Yungblud has released a newly reimagined recording of his Grammy-nominated hit “Zombie” in collaboration with iconic rock band The Smashing Pumpkins, marking the first time in the band’s career that they have appeared on another artist’s recording.
Produced by Matt Schwartz and Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan, the updated version of “Zombie” builds on the success of the original track, which has surpassed 100 million streams and stands as Yungblud’s fastest-streaming solo single to date. The collaboration represents a milestone moment for both artists, bridging generations of rock music.
Yungblud and Corgan’s connection traces back to July, when they met in Birmingham during Black Sabbath’s farewell concert, Back to the Beginning, where both participated in tributes honoring Ozzy Osbourne. Corgan had previously spoken publicly about Yungblud’s potential, praising his voice and artistic trajectory in interviews and on his podcast, The Magnificent Ones. That mentorship ultimately led to the collaboration on “Zombie,” a song heavily influenced by The Smashing Pumpkins’ signature blend of emotion, atmosphere and heavy guitar work.
An official music video for the song, directed by Charlie Sarsfield and starring Yungblud alongside The Smashing Pumpkins, was released concurrently. The track continues to gain momentum at radio, reaching No. 9 on the Alternative chart, Yungblud’s third Top 10 at the format and his highest-charting single there in three years.
The release follows a landmark year for Yungblud, highlighted by the Grammy-nominated album IDOLS, a sold-out world tour and a widely praised live tribute to Osbourne and Black Sabbath that earned a nomination for Best Rock Performance. Last fall, he received nominations across all three rock categories at the Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album, Best Rock Song for “Zombie,” and Best Rock Performance.
Yungblud said collaborating with The Smashing Pumpkins on “Zombie” was a career-defining moment, calling the song the most personal track on IDOLS. Corgan, in turn, praised Yungblud’s creative vision and said the band aimed to make the new rendition as personal and powerful as possible.
The release arrives ahead of Yungblud’s sold-out North American tour, which begins May 1, and follows a string of high-profile collaborations and chart successes that continue to cement his role as a leading voice in modern rock music.
Click here to stream Zombie.
