again (The Crux)”
“Apathy’s Last Kiss”
“The Beginning is the End is the Beginning”
“Behold! The Night Mare”
“Bleeding the Orchid”
“Bullet With Butterfly Wings”
“The Crying Tree of Mercury”
“Daphne Descends”
“The End is the Beginning is the End”
“Frail and Bedazzled”
“Glass and the Ghost Children”
“Here is No Why”
“I of the Mourning”
“Le Deux Machina”
“Mary, Star of the Sea”
“Medellia of the Grey Skies”
“Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness”
“Mina Loy (M.O.H.)”
“Pastichio Medley”
“Pomp and Circumstances”
“Porcelina of the Vast Oceans”
“Set the Ray to Jerry”
“Sinfony”
“Tales of a Scorched Earth”
“Tristessa”
“Window Paine”