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Elliott Smith — Between The Bars
Album: Either/Or
Avg rating:
7.7

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1746









Released: 1997
Length: 2:18
Plays (last 30 days): 1
Drink up, baby, stay up all night
With the things you could do, you won't but you might
The potential you'll be that you'll never see
The promises you'll only make

Drink up with me now and forget all about
The pressure of days, do what I say
And I'll make you okay and drive them away
The images stuck in your head

People you've been before that you
Don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still

Drink up, baby, look at the stars
I'll kiss you again, between the bars
Where I'm seeing you there, with your hands in the air
Waiting to finally be caught

Drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
Keep you apart, deep in my heart
Separate from the rest, where I like you the best
And keep the things you forgot

People you've been before that you
Don't want around anymore
That push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still
Comments (147)add comment
Anyone else hear the Grapes of Wrath? 
That was an extra sweet, and unique, transition from SY "New Hampshire" to this. Bravo William!  And this tune is exceptional - a 10 in my book.
If it hasn't been posted previously, there is a wonderful documentary about Elliot called "Heaven Adores You". 
He died way to young and early. What a loss. And what a great song. A Ten between the bars!
When you listen to this, you can absolutely connect with the hopelessness and desperation that eventually drove Elliott to take his life. So sad. 
very nice, never heard before. thanx for playing
 GarageDragon wrote:

Biggest problem with this song is that it ends too soon.



The biggest problem with this song is that Elliott Smith ended too soon... 
Hearing this song makes me sad, knowing Elliott is gone. 
 Kaw wrote:
If you like this you might like Sparklehorse too.
 
RIP Elliott Smith and RIP Mark Linkous <3 <3 <3

Forever in my tattered heart
Biggest problem with this song is that it ends too soon.
If you like this you might like Sparklehorse too.
{#Hearteyes}
 dburges wrote:
Nailed it, Bill! Well, assuming it was intentional to play this immediately after Rocky Raccoon because the intros are so similar.

 
Yes, it's an Am7 chord opening in both tunes, strummed in a similar manner, though this song is at a different tempo.
Nailed it, Bill! Well, assuming it was intentional to play this immediately after Rocky Raccoon because the intros are so similar.
 JasondotG wrote:

Photoshop document?

 
Nope, pretty shitty ditty.
 jagdriver wrote:
PSD

 
Photoshop document?
Always reminds me of  Good Will Hunting,  great movie,  great song!!


Between the Bars


PSD
A main line to the soul...{#Shhh}
I wouldn't say I'm obsessed with Elliot Smith but this song finds its way into my soul.
Very nice song!
Another tragic loss. I think the angels steal the good ones early so they can play for them in heaven..Nick Drake is another one.{#Angel}
11.

Perfect.

Absolutely perfect.
Another of the great contributors to the score of my life.  RIP Elliot. 
Best song ever.
 mauflex wrote:
God, this song... makes me cry. Old memories,  an old love, gone with my heart.. i'll never forget you, my one and only real love of my life.
 
You Italians are way-way too emotional! Many more love's to come. Better ones. Bet...?
 leafmold wrote:
such a loss....
 
Yes, I was just thinking the same thing...
such a loss....
God, this song... makes me cry. Old memories,  an old love, gone with my heart.. i'll never forget you, my one and only real love of my life.
 Cynaera wrote:

 I knew SOMEONE would have posted the lyrics to this song.  Bumping it up because, well, because it's Elliott Smith.  Damn - I said it before, and I'll say it again:  Why do the good ones die young while the crappy ones seem to be eternal?
 
RIP Cynaera. You were one of the good ones, and you died too young. 
this is a beautifully sad song that makes me want to sit cross-legged, head drooped down in a dark room, smoking a cigarette, with the speaker turned up loud.
He was incredible
Happy birthday Elliott.  I miss you more than ever.
 Cynaera wrote:

Why do the good ones die young while the crappy ones seem to be eternal?
 
Wondered the same ever since I heard ES for the first time here, and several others, for that matter. They were just really good (he, especially) and knowing that this is "all she wrote" makes it all the more poignant, methinks. But really love ES.

