His chord progressions are just on a different level and the way he worked with what he had available is insane early on. Genius songwriter and prolific as hell check out "Dancing on the highway''.
Anyone else and it would be, but with Elliott Smith it makes sense. I know what you mean. I wouldn't say I'm better, but listening to him makes me feel like my thoughts are in someone else's head.
One man orchestra. Lyrics, songwriting, singing, multiple instrumentalist. If only you could see Elliott, aren't you missed by all...too talented for this stupid world maybe. Rip brother
I’m pretty sure the last 30 seconds of this Son of Sam song is one of the best conclusion ending I have ever heard. This dude was the guy that comes around every like 50 yrs, he was basically every Beatle rolled into one west coast USA guy !
Sorry to bother, would you happen to know who sings the song in abit of the trailer part at the begining. It goes Open up the door and let me in, I dont wana stand outside Feel it in the tips of my fingers and on my toes. Many thankyois
You definitely get very Lennon vibes throughout this song and video. Interesting you bring up the west coast because personally, he reminds me a lot of Brian Wilson.
yyessss, it's just so good. "shiva open her bones now to make sure i don't get too far" with those back vocals and the guitar in the back. i wish elliott was still alive to see what kind of music he would create nowadays, but even so, he lives on through his music.
When I see him alive in his music videos it makes me think, how can dead people be more alive than living people? His music definitely makes him immortal.
I only found out about Elliott Smith 2 years ago, but still to this day I'm blown away by how good his music is. Like literally, It's absolutely insane how this stuff just came out of his head.
@@qvolecompa You're in for a treat my friend. Listen to all of his albums. My favorites are Figure 8 and Either/Or. Still to this day he's my favorite artist.
And in case you didn't know he plays all the instruments on his records (there's a sax in XO, not sure about that one but I wouldn't be surprised if that was him too), unlike most bands/artists.
I like to think that it was incredibly introspective and poignant on his part to write a song about a serial killer who killed couples. Imagine you blame yourself for failed relationship after failed relationship. The couple killer, each and every time. He saw himself as the serial killer of his relationships.
@@MiloMayhow is the name arbitrary when he makes specific references within the song to the serial killer known as ‘son of Sam’ (beyond the title and chorus) ? Either that’s not what was said in that interview, he said something that you misinterpreted or Elliott was screwing with the interviewer in some way, because while it may not be, in totality, about son of Sam, (as is often the case with great songs, of course it may be dealing with other things than that subject) it definitely makes more than one reference to a the serial killer in question. It wasn’t arbitrary, he may have used som of Sam as a metaphor or whatever but it deals with a serial killer. That is part of its subject.
@@RBGRBGRBGRBG "My friend Sam Coomes from Quasi was on tour with me for most of last year. But then there's also Uncle Sam, and then there's the serial killer Son Of Sam. It's certainly not about him." "The song was not about the real life "Son of Sam", serial killer David Berkowitz. Smith explained, "It's not about the serial killer. I'm not sure exactly what it's about because it's just sort of like telling someone a dream you had last night. There are some destructive figures in it, 'Son of Sam', Shiva... but Shiva's also associated with creativity... I'm not sure... it's just an impressionistic song about destruction and creativity, I guess, if it's about anything."
@@MiloMay like I believe I said, or at least touched upon, what he means when he said: ‘that’s not what it’s about’ is that it’s clearly about more than that. But there are specific references to the serial killer used. So it may not be ‘about’ him, but it does in at least a sense or two, deal with him as an element to tell the story the song is telling.
Love Elliott Smith and in particular this album. I was an awkward teen who was also in the closet and it was great to hear this guy marching to his own drum. Also love that his music figures into the book and film Love, Simon.
Elliott Smith is one of the best to capture emotions, to concentrate feelings in his songs... All you have to do is close your eyes during one of Elliott Smith's songs and be so overwhelmed, so vulnerable, exposed... That is the power of Elliott Smith.
this song came on mtv2 in the middle of the night when i was in high school. I instantly fell in love with Elliot Smith's music. I could not believe what I was hearing. I said the name "Elliot Smith" over and over so I would not forget.
Something's happening Don't speak too soon I told the boss off, made my move Got nowhere to go Son of Sam Son of the shining path, the clouded mind The couple killer each and every time I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird Lonely leered, options disappeared But I know what to do Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love Acting under orders from above King for a day Son of Sam Son of the shining path, the clouded mind The couple killer running out of time Shiva opens her arms now To make sure I don't get too far I may talk in my sleep tonight Cos I don't know what I am I'm a little like you More like Son of Sam Songwriters: Beato, Rick / Smith, Brent
Confusing ! The songwriters you mentioned wrote for the band Shinedown, they have a song named 'Son of Sam', too ! Eliott Smith wrote all of bis songs himself (afaik) ;)
what a wonderful goove. Melancholic, but also full of life. And such a great voice, with a lot of feeling in it, but never dramatic or over the top. It's a shame that this talented musician died so early in life. It makes me sad.
Elliot just kept getting better... I remember him responding in an interview, when asked about why he played all the parts on an album, that 'if you don't play you will not improve' , and how 'he just loved being creative and writing songs everyday' or something along that idea, if not those words... Well, Elliot certainly was a good example about how even those blessed with talent, could continue to improve if they worked hard enough. Elliot certainly worked hard at his art. Genius takes a lot of dedication and hard work. I so wish he was still with us, as one cannot really even imagine what he would be creating by now... Thankfully he left us with a wonderful catalog, full of variety, to listen too whenever we choose...
