Bullet with Butterfly Wings cover

Released 31 years ago this October

Bullet with Butterfly Wings

The Smashing Pumpkins · 1995

3 min · 1 track · alternative rock

A dark and brooding anthem that marries heavy guitars with introspective lyrics, encapsulating the angst of the mid-'90s alternative scene.

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Top tracks — play these first

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    Bullet With Butterfly Wings — This track serves as both the album's lead single and its thematic centerpiece, exploring themes of despair and resilience through vivid imagery and powerful instrumentation.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

67 /100
Alpine
Higher than 91% of albums we've rated

A well-crafted anthem with strong dynamics and memorable hooks, reflecting its era's angst.

What we noticed

  • The song features a dynamic contrast between heavy guitar riffs and softer, melodic verses, creating a push-and-pull effect throughout.
  • The chorus employs a repeated lyrical hook that emphasizes the central theme of frustration and despair.
  • The arrangement includes layered instrumentation, with strings adding depth to the overall sound during key sections.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
7/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Breakthrough — This single marked the band's peak commercial success and wider recognition.
Themes
mid-'90s angst· butterfly symbolism
Career context
Released as part of their critically acclaimed double album 'Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness,' this track represented The Smashing Pumpkins' peak commercial success. At this point, the band had solidified their place in alternative rock after the breakthrough of their earlier album 'Siamese Dream' in 1993.
Stylistic neighbors
Alice in Chains· Soundgarden· Radiohead
New to The Smashing Pumpkins? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Bullet With Butterfly Wings 3:32

What to play next

The Aeroplane Flies High
Listen next

The Aeroplane Flies High

1996

This album expands on the themes and sound of 'Mellon Collie', offering more depth.
Siamese Dream
Go back to

Siamese Dream

1993

It sets the stage for the darker tones explored in 'Mellon Collie'.
Full The Smashing Pumpkins discography Where to start with The Smashing Pumpkins Artists like The Smashing Pumpkins
alternative rock

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Dirt

Dirt

Alice in Chains

Shares a similar dark atmosphere and introspective themes of pain and struggle from the same era.

The Bends

The Bends

Radiohead

Combines heavy guitars with existential lyrics, matching the angst and emotional depth of the mid-'90s.

The Downward Spiral

The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails

Explores themes of despair and self-destruction, using a gritty sound palette that complements the source's intensity.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata