Elliot Smith - I Didn’t Understand
This is a 137 seconds of Elliot Smith self-loathing brilliance. With no instruments, Mr. Smith sings to his former lover from the hole he’s stuck in and can’t seem to climb out of. Elliot was surely a man who was excruciatingly tormented by his own existence. His music is a haunting prelude to his death and offers us a window into the mind of person coping with depression and substance abuse. Those unfamiliar with his work will probably recognize his songs Miss Misery from Good Will Hunting and Needle in The Hay from The Royal Tenenbaums, which in my opinion, is one of the greatest scenes in a movie. Elliot, as a musician and writer, had talent to spare and if you’re not familiar with his work I’d suggest that you acquaint yourself.
Lyrics:
Thought you’d be looking
For the next in line to love then ignore
Put out and put away
And so you’d soon be leaving me alone
Like I’m supposed to be
Tonight, tomorrow, and every day
There’s nothing here that you’ll miss
I can guarantee you this
Is a cloud of smoke
Trying to occupy space
What a fucking joke
What a fucking joke
I waited for a bus to separate the both of us
And take me off far away from you
Because my feelings never change a bit
I always feel like shit
I don’t know why, I guess that I “just do”
You once talked to me about love
And you painted pictures of a Never-Never Land
And I could’ve gone to that place
But I didn’t understand
I didn’t understand
I didn’t understand