 Bocephus wrote:
For anyone that has had a problem with the bottle this song is about as honest as it comes. Quite a poetic description of becoming an alcoholic. drink up, baby, stay up all night
the things you could do, you won't but you might
the potential you'll be, that you'll never see
the promises you'll only make drink up with me now and forget all about the pressure of days
do what I say and I'll make you okay and drive them away
the images stuck in your head people you've been before that you don't want around anymore
that push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still drink up, baby, look at the stars
I'll kiss you again between the bars where I'm seeing you
there with your hands in the air, waiting to finally be caught drink up one more time and I'll make you mine
keep you apart deep in my heart separate from the rest
where I like you the best and keep the things you forgot the people you've been before that you don't want around anymore
that push and shove and won't bend to your will
I'll keep them still

 
 I knew SOMEONE would have posted the lyrics to this song.  Bumping it up because, well, because it's Elliott Smith.  Damn - I said it before, and I'll say it again:  Why do the good ones die young while the crappy ones seem to be eternal?


I'd only ever heard the Peyroux cover. I like the original more.
I really like his work.  Sad his life was so short.
Have not heared ES since months! this tune... Very nice!
Short & SWEET. He made good use of the stereo effect. Lovely song. 9.
 Jamunca wrote:


I'm really hoping you didn't mean to make a pun there, but I do agree that his music is exquisite.
 
The comment kind of just came out; I thought "Maybe I should delete this?"

I mostly say what I mean...funny how things can be perceived as rudeness, sarcasm, innuendo or wit when you're just saying what you mean: sort of like that Peter Seller's movie "Being There."

 Giselle62 wrote:
It's kind of strange that Elliot died the way he did, his songs make me real sad and pierce my heart. I almost can't listen, but it's so exquisite.
 

I'm really hoping you didn't mean to make a pun there, but I do agree that his music is exquisite.

elliott by ~reganr
©2007-2010 ~reganr

smith


 heatherchickenlady wrote:
Elliot's music really is very pretty, and it is nice to hear it from time to time, but it is really very depressing, too. Could you maybe play him just a little bit less often?
 



Elliott Smith - "Between The Bars" Live-acoustic


"The way he uses his voice is amazing. Great timbre and this song is just classic. So beautiful and sad and yet so hopeful."

Another talent who's life was cut tragically short, like so many others in the music biz.
R.I.P. Elliot.
Elliot's music really is very pretty, and it is nice to hear it from time to time, but it is really very depressing, too. Could you maybe play him just a little bit less often?
This song makes me almost cry... wonderful
 azdcryan wrote:
Man, this dude breaks my heart every time...first couple chords of any song of his and it's like a tractor beam into a base sadness that exists deep inside of my being.  I used to be a sad person, and have since learned that life is a symphony; with point and counterpoint, ecstacy and grief, hopefulness and despairing, triumph and failure...all used in movements and proportions that bring our days and nights alive with color. 

In spite of all the blessings that my life today is filled with, the music of E.S. can without fail bring a lump in my throat, a weight in my chest, and an almost insatiable desire to weep...but not because it makes me sad - more because it makes me feel almost overwhelmed with joy.  He slays me.  His music, for me is that intensely beautiful. 

I feel that my life has been enriched by Elliot's sound; as well the sounds of others like Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, John Lennon, James Taylor, Tom Petty, Chris Robinson, and Billie Holiday to name a very very few.

Thanks RP, for providing a soundtrack to all of our lives. 
  Well said. Thank you.


 azdcryan wrote:
Man, this dude breaks my heart every time...first couple chords of any song of his and it's like a tractor beam into a base sadness that exists deep inside of my being.  I used to be a sad person, and have since learned that life is a symphony; with point and counterpoint, ecstacy and grief, hopefulness and despairing, triumph and failure...all used in movements and proportions that bring our days and nights alive with color. 

In spite of all the blessings that my life today is filled with, the music of E.S. can without fail bring a lump in my throat, a weight in my chest, and an almost insatiable desire to weep...but not because it makes me sad - more because it makes me feel almost overwhelmed with joy.  He slays me.  His music, for me is that intensely beautiful. 

I feel that my life has been enriched by Elliot's sound; as well the sounds of others like Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, John Lennon, James Taylor, Tom Petty, Chris Robinson, and Billie Holiday to name a very very few.

