The Tragic Story of Elliott Smith 

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One of my favorite songwriters ever. People sometimes say his music is depressing, but I can listen in almost any mood and not feel like it's bringing me down in any way. A true loss that he wasn't with us for longer.

I spent 6 dark years in rainy Portland addicted to heroin in the 2000s. Elliott Smith was the soundtrack to my life at the time. He got me through some very tough times. Luckily, my best friend had a record player, so we got to listen to his music at its best. I felt a connection to Elliott's music & lyrics on a soul level, unlike any other musician. Sadly, my best friend opted to end his life, and he passed while listening to Elliott. I eventually escaped Portland and am now 10 years clean. I still love Elliott's music and mourn his passing.

Not only was he an incredible songwriter, but he was a *ridiculously* talented guitar player, and very underrated at that. Once you try to learn some of these songs, it becomes quickly apparent just how skilled he was.

I was lucky (and old) enough to see Elliott live a number of times. As aspiring musicians, my friend and I gazed in awe at Elliott's ridiculous talent and his ability to play highly complex guitar runs and chords with ease. I still regard him as one of the greatest songwriters of all-time, and it's a crime that he's still not getting the credit he deserves (Phoebe Bridgers for one owes him a beer or two!)

I was fortunate to see Elliott play in his high school band in 1986. I did not really know him although we had many mutual friends. His guitar skills blew me away and the songs were complex and catchy. I saw his rise through Heatmiser and solo work and was in awe of his songwriting acumen and his ability to make me feel emotion through his music. He will forever be one of my most admired artists and I hope he knew the depth of connection that his fans felt for him and his songs.

There was a vinyl record store in Santa Monica called Penny Lane. They were playing Elliott’s “Either/Or” on the speakers and right when it ended Elliott walked in. The manager said “Hey Elliott, we were just playing Either/Or.” Elliott replied “It’s okay. I’ve heard it enough.” This was during the lead up to the Oscars.

From a Basement on a Hill is heartbreaking, it gives us a little glimpse of where he was going and it's so rich and beautiful.

Miss Misery is a masterpiece. But for me, when the little piano solo chimes in in 'Pitseleh', that's just divine

This is a beautiful tribute. Thank you for bringing this to us.

Thanks for this. I met him a couple of times back in the Heatmiser days. He was just such a nice guy and was genuinely thankful when people came out to the shows.

He was a wonderful songwriter. His music is deep, heartfelt, haunting, and even quietly angry at times. Powerful stuff.

I really can’t see how one could compare Elliott to Nick Drake - they seem oceans apart to me. I love them both. To me Elliott is operating in a more Beatle inspired vibe and Nick was more influenced by jazz and British folk. They’re both great.

When people talk about Elliott Smith, it always has a level of admiration and reverence than nearly any artist. People who like him always absolutely love him, there really isn't anybody comparable in style or substance. He encourages a certain level of passion from people that you hold quietly instead of scream from the rooftop.

Elliott is the most underrated artist of his generation- what a talent. Such a challenging guitar player and a phenomenal lyricist - Thanks for this video / yes he eclipses many many artists / sometimes I feel he is like all four Beatles - plus George Martin - in one / Id love if Rick Beato or other music appreciation channels start analyzing his work - - his body of work is encyclopedic- heck his posthumous work eclipses most songwriters ! 😅

I was lucky enough to photograph him for an NME feature in Minneapolis at Prince’s 7th Street Entry. Quiet, humble, incredibly talented. Must pull the negatives up and scan them.😢

I sometimes feel bad even calling this guy a singer-songwriter, cause there are almost no musicians with that label attached that have his level of musicality. His approach to recording, his impeccable skill on the guitar, his ability to utilize silences like they are another instrument adding weight to the melodies, all that is in a league that sets him apart. He understood music in a way that was special and unique and I'm still sad he didn't get to share more of that gift with the world. It would have been fascinating to watch his evolution.

"I'm in love with the world Through the eyes of a girl Who's still around the morning after" To me, the opening lines of "Say Yes" are easily in the top 5 all time best song openings ever.

