In a 2001 interview, he stated, "I don't necessarily buy into any officially structured version of spirituality. Smith felt that going to church did little for him, except make him "really scared of Hell". The family was a part of the Community of Christ through much of Smith's childhood, but eventually began attending services at a local Methodist Church. He reflected the impact of this part of his life in the lyrics of "Some Song": "Charlie beat you up week after week, and when you grow up you're going to be a freak." The name "Charlie" also appeared in the lyrics for "Flowers for Charlie" and "No Confidence Man". Later in life, Smith would come to terms with the possibility that he had been sexually abused by Welch at a young age. Smith endured a difficult childhood and a troubled relationship with his stepfather Charlie Welch. But I won't forget about it, although I'm tempted to because I don't like it there." Much later in his life, Smith got a tattoo of a map of Texas on his upper arm and said, "I didn't get it because I like Texas, kind of the opposite. His parents divorced when he was six months old, and Smith moved with his mother to Duncanville, Texas. Steven Paul Smith was born at the Clarkson Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, the only child to Gary Smith, a student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, and Bunny Kay Berryman, an elementary school music teacher. 2.7 2003: Reemergence and From a Basement on the Hill.2.6 2001–2002: Addiction and scrapped recordings.3.7 2003: Reemergence and From a Basement on the Hill.3.6 2001–2002: Addiction and scrapped recordings.At the time of his death, Smith was working on his sixth studio album, From a Basement on the Hill, which was posthumously completed and released. The autopsy evidence was inconclusive as to whether the wounds were self-inflicted. At age 34, he died in Los Angeles, California, from two stab wounds to the chest. Smith suffered from depression, alcoholism and drug dependence, and these topics often appear in his lyrics. Smith rose to mainstream prominence when his song " Miss Misery"-included in the soundtrack for the film Good Will Hunting-was nominated for an Oscar in the Best Original Song category in 1998. In 1997, he signed a contract with DreamWorks Records, the label for which he recorded two albums. Smith had a distinctive vocal style, characterized by his "whispery, spiderweb-thin delivery", and used multi-tracking to create vocal layers, textures and harmonies.Īfter playing in the rock band Heatmiser for several years, Smith began his solo career in 1994, with releases on the independent record labels Cavity Search and Kill Rock Stars (KRS). Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, but he was also proficient with piano, clarinet, bass guitar, drums and harmonica. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, the area in which he first gained popularity. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.Steven Paul " Elliott" Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Happiness (single version) – from Figure 8Īny other Smith songs you would have liked to see on here? Let us know in the comments.Īdvertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Miss Misery (early version) – from New Moonġ4. Twilight – from From a Basement on the Hillġ1.Pretty (Ugly Before) – from From a Basement on the Hillġ3. Needle In The Hay – from Elliott Smithġ0. “Between The Bars” – Elliott Smith, Either/Orħ.
#Elliott smith either or free download download
This album seems to be an educational tool or an artifact.įill tracklisting and a free download of “Between The Bars” after the jump. It's like that one mix you got from that girl or guy you liked, which then acted as a musical guidepost during that era when you were discovering why good music matters. It feels cheap to call this a greatest hits album, so instead, let's call it a mixtape. Kill Rock Stars recently reissued Roman Candle and From a Basement on the Hill this year, putting all but Smith's major label releases under their their watch. It borrows heavily Smith's Domino/Kill Rock Star's releases, mostly Either/Or, and only includes two songs (you can guess which ones) from his Dreamworks releases. The album is essentially a beginner's guide to Smith, offering up on CD and 180 gram vinyl what could be considered singles from across Smith's career. Don't call it a “greatest hits.” On November 2nd, Kill Rock Stars and Domino Records will release a compendium of 14 Elliott Smith songs from across his seven albums all on one release entitled “An Introduction to… Elliot Smith”