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No Name #5 Lyrics
Got bitten fingernails and a head full of the past
And everybody's gone at last
A sweet, sweet smile that's fading fast
Because everybody's gone at last
And you don't get upset about it
No, not anymore
There's nothing wrong
That wasn't wrong before
Had a second alone with a chance let pass
And everybody's gone at last
Well, I hope you're not waiting
Waiting around for me
Because I'm not going anywhere
Obviously
Got a broken heart and your name on my cast
And everybody's gone at last
Everybody's gone at last
And everybody's gone at last
A sweet, sweet smile that's fading fast
Because everybody's gone at last
And you don't get upset about it
No, not anymore
There's nothing wrong
That wasn't wrong before
Had a second alone with a chance let pass
And everybody's gone at last
Well, I hope you're not waiting
Waiting around for me
Because I'm not going anywhere
Obviously
Got a broken heart and your name on my cast
And everybody's gone at last
Everybody's gone at last
Song Info
Submitted by
dragonflower44 On Jan 19, 2002
More Elliott Smith
Between the Bars
Needle in the Hay
King's Crossing
Twilight (Somebody's Baby)
A Fond Farewell
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This song contains one of his most moving chord progressions AND lyrics. Fear of intimacy, rigidity of being, and no seen sign of improvement. He was a depression junky, and created music for other fucked up kids to grow up on. His life and music, for me, allowed me to live vicariously through his self destruction. Sounds really fuckin' cheesy, but this album, song, and his story has helped save my life. I was able to look at his life and music, having grown up similarly as Smith, and see the consequences of creating a trend of digging deeper and deeper holes. I wish he was alive and well, but because he isn't and wasn't, he's a fuckin' martyr.
this is so right. thanks for sharing this. it just passed ten years from his death, and his life and music still are so moving. I was just listening to this song and imaging him recording it... so many years have passed, he is not alive anymore, and i am in a totaly different place and reality, and stills his music talks so much to me...
this is so right. thanks for sharing this. it just passed ten years from his death, and his life and music still are so moving. I was just listening to this song and imaging him recording it... so many years have passed, he is not alive anymore, and i am in a totaly different place and reality, and stills his music talks so much to me...
I can't believe that no one has commented on this song... i guess different songs just speak to different people; this one just touches me. I cried the first time I heard it. It's so exestential... just accepting the way that things are and aknowledging that there is no one there to look out for you and that you are really, in fact, alone. There is no one to be mad at and no where to direct your anger or emotions... you can only slip into the monotomy of life and continiue on alone.
I think this song is about a fundamental fear of intimacy, and when someone gets close to you you push them away. Only after they are gone, your relief at being free is short lived, and is quickly replaced by lonliness and regret at having missed an opportunity with someone who was probably pretty great for you. That's what keeps drawing you back into those situations, constantly flirting with intimacy, even though it terrifies you...or maybe I am just projecting my own baggage onto the song :)
the song that sums up the story of my life (when I'm upset, that is).
This is a great song, probobly about change. Change in a relationship, change with friends. He keeps remembering the past but he knows it can never be that way again. "and you don't get upset about it /no not anymore" again conveys helplessness and the apathetic feelings you get when something beyond your control is happening--when you're standing still and the rest of the world is moving.
I actually consider this the opposite of a proper existential situation because it allows anguish to prevent action. Typically, an existentialist views anxiety as a condition of action: what motivates a decision. I feel the person in this song has no desire to continue making decisions and is content living in his current situation -- one of isolation and minimal responsiblity. The recluse has bitten fingernails and is thinking of times in the past when he was somehow let down; he takes solace in the fact that loneliness prevents further tragedy; he refuses to go anywhere and dwells in his stagnant lifestyle. These characteristics basically help him epitomize the existential anti-hero in this song.
@treehousewizkid I know what your saying, but i think what this song actually does is give the listener the chance to just express how their feeling in that moment, it's more of a I know how your feeling dude i've been there too, i feel your pain kind of song..
@treehousewizkid I know what your saying, but i think what this song actually does is give the listener the chance to just express how their feeling in that moment, it's more of a I know how your feeling dude i've been there too, i feel your pain kind of song..
the motivational part though is the music, because although the song is literally a description of helplessness the music is uplifting, it's meant to make you feel less alone about it
the motivational part though is the music, because although the song is literally a description of helplessness the music is uplifting, it's meant to make you feel less alone about it
that to me is the motivational factor, not the words, the music.. it's very uplifiting and beautiful and easy...
that to me is the motivational factor, not the words, the music.. it's very uplifiting and beautiful and easy to cry to to just give you a chance to let our your feelings and frustrations
Amazing song. Treehouse's interpretation is a wordy version of what I think the song's about.
This song reminds me of Playdough...kinda like, life seems maleable when one is happy, yet irrevocably fixed when one isn't...it's kinda like playing with dough...artisnal, yet, perishable. I think this one's about enjoying creation in the moment, with the knowledge that it will stand in time as what it was meant to be, as opposed to "whatever, this'll end some day anyway"...Gotta give alot o' respect for an artist who can connect that with so many people...
This is the reason I love this site so much. I thought the lyrics were "everybody's gone to class" instead of gone at last. LOL. I know I'm an idiot but now that I see the lyrics this song really comes together and takes on a deep meaning. I totally understand how he is feeling in this song. WHen you are depressed to that level you are happy when everyone is gone and you don't have to put on the facade anymore. You can finally be your miserable self and relax.
These early Elliott albums are more important now then they've ever been. My favorite Elliott album was always his 2nd but recently this has passed it. I agree with that line peep- it sticks in yer head.
I think you're an idiot