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Whatever (Folk Song in C) Lyrics
They come here alone and they leave in twos
Except for you and me who just came to use
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
Why you tell me stuff that's so plainly untrue
If you'll be straight with me, I'll be straighter with you
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
I haven't wanted to do anything for a long time
But whatever you got right now will probably suit me fine
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
I haven't wanted to do anything for a long time
Whatever you're doing now would probably suit me fine
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
What are you doing hanging out with me
Except for you and me who just came to use
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
If you'll be straight with me, I'll be straighter with you
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
But whatever you got right now will probably suit me fine
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
Whatever you're doing now would probably suit me fine
If you're all done like you said you'd be
What are you doing hanging out with me
What are you doing hanging out with me
Song Info
Submitted by
cruel_reality On Oct 20, 2005
More Elliott Smith
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Needle in the Hay
King's Crossing
Twilight (Somebody's Baby)
A Fond Farewell
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maybe it's about him and a friend using drugs together, even though the friend said he was going to quit, hence "if you're all done like you said you'd be"
but since the friend is still hanging around the speaker who still uses, the friend doesn't quit because it's right there.
maybe the speaker is angry that the friend is falling back on their promise to stop because he wants to see them get better, even if he cant
Come on people. This is his most explicit song about drug use. It's not about sex or alcohol. "To use" is only ever used with drugs. It's probably why this was never officially released - usually he was much more poetic and hidden in his drug references. What i like about this is the groundbreaking dark lyrics he combines with such a traditional conservative folk melody. It's typical of his sardonic sense of humour and irony that he gives it such a flippant title.
It's hard to argue that this song isn't about drug use, however, he wrote this song in 1993(there are live performances of him playing it in early 1994). It's well documented that Elliott didn't start using hard drugs until 1999. And never officially released? It's on "New Moon".
It's hard to argue that this song isn't about drug use, however, he wrote this song in 1993(there are live performances of him playing it in early 1994). It's well documented that Elliott didn't start using hard drugs until 1999. And never officially released? It's on "New Moon".
I absolutly love this song! It's from Elliott Smith's Basment Demos. It's obviously about a relationship in which the partner dumped the other person but still continues to hang out with him/her. In a way they are leading the other person on.
"if you're all done, like you said you'd be, what are you doing, hanging out with me?"
@SMUSER17019091 I think so too. Obviously comes off as a song about using heroin or something but that May be the twisted metaphor about using each other, after a past relationship. Whatever you got(to give.)… hey it’s probably about drugs but lyrics are vague on purpose to interpret how you wish.
@SMUSER17019091 I think so too. Obviously comes off as a song about using heroin or something but that May be the twisted metaphor about using each other, after a past relationship. Whatever you got(to give.)… hey it’s probably about drugs but lyrics are vague on purpose to interpret how you wish.
Of course this song was about dope. It was during his classic doping period as well- "just came to use", "if your all done"-DOPE!, also the chorus should say "I HAVEN'T wanted to do anything for a long time-DOPE! People can interpret his songs however they choose but this song was blatantly obvious if you've experienced the highs and lows of the drug life.
Mtolsky hit it on the head. Two friends meet while Elliott's scoring some dope. The friend's made empty gestures of sincerity concerning his habit. And E.S. quickly becomes reconciled with these moments of weakness, slips into resignation and they get high as some stubborn statement of apathy.
Somewhat of statement of his philosophy of that period.
The song is clearly about copping dope. They come here alone and leave in twos, after they score dope, or after they tear their lives apart or whatever or just after they "get together" with their lover (the drugs). Elliott and whoever the song is referring to just came to get high and leave probably because they are smart and don't carry dope on them when they get high.... DEFINITELY NOT WHAT THE GUY BELOW SAID ABOUT HOOKING UP RANDOMLY If you think this is some kind of normal "junkie behavior" you are nuts, although junkies do some dumb shit this scenario is highly unlikely.. (the relapsing friend who clearly isn't done using because they wouldnt be hanging with elliott who is obviously still using dope and if the friend was serious about being done they wouldnt be hanging with him) Also, it could be about meeting someone at the bar for a drink which is more likely if you think of the hook up scenario. The dope house is not really the spot where people meet. Infact its probably pretty rare. Usually its in and out. Im starting to wonder if this is about going to the bar. They were just two drunks at the bar not there for a good time and a hookup at the end of the night except a good drunk. Love you elliott. Genius.
Elliott Smith singing to his syringe. You be straight, and i'll be streighter. Like the truth comes out when he is doped up.
He smoked tar heroin i do believe.
He smoked tar heroin i do believe.
What if the song was written from the point of view of heroin?
Even though I hate associating his music with drug abuse. He's gotten me through alot of my stupid addictions.
My world has been on a tilt since he died.
i dont beleive this song is anything to do with drugs, people are very quick to associate elliott with drugs and its knwon that he was into the harder stuff, but more so, he used drugs and addiction as metaphors and as something to compare relationships to. Its very easy to find drug refferenced (particularly in his sled titles) but as to whether or not they all reffer to drug use is unknown. I dont beleive this songs hints at drug abuse, just a realtionship still playing out after it was supposedly finished
jay xo