This is a song about someone who no longer believes the story the've been telling themselves. They've been facing one way but looking sideways for a long time. Now they are giving up on denial and putting the thing to their face.
Looking sideways also suggests some kind of middle ground. One might look sideways furtively out of the corner of their eye, but one might also look sideways in scrutiny, looking for an explanation, trying to understand, looking for a case to argue.
But the thing's in black and white. It's either/or.
This song has always reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" ("quoth the raven/nevermore."). Upon re-reading it now, I have noticed that the parallels actually run very deep. It's hard to think this was not intended by Elliott Smith.
This song has always reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" ("quoth the raven/nevermore."). Upon re-reading it now, I have noticed that the parallels actually run very deep. It's hard to think this was not intended by Elliott Smith.
Also, I meant to say in my comment that jate's comment about the song is spot on. He gives a more specific auto-biographical interpretation along the same lines as mine, if that's what you're into.
Also, I meant to say in my comment that jate's comment about the song is spot on. He gives a more specific auto-biographical interpretation along the same lines as mine, if that's what you're into.
This is a song about someone who no longer believes the story the've been telling themselves. They've been facing one way but looking sideways for a long time. Now they are giving up on denial and putting the thing to their face.
Looking sideways also suggests some kind of middle ground. One might look sideways furtively out of the corner of their eye, but one might also look sideways in scrutiny, looking for an explanation, trying to understand, looking for a case to argue.
But the thing's in black and white. It's either/or.
This song has always reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" ("quoth the raven/nevermore."). Upon re-reading it now, I have noticed that the parallels actually run very deep. It's hard to think this was not intended by Elliott Smith.
This song has always reminded me of Edgar Allen Poe's "The Raven" ("quoth the raven/nevermore."). Upon re-reading it now, I have noticed that the parallels actually run very deep. It's hard to think this was not intended by Elliott Smith.
Also, I meant to say in my comment that jate's comment about the song is spot on. He gives a more specific auto-biographical interpretation along the same lines as mine, if that's what you're into.
Also, I meant to say in my comment that jate's comment about the song is spot on. He gives a more specific auto-biographical interpretation along the same lines as mine, if that's what you're into.