Elliott Smith Waltz #2 - Early Version 1997

[mmeditatio]

Can you imagine writing this song and then realizing, holy shit i just wrote one of the best pop songs ever fucking written? Can you imagine putting the Beatles in their fucking place?

[mymayapapaya]

@mmeditatio lol :)

[momovomo]

the "stares into space like a dead china doll" gets me every time. so simple yet so genius.

[SplinterInYourEye]

I've found tons of elliotts live recordings at archive.org. click audio, then the live music section. you should be able to find a large selection of live recordings from elliott mixed in there. One of my favorites is a rock n roll version of Needle in the Hay.

[mymayapapaya]

@SplinterInYourEye yes! it's a great site

[bkdeen]

great writer.... I sing this song all the time, the 'Im never gonna know you now, but i'm gonna love you anyhow' part gets stuck in my head... and i love it

[samesamething]

i love everybody. though i may seem to hate everything sometimes.

[Vamphaery]

Interesting that the only lyrics changed were, "He knows the words, but he can't sing the tune," and "where we belong. I love you, mom." I also heard another version that said, "It's okay, it's alright, it's all wrong," instead of "nothing's wrong."

He and a lot of musicians like to say that their songs aren't personal, but I just have trouble believing that. Perhaps objectifying their own work protects the privacy of their psyche so to speak. I don't know.

I just know I love this song.

[sarahisaghost]

I've read about this performance. How did you find it?

[mymayapapaya]

internet archive, I think... it's been a while

[pollietodays]

I have been looking for this EVERYWHERE. THANKS!

[ayoforyayo330]

this song is about my mommy.. she passed a while ago but its so her

[ApeSelf]

@ayoforyayo330 This song is about an abusive relationship with his step-father... I hope your mom didn't abuse you. :(

[pressureofdays]

This gotta be my favourite song ever