Elliott Smith's "Memory Lane"

by **TroubleFunk** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 9:56 pm

This is my 1st post ever (though I have replied to others a few times) so be easy on me please. I just want to know: would anyone agree with me that the song "Memory Lane" is not just about isolation (that much is clear), but clearly about some kind of mind control? What was he going through? It really hurts me to imagine. I know I'm years late asking. But it keeps nagging, nagging at me. The lyrics are embedded deep in my head at this point, and trouble me often. It bothers me greatly that this connection hasn't been brought up anywhere I can find. Am I the only one? It sounds so obvious to me (the entire song), but especially: If it's important to be open about yourself Be careful or else Be careful or else I will post the entirety of the lyrics upon request, but I'm looking primarily for those who know it and have thought about it. You kind of have to hear it. Sorry to bug anyone unconcerned. This is the best place I could possibly ask the question, it seems to me. If he's been discussed on RI, please point me there, as well.

by **mother** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:05 pm

Hey, TroubleFunk! I had to look up Elliot Smith because by the time he came on the scene I was out of the art world and pretty much engulfed by babies. So go ahead and post the lyrics and your insights about his work. I say, bring on the ideas of artists to these discussions! Our outlooks have their place in the mix here; what is an artist if not intuitive? And what do you think Elliot was trying to tell the world?

by **TroubleFunk** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:25 pm

Thanks for writing back, mother. I'm not at all sure he was trying to tell the world anything - actually, it seems like he's trying to explain himself & the way he is (was). But some lines stand out to me - "a place where suffering is just a game", especially. Some of it is clearly done for rhymes' sake. But some of it's not. And knowing a little of his pained life, he may have been warning us about what (medical science?) to avoid. Also, given the questionable nature of his death, and I hate to think this: maybe writing it did something to him. Or maybe someone didn't want him to tell us any more. I just don't know. Purely speculation on my part. It scrapes at something in me in a way not many things do. I wish I could post the recording as well. I love this song like no other. _____________________________________________ Memory Lane this is the place you’ll end up when you lose the chase where you’re dragged against your will from a basement on the hill and all anybody knows is you’re not like them and they kick you in the head and send you back to bed isolation pulled you past a tunnel to a bright world where you can make a place to stay but everybody’s scared of this place they’re staying away your little house on memory lane the mayor’s name is fear his force patrols the pier from a mountain of cliche that advances everyday the doctor spoke a cloud he rained out loud you’ll keep your doors and windows shut and swear you’ll never show a soul again but isolation pushes you ‘til every muscle aches down the only road it ever takes but everybody’s scared of this place they’re staying away your little house on memory lane if it’s your decision to be open about yourself be careful or else be careful or else uncomfortable apart it’s all written on my chart and i take what’s given to me most cooperatively i do what people say and lie in bed all day absolutely horrified i hope you’re satisfied isolation pushes past self hatred, guilt and shame to a place where suffering is just a game but everybodys scared of this place they’re staying away your little house on memory lane your little house on memory lane

by **TroubleFunk** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 11:32 pm

....and it AGONIZES me to know that he died BEFORE this song was released. The album (From A Basement On A Hill) was assembled posthumously. <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4109711">www.npr.org/templates/sto...Id=4109711</a>

by **Byrne** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 12:02 pm

I discovered Elliot Smith from hearing the beautiful instrumental piano rendition of his track 'Speed Trials' on the excellent <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_Tales:_Turin_Brakes" target="top">'Late Night Tales' compilation by Turin Brakes</a> (I can't recommend this album enough!) I remember checking out info on Elliot Smith & it appears he was a sensitive guy who wrote lyrics that refrenced drug addiction, depression, and betrayal. I also read that he used smack. I like his stuff, although I haven't listened to any for a while.......

by **FranklinCase Admin** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:23 pm

Smith was a great artist; I was greatly saddened to see him leave us. His death was surrounded by unusual circumstances, parallel to a Danny Casolaro or Gary Webb death. Read the <a href="http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/esmithaut1.html">Smoking Gun's Coroner documents</a> and see what conclusion you come to, a drug addict's suicide or a murder? <img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news/images/s/Smith_Elliott/sq-bw-press-dreamworks.jpg" style="border:0;"/>

by **mother** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 4:45 pm

Is there any chance of someone posting an audio link of E. Smith's work?

by **TroubleFunk** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:29 pm

I don't have access to anywhere hosting his music. I suggest buying the XO and Basement on a Hill CDs used, though... you won't be sorry. Thanks for the coroner link too.

by **Lizzy Dearborn** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 4:37 pm

I thought he set up a charity foundation for abused kids, and talked of being from an abusive past...nothing too specfic that I can remember though. Either/Or is on my top 10 favorite records of all time.<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D">

by **Ted the dog** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:11 pm

I don't personally know much about Ellitot Smith, but I do know who he is and what his music sounded like. What peaked my curiosity recently was when I learned about the connections between him and Ken Anger. I'm still not quite sure what the connections are...maybe they were just friends and nothing more: <a href="http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2005012105060">www.thedartmouth.com/arti...5012105060</a>

by **TroubleFunk** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:01 pm

You sure won't find out what the connections were by reading that story! I sure would like to know more. The article seems to talk about everything EXCEPT what was on that tape, and is far, far too short (bad editing?).

by **Ted the dog** » Mon Apr 03, 2006 6:14 pm

I know...I haven't researched it in depth, that was just something I pulled off google a minute ago. What I felt was strange about that article was that it served very little purpose other than to alert young hipsters to the idea that "You should know about Kenneth Anger!" There's a mural in Silverlake that I THINK might have been painted by Anger? it's black red and white and it's made up of spiral-type formations. I'm still not clear on what the deal is with it, but I seem to remember someone saying that it was a tribute to smith? not sure though.

by **lurkr665** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 7:56 am

rtsp://real.tunes.co.uk/real/tunes/b/ba ... _free10.rm mem lane<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat"> by way of singingfish.com which brought up say,90 examples of ES's work <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/smile.gif ALT=":)"> <a href="http://tv.eonline.com/shared/Eonline/Features/Features/FallMusicGuide04/elliottsmith_twilight.ram">tv.eonline.com/shared/Eon...ilight.ram</a> delta2 .rm to record...

by **lurkr665** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:06 am

ooooppps not mem lane, this is; <a href="http://www.archive.org/download/esmith2003-01-12/esmith2003-01-12t01_vbr.mp3">www.archive.org/download/...01_vbr.mp3</a>

by **TroubleFunk** » Tue Apr 04, 2006 8:41 am

That was nice of you, much appreciated.

Elliott Smith's "Memory Lane"

Elliott Smith's "Memory Lane"

Elliot Smith's "Memory Lane"

thanks (possible trigger warning)

Oh, and it

Re: Oh, and it

Another Curious Death

Another Curious Death

sorry, but..

Re: sorry, but..

...

wow,

...

Re: Elliott Smith's "Memory Lane"

Re: Elliott Smith's "Memory Lane"

Thanks lurkr665. mother, lookee!

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