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Waltz #1 Lyrics
Every time the day
Darkens down and goes away
Pictures open in my head
Of me and you, silent and cliché
All the things we did and didn't say
Covered up by what we did and didn't do
Going through every out I used to
Cop to make the repetition stop
What was I supposed to say?
Now I never leave my zone
We're both alone, I'm going home
I wish I'd never seen your face
Darkens down and goes away
Pictures open in my head
Of me and you, silent and cliché
All the things we did and didn't say
Covered up by what we did and didn't do
Going through every out I used to
Cop to make the repetition stop
What was I supposed to say?
Now I never leave my zone
We're both alone, I'm going home
I wish I'd never seen your face
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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i think this song, like "i didnt understand", is about a relationship that ended and he has regrets and thoughs of "well what if i had done or said this?" he feels really hurt and is alone with all these thoughts and whishes to forget her
It's about a relationship that had no real basis because these two people couldn't communicate properly. Now every time they argue, he's constantly asking her what he was supposed to say in the first place. Thus, he's even more guarded and cut off from her. So he wishes they'd never met in the first place.
whenever he's down he remembers the good things, the pictures, in a relationship so complete... then he starts thinking of were it went wrong, why it fell apart. instead of facing and working thru their problems they danced around them. before they knew it the problems had damaged their bond beyond repair, and he still does not know what he could have done or said to have saved them. still looking for the answer... he cant let it go. he's imprisoned in the aftermath, haunted by her image, the agony so intense he'd rather have never known her than to be trapped re-living the pain, regret, loss, suffering. he cant escape the memories, he cant stop loving her...
I've always vaguely suspected this song might be about his relationship with his father, more from the title than anything else. Since Waltz #2 is about his mother and step-father, I've always taken it's title as a reference to his and his mother's waltz (so to speak) with father/husband #2. So it stands to reason that Waltz #1 would be about "waltzing" with father #1. It sounds far-fetched when I put it like that, but the similar titles connect the two songs for me in more than just a structural 3/4 time sort of way (particularly suspicious is the placement of Waltz #1 after Waltz #2 on the album).
In any case, I agree that Waltz #1 is about a failed relationship, and that it's beautiful. God, this man's music breaks my heart.
elliott is too gorgeous for words. what a lovely soul.
What was i suppose to say?
this line makes my skin crawl. it is frighteningly beautiful and haunting. No matter what mood or situation i'm in he has a song to sooth me.
i think this is one of his saddest songs the repetition and exaggeration of 'I wish i'd never seen your face'
yeah most likly, but this song kicks ass
For some reason, this song reminds me of the movie Donnie Darko. It kinda sounds like the type of music that is in that film. It is such a beautiful song, I love it.
RIP Elliott. We love you
The tune of this part is exactly like something from Donnie Darko, but I believe that it is just a coincidence. Lovely piece though.
I agree with the idea about not understanding and possibly also regretting.
Great song!