Years ago someone reviewed my music and in that review they listed similar artists, all names I didn’t recognize. One of those was Elliott Smith. The first song I ever played made him my favorite songwriter immediately. No music before or since has ever compared and I am so thankful for that reviewer. I don’t even know his name, but my god he changed my life.
I completely forgot about this song for many years, now listening to it again makes me remember the first time I’ve listened to it. All great memories.
Flowers for Charlie, you know I'm not a good G.I. Joe Because I always aim low And I won't fight you Popularity war I'd be a clown in the corp Taking over the store It's a cop out I don't want to win New friends anymore There's a world within But I can't call out Kiss me quickly I'm in a hurry And I've got worry enough Trying to stay around Brought you a flower From the other side It's a free world You don't have to hide
Everybody is gonna disagree with me here, (and i looked at tons of pages online of lyrics for this song and all signs point towards your lyrics being the right ones), but I disagree. I'm listening and I really don't think he is saying "taking over the store". I wish I knew what he WAS saying. My best guess is "take it all, they're the star". Doesnt make any sense I guess, But neither does 'taking over the store', IMO.
Taking off with the storm? Like desert storm? I agree it doesn’t sound quite like “taking over the store,” and, frankly, that doesn’t make any damn sense in context. Elliott’s lyrics weren’t always telling a story, but he didn’t mix imagery so starkly like that.
what I'm doing right now is downloading everything he's made. I'll probably end up posting it on reddit but ill also leave a link to the google drive under your comment!
It sounds A LOT like merry Christmas (war is over) by John Lennon, which iirc is why it never got an official release. That might be what you’re thinking of
@@crazycat3365omg I never noticed this but it definitely does now that I think about it. I was wondering why it always sounded so familiar but from somewhere else lol! When you look for it you can hear so much Beatles influence especially in the later albums
"kiss me quickly, I'm in a hurry". This fucking song is yet again, another brilliant masterpiece...unfinished at that, by Elliott. Thanks for the music buddy
She broke up with me... I wish she could kiss me quickly, one last time, she has blocked me, claiming she wasn't good enough for me "There's a world within, that I can't call out" and "I brought you a flower from the other side" are equally powerful lyrics
Imo, much as I love John Lennon too, this is far better than "War Is Over"... no idea why this was never properly recorded and released, but the same could be said for so many Elliott Smith songs
I don't think this is about forgiving Charlie... I see it as Elliott saying to his step dad, "I don't want to fight, but I think you should be honest and stop hiding the fact that you abused me." The "Flowers for Charlie" sounds kind of sarcastic, too. Idk that's just how I interpret this song
You know, I don't usually subscribe to the "Thumbs up if you think..." rhetoric, but seriously. Thumbs up if you think that this song is proof positive that the best of Elliott Smith would have been yet to come.
Elliott, sei que sofria bastante por causa do seu padrasto. A infância dele foi uma infância turbulenta e perturbadora. Embora isso tudo tenha acontecido com você, nós sentimos sua falta, Elliott. Você é o meu café e a paz do meu dia. Um músico grande como você que morreu tão jovem, é uma biblioteca fechada.
i should pay more attention=P ...ive only started discovering him recently , i loved every song of his, then i went and did a little research, i found that he died at 35, so i was like " Okay lets play a new song of his a week" so that i can make the happiness of discovering a new music genius last longer. cause last time i felt this was with Jeff Buckley. sad that neither of them lasted longer....oh well i still have a lot to learn about music, but i think im going in the right direction=P
I unintentionally wrote something along these lines, called "The Psychopath" back in my teens, it was long before I heard Elliott's music... I never recorded it properly, but played it live once later on Elliott was truly a legend!
Charlie was his abusive stepfather. I think It's kinda like a soft spoken, "fuck you, i'm better than you in every way, because no matter what, i'll still give you flowers and i still have tender feelings in my heart despite you trying to beat them out of me" My opinion, i wrote this very quickly. Just let the words type.
The chords and rhythm are quite similar to John Lennon's "War Is Over", except this is far better! John's song was an anti-war protest, but I think Elliott's song is better, also anti-war but more personal at the same time
+moth “mothz” moth Well, Charlie is actually the name of his step-father who abused him as a child, however- it is an interesting coincidence... perhaps there is some connection somewhere.
It’s about his step dad! He’s only referenced him by name a few times. “Charlie’s got a band in his hand Rubber loop says ‘I’m the man you really want’ So just act natural” Is one from No Confidence Man
Title is based on the book Flowers for Algernon, from which the main character was named Charlie. Though the song has no other references to the book as far as I know.
