Figure 8 Elliott Smith

[AmericasSweetheart78]

i love that he redid this!! mad props!!

[thewombatsshred]

@MusicWorksLA. Hold on to your hats because this is border line Elliott smith obsession. On page 79 of autumn de Wildes book on Elliott smith... Alyssa Siegel who was an assistant to elliotts manager was driving home with elliott, and all they had in the car was some school house rock tapes so they came across that song figure 8 .. And he was so intrigued by how haunting blossom dearie (the person singing in the original) voice was. So he went home and worked it out on the piano, boom recorde

[allafleche]

@thewombatsshred thanks for your input !

[BigTito53]

Saw this song on a car commercial like 3 years ago

[Shyariety]

beautiful And helped me learn my 8's

[speedstrx7]

I just saw Bob Dorough last night and he played this.. great song!

[peelincaps]

schoolhouse rock...rocks!



[ByeByeFreebird]

yes.. miss you...

[jshrubz]

Hauntingly beautiful. RIP Elliott. We all miss you very dearly

[rawkyourworld4Jesus]

Oh my goodness. Best rendition of a schoolhouse rock song ever.

[MichaelDeMichele]

888

[scratchneck]

beautiful

[thelivingsped]

CREEPY!!!!!

[cmfishburn]

Just watched a video tour of Portland Oregon that was set to Für Elise and it clicked how alike this song is. Ya dig?

[eldantastico]

I never noticed it before but this song is very similar to the last track on Figure 8 - "Bye".. 

[katieistrueblue]

This is the cutest thing in the world(:

I'm playing this at a coffee house soon along with waltz no.2 :D... my tribute to Elliott

[AlexPortis]

I love this song

[yalinegurl1]

I wish this song was actually on the Figure 8 album

[ipukezombies]

have you ever noticed that his hand isn't black and white like the rest of him?

[TheSecondChild]

Four people "dislike" this? I guess some people truly cannot be moved by music.

[1acroyear1]

@TheSecondChild Maybe four people were looking for the original version.

[jpbertol]

allafleche, tu sais où on peut télécharger les morceaux rares d'elliott smith ? J'ai vu en me baladant sur le net qu'en fait y'en a pas mal...Je suis étonné qu'ils aient pas encore sorti tous ses morceaux.Ca va sans doute venir...

[mossflower666]

THis is a school house rock song cover ...I love his version non the less =)

[sarajenike]

Agreed. Too short!

[Vamphaery]

You know, the song is creepy as-is even before Elliott's interpretation. The last line in particular seems really ominous and out of place in a children's song. "before you made another single move." When you add his interpretation and the context of his life to it, it just becomes really unsettling.

But beautiful, all the same.

[Animeluvr1729]

haha i have the original school rock video at home :)

[Daniellelovecali]

i've seen figure eight. my mom works across from it :]

[beefyskittles]

i hate how the song is so short. it would be my favorite song if i didnt have to keep repeating it

[gofightlose]

schoolhouse rock anyone?

[AdeleJacotey]

I love Elliott! He can convey so much with so little concrete meaning-- that is talent-- the ability to say more than you are saying on the surface!

[asrglshr]

I want sheet of this song!!! Who has?

[allafleche]

@asrglshr

Look in the the description.

[rensie5]

Haunting tune...

[NathanPathan]

so dark i always thought this song would do so well in a tim burton movie...

[mduck92]

schoolhouse rock and acid...I love it!

[KobeDjango]

Elliott means everything to me but everything means nothing to him therefore Elliott means nothing to everything but me

[pollobionico]

thats a circle that turns round upon itself- the structure is somewhat symmetrical no?

[leraginasian]

yes.

[ChristineSpreee]

Only Elliott could sing about this and it be fantastic.

[GarrettERentz]

Does the album art shake when anyone else watches this video?

[MarsVoltaKA]

I think your just trippin on acid or something. did you like crack your spine or something an then start trippin again? :p

[wildrose100]

this songs wicked!! is there any other unsusual songs like this?

[ChristineSpreee]

@wildrose100 Anything by elliott, he's my hero (:

[wildrose100]

cool thanks

[ChristineSpreee]

@wildrose100 thanks? lol

[ChristineSpreee]

@wildrose100 oh never mind, ahha i just realized you were saying thanks for me reccomending his songs. no problem (:

[wildrose100]

lol :)

[MegNito967]

kind of eerie...the intro reminds me of something from a tim burton movie

[ih8broccoli]

lol kinda reminds me of th nighmare before christmas

[villasixx]

@MegNito967 i thought the same exact thing man it reminds me of a creepy acid trip land like corline haha

[TheFreshPeddler]

@MegNito967 - and intended for kids lol

[Somethingpower]

i find myself singing this song in my head so often

[AdeleJacotey]

@Somethingpower Meee too :)

[impatientp]

tame one - concerto

[TheTruthAboutAlexa]

Hah. Just pretend its a really long repeating chorus.

