Category Archives: Elliott Smith

Everything is gone but the echo of the burst of a shell
And I’m stuck here waiting for a passing feeling
In the city I built up and blew to hell
I’m stuck here waiting for a passing feeling
Still I send all the time
My request for relief
Down the dead power line
Though I’m beyond belief
In the help I require
Just to exist at all
Took a long time to stand
Took an hour to fall

— Elliott Smith, ‘A Passing Feeling‘

A. I don’t know… I mostly only think things are different because people ask me different questions, but I don’t feel like things are very changed… I still do the same things I did before, I think about the same things.

Q. ‘I will never be a big rock star.’

A. Well, I said it because I think that’s true… But I’m not trying to avoid anything… I’d have to be more… I’m the wrong kind of person to be really big and famous.

— Elliott Smith

Drink up baby, stay up all night
With the things you could do
You won’t but you might
The potential you’ll be that you’ll never see
The promises you’ll only make
Drink up with me now
And forget all about the pressure of days
Do what I say and I’ll make you okay
And drive them away
The images stuck in your head

The people you’ve been before
That you don’t want around anymore
That push and shove and won’t bend to your will
I’ll keep them still

Drink up baby, look at the stars
I’ll kiss you again between the bars
Where I’m seeing you there with your hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught
Drink up one more time and I’ll make you mine
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot

The people you’ve been before
That you don’t want around anymore
That push and shove and won’t bend to your will
I’ll keep them still

— Elliott Smith, ‘Between the Bars’

Everything is exactly right
When I walk around here drunk every night
With an open container from 7-11
In St. Ides Heaven

Been out haunting the neighborhood
And everybody can see I’m no good
When I’m walking out between parked cars
With my head full of stars

High on amphetamines
The moon is a light bulb breaking
It’ll go around with anyone
But it won’t come down for anyone

You think you know what brings me down
That I want those things you could never allow
You see me smile and you think it’s a frown turned upside-down

Cos everyone is a fucking pro
And they all got answers from trouble they’ve known
And they all gotta say what you should and shouldn’t do
Though they don’t have a clue

High on amphetamines
The moon is a light bulb breaking
It’ll go around with anyone
But it won’t come down for anyone
And I won’t come down for anyone

— Elliott Smith, St. Ides Heaven