rigorousintuition.ca

This is my 1st post ever (though I have replied to others a few times) so be easy on me please. <br><br>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.<br><br>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. <br><br>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:<br><br>If it's important to be open about yourself<br>Be careful or else<br>Be careful or else<br><br>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. <br><br>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. <p></p><i></i>

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? <p></p><i></i>

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.<br><br>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. <br><br>I just don't know. Purely speculation on my part.<br><br>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.<br><br>_____________________________________________<br><br>Memory Lane<br><br>this is the place<br>you’ll end up when you lose the chase<br>where you’re dragged against your will<br>from a basement on the hill<br>and all anybody knows is<br>you’re not like them<br>and they kick you in the head<br>and send you back to bed<br>isolation pulled you past a tunnel to a<br>bright world where you can make a place to stay<br>but everybody’s scared of this place<br>they’re staying away<br>your little house on memory lane<br><br>the mayor’s name is fear<br>his force patrols the pier<br>from a mountain of cliche<br>that advances everyday<br>the doctor spoke a cloud<br>he rained out loud<br>you’ll keep your doors and windows shut<br>and swear you’ll<br>never show a soul again<br>but isolation pushes you ‘til every muscle aches<br>down the only road it ever takes<br>but everybody’s scared of this place<br>they’re staying away<br>your little house on memory lane<br><br>if it’s your decision<br>to be open about yourself<br>be careful or else<br>be careful or else<br><br>uncomfortable apart<br>it’s all written on my chart<br>and i take what’s given to me<br>most cooperatively<br>i do what people say<br>and lie in bed all day<br>absolutely horrified<br>i hope you’re satisfied<br>isolation pushes past self hatred, guilt and shame<br>to a place where suffering is just a game<br>but everybodys scared of this place<br>they’re staying away<br>your little house on memory lane<br>your little house on memory lane <p></p><i></i>

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

I discovered Elliot Smith from hearing the beautiful instrumental piano rendition of his track 'Speed Trials' on the excellent <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Night_Tales:_Turin_Brakes" target="top">'Late Night Tales' compilation by Turin Brakes</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> (I can't recommend this album enough!)<br><br>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.<br><br>I like his stuff, although I haven't listened to any for a while....... <p></p><i></i>

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 <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/esmithaut1.html">Smoking Gun's Coroner documents</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--> and see what conclusion you come to, a drug addict's suicide or a murder?<br><br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://www.mtv.com/shared/media/news/images/s/Smith_Elliott/sq-bw-press-dreamworks.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--> <p></p><i></i>

Is there any chance of someone posting an audio link of E. Smith's work? <p></p><i></i>

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.<br><br>Thanks for the coroner link too. <p></p><i></i>

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

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:<br><br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.thedartmouth.com/article.php?aid=2005012105060">www.thedartmouth.com/arti...5012105060</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

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?). <p></p><i></i>

I know...I haven't researched it in depth, that was just something I pulled off google a minute ago. <br>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!"<br><br><br>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. <p></p><i></i>

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

ooooppps not mem lane, this is;<br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.archive.org/download/esmith2003-01-12/esmith2003-01-12t01_vbr.mp3">www.archive.org/download/...01_vbr.mp3</a><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--> <p></p><i></i>

That was nice of you, much appreciated. <p></p><i></i>