Status

Elliott Smith Song

Written By

Elliott Smith

Recording Sessions

March-May 1996 (Bolme Residence, Portland, OR - Either/Or Sessions) - 2 versions recorded, one officially circulating and another unofficially circulating set of alternate vocals (same instrumental)

Availability of Official Release

Either/Or

Lyrics

He’s pleased to meet you underneath the horse
In the cathedral with the glass stained black
Singing sweet high notes that echo back
To destroy their master
May be a long time til you get the call-up
But it’s sure as fate and hard as your luck
No one’ll know where you are

It’s just a brief smile crossing your face
Running speed trials still standing in place

When the socket’s not a shock enough
You little child, what makes you think you’re tough
When all the people you think you’re above
They all know what’s the matter
You’re such a pinball yeah you know it’s true
There’s always something you come back running to
To follow the path of no resistance

It’s just a brief smile crossing your face
Running speed trials standing in place
It’s just a brief smile crossing your face
Running speed trials all over the place

First known live performance

1996-03-30 (Westbeth Theatre, New York, NY, USA)

Audio