I remember he used to come into this breakfast diner in Portland with his girlfriend before jennifer chiba, anyway, my point is that he was really soft spoken and reclusive. I just kinda wish I could have at least gotten the courage just to say hi and to thank him for sharing his music, but i felt he got that too much. He's arguably the most gifted song writer of our time. Thanks for posting!
I vividly remember the last time I saw him, we were sitting next to each other at a venue in Portland. It was right after The Grammy appearance, short story short, a guy trying to talk Elliott’s ear off when it was plain he was not in a mood to talk, I told the guy he interrupted E’s and mine non-existent conversation. He apologized and walked away, I remember Elliott’s look at me, we then went back to quietly sitting next to each other. This was ‘99 Portland
@@crispinsf Thats so sick man what the fuck, right on man. What a wonderful moment to have shared. Its also clearly not your only story about seeing elliott like damn what was the portland scene
In most videos, the comments are all hate against one person or another. What I love about Elliot Smiths videos, is that the comments are all about how much people enjoy this music or people expressing their feelings. It really fills me with joy.
What a beautiful thing to have said - seven years ago, no less. Seven years ago feels like it was yesterday. Comment sections have gotten downright lethal since you posted this.
What’s really interesting is that the band quasi (with Elliott’s former heatmiser band mate Sam coomes) has a song called “the poisoned well” which is actually about elliott “You won’t live long, but you may write the perfect song please excuse those who choose to not play along” It’s an amazing song and there’s actually a video of elliott performing the song with them! Super cool
This has been and will always be one of my favorites. When David McConnell was describing how Elliott was trying to create songs that would "make your stomach churn"... i think of this song... this highlights that and accomplishes it perfectly. And there are so many devastating lines in the lyrics, but the one that always gets me the most is "come on back to me" and then the chsnging of the lines "my bright tomorrow/but don't make me sorry". Just so so so beautiful and sad. I'm so thankful and lucky to have been able to experience all his songs. Sometimes I just wish I could tell him thank you.
Man his vocals are out of control... So unbelievable. God I miss this man - Never knew him, I think I was 16 (in 2003, end of Winter, Spring of), and a friend turned me onto his music. I can say truthfully, the only time I remember everything about hearing a piece of music was when this (awesome) friend played Either/Or randomly (After about 30 seconds - minute of listening, I all but ejected the CD to take inside and listen to from whenever I arrived home (probably 11-midnight), to whatever time I had to wake up for class (I think 7 A.M.). It was actually an odd experience for me, as I'd always loved music of all sorts and stripes, but this was somehow very different, very personal, very intimate in ways that are not indescribable necessarily, but can be difficult to put into words. Rambling, so I'll end here, but I could ramble for 6-7 more paragraphs about a few minutes in a car, with my buddy, hearing Elliott Smith for the first time. At this time, we were listening to all sorts of stuff (lot of indie music, we'd exchange oddities we found), but this... this was something I held onto, this fascinating, maybe serendipitous encounter with ES' middle album, Either/Or.
I think it's really telling that there are so many songs from Elliott's library that he carried with him from high school _at least,_ apparently. And you hear how the melodies and lyrics would shift and drift, how a song could feel like an angry love letter, breaking things off with her, and morph into a powerful lament of what he could have done better, or could have just _BEEN_ better, somehow. I can clearly hear the middle and high school concerns morph into some real life experience and soul searching subjects, and then digging in the heart of them to share with any and all comers. And you realize you're feasting on these matured demons with a guy who seemed to write almost compulsively. Now think of the Rolling Stones, playing Satisfaction, (which is a great song, sure,) but for the most part playing and singing the studio cut arrangement for the past ~50-60 _YEARS_ To the point they look bored. E's songs were very much alive. Always fair game to be dragged away from its fans and thrown back onto the slab, and out with the knives...I think that's one of the real gifts that came with this splurge of unreleased material, the Grand Mal rarities, etc. And one of the harder parts of his death to process; was that his songs died too, or at least, stopped growing. It's like all we have now are snapshots. Problem is, you'll never get more pictures, and over time, inevitably, you will only lose elements of your collection. Pictures get wet, or tapes get misplaced, erased. Someone gets emotional one night and buries what they could have shared.. less frequent discoveries, full stop. We will only continue to lose our snapshots. Our data will decay. All the pots will get smashed. Big bird is a guy in a costume who doesn't particularly like kids. His head is his arm. Sigh. Have a good day, if you can.
