10 Rock Music Songs That Were Almost Never Released
9. 1979 - Smashing Pumpkins
Though it may have one of the most pretentious names in music history, the album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness by Smashing Pumpkins is regarded as one of the most important alt-rock releases ever.
This mammoth 28-song collection helped the band cross over into the mainstream and pushed the boundaries of what rock music could be with its vast thematical scope. It could have been even longer, as frontman Billy Corgan actually wrote a staggering 56 songs during the production process, the last one being 1979.
What would eventually become the album's second single was originally dismissed by producer Flood as not good enough for the record, but Corgan clearly saw its worth, as he spent that evening rejigging the track.
Upon a second listen, Flood was on board.
1979, which is Corgan reflecting on his childhood, was a worldwide hit and is widely regarded as one of the band's best ever songs. Don't hold the fact that Flood very nearly kept it off the album against him though; the man had just sat through 55 other demos.
He must have been exhausted.