I can get a bit upset listening to Elliott Smith because I wish he had known a better time of life. I think he was amazingly talented, very clever, and understandably disappointed with much of what life had to offer him. Often, he sings with bitterness in every word, like he needed his songs to act as witness, judge and jury to one of the many injustices and pressures he perceived himself to be facing. But this one isn’t about alcohol, his parents, or the hollow soul of the record industry. Instead it’s a personal, honest song about missing a girl. I think he was a really vulnerable guy and I’ve got so much respect for the way he puts himself out there in this one.
From the awesome album Figure 8.
Lyrics:
I never really had a problem because of leaving
But everything reminds me of her this evening
So if I seem a little out of it, sorry
But why should I lie?
Everything reminds me of her
The spin of the earth impaled a silhouette of the sun on the steeple
And I got to hear the same sermon all the time now from you people
Why are you staring into outer space, crying?
Just because you came across it, and lost it
Everything reminds me of her
Everything reminds me of her
Everything reminds me of her
The Fat Angel Sings 