[TheTruthAboutAlexa]

It's too short! I want more! >:(

[ItsNicoleBitches]

This song haunts my soul hahahaha i LOVE THIS SONG

[Yggdrasil314]

gvlarchnili, I realized that when I heard M. Ward's version of Let's Dance by David Bowie. Same lyrics, totally different feel.

[gvlarchnili]

It's interesting how the same song could be turned into something completely different when sung by two different people..the origin of song is elementary..but Elliot stops at the second verse..does it intentionally..he was leaving a message.. scating on thin ice..such a loss..

[kamalmanzukie]

well, there's the simple surface meaning, as in an instructional math song for kids, and then there's the deeper level of meaning that arises from the simple fact of elliott covering this song.

and to understand that, you would have to look at it in relation to his other works, his choice of subject matter.

When you have a greater understanding of this song in context to his whole career, you'll find that certain lines in the song are illuminated just by his singing them.

[DefyGravity464]

...It sounds pretty creepy to me. o.o

[TrevorKingKwong]

I am open minded. I'll listen to anything that's not trash and pretentious.

With no offense intended, really, please clarify what you mean by this: "I guess its my fault for assuming you wanted something more abstract like because only in these lyrics." I don't understand "like because only in these lyrics." Possibly a typo (I'm not trying to insult, just want to be sure what it means).

You want true abstract art, watch 2001: A Space Odyssey.

[TrevorKingKwong]

something abstract isn't necessarily good. thousands of artists nowadays are trying to be abstract in all forms of art (filmmaking, painting, music), but they fail to show ingenuity. All they do is put on an abstract facade with no deep, important meaning at all. Also, with abstract art, don't read other people's comments to "figure" it out. There is no correct answer, so think for yourself - that's what abstract art is all about. It's up to the viewer to decide what it means.

[TrevorKingKwong]

these lyrics weren't written by elliott, but they're still beautiful. they're only at a second grade level if you view it that way. jackson pollock's paintings can be at a second grade level if you view them with that mentality. try looking deeper and you'll see a genius.

[AdeleJacotey]

@TrevorKingKwong :) Amen

[Luciferdetrelew]

Love it

[Somethingpower]

elliott,.whyd u have to go

[kmdn1]

hypnotic

[littlehobbitses]

oh by the way, and I love Elliott just as much as I do Conor. I just don't like when people make fun of anybody. especially, Conor and Elliott.

[littlehobbitses]

you know, I found Elliott BECAUSE of Conor and it's OBERST NOT OBURST!

Conor's version of the biggest lie makes me cry. yes, Elliott's voice is much preitter than Conor's but do you think that really makes a difference?!

Conor and elliott are different people, so don't think of them that way, Conor is Conor, and creates some of the most intericate work, he can even make static sound beautiful. he's utilized around 40 different instruments in his music. I'd like to say you Conor dissers try!

[murielsartre]

This is a lovely version. I think Elliott was wonderful. :(

Blossom Dearie (yes, her real name) and Bob Dorough are two people whom more people need to know about.

He wrote this song for Schoolhouse Rock back in the 70s; she sang this for the program and was one of the most original vocalists in jazz. She died in February, 2009. Bob is still alive and still performing.

They both are/were extremely talented people and it's a shame that most young people today have no idea about their work.

[lostfanatics121]

i agree with the qoute below completly!

[soulusvocals]

the eeriness isn't owned by elliott smith... the original is pretty eerie as well. i wish i could have heard his interpretation of the second half.

[zeofart]

I liked this song when I was in elementary school.... on that freaky school house rock video. It is very eerie though.

[skankynotdead]

hypnotic

[Vamphaery]

It amazes me that something that originally sounded so lighthearted can sound so profound and sad when he sings it for some reason. "That's a circle that turns back upon itself." When he says it, it no longer seems to mean "a pretty, symmetrical figure," but rather, "a circle that is never complete, and never resolved." Interesting.