I honestly didn't know he could sing this good. And I've got all his records.. Hah I'm almost getting a bit pissed here. Was there anything he couldn't pull off?
pretty sure it was the other dude that threw him off on the other vid lol not that he didn't have a show or two a little shy. :) but i always loved it.
Yeah, Charlie was his step dad's name, but I am sure it is a reference to what the Vietnamese were called by a lot of the military then. Also mentioning "I'm not a good G.I. Joe, because I always aim low, and I won't fight you". Most soldiers in Vietnam aimed low and didn't want to kill anyone.
What's the line "Kiss me quickly, I'm in a hurry" supposed to mean or be in reference to? seems kind of out of place. I like how the line sounds it's just...whenever I read into the meaning or what people think is the meaning of the song they never mention the line.
For all of you who are saying that Elliott was sexually abused, you're wrong. Charlie was his stepdad and Elliott thought that he might have abused him, but they resolved it later. It's a myth. Do the research.
Sorry but I don't think anyone will ever know... no one's shared elliott's bedroom to know what really happened, nor attended his conversations with charlie to know if they 'resolved' it... All people can do is make supposition through the work elliott left, such as this song that implies forgiveness, or 'No confidence man' that implies rape ('Charlie got a band in his hand, a rubber loop, says I'm the man you really want')...
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I have been looking for this unknowingly my entire life
Not a single bad song. I've been listening to this guy for years and it still amazes ne.
Years ago someone reviewed my music and in that review they listed similar artists, all names I didn’t recognize. One of those was Elliott Smith. The first song I ever played made him my favorite songwriter immediately. No music before or since has ever compared and I am so thankful for that reviewer. I don’t even know his name, but my god he changed my life.
@@TehOneTrewIdjut Do you remember what song it was?
He used the word clown a lot in his music, it seemed to convey a lot of what he was feeling.
Definitely how he describes himself. Putting on a face on the outside, and having something to keep on the inside.
Seems like he mentions the moon a lot too
i heard that elliott smith is an angel and that hes an amazing singer and guitarist.
"thanks a lot goodnight."
at the end so sweet. pure love for him.
I just wanna hug him.
@@bpeck131313 me too 😢
We need more people like Elliott in this world
I completely forgot about this song for many years, now listening to it again makes me remember the first time I’ve listened to it. All great memories.
Flowers for Charlie, you know
I'm not a good G.I. Joe
Because I always aim low
And I won't fight you
Popularity war
I'd be a clown in the corp
Taking over the store
It's a cop out
I don't want to win
New friends anymore
There's a world within
But I can't call out
Kiss me quickly
I'm in a hurry
And I've got worry enough
Trying to stay around
Brought you a flower
From the other side
It's a free world
You don't have to hide
Everybody is gonna disagree with me here, (and i looked at tons of pages online of lyrics for this song and all signs point towards your lyrics being the right ones), but I disagree. I'm listening and I really don't think he is saying "taking over the store". I wish I knew what he WAS saying. My best guess is "take it all, they're the star". Doesnt make any sense I guess, But neither does 'taking over the store', IMO.
"Tank and all, there's a storm", maybe?
Taking off with the storm? Like desert storm? I agree it doesn’t sound quite like “taking over the store,” and, frankly, that doesn’t make any damn sense in context. Elliott’s lyrics weren’t always telling a story, but he didn’t mix imagery so starkly like that.
@@codycampbellmusicyea this is it if not its very close. Def saying storm
“Take it all, there’s a storm” Is what I hear
So sad that it isnt on Spotify, I would love to listen to all his music in one place 💖
what I'm doing right now is downloading everything he's made. I'll probably end up posting it on reddit but ill also leave a link to the google drive under your comment!
hey @@eldoodooface if you ever have that link...
@@eldoodooface did you get round to it yet? would love that link too, if youve had the time to do it
@@eldoodoofacedid u end up doing it?
@@eldoodooface did you manage to do it?
Happy Birthday Elliott :(
I swear I’ve heard this song before before I listened to Elliot smith. Having found it now it hit like a ton of brick
It sounds A LOT like merry Christmas (war is over) by John Lennon, which iirc is why it never got an official release. That might be what you’re thinking of
@@crazycat3365omg I never noticed this but it definitely does now that I think about it. I was wondering why it always sounded so familiar but from somewhere else lol! When you look for it you can hear so much Beatles influence especially in the later albums
"kiss me quickly, I'm in a hurry". This fucking song is yet again, another brilliant masterpiece...unfinished at that, by Elliott. Thanks for the music buddy
You took the words right out of my mouth.
