Smashing Pumpkins: 1979 (1996 Music Video) User Reviews

a pretty great song accompanied by a pretty great video

[framptonhollis · 8/10 · 22 June 2018]

Having only gotten really into listening to more music very recently, I hadn't really heard anything by Smashing Pumpkins until I decided to watch this music video that accompanies what is one of, if not the, most famous songs they've released. I'm planning on listening to the album from which this song derives sometime in the near future, and since the album itself seems at least mildly conceptual it is fair to say that perhaps this song works even better in context, but regardless, on its own, the song is quite great. It is simple and nostalgic and is both happy and sad in its own way. The video itself is quite fitting w/the tone, it has an extremely nostalgic feel that is layered w/little bits of humour and an ending feeling of a difficult to describe or explain sadness, you smile thinking about "the good old days", and frown realizing they've all faded away.

A song and music video of reflection and the good old days and fine times!

[blanbrn · 9/10 · 30 April 2019]

In 1996 rock band Smashing Pumpkins had a huge hit with "1979" the words are a joy about good times and thoughts a reflection of memories and feeling good it's like it's a throwback to yesteryear. The music video captures that just perfect by showing a group of teens driving around town just hanging out and having a good time. All of us can relate to this as memories of our past stay put and all of us often recall them while feeling a little down that they have past! This song and video captures those past times and former years so well!

I found it truly forgettable

[Horst_In_Translation · 2/10 · 11 February 2018]

Here we have the music video for the Smashing Pumpkins song 1979, that is not from the late 70s though, just trying to depict them I guess, but from 1996, which still means it is over 20 years old already. It only runs for under 4.5 minutes, so I am indeed a bit surprised to see that two directors worked on it. But I found it very mediocre and if this is among the most known the Pumpkins have to offer, then this says not too much in their favor to be honest. The singing and range are almost non-existent and the lead singer sounds lackluster to me, like a restrained version of the (not particularly great either) punk pop bands of the 90s and 00s still too. The video was not much better. The acts of the protagonists are not exactly honorable and in terms of the fun they are having during their offenses, it is not a contagious short either. The joy stays in the video and does not reach the audience. I would say watch the record instead of checking out the music video, but honestly I think listening to another record would be the better choice. This one's only for the very biggest Smahing Pumpkins fans and I doubt there is any way it will turn you into a fan. Highly not recommended.