| Elliott Smith – Fake It Through the Day (Miss Misery, early version) Lyrics | 12 years ago |
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Oh, god. So many feels. I really like both versions, yet while they're similar, the few changes he made ended up creating two entirely different songs. I can see why he made the changes he did, though--the early version is much more "raw" than the GWH one. Here's my interpretation of both: Early version: Guy with a drinking problem still loves his ex and believes they're meant to be, but she won't have anything to do with him. He's spinning illusions about them getting back together--"cause some enchanted night I'll be with you"--but from the song lyrics, we can assume that will never happen ("tarot cards and the lines in my hand tell me I'm wrong," "and though you'd rather see me gone... I'll be waiting for you anyway"). Very sad, verging on pathetic, song about one-sided love after a breakup. I think this version is more grounded, with fewer metaphors and less room for interpretation. As someone else mentioned, the sappy hook is rather unusual for Elliott, but I think it fits the overall feeling of the song. GWH version: By changing around a few lines, Elliott was able to create an entirely different interpretation to an already great song--IMO proof of his ability as a songwriter. Here, the focus switches from a lovelorn guy to problems between a couple. To me, it's a song about two people who aren't good for each other, but can't seem to break out of the relationship. The girl is hot and cold ("you had plans for both of us that involved a trip out of town," "I know you'd rather see my gone than to see me the way that I am"), probably is emotionally unstable/insecure, and is dependent on the guy, even though she doesn't love him for who he is ("do you miss me, miss misery, like you say you do?"). On the other hand, the guy is weak ("a man in the park read the lines in my hand, told me I'm strong, hardly ever wrong, I said man you mean...") and keeps going back to the unhealthy relationship ("and I try to be but you know me I come back when you want me to"). Here, too, there is no happy ending--we have no sign that things are going to get better between the two. Both are sad, but deeply truthful songs about the destructive power of relationships. |
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