She broke up with me... I wish she could kiss me quickly, one last time, she has blocked me, claiming she wasn't good enough for me
"There's a world within, that I can't call out" and "I brought you a flower from the other side" are equally powerful lyrics
I want this to be in the movie "Perks of Being a Wallflower" reminds me a lot about it
"thanks a lot goodnight" I don't know why but those simple words really hit hard when it comes from him
This song is so good. It has hints of war is over, but the melodies are ever better imo.
Imo, much as I love John Lennon too, this is far better than "War Is Over"... no idea why this was never properly recorded and released, but the same could be said for so many Elliott Smith songs
Miss you.
I don't think this is about forgiving Charlie... I see it as Elliott saying to his step dad, "I don't want to fight, but I think you should be honest and stop hiding the fact that you abused me." The "Flowers for Charlie" sounds kind of sarcastic, too. Idk that's just how I interpret this song
Natalia I would agree, especially after looking at the lyrics for Waltz #2
This here is a vietnam song
I've always thought this was about that short story by Daniel Keys called Flowers For Algernon
@@madhavpubby No it's about the charlie in nam
@@Lucas-mv4pm it's about his dad,
You know, I don't usually subscribe to the "Thumbs up if you think..." rhetoric, but seriously. Thumbs up if you think that this song is proof positive that the best of Elliott Smith would have been yet to come.
He would have kept getting better, "Basement..." was his best album imo...
The musics not cutting my pain anymore. I’m so fucking torn
hey I hope you’re well, hang in there man, it won’t be this way forever.
Elliott, sei que sofria bastante por causa do seu padrasto. A infância dele foi uma infância turbulenta e perturbadora. Embora isso tudo tenha acontecido com você, nós sentimos sua falta, Elliott. Você é o meu café e a paz do meu dia. Um músico grande como você que morreu tão jovem, é uma biblioteca fechada.
never heard this song before, but I had heard of it. I like it! =D
go Elliott, yay! Thanks =]
A tremendously good voice
sounds like "war is over, if you want it"
Actually the one of the reasons he ended up not recording it.
it's because it's about the war with his step dad being over
Luca Vincent holy crap you’re right that makes so much sense
love this song *^* !
this is so amazing if elliott smith beat me up it would still be an honor
elliot beats the shit outa all modern artists for 1 reason
he made the music because it was an outlet
not a vacum for his wallet
i should pay more attention=P ...ive only started discovering him recently , i loved every song of his, then i went and did a little research, i found that he died at 35, so i was like " Okay lets play a new song of his a week" so that i can make the happiness of discovering a new music genius last longer. cause last time i felt this was with Jeff Buckley. sad that neither of them lasted longer....oh well i still have a lot to learn about music, but i think im going in the right direction=P
This song is a retelling of The Story of Ferdinand, from the perspective of Ferdinand the Bull, which Elliott had a tattoo of on his upper arm.
I unintentionally wrote something along these lines, called "The Psychopath" back in my teens, it was long before I heard Elliott's music... I never recorded it properly, but played it live once later on
Elliott was truly a legend!
Listening to this on 0.5 speed gives it a lovely sound.
this song is amazing
Descansa en paz Elliott.
well i think this song may have something to do with "Flowers for Algernon" in which the main character was named Charlie
anyone notice the quasi song empty words sounds similar at the main riffs? kinda cool
I always liked this song but assumed it was a cover because it’s so different and I’ve only heard it live
Charlie was his abusive stepfather. I think It's kinda like a soft spoken, "fuck you, i'm better than you in every way, because no matter what, i'll still give you flowers and i still have tender feelings in my heart despite you trying to beat them out of me"
My opinion, i wrote this very quickly. Just let the words type.
The chords and rhythm are quite similar to John Lennon's "War Is Over", except this is far better! John's song was an anti-war protest, but I think Elliott's song is better, also anti-war but more personal at the same time
@@thomascraymer8712agreed , not surprised since the Beatles were a big inspiration for Elliotts music
Was the title for the song by any chance a reference to flowers for algernon? Always wondered.
+moth “mothz” moth Well, Charlie is actually the name of his step-father who abused him as a child, however- it is an interesting coincidence... perhaps there is some connection somewhere.
I know that. :) It would be cool if it was a reference, he would have liked the same lit that I do.
On the subject, I'm pretty sure the Either/Or album was a reference to Kierkegaard's book - Either/Or- he was interesting like that. :)
Yes it was!!
***** Interesting!!!
dont forget flowers for Algernon too! i wonder if that's part of the title part?? but yeah i think it's about his stepdad.
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Reminds me of a christmas song
there's definitely something to that melody...
I wonder if the title is referencing the book Flowers for Algernon which when made into a movie was titled Charlie 🤔
It’s about his step dad! He’s only referenced him by name a few times.
