Lost Gem: "Waltz #2 (XO)" - Elliott Smith (1998)


"I'm never gonna
know you now
but I'm gonna love you anyhow."
--> Elliott Smith <--

This under-appreciated Midwest Magi was wickedly skilled in the fine art of song construction.

Elliot Smith had a Brian Wilson ear for arrangements and a fearless John Lennon heart for exposing his wounds.

With a gentle voice, Smith delivered lyrics that were both precise and personal...and yet floated over melodies that were disarmingly catchy and achingly beautiful.

And we trust taking the journey into the darker places...because Elliott used words like...Rushlight candles.Elliott Smith was a tortured soul with a complex box of musical bandages...who tried, but just couldn't stop the bleeding. 

 Lost Gem:--> "Waltz #2 (XO)"...starts with a lone "boom-chick-chick-boom" drum beat that is quickly joined by a cheerless acoustic guitar. And as ear-worm beautiful, the melody...it is a heartbreaking song.

Not about his favorite girl marrying someone else. But about seeing his mother withdraw into a shell as a result of a bad second marriage to an abusive man.

Have you heard this gem?


First the mic, then a half cigarette
Singing Kathy's Clown.
That's the man she's married to now.
That's the girl that he takes around town.
She appears composed
So she is, I suppose
Who can really tell?
She shows no emotion at all.
Stares into space like a dead china doll.

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.

Now she's done, and they're calling someone
Such a familiar name.
I'm so glad that my memory's remote
'Cause I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note.
Here it is, the revenge to the tune.
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Can't you tell that it's well understood?

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.

I'm here today, expect it to stay on, and on, and on.
I'm tired, I'm tired.
Looking out on the substitute scene
Still going strong.
XO Mom.
It's OK, it's alright, nothing's wrong.
Tell Mr. Man with impossible plans
To just leave me alone.
In the place where I make no mistakes.
In the place where I have what it takes.

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.
I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.
I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.

Good stuff!

Casey Chambers
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