Single File

I haven't read an interpretation that I fully agree with yet, though I think upallnight was getting on track. I definitely agree that the basic plot is about watching junkies on line at a methadone clinic, but I think that's entirely allegorical. It's not the point, it's just a way of getting it across. What I think is interesting about the song is that it's unconventional--he's not telling the kid he's losing something by being an addict, he's saying he loses something when he tries to clean up and quit. When the narrator says "there's a price you'll pay for trying hard to become whatever they are," it's in reference to taking the pills and trying to become like them, to become normal (in this case, clean). It's an interesting way to look at the situation--the drugs are killing him but at the same time, quitting comes with a considerable price (perhaps killing a part of himself). What the narrator thinks that price is isn't exactly clear, but maybe it's about denying a part of yourself to make life easier. Or maybe it represents knowingly giving in to conventional expectations--I think the "single file you're a murder mile" line plays into both of those interpretations. It could mean any number of things really. Drug addiction and getting clean are just shorthand for these ideas. Either way, it's an interesting way of getting his point across.

You people got most of the things wrong. This song is about waiting in a methadone line for his dose. Methadone is a drug given to addicts to help them with their addiction.

oh yes, it's clearly that specific, bored tom....i mean the line "waiting in the methadone line for my dose" kind of gives it away! everyone is entitled to say what they think it's about and the reason most interpretations of most Elliott Smith songs work is precisely because he isn't so specific......you could be right-i don't think you are-but don't tell people they got it wrong when you have no evidence suggesting that your interpretation is correct.

i like this song and i think it is lovely.............RIP

It's funny. At the time of this album Elliott was not using Heroin and yet as people so clearly document, this song seems so applicable to it. I have always have seen this song as a reference to how Elliott sees other people. Waiting for something to happen in their lives, whilst disabling themselves with their darkest thoughts and actions that weigh them down everyday. Your arm has got a death in it seems to me a reference to that one hang-up, that one demon, that everyone cannot shake off. Whilst this might have been written about Heroin, the fact that it can touch so many listeners that aren't Heroin addicts, is clear evdience of how brilliant Elliott Smith was at creating songs that could be enjoyed by all. R.I.P Elliott.

This is a song about a very long queue in which Elliott Smith gets quite angry and starts calling someone an idiot kid. He was inconsiderate like that.

Although I agree that anyone is free to interpret any song however they feel, this song in particular is one of Elliott's most explicit addiction songs. It may have other significance, but it's clearly and most directly about heroin addiction and specifically waiting in line for methadone.

"dying shooting stars" - the pour souls who have wasted their life on this stupid ("shit") drug. "All we got to show...same kind of scars" - trackmarks "Waiting for something...single file" - waiting in line at the clinic. Also, waiting for something in your life to change, without trying to make it happen. "...arm's got a death in it" - again, trackmarks "If you're choking up take this paper cup" - If you're relapsing, here's some methodone (always dispersed in paper cups in clinics) "...price you'll pay..." - you're gonna die just trying to fit in *"...bitter pill or somebody else will." - take your dose or someone else will be happy to, and will.

RIP Elliott

this is clearly about how the best musicians are always heroin addicts. single file waiting their turn to rise and then become a dying shooting star.

just, really, a bunch of drug addicts in a line on their way to die.

He's telling the idiot kid there's a price he'll pay for being like the "dying shooting stars" (the toll being the death that the kids putting into his own arm).

Elliott's clearly not singing about how all the best musicians are always heroin addicts.

Yeah, it's like when a whole slew of Jazz artists started doing smack because Coltrane did it.

It's terribly ironic that "Coming Up Roses" comes on right after "Single File" too I should mention. =(

im not sure that this song is about drugs at all. there arent really any obvious references to it so it leads me to believe that he's talking about people trying to write out their pain. trying to materialize it to something useful. all it does is bring up the pain to the front sometimes. where his music wasn't always helpful to express himself. maybe sometimes it made things worse, but he keeps at it because its like a drug. it gives him the high of happiness but over time it may have ended up killing him...making things worse. like a drug.