Great video I got into Elliott Smith when I started hearing Miss Misery. I saw him twice (XO and Figure 8 tours). Seeing him sing and play guitar onstage was transfixing. I remember thinking I'd never seen so much talent in one person. As a guitarist, trying to learn his songs is a tall task.

Thank you from covering him. He deserves so much more recognition

Hey Mary, just wanted to let you know that you are one of the very few creators which videos I play regardless of the topic they cover. The storytelling is always of the highest quality. I basically enjoy just listening to you and I know you always share something valuable. Keep it up! All the best!

my uncle introduced me to elliott smith and we heavily bonded over his music unfortunately he took his own life last year in july aged 55 i still can only listen to elliott in private because how much his music means to me thank you for sharing his story

I saw a film back in 02 with one of his songs in it. The Royal Tenenbaums. I was 15 and it changed everything for me. Then in 03 I remember looking up on the internet “Elliott smith tour” or something like that, and I just saw “memorial service for Elliott smith”. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it.

Discovered Elliott Smith a bit late, when the Figure 8 album came out. I read a glowing review and immediately went to buy the CD. It wasn't long after that, I went to buy his entire back catalog, including the Heatmiser albums. I still remember the morning that I found out he had died. I was making breakfast, and the story came across the bottom of the tv screen, on a cable news channel. What a terribly sad day that was.

Your essay on Elliot Smith encouraged me to listen to his entire catalogue. Well done.

I like to think I’m a rational, pragmatic and generally emotionally detached person, but watching this video brought a lot of emotions back for me about the life and loss of Smith. Thank you

I was a classmate of Elliott's at Hampshire College back in the late 80s. I only had minimal interactions with him and I didn't think much of his band, Heatmiser, the one time I saw them play on campus. Looking back, I think his music was ahead of the times and I wasn't ready for it, kind of like how people dismissed Van Gogh during his lifetime only for him to be recognized for his genius much later.

From a Basement on the Hill I think is one of the best albums I've heard recording/mixing wise. Listening to it over headphones especially, doesn't get much better than that. Such a great guitarist and lyricist

Loved Elliott’s music. I had the opportunity to see him live several times. He wrote the soundtrack for my early twenties. An amazing artist. Thank you for the video!

I met him at Largo on Fairfax in the late 90's, early 2000s. He was a sweet and gentle man. RIP

Thank you so much for discussing Elliott smith. He is one of my favorite artists of all time. What a great chordsmith and songwriter.

Elliott will always be on my list of favorite musicians. I hope that any 20 yr olds who love music, songwriting and lyrics will look up his body of work. Thanks Mary

He released XO while I was at West Point, and that album still connects me to the gloomy, grey rainy days while attending a grey, gloomy (at times) school in upstate NY. It sounds dreary, but so many amazing memories to that soundtrack.

Elliott really is brilliant. I’m in awe constantly learning his songs, like I don’t see these chord changes and combos together like this in most music. Truly a treasure. RIP Elliott! He’s also the only artist i discovered young but haven’t really grown out of.

Elliott Smith was unsung rockstar. I love the fine work he left behind, they sound so hollowly cheerful and catchy. RIP

Dear Mary, my friend now passed, beloved trumpeter Ron Miles, introduced me to Smith’s records. I was lucky to be near the stage for a Smith concert at the Ogden in Denver. Now both are passed, and my heart aches with the losses. Smith and I are roughly the same age and Day In The Life was an early obsession for me as well. I can’t believe we’re twenty years down the line. Fwiw, Amity is my fav. Thank you for this lovely and gentle remembrance of the man. Love and best wishes, Daniel

I count myself as one of the lucky ones who got to see Elliott play live, probably in 1997, with Sebadoh, and even got to meet him and Lou Barlow outside the club. They were just smoking cigarettes and we struck up a conversation like old friends. What a great guy.

His songs were just... no words to describe them... Emotionally, for a "heart of stone" person, no words... Greetings from a "Barcelonian" from San Diego.

