Tristessa

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"Tristessa"
Single by The Smashing Pumpkins
Released	December, 1990
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	1990
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	3:32
Label	Sub Pop Records
Writer(s)	Billy Corgan
Producer	Butch Vig and Billy Corgan
The Smashing Pumpkins singles chronology
"I Am One" (1990) "Tristessa" (1990) "Siva" (1991)

"Tristessa" is a song by The Smashing Pumpkins. The "Tristessa" single was the Pumpkins' second ever release, and their first, and only, release on Sub Pop Records. It was written by Billy Corgan and later re-recorded for their debut album, Gish. Tristessa is similar to Spanish and Portuguese Tristeza and Italian Tristezza, both words for sadness. It is believed to be a reference to the Jack Kerouac book of the same title.^{[citation needed]}

There were about 4,500 of the original 7" single pressed in pink vinyl, while the rest were pressed in black vinyl. A failure to change the wax color between pressings resulted in about 100 that were pressed in grey-colored wax. These are especially rare and have sold for several hundred dollars apiece.

Unlike "I Am One", the re-recorded Gish "Tristessa" did not receive a second single release, and neither version of the song appears on the 2001 greatest hits collection, Rotten Apples.

Track listing

1. "Tristessa" - 3:40
2. "La Dolly Vita" - 4:15
3. "Honeyspider" - 2:55 (present on UK 12" only)