[Beecels]

hmmm... 1/5

[jezeus420]

a very eerie and ghostly like remake of the song very good use of the organ along with the piano. and well done giving this song a higher philosophical meaning compared to the original. Good metaphor between hallucinating and the figure eight

[pumpei]

It sounds to me like it's only piano run through a Leslie cabinet from a Hammond organ.

[slaughterxsandii]

this song makes me go crazy, i don't know..

it is just amazing.

i miss him so much.

<3

[pepeYjuana]

WOW. This song is so awesome but way too short! I will have to play it over and over...

[mhopwood1]

The schoolhouse rock original is on the 'Tube here too. Elliot really picked out the beautiful chord progressions and added his own twist to the evocative lyrics "circle turned round upon itself" and "thin ice"... the "lightness of being", it's right here!

[woahmimi]

it's so mezmerizing...i wish it could be longer.

[JesusRebellion]

I feel that way about every one of his songs.

[hellollove]

this is amazing, i used to listen to schoolhouse rock as a kid, and to find out that elliott smith covered it was great. he really adds an eerie side to the song.

[Lovegood44]

Elliott. Such a talent.

He had so much more to offer, I know it.

It is a tragety that he left too soon.

[mondrary]

actually it sounds more like conor oberst from the 'fevers and mirrors' days. i do know what im talking about, the only reason you are being so defensive is because your a fan of elliot smith, thats all. i understand, but really none of this is original. and did someone say this is a schoolhouse rock cover? thats stupid as hell, if you like him or not...

[apackofgum]

you do know that elliott smith was strapped with gats while oberst was cuddlin the cabage patch right?

[Gobblet7]

You know what you're talking about and call Elliott Smith "Some kid". Clearly, a man who knows what he's talking about....

[curtiswho]

dude look in the fucking related videos schoolhouse rock figure 8 its right there

[buxmont1110]

i just commented on the idiot below, but i'll comment here to. you're an idiot. elliott was a major influence on conor so to say it sounds like conor is way off base to quote jesse eisenberg, really conor sounds like him, and i love conor as well don't get me wrong, although outter south was very disappointing

[soulusvocals]

i'm having trouble keeping up with bad english, but i'll throw a couple pennies in... i liked bright eyes... until i heard elliott smith (i know, my music history came a bit inverted). my problem with oburst now, is that i feel a bit betrayed. having engorged myself on several bright eyes albums, i realize, in retrospect, that i was listening to a pale imitation of elliott smith.

[buxmont1110]

well don't get me wrong either. i absolutely love bright eyes. i'm wide awake it's morning was absolutely genius and quite simple, just a beautiful album. conor oberst with the mystic valley band is just god awful however, which is where i feel betrayed.

[blueidblonde881]

this is the most beautiful thing i have ever herd. You are well loved and missed elliott.

[mondrary]

if you ask me this is just some kid imitating an early conor oberst record.

[searchformulder]

OR maybe conor oberst imitating this guy? DUDE i dont really get your kind. listen to the first obersts records.. listen to this again.. if you dont get it.. do so again and again.. gosh. i really try to understand your thoughts but man is it hard. they are two different musicians. hop it.

[searchformulder]

actually that was ABSOLUTELY off the wall! did you ever hear first obersts records? i did and for some reason it didnt sound like this at all.

[AlexStevens42]

"Some kid" :-( how unfortunate for you... you must not know of Elliott enough. He was an awesome person and made some pretty amazing music :)

[BoldOriginalFlavor]

conor oberst has said that elliott smith was a massive influence on him

[buxmont1110]

conor loved elliott. cover of the biggest lie on motion sickness. way to go chief. some kid...ur a dope. next your gonna pull a lloyd christmas and claim the monkees were a major influence on the beatles.

[illusioleopardmagic]

truly mesmerizing

[charlieisc00l]

Hypnotizing:}

[Jabberw0cky7]

Awesome and lovely melody, please never remove

[allafleche]

I don't plan to :).

[joygasmatron]

please never take this down

[dgenerate707]

I like the eerie sound and feeling of the instruments. Psychodrama did this song justice when they sampled it, something a lot of today's rappers can't do. This Makes me want to listen to this guy album.

[ggggtgtg]

My dad, the most elliot smith odsessed person on planet earth, is making me learn the piano for this, just so he can record the guitar.

[NapalmKid]

Wow dude. I love elliott smith and all, but that's pretty lame. Hope you move out when you are old enough.

[gprentice303]

youre lame. i would do the same as his dad haha thats so funny.

