What singles would you've released from Zeitgeist?

[zerorawk]

I'm just interested in knowing what songs you would've released as singles from Zeitgeist/American Gothic and who you would've got to film the music video. Maximum of four singles from Zeitgeist and two singles from American Gothic... and don't forget to post who you would've had direct the music video for Superchrist!

Here are my picks:

Zeitgeist:

First single: Tarantula - It just seems like the only appropriate first single. Just like Siva said 'we are the Smashing Pumpkins and we are here', Tarantula says 'we are the Smashing Pumpkins and WE ARE BACK!'
Music Video Director: The best Pumpkins vids always came from Johnathon Dayton and Valerie Faris, so I would've gone with them for this one.

Second single: Starz - Obviously one of the most popular songs from the album according to a poll somewhere on these forums. It's got a catchy beat and with a good music video to accompany it, it could've been a real hit.
Music Video Director: Samuel Bayer. Listening to this song kind of reminds me of BwBW and the music video for that, so I reckon if Bayer employed that 'grungy' atmosphere that he used for music videos such as 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' for Nirvana and 'Zombie' for The Cranberries, it could've been one groovy music video.

Third single: Bring the Light - This always seemed like a good choice for a third and final single but it seemed that Billy's heart wasn't in it after Tarantula and That's The Way flopped. Either way... I still would've put this out if I was in BC's shoes as it's a groovy tune which is what it is... 100% Pumpkins groove.
Music Video Director: I'm thinking JD and VF for this one as well but Spike Jonze is another name I would've had in mind or even Jonas Akerland.

American Gothic:
I would've only released one song as a single from AG and that one would've been The Rose March. It's really the only choice for a single on the EP. It's radio friendly, fairly catchy and sounds as though it could have a good music video... directed by Johnathon Dayton and Valerie Faris. ;D

And finally... I would've had Samuel Bayer direct the music video for Superchrist. I reckon... keep the same concept but have a bit more focus on Billy and Jimmy (close-ups on them, perhaps having a bit where Billy's placing a necklace of Rosary Beads on the end of his guitar or something) and make it grungier and sexier.

Well there's my choices. You may have to excuse my lack of knowledge of music video directors, which is probably why there's a few familiar names in there. Either way... it was probably best for the Pumpkins to stick with who they knew rather than going with the same guy that directed the Walking Shade music video.

Anyways... it's about time I let you guys post your picks. So post away!

[wbm001]

I've got no idea about who should direct videos. I've always loved Pumpkins videos, but don't really like any from Zeitgeist (incl the dodgy Doomsday Clock wrestling one) or the Superchrist clip.

As far as singles, I think Tarantula was a good choice. That's the Way should have been a massive hit - such a brilliant pop song - but it was never going to happen. I wish Doomsday Clock had been properly released, they could have capitalised more on the movie tie-in a la TEITBITE.

Only other songs I would consider as potential singles would be 7 Shades, and maybe Ma Belle actually...

Oh yeah, Am Gothic.... when you say single, i dunno, technically an EP is an (extended play) single. Or has that term fallen into antiquity to be replaced by a generic 'mini-album' definition. Either way, I don't think a 'single' would be appropriate, maybe a radio-only promo of Rose March. But I think that EP, much as I really enjoy, is better off remaining low-key....

[de-tec-tive]

all the Zeigeist videos have been fucking awful, the only redeeming thing about the Tarantula clip is when the rays shoot out of Billy's eyes.
i would have really liked to have seen a video for The Rose March, i love that song

[kiwibird64]

Zeitgeist- 1st Single "Tarantula" of course (best song ever)
- 2nd Single "Doomsday Clock" i consider it a single, Transformers soundtrack, ROH Opening Theme.
- 3rd Single "Bring the Light", i can see why 'that's the way' was a single release and rightly so, it's very radio friendly, but Bring the light is just a fuckin awesome song
- 4th Single "That's The Way (My Love Is)

American Gothic - "The Rose March", surely no one would release two singles off a 4 track EP, it against the law, Rose march would have to be my favourite...just. I wished they'd played "Again", "POX" or "Sunkissed" on the oz tour, it deserved greater exposure.

Superchrist - superchrist is just one insanely fuckin awesome 6 minute jam nothing more, nothing less, actually everything more, i love the video to it. It's a song you can just rock ya head too. the drums are unbelieveable, i'd say Jimmy's Best performance, i think it was a fun project for Billy in creating and releasing this song, Worthy of the Pumpkins name, so glad they played it at the V fest in Perth. sick

[Steve]

For me it would go:

1st single - Doomsday Clock
2nd single - Bring The Light
3rd single - That's the way

I'd be lying if i didn't say i wasn't a fan of the film clips, kinda wish they were done over, but oh well.

American Gothic, i would have even been happy with Again,Again,Again to be released, but The Rose March would probably be the way to go.

[explosionsinthesky]

1st Single - Tarantula (again, the obvious choice)
2nd Single - That's the Way (my love is) (this could of been such a big hit, a great song)
3rd Single - Bring The Light (a nice blend of all that is good about zeitgeist)

Then as a fourth single I would of just released "The Rose March."

