2008 Woodie Awards
Final release of rock poet is a fitting memorial
Dan Socha
Issue date: 10/31/04 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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Elliott Smith died on October 22, 2004. This is a great way to start an article, I know. But, sometimes its best to begin at the ending. The ending of Smith's life came by means of two stab wounds to the chest at his home in Portland, Oregon. The stabbings were originally determined to be self-inflicted, but some began to argue otherwise. A coroner's report, issued last December, said the evidence was inconclusive. Regardless, I can remember first hearing about Smith's death and feeling disappointed. See, it was just about a year ago that I started listening to Smith, and I was disappointed that I hadn't paid more attention to this skillful musician while he was still alive. I was disappointed that the world lost such an artist.
Like so many others, I was introduced to Elliott Smith when I first saw the film Good Will Hunting, a great film with an even greater soundtrack. Six of Smith's tracks are featured on the soundtrack including some of my favorites like "Say Yes" and "Angeles." The song "Miss Misery" was nominated for an Oscar, and Smith performed the song at the 1997 Academy Awards. That song, like many other Elliot Smith songs, reveals a tale of addiction and depression. The lyrics read, "I'll fake it through the day with some help from Johnny Walker Red. Send the poison brain down the drain, to put bad thoughts in my head."
One could write much about Smith's dark and depressing lyrics and the similarities of them to is own life, but that's not the focus of this article. To be completely honest, Smith's lyrics were the last thing that attracted me to him. I have listened to most of Smith's songs and rarely do I find myself closely paying attention to the meaning of the lyrics, even the tracks that I consider to be my favorites. Perhaps it is complete naivety, but I like his guitar or piano playing and his voice much more than his lyrics. Elliott Smith's soft and pleasing voice was unmatchable.
My next encounter with Elliot Smith came at the end of American Beauty. As the credits were rolling I remained in my seat and heard Smith singing a Capella version of the Beatles number, "Because."
Like so many others, I was introduced to Elliott Smith when I first saw the film Good Will Hunting, a great film with an even greater soundtrack. Six of Smith's tracks are featured on the soundtrack including some of my favorites like "Say Yes" and "Angeles." The song "Miss Misery" was nominated for an Oscar, and Smith performed the song at the 1997 Academy Awards. That song, like many other Elliot Smith songs, reveals a tale of addiction and depression. The lyrics read, "I'll fake it through the day with some help from Johnny Walker Red. Send the poison brain down the drain, to put bad thoughts in my head."
One could write much about Smith's dark and depressing lyrics and the similarities of them to is own life, but that's not the focus of this article. To be completely honest, Smith's lyrics were the last thing that attracted me to him. I have listened to most of Smith's songs and rarely do I find myself closely paying attention to the meaning of the lyrics, even the tracks that I consider to be my favorites. Perhaps it is complete naivety, but I like his guitar or piano playing and his voice much more than his lyrics. Elliott Smith's soft and pleasing voice was unmatchable.
My next encounter with Elliot Smith came at the end of American Beauty. As the credits were rolling I remained in my seat and heard Smith singing a Capella version of the Beatles number, "Because."