| Elliott Smith – New Monkey Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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I think all of you guys who just assume this is all about his drug addiction aren't looking at it quite right. That is part of it, but that's not what it's about. Actually, I think one of the major points of the song IS SAYING that that's not what he's all about. I see this as being a song written, like Faceman said to people pidgeonholing him into a stereotype. But I think maybe it's even specifically written to his stepfather, who like many members of his family, thought he was worthless for what he was doing. Between his depressing attitude, his drug addiction, and his lack of a real job (writing pop songs doesn't count for them). So when he says the line: He�s in my ear Wants me to live in denial Says, "You�ve got to settle for something Though it might not be really living Anything is better than nothing Anything is better than nothing" It's not simply his addiction reasoning in for getting another fix. It's the side-walk boss, again. His stepfather, or the other people telling him what they think he's doing wrong. They see him as just living for nothing, because he's so depressed. They want him to "live in denial" of all the things that are making him unhappy. Though that might not be really living (AKA living in denial of everything shitty going on isn't really living, because you're lying to yourself), but hey you got to settle for something. As if they're telling him "Hey, look. I know you think the world sucks. But you can't keep letting yourself think that. It's better to pretend it's not true, and live at least a better life, than it is to remember everything that is terrible and live doing nothing with your life." His answer to this is: "This is how I spend my time Lazying around, head hanging down Stuck inside my imagination Busy making something from nothing Pictures of hope and depression"" He's saying, "look asshole. You have no idea. I'm stuck in my own mind, with all the things I hate about my life and the world, there's no getting away from that. But I'm not doing nothing. I'm trying to make something. I'm trying to make something that will show myself and everyone around me that there is still hope, even inside this terrible depression." After that, he turns the phrase that was first uttered by the "side-walk boss" into his own. "Anything is better than nothing" no longer means living in denial, he's changed the meaning of the phrase and repeated it back to the original speaker, saying "At least I'm doing SOMETHING to try to change the horrible situation. I might not be some happy action man, but at least I'm doing what I can to make the world a better place, and make others happier." This is what I have always loved about Elliott. He may appear on the surface like a "sad-sack," but most of his songs are not just complaining about the world, but guaranteeing himself and his listeners that it's only temporary, and that things WILL get better, because they HAVE to. |
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