It was the band's first song to be released after reforming three fourths of the band's original lineup in 2018,[4] featuring Billy Corgan, James Iha, and Jimmy Chamberlin performing on a track together for the first time since 2000's Machina/The Machines of God album[5] and subsequent non-album single "Untitled"[6] prior to their original breakup.

[13][14] The song made its live debut on national television on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Monday, June 11, 2018.

[16] Rolling Stone described the video as "utterly bizarre", in which lead singer Corgan is "being held captive in an otherworldly asylum.

[18][19] Consequence of Sound had a mixed response to the song, praising Chamberlin's drumming, but ultimately feeling that "'Tarantula' was a far more memorable reunion jam".

[2] The song was described as have "chugging" and "stuttering" sound in the verses building into a soaring and multi-layered chorus, with Corgan singing "Tear down the sun/Bring down the sun/I'm not everyone/I'm not everyone/I'm not everyone.