What a wonderful tribute, Mary. Thank you.

Thanks for everything you do Mary! Great channel ✨🎶🔥🐎

Elliot Smith was likely the most underrated singer songwriter of our generation. I saw him live with Heatmiser, and twice live with his own band. Technically as a guitarist alone he was a monster, but his lyrical genius, vocal brilliance and humbleness was perfect for the music he made which was all sincere at all times or else he couldn't play it. I live in Portland now (above a basement on a hill...) and his ghost is everywhere here.

Lovely video, Mary! Love you, love your videos!

Finally someone is talking about him, he is so underrated. I don't think there is or there ever will be anyone who will be able to write as ingenious and complex chord progressions as Elliott Smith.

I left a comment for Rick Beato to do a video about Elliott a few weeks ago and now Mary makes one. I just want more people to know Elliott Smith exists and for him to get the credit he deserves.

Nice piece Mary. Elliott Smith is a true genius, Figure 8 was the first album I heard then I traced my way all the way back to Roman Candle. Incredible song writing. Thanks.

Missed this video for some reason. Thanks so much for doing this, Mary. Been almost 20 years since we lost him. What a beautiful soul.

This was amazing! Thank you for this ❤ I hope all is well 🙏🏻

The Basement On The Hill posthumous album is so haunting. The song PRETTY UGLY BEFORE brings me to tears just thinking about it. He was a rare & magical being like Nick Drake.

Really great one Mary

Again and again Thank you Mary for another great sharing!

My ex-gf lived in his old house in LA and there were constantly wreaths and memorials being left out in front of her house and in the street. It was pretty creepy

Either Or is a phenomenal album, but New Moon captured and immortalized a piece of my soul. His work will forever influence my own and songs like Going Nowhere will always take me back to such a heavy, woe-filled dreamstate that is both an escape and an undertaking of the soul. RIP Elliott, if only modern artists could compare…

that was a great video. nicely done

Gracias for sharing this with us!

Named my son after this talented guy. My boy has loved The Beatles since he was a toddler. I guess they have more than the name in common! 😊

i hear the beatles in those tunes too. The doubled vocals & use of scales to connect unlikely chord progressions is mesmerizing and emotive

Thanks for doing this 🙏

Elliott Smith had as much musical talent as any three Beatles. I'm alive today because a little guitar lick in "Everybody Cares, Everybody Understands" made me so curious that I realized I wasn't ready to give up yet. I think my favorite thing in his entire body of work is the guitar line coming in after the first verse and chorus of "Can't Make A Sound." He sings this beautiful, moody melodic line, ornamented with a little countermelody in the backing vocals, and then plays this gorgeous, swung version of the same line, over an arpeggiated harmony, on the guitar - including the countermelody. And then he ends the line with a flourish of ascending triplets and starts the next verse as though you haven't just heard something staggeringly beautiful. The guitar playing against the vocal in the bridge before song's long coda is also mind-boggling. It's all so graceful and fluid, and full of melancholy and anger while also somehow being uplifting and joyful. I've listened to this over and over again for twenty years and it still hasn't given up its secrets to me. Don't get me started on "Color Bars."

Hello Mary, Thanks for this Awesome Video

great video! i just listened to either/or yesterday for the first time and i am blown away

Thank you so much for sharing this. Will listen and I am sure I'll enjoy it .

Elliott is my favourite musician of all time, he is my biggest inspiration for guitar and music in general. Thank you so much for making a video on him, it is clear he has impacted you just as he has impacted myself and many other people. Rip Elliott ❤

Thank you so much for this wonderful tribute to a truly kind soul and unique singer songwriter. I will always be listening to his songs

Nice report, Thks

Thank you for this video. Just beautiful

I love these artist spotlights!

I love ES and playing his beautiful songs on my guitar and listening to his music. Pitseleh, wow, just wow. RIP Elliott.

Really enjoyed this, just wish it was longer. I could have listened to you talk about ES all day :)

Thank you for this!

