I Am One

Man, can you really think of a better way to introduce the world to your band?

Well, sure you can, but "I Am One" has a ton of points.

It's building up the band, you know.  It starts with drums pounding a steady dank beat (I'll try not to ever use the word 'dank', sorry).  At this point, the song could go anywhere, you're in a crazy steady beat-world waiting for a light.  But you don't get light, you get a dark bass line.  It's not evil, but it's pretty sassy.  Then Billy & James bring the light (lol) and the song takes off.  But it's still in the air for a second before it dive bombs into head-scathing rock.

That was "I Am One" on heckof drugs.

Anyways, I Am One is a great way to start an album.  It's a fairly concise example of what the Pumpkins were about at that point, and is catchy to boot.  The lyrics seem to be fairly pointless, but it's okay because you can make noises along to them.  All in all, it's a great manifesto to throw at people to introduce yourself to them.  Much better than, say, "My Dahlia."  

It's great how far I Am One really soared once it got onstage.  It became a vehicle for the famed Billy rants, one of the most endearing/angering parts of the live billy experience.

gimme gimme gimme gimme gimme gim gim gim gi gi NOTHING!

STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MOTHERFUCKING HEART

nothing.

—classic.

It's interesting to point out that when he'd rant in the middle of the crazy fast version they worked up for Lollapalooza, Billy ranted early lyrics to Zero.  If you've never heard it before, it's pretty awesome to see a work in progress in the middle of a different song.

nothing can be taken from me that has not already been taken

—i guess so, Billy.

The rant was great at the 'last' Metro show, too.  "Welcome to the last gasp- of the smashing pumpkins."

Sorry that was so disjointed.