Billy Corgan Refused to Cut “Cherub Rock” Intro: “Go F— Yourself”

During a recent episode of his podcast The Magnificent Others, Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan revisited a long-standing conflict with the band’s label regarding the 1993 single “Cherub Rock.” Speaking candidly with his guests, Dean and Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots, Corgan described how record executives pushed back against the song’s structure — particularly its lengthy introduction.

“The intro was one minute long,” Corgan recalled. “Of course the record company comes in and says, ‘Hey, ‘Cherub Rock’ is five minutes long. Can you guys cut that intro?’”

Corgan’s response was characteristically blunt. “I said, ‘Go fuck yourself,’” he declared, refusing to compromise. He went on to reveal the inspiration behind the extended intro: “We stole it from ‘By-Tor and the Snow Dog’ by Rush.”

Despite further attempts by label executives to persuade him — citing concerns about the track’s length and its potential reception on MTV — Corgan refused to budge. “No fucking way. That intro is fucking great. Fuck yourself,” he reiterated. “And they say, ‘Well, MTV…’ I said, ‘I don’t give a shit.’”

Ultimately, Corgan’s instincts proved correct. “Cherub Rock” was released as the lead single from the acclaimed album Siamese Dream and became Smashing Pumpkins’ first major hit, peaking at No. 7 on Billboard’s Alternative chart. The track’s defiant, fuzz-driven sound — complete with its iconic intro — helped solidify the band’s legacy in the alternative rock scene of the early ‘90s.

Billy Corgan continues to celebrate the Smashing Pumpkins’ influential legacy. This summer, he embarks on a solo tour backed by his new band, the Machines of God. The tour honors multiple milestones: the 30th anniversary of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness and the 25th anniversaries of both Machina/The Machines of God and Machina II/The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music. Though performing solo, Corgan will include a generous selection of Smashing Pumpkins material, maintaining his strong connection to the band’s storied past.