Mr Smith's music was the soundtrack to my college years! I saw him at Tramps in NYC with Quasi in '98 and a few more times after that, but THAT was one of the best shows I've ever seen. He'll always be one of my favorites.

Between the Bars is so beautifully haunting. Terrible that the world lost a great artist.

Enjoyed this. Gonna watch it asap. Thanks

Thank you for a wonderful primer on Elliott. The band I'm with has decided we'd like to attempt 'Son of Sam', mostly at the suggestion of our Bostonian keys player, and being an artist I'd never come across your video was really helpful in terms of trying to understand Elliott. You just gained a subscriber! Thank you and keep up the good work Mary!

Well done !

A brilliant mini documentary. Mary is so good at this stuff. Long live the music of the quiet master, may his gentle approach tread on forevermore, surprising the hearts of those that will listen

Mary Spender, as always a great video, but this video goes beyond great. Elliott Smith was a very passionate person and you have that same passion for telling this story, and others. Thank you so much for introducing me to him here. 😌🎼

Love that you're spotlighting this unique and talented musician who left us too soon. His music is still as beautiful and inspirational now as when it was released.

I got to see Elliott Smith live in 2000. That is one of those shows I keep in my heart. RIP

It was only with Elliott that I felt like I had really learned to play the guitar properly, so that it finally sounded like music. That was a long time ago and unfortunately there won't be any new songs from him, so I listen to the existing songs sparingly to rediscover them over and over again. Thank you for this beautiful tribute.

Thank you for making this video👍

Great video! Thanks so much.

Thank you, thank you, Mary! I found Elliott Smith through Good Will Hunting, and have been listening ever since! What an amazing talent!! It’s so kind of you to honor him this way! He had such a unique quality with his guitar style, lyric and vocals!! Love his music, as it touches the soul! Hope to see you at NAMM this year!

Very nice!!

Mary - thank you very much for making this heartfelt video- I had never listed to Eliot Smith (except via that great movie Good Will Huntingbut I never made the connection). Just started listening to Either Or and I immediately love it. Will have to hear all his stuff now. I also got to love Nick Drake very late, also Bert Jansch and Davy Graham...

What a great video. Very informative and a beautiful tribute to this amazing musician. Thank you for making this, more people really need to know about this guy

Great video about a great artist that deserves and needs to be remembered and appreciated. It makes me happy to see anything done about ES. I was also happy to see that you didn't go down the stereotypical road of "his music was so depressing". It was real...there is a difference. I got to see him play a few times, but it was when he was out here in LA and he wasn't doing so great. I still consider myself lucky to have seen it. Keep up the good work, I subbed to see your progress. Peace.

Great work, I love this video

Great video! Thanks for showcasing a Portland music treasure.

Fabulous, such an influence to my own music ❤

What a great tribute. Thank you.

Lovely tribute. He was an outstanding musician and compositor. “Say Yes” is my favorite song.

Great video

216!!?? Oh my, that's ridiculous. Top 10 album all the way!

Thank you so much for bringing attention to one of the most amazing song writers to me, and he should be remembered more. My favourite is also Either Or, it is more matured song writing without the finishing polish of expensive productions. The songs with their beauty, character and cracks shine through most beautiful. Every year I go back to Elliot Smith

Thank you for the recommendation

A friend lent me a copy of 'X/O' when it came out and that was it for me. I had to hear everything. Still hunting his work down and I am glad that this video was posted.

Thank you Mary loved you for bringing this up I like you Mary I found his music after his death the xo album waltz no 2 is my favourite song to . A legend and never gets the recognition he deserves.

Very good synopsis! Thank you.

Thanks - You rock Mary !

He also had 6 albums worth of material he recorded before Heatmiser which have been circulating through the Elliott fanbase. Pitchork just released a article a week or two ago with his highschool band who some went on to play in Heatmiser with him later. ES is my favorite. Next month my first child will get Elliott as a middle name. Edit: Solutions Audio is no longer around. It is now a bar and the other mural you found is now a white wall on a spray tan store.