I saw this on Rage in 2013 when The Sunnyboys guest programmed the show. Was blown away how beautiful and moving the song was....bought the album and now a full fledged Elliot Smith fan
True legend...those 210 thumbs down clearly have no music taste at all, probably all sat under a bridge somewhere, judging and hating real sound from a REAL musician.R I P Elliott Smith
This video is so timeless, it speaks about Elliott Smith's music as it is still relevant. Can't believe this was made 18 years ago which was the first time I saw him live.
@@concars1234 i agree. he was an addict if he was to kill himself he would have most likely done it that way. no one really stabs themself unless there really going crazy.
@@ahousefellonme well kinda, he speaks about black balloons as specific references to heroin but im not 100% that the imagery of chasing a balloon here only plays the role of representing his dependancy.
Did anybody else buy the Elliott Smith book? It has interviews and everything in it. It explains the entire red balloon scenario and what it means. It's amazing.
Attestation of the transitory nature of life to have come across Elliott Smith's music 20 years posthumously. Shocking to read about his violent death; his voice sounds sweet.
Same here. It almost seems like a slam dunk. Usually the criticism I hear has absolutely nothing to do with the music, but with the label and production. I love the production, it still sounds incredibly fresh yet vintage at the same time. It's a monster, and for me, one of the best records ever made by anybody.
Yellow King what about rock and morty? I found out about Elliott Smith in 2011.on Guitar Hero 5. But what's this about my favourite show and Elliott Smith?
THIS FREAKIN GUY IS AMAZING IM SO HAPPY I FOUND THIS MAN HE IS GREAT AND EVEN THO HE'S DEAD HE LEFT SOME DOPE MUSIC TO LISTEN SO BE HAPPY WITH DEAD. THE MAN IS AMONG US
As a not american person, i never heard about the "son of sam" killer. I interpret the lyrics like theres a legion of people in the USA who lack of parents love and education make them just sons of uncle sam, orphans of many things, struggling to survive. The "king of day" part always get me, its like their fake happiness throught the drugs. Before you throw a rock in my mouth, its just my interpretation. Stay with Shiva! :)
The song is definitely referencing the killer on the surface level. It's possible there's more meaning, in which case, it's possible "son of Sam" is meant to double as a reference for Americans.
Those who are here cause we love this man's music,it's not just the song writing and arranging,which are sublime,or the sheer musical talent-(on a multitude of different instruments);his musicality; His ears receivers. The courage to open his heart and move people,and to articulate the feelings many of us have,the kind that are often too raw of pull out of ourselves let alone express so beautifully. But for me personally,although he was on my radar,as an artist i was very keen to explore,i didn't actually listen to any of his songs until....well until the universe slung it onto me EXACTLY when I needed to hear it the most. Same with Beach Boys Pet sounds,& Grace by Jeff Buckley,(and Nirvana too).... wouldn't have REALLY "Gotten them" so much if they'd "came" to me at a different time in my life. Ye,rip Elliot man,and thanks for making me feel less alone in the hard times and inspired by other songs.Ur missed...u inspired even my kids first name. You're music is much missed,as I know u are to.Good sir,i doff my hat to you!
Morgan Ashley Gilbert, if you happen to see this one day, just know that the time we spent together make up the best memories I have, in my dreams we're still having a picnic in the park, feeding the squirrels, getting as high as possible on the swings, & seeing you smile & laugh was all I needed to make the darkness melt away. I will always love you, even after I quit this mortal frame. Thank you for the best days of my life, & thank you for loving me in spite of my many flaws. -kyle
Apart from any interpretations of the lyrics, I've noticed something that might've been neglected, or maybe is just a matter of my own intepretation; could be right, could be wrong but notice the line: "Son of Sam/Son of the shining path..." where, in the song, the "Sam" kind of fades and connect with the next "Son" which reminded me of Samson, the biblical figure, the man of an enormous power and strength that was given to him by God. The hostile Philistines wanted to find out the truth behind his strength thus they hired a woman named Dalilah to lure him, whom Samson fell in love with. The truth was - his power and strength lied in his long hair. Dalilah cut it when he was asleep, depriving him of his power, and informed the Philistines who plucked his eyes out and made a slave out of him. The lyrics of Smith's song is interpreted either as 1) enlightment 2) the serial killer 3) the difficulty in forming healthy relationships with people after childhood filled with abuse. It's good, there's always a different interpretation for all of the listeners but idk, maybe I'm misinterpreting or something, or it could be another proof for Elliot having been a genius songwriter.
He was my generations john lennon, but never had the beatles, and only a brief encounter with fame he didnt want. Man, what an artist, i wish he embraced it more, but half of the beauty was that he didnt
I remembered this song form years ago on mtv (back when they still played music) but could'nt remember who it was by or what it was called, with google and spotify i finally managed to find it today after looking on and off for a while. so glad i found it. Thanks for putting the video up.
Something's happening, don't speak too soon I told the boss off and made my move Got nowhere to go Son of Sam, son of the shining path, the clouded mind The couple killer each and every time I'm not uncomfortable, feeling weird Lonely leered, options disappeared But I know what to do Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love Acting under orders from above King for a day Son of Sam, son of the shining path, the clouded mind The couple killer running out of time Shiva opens her arms now to make sure I don't get too far I may talk in my sleep tonight 'cos I don't know what I am I'm a little like you More like Son of Sam
