That doesn't mean he was a consistently depressed "Sad sack" as people say and was incapable of being happy or having fun. Like a lot of his fans seem to think, he wasn't 100 percent his music. Apparently he was often the life of the party and loved to dance. That doesn't come through in his music or interviews, but among friends he was apparently very outgoing. All I'm saying is, is that it isn't out of the ordinary for him to have been happy or smile.
I agree, I think it’s often hard for people to comprehend the depths of duality that are present in life and that both sides can be, in some way, so true. Elliott’s art has been hugely influential in my life and has been like a life preserver at sea in my struggles with depression (most of which were while I was growing up in a very unhappy and tense environment). I eventually decided to let go of life, but something strong kept me here, I am so tremendously lucky for whatever force of energy kept me breathing even after I let go. I have had a very happy life since I got out of that situation. It’s hard like it is for everyone, but I’ve been able to accomplish some of my greatest desires and I’ve been able to give and receive love. The point is though, even when I was at my darkest, I don’t think most people I knew casually would have pegged that. Certainly not my friends. Even though a big part of me wanted to die then, there were also other parts of me, that were and are true, that want to have fun and laugh even if the end was near. Because life is truly sad, and life is truly hilarious. It’s brutal and forgiving. Years later I worked with someone who killed herself, and it came as a total shock, even to me, who thought before that time “I must have a stronger radar for that type of thing”. She had an enormous brightness (and there was definitely some darkness there too but a conscious effort to hide or protect it). She used to bake cookies every single weekend and bring them to work to share, months later she was gone. I’m grateful I had Elliott’s music in my life, I used to listen to Don’t Go Down when things would get really bad.
hey man now its my turn to follow you aroud youtube haha i know how you feel. i must have shown elliotts music to like 50 people. all of them react in the same muted unimpressed way. and my sister can't stand him. but it doesn't bother me one bit. the way i see it, they are just unlucky that elliotts beauty doesn't register with them. we are the fortunate ones.
Elliott and the band started playing this a few months after the "more cowbell" skit had aired. You gotta believe that perhaps Elliott watched SNL and was inspired to cover this song after watching it, which is hilarious. Also, maybe I just want to believe, but if you listen closely you can hear a cowbell in the background!
Elliott is the single reason I picked up guitar last December, and why I continue to play music today. The guy was just a brilliant songwriter, and he gives me something to aspire to be. Cheers! ~Trevor
Since today is the 21st, I figured I'd say something to Elliott: Elliott, you changed my life. Your music continues to shape me, now 5 years after your death. I just wish I could have known you... you were truly amazing. Love and peace, wherever you are, Trevor
This is the most beautiful, melodically hopeful and fearlessly effective rock song that expresses and encompasses the inunderstandable and depressing topic of death Elliot rest well
I already was into elliot but moving to Portland homeless grieving loss of my grandma coupled w me constantly listening to elliot n being new there was life-changing Had some magically depressing times w this music and I'm still in portland He is alive n well in the city of p0rTland
elliot smith is such a great influence, he brings me chills everytime i hear his music, i've always LOVED music but never had the urge to play, but after hearing elliot smith he actually made me want to play. i also tried introducing e smith to over 10 people and not one of em actually got in to it and liked him. i see so many people on YT who love him, are all my friends just jack asses or what? LOVE YOU ELLIOTT SMITH HAPPY B-DAY U WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN AND DEFINITELY NEVER BE REPLACED!!!
Holy shit I never knew he covered this. Incredible . You deserve a military Medal of Honor and a statue made by Fazzini in you're memory for this sick and absolutely delightful upload. Thanks
I was surprised to see that no one had uploaded a version of this to RU-vid. I don't think there's any video recordings of shows in which he played this, or I would have put one up. But, yeah. Elliott did a really good cover, imo.
@TheBradenL Eh, just because he struggled with depression doesn't mean he was incapable of being happy or smiling, apparently he did it a lot. Depression is a part of everyones' lives whether they like it or not.
yeah im glad there's people like us out there, who can truly see the beauty in elliott, which i dont find hard to do, but others do haha!!! anyhow, u seem like a cool dude, keep on rockin!!!
Holy shit I absolutely can't believe i only found out about this cover today. ES has been my favorite musician for quite a few years, and listening to him cover my favorite song of all time was incredible. It may not be really his style, but the lyrics and the meaning behind the song fit him so well...
"Let's just kill everyone and let your God sort them out" - Marilyn Manson - What goes around comes around, including death. It wouldn't displease me any more were all humans to perish and our species become extinct. I am disillusioned with humanity.
This is better than I thought it would be. It's a hard song to do justice to but this is actually decent. If you want to hear one of the many fails, check out the Mutton Birds version.
If the guy jesus came back today forget the pomp and circumstance of the cross, he probably would have went out near a lake with a wash cloth in his mouth, under mysterious circumstances. word
I really want to know who played the solo and the lead parts during this piece. Did Elliott rock that solo, or did he just play the rhythm? I don't think I've ever seen him play a guitar solo, although I'm sure he was more than capable. He acoustic technique is seriously underrated.
I certainly would be surprised if he played the solo, it's not beyond his abilities at all. He did a small amount of soloing in stuff like Son of Sam and Shooting Star