“Charlie’s got a band in his hand
Rubber loop says ‘I’m the man you really want’
So just act natural”
Is one from No Confidence Man
Title is based on the book Flowers for Algernon, from which the main character was named Charlie. Though the song has no other references to the book as far as I know.
just a coincidence I think
@Mochme Not many musicians (bands) make that much money anyways. But you're right, he wasn't in it for the fame at all. The talent speaks for itself.
I honestly didn't know he could sing this good. And I've got all his records.. Hah I'm almost getting a bit pissed here. Was there anything he couldn't pull off?
Pleasepleaseplease.
I love this song, and I thank you muchly for posting it.
But does anybody know where I might be able to download it?
RIP Elliott.
It’s janky as all hell and I probably have virus on top of virus but I just slap the videos into a UA-cam to mp3 downloader and I’m good to go.
pretty sure it was the other dude that threw him off on the other vid lol
not that he didn't have a show or two a little shy. :) but i always loved it.
Yeah, Charlie was his step dad's name, but I am sure it is a reference to what the Vietnamese were called by a lot of the military then. Also mentioning "I'm not a good G.I. Joe, because I always aim low, and I won't fight you". Most soldiers in Vietnam aimed low and didn't want to kill anyone.
Is he playing with Quasi?
WAAAAAAAAR IS OOOOOOOOOVER
Preciso de você.
@EdwardGSayers Aight. The only bad thing I could ever say about him is that he's so good I sort of feel bad about myself.
Did they use this song on the always sunny episode "flowers for Charlie"
No. I think they're both a coincidental reference to Flowers For Algernon
@@kitpalmer1583as well as Charlie being his abusive stepdad
best time to be named charlee
He wrote this song about his stepdad, Charlie Welch, who verbally, physically, and (most likely) sexually abused him as a child 😭 help
What's the line "Kiss me quickly, I'm in a hurry" supposed to mean or be in reference to? seems kind of out of place.
I like how the line sounds it's just...whenever I read into the meaning or what people think is the meaning of the song they never mention the line.
Maybe the kiss of death / quick and painless death? I don’t think it’s a romantic kiss.
Does anyone know if he's playing this with Quasi in this? I'm assuming so.
It's been 3 years lol but yea, this is Sam coomes on bass and chorus
@randomcrackers Me too :( ... but isn't great that this is almost as perfect as a studio recording?
❤
OMGGG
Any place I can download this?
Happy Xmas (War is Over)
sounds a little bit like war is over but it could have been done on purpose im not sure
@321rebelman its that john lennon christmas song
its not so much music as much as it was and is still medicine
@metallica111122 hahaha Yeah...TOTALLY...gee I wonder who influenced this song..hahahaha...but its funny becasue I totally hear it too
You know it, and I know it. :) PS - it's been over a year since I posted that comment, totally forgot about it.
@Mochme Best comment i have ever seen
Is this that song about algernon the mouse?
@Grungekiid i believe it was molestation but not rape. i could also be wrong though.
anyone have the chords for this ? :)
I don't know if they're accurate as I haven't played it... but here's smth... tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/e/elliott_smith/flowers_for_charlie_crd.htm
For all of you who are saying that Elliott was sexually abused, you're wrong. Charlie was his stepdad and Elliott thought that he might have abused him, but they resolved it later. It's a myth. Do the research.
Sorry but I don't think anyone will ever know... no one's shared elliott's bedroom to know what really happened, nor attended his conversations with charlie to know if they 'resolved' it... All people can do is make supposition through the work elliott left, such as this song that implies forgiveness, or 'No confidence man' that implies rape ('Charlie got a band in his hand, a rubber loop, says I'm the man you really want')...
Yeah he didn't have a good relationship with his dad, but he wasn't sexually abused. I never said he wasn't hurt by him.
+Antigone Southwind I'm really interested in this, where did you find this out from?
I read Torment Said, a biography about Elliott Smith.
Antigone Southwind Thanks, I'll have to check that out. Although it's hard to ever know since Elliott isn't here to share his story.
@miroleander literally
I havent seen any sort of proof so far that he did. But I know that they had a bad relation
"I'm not a good G.I. Joe because I always aim low." - Elliott Smith ; That's our pacifist code; let the chips fall where they may.
@Grungekiid You do realize forced sex between people married is still very much wrong, right?
I’m not a good GI Joe …
@Grungekiid Marital rape is still rape.
song about his step dad who sexually abused him as a young kid
I always wondered if flowers for charlie is a reference to city lights
Lol it’s about his stepdad, Charlie Welch