Billy Corgan, the iconic frontman of the Smashing Pumpkins, recently shared his thoughts on how Metallica’s powerful track “Fuel” evokes memories of his own band’s song “Tales of a Scorched Earth.” Corgan openly acknowledged his admiration for Metallica, admitting that he has “certainly ripped Metallica off plenty” over the years. This candid revelation highlights the interconnectedness of rock music, where inspiration often flows between artists.

During his engaging conversation on the Australian podcast Everblack, Corgan explored the nuances of his song “Tales of a Scorched Earth,” a deep cut from their acclaimed 1995 album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. Interestingly, this particular track has never been performed live by the Smashing Pumpkins, as confirmed by the extensive statistics available on Setlist.fm, underlining its rarity in the band’s discography.

As the discussion progressed, Corgan drew intriguing parallels between “Tales of a Scorched Earth” and Metallica’s “Fuel,” which is featured on their 1997 album Reload. He acknowledged that while he has borrowed ideas from Metallica, he genuinely respects the band and its members, particularly James Hetfield, whose influence on rock music is undeniable.

Corgan expressed his admiration for Hetfield, stating, “Let me caveat this by saying that I love James Hetfield as a person. I love Metallica. I saw them in 1984 and all that great stuff.” He even referred to Hetfield as “probably the greatest riff writer outside of maybe Tony Iommi,” showcasing his deep respect for Hetfield’s musical prowess and creativity.

In an interesting observation, Corgan pointed out that the part of “Fuel” where Hetfield passionately sings “Give me fuel / Give me fire / Give me that which I desire” bears a striking resemblance to the themes and structure found in “Tales of a Scorched Earth.” This acknowledgment not only highlights the similarities between the two tracks but also demonstrates the fluid nature of musical inspiration across genres and generations.

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While Corgan humorously noted, “Now, I don’t think James would rip anything off from me,” he couldn’t help but feel a sense of familiarity upon hearing the Metallica song for the first time. He commented, “I was, like, ‘That’s awfully close.’ But I love me some James,” hinting at the friendly rivalry often found in the world of rock music.

Furthermore, Corgan emphasized a fundamental truth about music: “There are only 12 notes on the guitar, and thus musicians all borrow ideas from each other.” His perspective reflects the creative process in the music industry, where inspiration is often drawn from various sources, leading to the evolution of new sounds and styles.

In closing, Corgan humorously stated, “I’ve certainly ripped Metallica off plenty, so,” encapsulating the essence of artistic influence in rock music. His candid remarks provide a glimpse into the interconnected world of musicians and the shared love for their craft.

Listen to the conversation below.

Billy Corgan Reflects on Metallica’s ‘Fuel’ and Its Connection to Smashing Pumpkins

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