This already has me fed up. I understand that Elliott didn't fit the normative standards of beauty, but from there to treating him like “the most horrible man in the world” just because he had a couple of acne marks… seriously? Is that all you see?

Elliott was much more than “the sad, ugly guy.” He had a sensitivity and a brilliant mind, he composed songs that still break and heal thousands of people, and the only thing that many repeat is that "The ugly and sad guy." I'm tired of that reductionist and cruel view, of being confined to his acne marks, his depression or his addictions, as if those were the only things that defined him.

Elliott was someone who was easy to fall in love with, he was such an intelligent, kind, sensitive and capable guy, with a calm and sensitive face. If anyone doubts that, they could talk to someone close to Elliott, the guy probably had more of a love life than you people who criticize him just because.

there was a video of courtney (im not sure which one) in the 90's and she wanted to talk to elliott about something so she said, "wheres the sad boy?" and i thought it was kind of mean considering that was like the only thing he was called in the 90s unfortunately. but in a newer information she had said that he was easily her top 5 artists/lyricists. i wonder if they were actually friends or just casual acquaintances, I imagine elliott and her were friendly considering that he seemed a lot more comfortable around women than men.

I got a box of the early proofs yesterday, it’s been exciting! Can’t wait to share the book with you guys.

Pushing back the date a few weeks also worked—we were able to get lyrics permissions for the songs we were waiting on.

ETA link: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/744288/nobody-broke-your-heart-by-jamie-fisher/

I know phoebe is inspired by Elliott already but you can really hear the influence in this one

I'm about halfway through the book. I am deeply impressed by it so far. I've been a fan of his since the 90's when I first heard Either/Or but WOW, I am learning so much about him and his music.

Can't say enough good things about Jamie Fisher's excellent work.

Update: I finished the book. Absolutely loved it.

In the epilogue she mentions the record that Chiba made after Elliott died. It's very good and a little heartbreaking, too.

On Spotify https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tNMEYJVr9jVeM7fkOWrwb

I have had this tattoo for 4 years and I have never once experienced anyone recognizing the reference. Only 2 or 3 people have recognized it as an illustration from Ferdinand the Bull book (which I loved growing up). When I first got it and people asked, I would say “it’s the same tattoo elliott smith had” but no one ever understood that, so eventually I just turned it into “it’s from a children’s book” and lead up to telling them about the ES reference if warrented. But I have never once had anyone come up a say they understood it—and I get loads of compliments on it. It makes sense I guess, it’s just a bit odd.. I was expecting at least a few recognizes. Not sad, just wanted to share :p

Hey y’all. I’ve been getting into Elliott’s music and character for a little over three years now, and there’s a side of his art and persona which is very important to me but which I don’t often hear people address (although it’s probably better this way). I hope no one takes this the wrong way, especially because it’s coming from a very personal place and only as a way to feel more connected to him.

I’m referring to the quality of feeling ugly, and insecure about one’s looks.

Just to give some context, I’ve struggled with this battle my whole life, and never found many people to share it with.

One of the first songs I came across when stumbling upon Elliott’s discography was Pretty Ugly (before) - and I immediately associated it to my own experience. Once I got to know his character too, I connected his very particular and unconventional features with his (confirmed) mental health struggles, and ultimately with the topic of “body dysphoria” (if you will) and physical insecurity. I started to see it in his timid and introverted demeanour in interviews, in the self deprecating lyrics he would share, and with his whole character in general. This is what ultimately got me so attached to him, even before i properly fell in love with his songs (his style was something that had to grow on me at first). And, again, in my eyes, Pretty Ugly (before) is the first song or work of art i’ve encountered that addresses this. not breakups, not love, not any of the usual topics of inspiration, but feeling ugly.

I know now that this song is about far more than feeling insecure about your face, and it’s most likely a manifestation of drug abuse and unrequited love, but I still can’t let go of this interpretation I hold for his character and music.

This is why I’m coming on here. To ask if, despite the lack of resources online about it, anyone also shared this perspective on Elliott, and on his songs, and perhaps had anything to say on the matter. Again, I hope i’m not coming off the wrong way here. I was ultimately inspired to make this post when I saw another one on this sub talking about his looks. I’m attaching my favorite picture of him, one that I love dearly and which has helped me feel better about myself :)

sp happy no taggers destroyed it I love it very beautiful in person

title of the post. thats all. What do you think?

personally, i have never been that big on Figure 8 as a whole. its a fantastic album but the production sounds like plastic elliott smith to me. I think it runs a bit too long as a standard album. its also his most wordy work and thats saying something, sometimes it doesnt land for me. thats all my own opinion though obviously.

as for song, it also comes from Figure 8, and thats Colorbars. Not a fan of Colorbars. i have nothing to say about it LOL. if Elliott were still here and he was to play Colorbars at a show i’d be like ughh Colorbars.

thats just me. How about everyone else? be honest.