Thanks RP, for providing a soundtrack to all of our lives. 
 
Thank you Azdcryan

Man, this dude breaks my heart every time...first couple chords of any song of his and it's like a tractor beam into a base sadness that exists deep inside of my being.  I used to be a sad person, and have since learned that life is a symphony; with point and counterpoint, ecstacy and grief, hopefulness and despairing, triumph and failure...all used in movements and proportions that bring our days and nights alive with color. 

In spite of all the blessings that my life today is filled with, the music of E.S. can without fail bring a lump in my throat, a weight in my chest, and an almost insatiable desire to weep...but not because it makes me sad - more because it makes me feel almost overwhelmed with joy.  He slays me.  His music, for me is that intensely beautiful. 

I feel that my life has been enriched by Elliot's sound; as well the sounds of others like Brian Wilson, Nick Drake, John Lennon, James Taylor, Tom Petty, Chris Robinson, and Billie Holiday to name a very very few.

Thanks RP, for providing a soundtrack to all of our lives. 
It's kind of strange that Elliot died the way he did, his songs make me real sad and pierce my heart. I almost can't listen, but it's so exquisite.
Wow, if this hadn't played just now while I was listening (its been a while), and if I hadn't checked this song specifically, and seen a comment from a year ago that seemed kind of unusual - until I realized that I had written it - then I might never have remembered my RP username.  I'm not sure whether to call it a senior moment, a synchronicity, or just random witlessness.

Metric, Emily Haines  - "Between The Bars" Live Acoustic


"but maybe a few people will see this and look for the original and see something really, really good"

"I think she could've done better, I mean she's a talented woman after all. Still, it's hard to capture the sadness and the beauty of the original... you hear the very first notes of Elliott playing it and it inmediatly feels like your heart is breaking. Still, nice to see her remembering Elliott. We all miss him."



Genius.
la la la ...speak up baby, look at the stars...
Wow who just slammed on the breaks......Teddy Thompson to this......warn me next time,          audio whiplash.
It's all just Nick Drake re-visted.
 robco1 wrote:
Radio Paradise, please keep playing Elliott Smith's brilliantly-written songs with their lack of overproduction so prevalent in commercial music (especially that produced in NYC).

And trolls, please suck it.

 

Its not an original.
Radio Paradise, please keep playing Elliott Smith's brilliantly-written songs with their lack of overproduction so prevalent in commercial music (especially that produced in NYC).

And trolls, please suck it.

My 19 year old son and his friends like this artist..alot of it being played around my house these days..it is ok with me..


