Status

Elliott Smith Song

Written By

Elliott Smith

Recording Sessions

January - February 1995 (Uppinghouse Residence, Portland, OR - Self-Titled session)

Availability of Official Release

Self Titled

Lyrics

Everything is exactly right
When I walk around here drunk every night
With an open container from 7-11
In St. Ides heaven
I’ve been out haunting the neighbourhood
And everybody can see I’m no good
When I’m walking out between parked cars
With my head full of stars
High on amphetamines
The moon is a light bulb breaking
It’ll go around with anyone
But it won’t come down for anyone
You think you know what brings me down
That I want those things you could never allow
You see me smiling you think it’s a frown
Turned upside down
‘Cause everyone is a fucking pro
And they all got answers from trouble they’ve known
And they all got to say what you should and shouldn’t do
Though they don’t have a clue
High on amphetamines
The moon is a light bulb breaking
It’ll go around with anyone
But it won’t come down for anyone
And I won’t come down for anyone

First known live performance

1995-03-06 (Bottom of the Hill, San Franciso, CA, USA)

Notes

Rebecca Gates contributed harmony vocals to the studio recording of this song.

St. Ides is a type of alcohol.

Early live versions had the verse “Being the ghost of the neighborhood” instead of "I’ve been out haunting the neighborhood“.

Audio

Live electric version, performed on September 2, 2000 in Seattle, WA (beginning at 40:17 mark of below video)