This is a great comment... 😮... And.. But.. Who is bigbird? Really loved your writing... Feasting with a guy whose matured demons... Bigbird doesnt like kids... This is a comment that hurts whatever the bigbird part is. But it's also true
I can have a good day, and it’s due in part to these preservations, but it’s only derivative. Life can be really great sometimes, and I hope those times come for you soon ❤
His Intros for a lot of the basement stuff are really good. They demonstrate the rare skill he had at picking out the most important sounds for his songs. I mean how on earth do you come up with this intro. Its totally nuts but also perfect for this song.
I love it. He did similar with son of Sam. It's the chorus progression, almost. Like a pre lament on the hook of the song. I prefer this intro than the versions that start on the first word. It's stumbles into the song with purpose of reinforcing the chorus. It's like "I'm alone, and now I'll sing about" the bridge is also wonderful, with the two slide parts. Elliott was a genius
I love hearing these little older/ alternate versions of his songs. You can either see how they evolved or just see what other ideas he had for them. There are so many alternate versions of his stuff! Not just the acoustic/ electric versions either.
gonufc if you want, people have kind of figured out that he was reworking My New Freedom into See You in Heaven but never finished it, and someone around here has put the vocals over See You in Heaven, and it's probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
First Timer is such a beautiful song, though so is this. A man with an endless list of tricks, matched only by his ability adapt each tune to any musical genre (of good taste of course)
I'm a ghostwriter for an ocean in a shell From the poison well In the corridor by a picture in a frame Of a man with no name Don't get backed into a corner Talking to yourself Come on back to me My bright tomorrow If you feel hollow Well, it's probably because you are Well at least so far I think of you with hesitation I think of you too hard Come on back to me But don't make me sorry I'm a ghostwriter for an ocean in a shell From the poison well From the poison well
es makes me feel better about myself... and what is going on in my life... i've allways been a depresive personality.. my mom killed herself.. and i havent ever been against it ... but i cant now.. i have a 2.5year old daughter that loves me more that breathing and i will be here for her no matter what... es gets me through the day... dont do it
Luis Ramirez, kind of gave me chills to read your comment, especially once I noticed it is literally 10 years old. I hope that today in November of 2019, you and your 12.5 year old daughter are doing wonderfully!
buddy this guy wrote words and feelings better than we will every understand them. Just listen to it and understand and do nothing rash with your own life
In the 60's we lost Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. In the 90's it was Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain and Elliot Smith. Not enough people yet know of Elliot's fine legacy and I reckon when they do modern contemporary pop music will improve considerably.
Except you forget modern music is controlled by one heap of botox hollywood sleazebags like Simon Cowell. When you listen to how Jeff Buckley sang about men and women treating each other with kindness, respect and dignity, and then listening to how certain artists sing about each other today it's like the music industry has fundamentally regressed back to the days of hair metal, although I'll give some bands like Twisted Sister and Skid Row a pass, even their lyrics weren't as explicit and vulgar as some of the crap being written today.
@@yondoodle According to traditional musical teaching, the core of any song is its melody. Without it there's nothing to build upon. Melody to music is the equivalent to a story that needs told be told because it's so interesting and meaningful. It's this plot upon which all of the other details that make the play, novel or movie build. Without story there is no reward for the audience, no incentive to engage. A lot of modern 'musicians' have little regard for melody and even less of it in their songs. To me this is the major detriment of modern music. Once they've lost the understanding of that integral importance of melody there's nothing to attract listeners to their songs so they instead opt for shockingly offensive lyrics in a desperate attempt to attain fame through notoriety and unfortunately from there it becomes a competition between talentless hacks spewing out ever more offensive detritus in an attempt to outdo one another.
@@bretthernan7589 Well said, that sums it up even better. That's why I love bands and artists like Alice Cooper and Mercyful Fate. They do it properly, and they're all excellent musicians, regardless wether you like the genres or not.
Hey guys, do any of you know what that "beooowww" sound is at the start of the recording? It happens on a couple of different recordings of his, an old one of "On Memory Lane" as well. WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS PEOW
i suspect this is a basement era 2001-2002 perhaps. not an old demo from before first timer like some people might think from the sound of it, this is later era, psychadelic, probably strung out elliott working on the basement stuff .. sounds like shooting star, little one, etc .. just not as polished a mix.
Kevin Long you are correct! This was recorded after First Timer during his sessions with Fritz Michaud from January-October 2003, towards the very end of his life.
You are right. This is a whole new version of that First Timer demo song from the Either/Or era. It was supposed to be on the double record he was working on.
@Lewtubie For your daughter can do it! I wish you much luck. Thanks to Elliott for all his love! He was not of this earth, was an angel. But you must stay, your angel is here and has 2.5year old.