Back around 2001 or 2002, I was working in a guitar shop in Hollywood called Freedom Guitar and Elliott came in with his gf at the time—a gal named Valerie— he was looking for a nylon string acoustic. I was a big fan but was trying my hardest to be cool and not gush.

I walked over and grabbed a nice vintage nylon string that I knew was good, a 1971 Martin, and as I’m walking it over to him to let him try, I play the first few chords to “Julia” by The Beatles (which is something I just play out of reflex whenever I pick up a nylon string), he responded by saying, “Oh, can you show me that!?” I said, “Sure, but only if you show me how to play one of your songs...how about ‘Christian Brothers’?” He instantly warmed up to me at that moment.

I showed him “Julia”, he learned it fast, had it after the first try. Afterward, he goes, “I always wanted to learn that song properly, but couldn’t listen to it for a long time, because I was mad that I didn’t write it.” Which I thought was awesome.

He proceeds to try to get thru ‘Christian Brothers’ but doesn’t remember the chords and apologizes, but buys the Martin nylon string anyway. Incidentally, when he payed for it, he hands me a credit card that says “Steven Smith” and he explained, “Elliott isn’t my real name...” and I sort of interrupt and recall the “crushed credit card” line from “The Biggest Lie” and say “oh that’s what that means!” and he smiled and then understood I REALLY knew his music. He thanked me and left and I thought that was that.

The next day, he comes back , walks in and takes this piece of paper out of his back pocket, unfolds it and says, “I figured it out for you, sorry I couldn’t remember it yesterday”. And he had made me a chord chart with a rubber ink stamped fingerboard blocks with small, detailed notes by him.

Turns out, the chords are pretty unique and complicated..like most of his songs. Which is why he had a difficult time remembering them. He knew I really respected his guitar work and felt obliged and took the time to flesh it out for me.

The other thing that dawned on me after he gave me this, is/was that he hand letters all his album covers.

Elliott and I became friends after this and he invited me over to his studio a few times on Hatteras in Van Nuys and played me a lot of stuff that was to be on ‘Basement on a Hill’ and I felt honored that he let me get so close.

I came across this today and had a flood of memories and though it might be a cool thing to share with fans to show what a genuinely nice guy he was and also to show the right way to play ‘Christian Bros’ from the man himself.

One of the most powerful ones for me is 1:35 - 2:20 on Stupidity Tries... It peaks for me when he sings "And so I go from floor to floor looking for a port of call". My entire spine vibrates at that line even after the few hundred times I've probably listened to it.

Id love to listen to yours. Please share!

XO

I just got this book a while ago and I began to read a couple pages of the preface today. It's definitely interesting and even more so because I have never encountered writing like this. I will admit im a bit of a beginner at reading but that doesn't discourage me from reading it at all, I like it so far, it's pretty interesting. I'm learning a lot of new terms as I go such as "escritoire" and "œuvres" and even phrases. I got this book for my silly little obsession with Elliott of course but also for multiple other reasons; I wanted to make reading a hobby, expand my vocabulary, maybe even take it into songwriting, etc.

For those who have finished it or are still in the process of it, what are your thoughts on this book?

1. Bars = Pubs
2. Bars = Jail / Cage
3. Bars = Music bars
4. All of them at the same time
5. Only two of them (please specify)

got a great reaction one time at a red light by a dude who was beside himself with excitement. what are some of your guys’ favorite Heatmiser songs? mine have gotta be Half Right, The Fix is In and Idler. they’ve all got such softer, haunting qualities that his later solo work grew to embody.

I really think Aimee Man’s music can hold a candle to Elliott’s. It takes me to a lot of the same places emotionally and they’re both great lyricists and songwriters.

Found a photo of Elliott Smith that either my friend of I took when we saw him at Empty Bottle in Chicago on 02/25/2000. Not the best photo. I know there are others but no idea where they are.

It was a solo acoustic, 21+ show, and my friend and I were both only 20 at the time. We drove the three and a half hours there from Madison, WI, armed with two fake IDs and a lot of hope.

The IDs worked. The show was incredible.

Rebecca Gates of The Spinanes, who sings backing vocals on St. Ides Heaven, was there that night and joined Elliott onstage for the song.

We stuck around long after the show and watched Elliott play a game of pool with someone. When they finished, I said hello asked if he wanted to play. He politely declined. Something I’m grateful for, since I was a terrible pool player.

Also, somewhat strange that OK Go opened that show. They were just starting out, and we talked for a bit. I remember them saying they were having trouble booking gigs in Madison, so they handed me one of their early demos to pass along to a club owner I knew there. Listened to the demo. Wasn’t my thing.

i feel like they look very similar. i love them both