1979 (song)

"1979" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins. It was released on January 23, 1996, as the second single from their third studio album, Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995). "1979" was written by frontman Billy Corgan, and features loops and samples uncharacteristic of previous Smashing Pumpkins songs. The song foreshadows the synth-pop sound the band would embrace more openly on Adore and its singles "Ava Adore" and "Perfect". The song was written as a nostalgic coming-of-age story by Corgan, reflecting on what he considered his transition into adolescence in 1979, when he turned twelve years old. "1979" reached number two in Canada and Iceland, number six in Ireland, number nine in New Zealand, and number 12 in the United States. It charted within the top 20 in several other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. The song was nominated for the Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal at the 39th Annual Grammy Awards, and won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video. In 2012, it was voted the second-best Smashing Pumpkins song by Rolling Stone readers.