HEY @SK8OLIVE123 I used to use skateboard decks made by a company called olive skateboards that made shit outside my hometown of spruce grove alberta, canada. Is your name related to that in any way?
@sk8tolive123 well if u wood take one look at my channel itd become fairly obvious that i am familiar with elliott..i just meant good job posting this! LOVE it!
@SuperJav1988 Your probrably a little jealous of the people who have said hi or spoke to him in person. People like me though are jealous of people like you just for having the oppourtunity to see him in person in a casual setting. By the time I learned of him, he was already dead.
Jacob Birnstiehl Ah, that makes more sense. UA-cam is suggesting weird videos. You could try tagging some key words relating to Elliott Smith. If you feel like it.
I remember he used to come into this breakfast diner in Portland with his girlfriend before jennifer chiba, anyway, my point is that he was really soft spoken and reclusive. I just kinda wish I could have at least gotten the courage just to say hi and to thank him for sharing his music, but i felt he got that too much. He's arguably the most gifted song writer of our time. Thanks for posting!
I vividly remember the last time I saw him, we were sitting next to each other at a venue in Portland. It was right after The Grammy appearance, short story short, a guy trying to talk Elliott’s ear off when it was plain he was not in a mood to talk, I told the guy he interrupted E’s and mine non-existent conversation. He apologized and walked away, I remember Elliott’s look at me, we then went back to quietly sitting next to each other. This was ‘99 Portland
@@crispinsf Thats so sick man what the fuck, right on man. What a wonderful moment to have shared. Its also clearly not your only story about seeing elliott like damn what was the portland scene
I am jealous
The late Elliot Smith lives...
@@crispinsf DUUUUDE THAT'S... HOLY SHIT.... I.... OH GOD... WHAT AN ANECDOTE
"If you feel hollow, well it's probably cuz you are, well at least so far.... "
damn, gets me every time
In most videos, the comments are all hate against one person or another. What I love about Elliot Smiths videos, is that the comments are all about how much people enjoy this music or people expressing their feelings. It really fills me with joy.
What a beautiful thing to have said - seven years ago, no less. Seven years ago feels like it was yesterday. Comment sections have gotten downright lethal since you posted this.
@@Dani92670 that’s depressing
Damn.. i am sad this was this long ago
What’s really interesting is that the band quasi (with Elliott’s former heatmiser band mate Sam coomes) has a song called “the poisoned well” which is actually about elliott
“You won’t live long, but you may write the perfect song
please excuse those who choose to not play along”
It’s an amazing song and there’s actually a video of elliott performing the song with them! Super cool
This has been and will always be one of my favorites. When David McConnell was describing how Elliott was trying to create songs that would "make your stomach churn"... i think of this song... this highlights that and accomplishes it perfectly. And there are so many devastating lines in the lyrics, but the one that always gets me the most is "come on back to me" and then the chsnging of the lines "my bright tomorrow/but don't make me sorry". Just so so so beautiful and sad.
I'm so thankful and lucky to have been able to experience all his songs. Sometimes I just wish I could tell him thank you.
Man his vocals are out of control... So unbelievable. God I miss this man - Never knew him, I think I was 16 (in 2003, end of Winter, Spring of), and a friend turned me onto his music. I can say truthfully, the only time I remember everything about hearing a piece of music was when this (awesome) friend played Either/Or randomly (After about 30 seconds - minute of listening, I all but ejected the CD to take inside and listen to from whenever I arrived home (probably 11-midnight), to whatever time I had to wake up for class (I think 7 A.M.).
It was actually an odd experience for me, as I'd always loved music of all sorts and stripes, but this was somehow very different, very personal, very intimate in ways that are not indescribable necessarily, but can be difficult to put into words. Rambling, so I'll end here, but I could ramble for 6-7 more paragraphs about a few minutes in a car, with my buddy, hearing Elliott Smith for the first time. At this time, we were listening to all sorts of stuff (lot of indie music, we'd exchange oddities we found), but this... this was something I held onto, this fascinating, maybe serendipitous encounter with ES' middle album, Either/Or.
Love this comment, thank you!
I’m sixteen now and loving elliott. Glad his music has transcended through time.
I can confidently say that most of us fans here in the comments section could listen to elliott stories and stories about his music ad infinitum.
I think it's really telling that there are so many songs from Elliott's library that he carried with him from high school _at least,_ apparently. And you hear how the melodies and lyrics would shift and drift, how a song could feel like an angry love letter, breaking things off with her, and morph into a powerful lament of what he could have done better, or could have just _BEEN_ better, somehow.
