I would never say anyone was wrong on here. Songs are meant to be interpreted however one feels. However, I would say that this is one of those Elliott Smith songs that is not about drugs.
A lot of Elliott's songs are about relationships, in most cases the loss of someone, having been dumped, and the pain he feels, his hopelessness, etc. In this case, I think he was the one dumping someone, in essence...for the first time.
He wishes he was someone else because he feels terrible about what he did and can't stand seeing this person he loves by themselves, without help. This person clearly has some issues, probably similar to his own issues of depression and self-hatred. She won't do what her doctor orders (ie - take medication), she won't move on to another relationship ("see someone else"). He wants to take her back because he loves her, but he hesitates because he knows how bad they are for each other. I think that's it in a nutshell, at least how I see it.
I would never say anyone was wrong on here. Songs are meant to be interpreted however one feels. However, I would say that this is one of those Elliott Smith songs that is not about drugs.
A lot of Elliott's songs are about relationships, in most cases the loss of someone, having been dumped, and the pain he feels, his hopelessness, etc. In this case, I think he was the one dumping someone, in essence...for the first time.
He wishes he was someone else because he feels terrible about what he did and can't stand seeing this person he loves by themselves, without help. This person clearly has some issues, probably similar to his own issues of depression and self-hatred. She won't do what her doctor orders (ie - take medication), she won't move on to another relationship ("see someone else"). He wants to take her back because he loves her, but he hesitates because he knows how bad they are for each other. I think that's it in a nutshell, at least how I see it.