[annelise125]

There is something so eerie and ethereal about this song.

it is lovely

[SonicLawLess]

I agree - it sounds like something you might hear in a dream.

[shinesinpines]

very lovely

[benmeltzer]

Where did he release Jealous Guy?

[DinoRawrKAYLA]

this song is so trippy it's awesome.

[mynameisasha]

he makes it sound haunting

[EerieIris]

Absolutely love it !!!

[42colors]

ah covers of schoolhouse rock are amazing

[reltonpelton]

i wonder what made him decide not to put this on the album that it was the title track of?

[420allday69]

probably because it's a cover a I don't think he ever released any covers.

[avapepper]

"Because," "Jealous Guy"? Well, he didn't release many covers. Really love this one. Thanks for uploading this!

[420allday69]

neither of those were realeased on his regular albums.

[avapepper]

True, dat

[blueidblonde881]

well yes, but there is another Figure EIght song on his album its just different

[lisadbush]

so happy to finally hear this one.

[StarKid07]

i. love. it. <3

[Iamkristenmarie]

it's off the son of sam single if anyone's still looking for it.

[kaitlynmoore]

Personally I like the first verse alot the second is ok

Good song though wish he was still around to make more

[TheModestMouse92]

its a school house rock cover.

[Homunculi13]

he's cool

[aprellix0o]

people who say he was a "threat" are so ignorant. Artists are usually different, and possibly their problems are what inspire them. he had a sad life, and found a way to express himself. and if you're going to say you're glad he's dead, i think people like you are the threat to society... he never did anything to anyone but himself...

[rohanzalani]

what a threat

[piano10192]

this song is creepy. he sounds crazy.

[ShawnPutnam]

Yeah and also how was he a threat to society? Are we talking about the same person? You fail. I imagine his life even through death will long outlast your own.

[aprellix0o]

exactly!

[TheDarkLight22]

Glad hes gone?? what the hell is wrong with you. even if you dont like someone, nobody says that and to say that about ElliotSmith is fucking ridiculousness. piss off.

i love this song i wish it was longer though, the piano is great

[naillface]

wtf! u doooooosh

[babymil90]

can somebody please please tell me how i can some kind of way download this!!i have been looking all on limewire but it isnt on there n i really want it

[shampoohead66]

get SoulSeek and u can get this song its way better then limewire shit

[fearlesssockpuppet]

which album has this song on it?

[babymil90]

i dont think the song figure 8 is on an album. i read somewhere that even though he named the cd after the song, it didnt make the cut. i really wish that it wouldve. im just now finding out about elliot n its a shame that hes no longer here

[fearlesssockpuppet]

Ditto. I only began listening to Elliott's music after hearing Queens of the Stone Age cover "Christian Brothers". When I first heard the song, I thought it was about the clergy, and perhaps their abuse of children in their care. Only recently I found out the song was about Christian Brothers brandy which Elliott liked to drink to forget the abuse he suffered at the hands of his stepfather Charlie.

[babymil90]

i never heard of him until one of my friends told me to listen to one of his songs. i dont remember which one it was but i dont think i really liked it. so i just started listening to some of his other ones and i fell in love with everything means nothing to me.so i looked him up on wikipedia and i was so mad because i'd heard about him too late. ive never heard the christian brothers song but im downloading it right now :) thanks for telling me about it!poor guy-hard life

[fearlesssockpuppet]

He also did the soundtrack to "Good Will Hunting", which is a great movie.

[babymil90]

thanx

[sk8tolive123]

I have been trying to find this!!!!

Thank you!

[kadieluv22]

thank u sooo much for postin this. i have been lookin all over for this!!!!

[MyNameIsCalledLauren]

It's rather strange because I usually like stuff such as Green Day, Paramore and rock music but this is one of my favourite songs ever!

[narutothedobe]

i know this is a very late respons but i just wanted to say i know alot of elliott smith fans who arnt really into the underground music or more soft music like his and they listen to him and love him. one of my friends listens to death metal and elliott smith witch is a strange mix if you ask me

[rosesandmisery]

Wow. I've been looking for this song forever. I heard it on the video when he's in the studio and have loved it since. This is exciting.

I didn't know this was from School House Rock.

I'm excited!

Rip Elliott Smith

[MellowPocketWatch]

Why isn't this guy more popular?

[Jesusursaviour]

becuz ppl are stupid

[trentlawson91]

isnt this on school house rock

[allafleche]

yes it is.

[FlippinMotherFlipper]

I love everything about this song!!

It's pure amazing!