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St. Ides Heaven Lyrics
Everything is exactly right
When I walk around here drunk every night
With an open container from 7-11
In St. Ides Heaven
I've been out haunting the neighborhood
And everybody can see I'm no good
When I'm walking out between parked cars
With my head full of stars
High on amphetamines
The moon is a lightbulb breaking
It'll go around with anyone
But it won't come down for anyone
You think you know what brings me down
That I want those things you could never allow
You see me smiling, you think it's a frown
Turned upside down
Because everyone is a fucking pro
And they all got answers from trouble they've known
And they all got to say what you should and shouldn't do
Though they don't have a clue
High on amphetamines
The moon is a lightbulb breaking
It'll go around with anyone
But it won't come down for anyone
And I won't come down for anyone
When I walk around here drunk every night
With an open container from 7-11
In St. Ides Heaven
I've been out haunting the neighborhood
And everybody can see I'm no good
When I'm walking out between parked cars
With my head full of stars
High on amphetamines
The moon is a lightbulb breaking
It'll go around with anyone
But it won't come down for anyone
You think you know what brings me down
That I want those things you could never allow
You see me smiling, you think it's a frown
Turned upside down
Because everyone is a fucking pro
And they all got answers from trouble they've known
And they all got to say what you should and shouldn't do
Though they don't have a clue
High on amphetamines
The moon is a lightbulb breaking
It'll go around with anyone
But it won't come down for anyone
And I won't come down for anyone
Song Info
Submitted by
enjoy Incubus On Jan 19, 2002
More Elliott Smith
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I'm suprised no-one has commented on the beautiful lines, " the moon is a lightbulb breaking it'll go around with anyone but it won't come down for anyone"
To me these words are the essence of the song. They relate to so many different things. The metaphor of using a lightbulb as a shining light in someone's life, whether it is a girl you are in love with or a drug you can't get enough of is so apt. The fact that it is breaking is indicative of how the beautiful innonence of youth is so fragile, and to me conjures up visions of a beautiful young girl that cannot commit to anyone. I love this song. Elliott Smith is one of the best artists I have ever had the pleasure of listening to.
also: you can smoke meth (amphetamines) out of a light bulb. but you have to be careful when you're taking the filament out because it can break.
also: you can smoke meth (amphetamines) out of a light bulb. but you have to be careful when you're taking the filament out because it can break.
@upallnight ik im replying to a nearly 20-year old comment but its definitely very interesting those lyrics. I always took it as literal, that he was suggesting that the moon is a powerful and mysterious force that is out of our control. The idea that it won't come down for anyone is particularly intriguing, as it implies that there are some things in life that are simply beyond our reach. very thought-provoking and poetic lyrics. Rest in peace, elliott smith
@upallnight ik im replying to a nearly 20-year old comment but its definitely very interesting those lyrics. I always took it as literal, that he was suggesting that the moon is a powerful and mysterious force that is out of our control. The idea that it won't come down for anyone is particularly intriguing, as it implies that there are some things in life that are simply beyond our reach. very thought-provoking and poetic lyrics. Rest in peace, elliott smith
Is about an intervention his "friends" tried to pull on him. he clearly wasn't wanting to stop drinking.
"st ides" is a brand of beer of course.
ahhhh...
ahhhh...
@samjuro THAT'S MALT LIQUOR!
@samjuro THAT'S MALT LIQUOR!
Anyone who has struggled with addiction probably gets this song word for word.
He lays out the highs of the highs... of the drinks, the wandering, the speed, whatever.
"Everyone can see I'm no good." This is both the lurking self-deprecation and also the eff-off feeling you get when you're riled up and you get the stink-eye.
He moves on to a recovery meeting and the thoughts you have when you're listening to "pros" blah-blahing away about their "crap"... and you're not ready to give in. The irony here is that any recovery "pro" knows there are no pros, there are only people who make it one day at a time.
The references to the moon are simply be the cold, constant companion you have when night-wandering. You are "alone, but not lonely", which is a fancy way of saying "lonely, but buried under your own visions of the world which nobody else gets".
"I won't come down for anyone". I know this feeling well.
its really describes how people feel when they are depressed, drunk on it, how no one really gets it and gives their sad stories and "helpful" advise but you know they still dont really get it.
well this song is the shit i mean its got a good catch with the high on amphetamines. its got a nice hum.. like with his notes there on that part very pretty. drunken could mean a number of things could mean alcohol could mean pills.. both we wont ever know
Funny...when playing this song, it's impossible to "dress it up". You want to play it with your thumb and nothing else. That's one of the things I like best about this song. The only version I have now of this song is the one off the 1998 live in D.C. bootleg, and I think it is (as are the others on the disc) solo-Elliott at his best.
Best pairing suggestion: on the back porch, on a spring night, with Christmas lights, drunk on a wide mixture of alcohol, and looking upwards. The stars should be spinning.
cos everyone is a fucking pro and they all got answers from trouble they've known and they all got to say what you should and shouldn't do though they don't have a clue
I had always loved Elliott Smith to death but it was when i first heard this line that i knew he was my idol
Remarkably true for my life. Drugs and all. Plus the annoying interventions, psychology majors, people who've read The Bell Jar one times too many.
ughh Sylvia Plath is an author I have a hard time respecting, given all of the shit that her writing inspired..Thanks a lot Sylvia Plath for increasing the number of "bi-sexual know-it-alls"
ughh Sylvia Plath is an author I have a hard time respecting, given all of the shit that her writing inspired..Thanks a lot Sylvia Plath for increasing the number of "bi-sexual know-it-alls"
i won't come down for anyone
either.
yeah.. he's definitely talking about being drunk on alcohol. because uh. st. ides is strong malt liquor. 8.2%, in a 40, fucks you up real good.