[foxy]

I'd go Tarantula, Doomsday, Neverlost as the singles with Pox as the single from American Gothic. I think the superchrist video should have been for tarantula, something that incorporated transformers for doomsday and I reckon some sort of animated love story would make a great clip for neverlost.

[stephenbayne]

Tarantula was an exellent choice. I also think that Ma Belle should have not only been on the album but as 2nd single as well. I'd say Doomsday Clock as well but that already got exposure as part of the Transformers soundtrack so I'd pick Starz for 3rd single.

[scotopic lux]

The video for Thats The Way was horrendous. It is such a pretty song, what relation does it have to space travel? And i agree with bec that it was eye lasers ftw in the Tarantula clip.

I think American Gothic is such a strong piece of work, they could all have been singles if they were on teh zeit. I love AG, it is one of my fave SP releases.

[Tragic Ether]

BRING THE LIGHT!!!

Not only is it an awesome song - its the sort of song that could have been big on radio/music video. It has soooo much potential!
I guess it probably fell victim to the Muzzle-ish syndrome. Maybe

[zerorawk]

I have to agree with everyone on Doomsday Clock. The Pumpkins should have used the hype from the Transformers movie to their advantage by giving DC a proper release. In fact, I'd say that Doomsday Clock could've been another candidate for first single. But whatever.

And yeah... Muzzle would've been the perfect last single release for MCIS. BtL is in the same boat. It has that 'final single' feeling to it.

P.S. Laser Eyes for life!

[milan]

That's the thing about Zeitgeist for me - solid album, but, when compared to past releases, it lacks the high number of classic singles/tracks you could include on a SP Greatest Hits.

But anyway;
Tarantula
Doomsday Clock

& American Gothic;
Sunkissed
The Rose March

[sunky]

I still think Tarantula was a great first single, it was upbeat - short - rocking. But the film clip was terrible and I think this was the thing that let it down. People started to focus on how terrible the clip was and not how good the song is.

Personally I would have love to see the band do a straight forward performance styled video in front of a live crowd, like the video recorded at the MySpace The List show in Spain: www.ozphoria.com/?page_id=8

The colouring was suited towards Zeitgeist, it was slightly dark and moody ... I think this would have changed peoples views of the song too.

Now after the release of Tarantula I was really certain they were going to release Doomsday Clock as a radio promo, like they did with the Everlasting Gaze when Machina came out. So it would have just been a performance type clip and with now physical single release.

For the second 'official' single I was really hoping for Starz. Why wasn't this a single?
If they had asked the fans and seen that on most fan polls people loved Starz more than anything else ... urgh.

Also imagine the clip, it could have been a parody clip. Having people dressed as the Smashing Pumpkins playing the song, having people dressed as celeb's (Paris Hilton, Michael Jackson etc ... all the tragics). If they wanted to do something a bit fun and make a point of the whole Zeitgeist thing.

Or they could have even used the idea for the Thats the Way clip ... at least Starz have more with space travel.

[zerorawk]

A radio promo of Doomsday Clock with an accompanying music video to go along with the Transformers movie tie-in really could've been the perfect way to launch the Pumpkins back up into the atmosphere. But sadly... they opted not to pursue it. It's all done and dusted now, sadly.

And Sunky? That Music Video idea is freakin' sweet! Thrown in with Samuel Bayer's old school 90's grungy, moody music video style it could've looked really good a lot like old school Pumpkins vids. I can sort of imagine the 'tragic celebrities' all dressed in dark sort of colours and the Pumpkins dressed in brighter ones. Could've reeked of total awesomeness.

[Cygnet]

id say the probably reason for starz not being a single is that everyone ive spoken to who isnt a hardcore pumpkins fan but still likes the album says they hate that song and its the only one they really dislike.
People think the "we are starz" bit is lame, and just miss the point completely.

as far as what i wouldve done with singles. I think id have left it the same, doomsday clock should have gotten a more widespread release as has been said. I dont think sales figures would justify another single thoguh, and Bring the Light while i love it to death is another song that i feel like a lot of the mainstream crowd would dislike... you start talking up god in a song and those angry teens wont be happy

[*Shard of Glass*]

I agree Jimmy, love Bring the Light and would have been cool to see it released also (however unlikely).
C'mon Lets Go has always been a real fav. of mine, its a great rock song, would have been fun.

[blue_june_destroyer]

1. Doomsday Clock
2. Tarantula
3. Come On (Let's Go!)
4. That's The Way (My Love Is)

I think it would've been a wise move to officially release Doomsday Clock on the back of its appearance in the Transformers film, then follow up with Tarantula.

[Insanity's Horse]

I think Bleeding the Orchid would have been a great single, possibly as the second release. It is still my favourite song from the album, and seems to capture all the elements the pumpkins were famous for in the past.

[shadowconspiracy]

tarantula , doomsday clock & bring the light from zeitgeist.the rose march from american gothic,thats what i would have gone for.

[Eye]

Jul 1, 2008 9:56:04 GMT 7 Insanity's Horse said:

I think Bleeding the Orchid would have been a great single, possibly as the second release. It is still my favourite song from the album, and seems to capture all the elements the pumpkins were famous for in the past.

I wholeheartedly agree. It seems to reflect exactly what the Pumpkins were trying to do with Zeitgeist.