being a huge fan of both ben folds and elliott smith, there were a several lines that seemed to be references to elliott songs.
"desperate static"... elliott had several songs that used the word static in the lyrics, probably most notably tomarrow tomarrow, but there are others.
"hard earned peace of mind" is possibly a reference to the song bled white, where elliott says "dont you dare disturb me, dont you complicate my peace of mind"
the part about "things were looking up, at least thats what i heard" is simply enough about elliott's drug addiction and depression. Prior to his death, it seemed to those around him and to fans that he had cleaned up a lot and was "in a better place" than previous years.
to me, the song almost seems like an apology at times. In the beginning he describes being at a show/preformence with smith and turning on his walkmen during smiths se.
the chorus seems to me almost like hes apologizing for it, like "it may not have been clear at the time.... but, i DO really appreciate and care about everything youve done, its gotten me through a lot." etc.
and even if it isnt an apology, it seems clear he has regrets about how he spent some of his time with elliott, as many people do after someone they love dies.
to me (naturally i have no way of knowing this for sure...) the song seems partly about bens regrets about how he handled his relationship with smith and party as a simple tribute.
either way, its a beautiful, timeless song. well done ben. rip elliott. the songs you wrote got me through a lot too.
Yes, I think, perhaps, he meant Elliott was playing on his walkman when he got back in the van to go to those other shows in those other dives a thousand miles away.
Yes, I think, perhaps, he meant Elliott was playing on his walkman when he got back in the van to go to those other shows in those other dives a thousand miles away.
being a huge fan of both ben folds and elliott smith, there were a several lines that seemed to be references to elliott songs.
"desperate static"... elliott had several songs that used the word static in the lyrics, probably most notably tomarrow tomarrow, but there are others.
"hard earned peace of mind" is possibly a reference to the song bled white, where elliott says "dont you dare disturb me, dont you complicate my peace of mind"
the part about "things were looking up, at least thats what i heard" is simply enough about elliott's drug addiction and depression. Prior to his death, it seemed to those around him and to fans that he had cleaned up a lot and was "in a better place" than previous years.
to me, the song almost seems like an apology at times. In the beginning he describes being at a show/preformence with smith and turning on his walkmen during smiths se.
the chorus seems to me almost like hes apologizing for it, like "it may not have been clear at the time.... but, i DO really appreciate and care about everything youve done, its gotten me through a lot." etc.
and even if it isnt an apology, it seems clear he has regrets about how he spent some of his time with elliott, as many people do after someone they love dies.
to me (naturally i have no way of knowing this for sure...) the song seems partly about bens regrets about how he handled his relationship with smith and party as a simple tribute.
either way, its a beautiful, timeless song. well done ben. rip elliott. the songs you wrote got me through a lot too.
Interesting take. I always imagined the first two pieces as one.
Interesting take. I always imagined the first two pieces as one.
I imagine this is Folds after he got the news. He finishes a show and eats alone, then he gets into his van and pops a live tape of Elliott.
I imagine this is Folds after he got the news. He finishes a show and eats alone, then he gets into his van and pops a live tape of Elliott.
Yes, I think, perhaps, he meant Elliott was playing on his walkman when he got back in the van to go to those other shows in those other dives a thousand miles away.
Yes, I think, perhaps, he meant Elliott was playing on his walkman when he got back in the van to go to those other shows in those other dives a thousand miles away.