just love his sound
And after this: When I Was Drinking with Hem...
Yep, is that good!
Hey! I was just listening to this on the subway this morning. And it's still awesome.
ThePoose wrote:
Starts out like Rocky Raccoon.
Ha! I thought that too for a few seconds. Then fell asleep.">
alisams wrote:
Great song, but BILL are you recycling your PLAYLISTS? Back in March (as quoted below), the lineup was Radiohead, Calexico, and Elliot Smith... EXACTLY what you just did moments ago! This is a terrific song if I do say so m'self.
He did it again...
Reminds me of high school - in a good way - somehow
horstman wrote:
If that's your attempt at humour, it's pretty tasteless.
Well said. and for what it's worth it was a knife to the heart.
bigB_3 wrote:
Like a knife to the gut.
If that's your attempt at humour, it's pretty tasteless.
The jury is still out on this one.
meydele wrote:
More Elliott . . . he was the best at making suicidal depression sound so sweet. Miss him.
except he was frequently berating himself in the lyrics. He showed how sad and smothering it could be and was for him. Not sure if it was sweet...musically I would call it bittersweet at best. And this is coming from one who loves his music, its just I always knew what he was talking about. (and I didn't mean that in a superior way, sorry if it came off as such)
daisky wrote:
painfully beautiful.
Like a knife to the gut.
I love this.
Just as I was thinking the previous song, Calexico's "Sunken Waltz", reminded me of Elliott Smith, guess who comes on. Well done, Bill.
"...they of whom the world was not worthy..."
ThePoose wrote:
Starts out like Rocky Raccoon.
yeah... he does that. He loved the beatles.
Even better!!!!!!!
Starts out like Rocky Raccoon.
painfully beautiful.
This sounds real.
auburntigerrich wrote:
Does this one remind anyone of the soundtrack from Garden State?
YES, I just watched the movie last night. The doctor's office scene, she was listening to the Shins... Great movie!
More Elliott . . . he was the best at making suicidal depression sound so sweet. Miss him.
Great artist RIP
sutcliff wrote:
"Good Will Hunting" is an excellent soundtrack.
And movie... surpisingly
More Elliott! Everything this guy did was pure gold.
best song from his best album....9 at all
love. it. yay :)
Does this one remind anyone of the soundtrack from Garden State?
rah wrote:
you're fired.
BadMongo wrote:
However, the Madeleine Peyroux version is better. I give this one a 7.
you're fired.
holy shit, this song is actually decent when it's not sung as sickly-sweet annoying faux jazz
Thank you, Bill. This song is simply one of my all-time favorites...
awesome. best movie ever.
However, the Madeleine Peyroux version is better. I give this one a 7.
alisams wrote:
Great song, but BILL are you recycling your PLAYLISTS?
! Do you honestly think Bill's in studio 24/7? C'mon....
Great song, but BILL are you recycling your PLAYLISTS? Back in March (as quoted below), the lineup was Radiohead, Calexico, and Elliot Smith... EXACTLY what you just did moments ago! This is a terrific song if I do say so m'self.
Great seque from Calexico...nearly the same strumming pattern, same multiple-of-three time signature (I'm a sucker for those). Love this song. Still a strong 9 for me.
ndg wrote:
Why? R.I.P. Elliott
I agree...but, sometimes the demons get control...not fair...gentle souls have a harder time of it...
Why? R.I.P. Elliott
great stuff - haven't heard this is a while and it sounds better than i remember =10. RIP Elliot.
i could do without the michael jackson breathing, but otherwise nice.
GChevy410 wrote:
wow thats exactly what i just got...and after rem and spinning jennies i am relieved too
And it's exactly what I just got... There's some "stretch of music" recycling going on here...
"Good Will Hunting" is an excellent soundtrack.
Just Plain Gorgeous.
topherg87 wrote:
Yes! I was so hoping Elliott Smith would be next on the playlist. Radiohead, Calexico, and Elliot Smith...good lineup
wow thats exactly what i just got...and after rem and spinning jennies i am relieved too
Yes! I was so hoping Elliott Smith would be next on the playlist. Radiohead, Calexico, and Elliot Smith...good lineup
Another sad case of a wonderful artist who left this Earth WAY too early. We love you Elliott! 9/10
Mellow ... sorta sexy. Whodda thunk.
I like 'em both! Hey--put that gun down! cptbuz wrote:
hey....isn't this a Madeleine Peyroux song?? just kidding....
cptbuz wrote:
hey....isn't this a Madeleine Peyroux song?? just kidding....
Yeah, I'm playing this on my computer right now just to get her version out of my head. How I love thee, Elliott.
hey....isn't this a Madeleine Peyroux song?? just kidding....
brilliant
eh, 8.2?! It's a ho-hum tune..
TampaPurple wrote:
"People you've been before that you don't want around anymore...." Wow!
or ouch.
publiceric wrote:
The song, however, sounds listless and innocuous to me. :-k
For anyone that has had a problem with the bottle this song is about as honest as it comes. Quite a poetic description of becoming an alcoholic. drink up, baby, stay up all night the things you could do, you won't but you might the potential you'll be, that you'll never see the promises you'll only make drink up with me now and forget all about the pressure of days do what I say and I'll make you okay and drive them away the images stuck in your head people you've been before that you don't want around anymore that push and shove and won't bend to your will I'll keep them still drink up, baby, look at the stars I'll kiss you again between the bars where I'm seeing you there with your hands in the air, waiting to finally be caught drink up one more time and I'll make you mine keep you apart deep in my heart separate from the rest where I like you the best and keep the things you forgot the people you've been before that you don't want around anymore that push and shove and won't bend to your will I'll keep them still
tony620d wrote:
thank you for NOT playing the other version(s) of this song.
Yes! I'm so glad this is the original version.
thank you for NOT playing the other version(s) of this song.
"People you've been before that you don't want around anymore...." Wow!
My ears blinked and I missed this one.