I can clearly hear the middle and high school concerns morph into some real life experience and soul searching subjects, and then digging in the heart of them to share with any and all comers. And you realize you're feasting on these matured demons with a guy who seemed to write almost compulsively.
Now think of the Rolling Stones, playing Satisfaction, (which is a great song, sure,) but for the most part playing and singing the studio cut arrangement for the past ~50-60 _YEARS_ To the point they look bored.
E's songs were very much alive. Always fair game to be dragged away from its fans and thrown back onto the slab, and out with the knives...I think that's one of the real gifts that came with this splurge of unreleased material, the Grand Mal rarities, etc. And one of the harder parts of his death to process; was that his songs died too, or at least, stopped growing.
It's like all we have now are snapshots. Problem is, you'll never get more pictures, and over time, inevitably, you will only lose elements of your collection. Pictures get wet, or tapes get misplaced, erased. Someone gets emotional one night and buries what they could have shared.. less frequent discoveries, full stop. We will only continue to lose our snapshots. Our data will decay. All the pots will get smashed. Big bird is a guy in a costume who doesn't particularly like kids. His head is his arm.
Sigh. Have a good day, if you can.
This is a great comment... 😮... And.. But.. Who is bigbird? Really loved your writing... Feasting with a guy whose matured demons... Bigbird doesnt like kids... This is a comment that hurts whatever the bigbird part is. But it's also true
I can have a good day, and it’s due in part to these preservations, but it’s only derivative. Life can be really great sometimes, and I hope those times come for you soon ❤
I can't get over the intro, such a beautifully lethal build (':
Agreed. It just comes together perfectly. Genius.
His Intros for a lot of the basement stuff are really good. They demonstrate the rare skill he had at picking out the most important sounds for his songs. I mean how on earth do you come up with this intro. Its totally nuts but also perfect for this song.
I love it. He did similar with son of Sam. It's the chorus progression, almost. Like a pre lament on the hook of the song. I prefer this intro than the versions that start on the first word. It's stumbles into the song with purpose of reinforcing the chorus. It's like "I'm alone, and now I'll sing about" the bridge is also wonderful, with the two slide parts. Elliott was a genius
I love hearing these little older/ alternate versions of his songs. You can either see how they evolved or just see what other ideas he had for them. There are so many alternate versions of his stuff! Not just the acoustic/ electric versions either.
gonufc it's so beautiful ❤️
gonufc if you want, people have kind of figured out that he was reworking My New Freedom into See You in Heaven but never finished it, and someone around here has put the vocals over See You in Heaven, and it's probably one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard.
It just makes me sad when I think about the unfinished works of elliott during this time he was on the verge of a new sound oh what could have been
First Timer is such a beautiful song, though so is this. A man with an endless list of tricks, matched only by his ability adapt each tune to any musical genre (of good taste of course)
Guy was an angel
TheHalliday123456789 so fucking tragic huh
One of the most spectacular person I know.
No, he was a god 😄
I'm a ghostwriter for an ocean in a shell
From the poison well
In the corridor
by a picture in a frame
Of a man with no name
Don't get backed into a corner
Talking to yourself
Come on back to me
My bright tomorrow
If you feel hollow
Well, it's probably because you are
Well at least so far
I think of you with hesitation
I think of you too hard
Come on back to me
But don't make me sorry
I'm a ghostwriter for an ocean in a shell
From the poison well
From the poison well
es makes me feel better about myself... and what is going on in my life... i've allways been a depresive personality.. my mom killed herself.. and i havent ever been against it ... but i cant now.. i have a 2.5year old daughter that loves me more that breathing and i will be here for her no matter what... es gets me through the day... dont do it
Luis Ramirez, kind of gave me chills to read your comment, especially once I noticed it is literally 10 years old. I hope that today in November of 2019, you and your 12.5 year old daughter are doing wonderfully!
I just can't get enough of this man, every morning, everyday..
holy fuck i feel so much love
The most soulful singer ever
This is straight up great.
Sounds like first timer! Sounds amazing!!
buddy this guy wrote words and feelings better than we will every understand them. Just listen to it and understand and do nothing rash with your own life
I like the slight effect on the vocals.
Honestly, I like this much better than First Timer
ghostwriter for an ocean in a shell from a poison well
I don't know what the context of this is but YES ELLIOTT
Aaron Johnson it's the line at @2:43
cfmceroz I know lol thanks for reminding me to save this to my phone it came to mind last night
+Aaron Johnson Its the first line in the song
This version is gravy on my potatoes
I love how he could just redo songs lyrically. Not easy. It also sounded very Grateful Dead at first which I wonder what Elliott would think of
In the 60's we lost Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. In the 90's it was Jeff Buckley, Kurt Cobain and Elliot Smith. Not enough people yet know of Elliot's fine legacy and I reckon when they do modern contemporary pop music will improve considerably.
