"Zero" is a song by American alternative rock band the Smashing Pumpkins, released as the third single from their third album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (1995). Written by Billy Corgan, it was the first song recorded for the album and features six rhythm guitars with two line-in 12-string acoustic guitars. The cover artwork and music video were created by Ukrainian photographer and Corgan's then-girlfriend Yelena Yemchuk. Released on April 23, 1996, "Zero" reached No. 9 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart, No. 15 on the US Mainstream Rock chart, No. 1 on Canada's Alternative 30, No. 1 in Spain, and No. 3 in New Zealand. The song was also released as an EP in the US and charted at No. 46 on the Billboard 200 instead of the Hot 100 due to the EP containing more than four songs, which was Billboard's limit for single releases. Similarly, in the UK, "Zero" reached No. 19 on the Scottish Albums Chart as a budget album.

Critical reception

"Zero" is widely considered one of the band's best songs, ranking in first place on both the Louder Sound and Kerrang! lists of their greatest songs.

Music video

The music video was directed by Ukrainian photographer and Corgan's then-girlfriend Yelena Yemchuk, who also created the single's cover art. It takes place in a Roman-inspired mansion where the band members, dressed in black with gothic make-up, perform the song for rich guests who lounge around in masquerade attire while various freak shows happen throughout the mansion. Each time a band member is focused on, it is in the form of an extreme close-up with their face partially out of the frame as they stare expressionless into the camera. The video was described by NME as "very cinematic and creepy at times".

B-sides

"Zero" was released as an EP and includes "Pastichio Medley", a medley of parts of songs from the Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness sessions that mostly remain unreleased. The medley runs nearly 23 minutes long and features 73 songs. The medley also features snippets of songs that actually were released; the snippet of the song "Disconnected" is a riff from an early version of "The Aeroplane Flies High (Turns Left, Looks Right)" (originally B-side from the "Thirty-Three" single) and the riff called "Rachel" ended up being worked into the album track "X.Y.U." Eventually, 2012's reissue of Mellon Collie saw a number of tracks from the "Medley" released in full versions. The instrumental track "Tribute to Johnny" pays homage to guitarist Johnny Winter.

Track listing

EP

Pastichio Medley

"Pastichio Medley" is the last of the songs on the single/EP and is a medley of demos from Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The medley features 73 songs, listed below:

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

In popular culture

The song and band members both appear in The Simpsons episode "Homerpalooza" (1996), which features one of the show's most famous jokes, with Corgan introducing himself to Homer as "Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins" and the clueless Homer replying "Homer Simpson, smiling politely".