Except you forget modern music is controlled by one heap of botox hollywood sleazebags like Simon Cowell.
When you listen to how Jeff Buckley sang about men and women treating each other with kindness, respect and dignity, and then listening to how certain artists sing about each other today it's like the music industry has fundamentally regressed back to the days of hair metal, although I'll give some bands like Twisted Sister and Skid Row a pass, even their lyrics weren't as explicit and vulgar as some of the crap being written today.
@@yondoodle According to traditional musical teaching, the core of any song is its melody. Without it there's nothing to build upon. Melody to music is the equivalent to a story that needs told be told because it's so interesting and meaningful. It's this plot upon which all of the other details that make the play, novel or movie build. Without story there is no reward for the audience, no incentive to engage. A lot of modern 'musicians' have little regard for melody and even less of it in their songs. To me this is the major detriment of modern music. Once they've lost the understanding of that integral importance of melody there's nothing to attract listeners to their songs so they instead opt for shockingly offensive lyrics in a desperate attempt to attain fame through notoriety and unfortunately from there it becomes a competition between talentless hacks spewing out ever more offensive detritus in an attempt to outdo one another.
@@bretthernan7589 Well said, that sums it up even better. That's why I love bands and artists like Alice Cooper and Mercyful Fate. They do it properly, and they're all excellent musicians, regardless wether you like the genres or not.
@@yondoodle Melody transcends genre.
Such beauty..
Song is gorgeous and tremendously sad.
Hey guys, do any of you know what that "beooowww" sound is at the start of the recording? It happens on a couple of different recordings of his, an old one of "On Memory Lane" as well. WHAT IS THIS MYSTERIOUS PEOW
A tape reel starting up to play. Happens when a tape gets pressed play in the middle of a recorded sound
i wood not expect such genius music to come from a username such as yours! good job!:D
i suspect this is a basement era 2001-2002 perhaps. not an old demo from before first timer like some people might think from the sound of it, this is later era, psychadelic, probably strung out elliott working on the basement stuff .. sounds like shooting star, little one, etc .. just not as polished a mix.
and i love it
Kevin Long you are correct! This was recorded after First Timer during his sessions with Fritz Michaud from January-October 2003, towards the very end of his life.
You are right. This is a whole new version of that First Timer demo song from the Either/Or era. It was supposed to be on the double record he was working on.
It's amazing how these keep popping up why some of these have never been released I don't know!
wow sweet! thanks for posting
Immm a fiiirssstttt tiiiiimmmeeeeerrrrr!
First Timer is good but they should have released Poison Well on New Moon, it's so much better!
♥
thanks thanks thanks
@Lewtubie For your daughter can do it! I wish you much luck. Thanks to Elliott for all his love! He was not of this earth, was an angel. But you must stay, your angel is here and has 2.5year old.
I think of you with hesitation. I think of you too hard. Come on back to me, but don't make me sorry.
Happy would be birthday my friend. Xo
This is what I’m thinkin bout
I’m curious was this the older version or the newer one?l
I'm a 👻🖋.
@SuperJav1988 Do you remember the diner and location? possibly an address? If I'm ever out that way I'd like to check it out
@sk8tolive123 Lots of Skaters love Elloitt! Me being one of them.
HEY @SK8OLIVE123 I used to use skateboard decks made by a company called olive skateboards that made shit outside my hometown of spruce grove alberta, canada. Is your name related to that in any way?
this is wonderful. but i love first timer more than cheese on toast.
@sydmarissa haha i did that too !
@sk8tolive123 well if u wood take one look at my channel itd become fairly obvious that i am familiar with elliott..i just meant good job posting this! LOVE it!
@SuperJav1988 Your probrably a little jealous of the people who have said hi or spoke to him in person. People like me though are jealous of people like you just for having the oppourtunity to see him in person in a casual setting. By the time I learned of him, he was already dead.
:D
I hate the following autoplay videos! I'm assuming the uploader has a lot of unnecessary tags.
Actually I have no tags whatsoever.
Jacob Birnstiehl Ah, that makes more sense. UA-cam is suggesting weird videos. You could try tagging some key words relating to Elliott Smith. If you feel like it.
hehehe i always call him e smith, or e smeezey LOL
to the same tune as first timer...
it clearly says sk8 to live
like donkeywithsumpizzazz would be a better name lmao
This guy plagiarizing his own songs