Elliott Smith - Baby Britain

Music video by Elliott Smith performing Baby Britain. (C) 1998 Geffen Records

[@spiralstairs]

Once in a while, I forget how much Elliott Smith meant to me. When I'm reminded of videos like this, I remember *exactly* why.

[@CharlieSpencers]

God, this is such a well-written song.

[@notbennyboi730]

My father used to sing this song to me when I was very young and now I’ve finally found it

[@sithspitdanikan4725]

Aw, i love when that happens

[@wubbalubbadubx2]

Pretty dark song to sing to a child but I can see how the melody would stay with you forever.

[@SubtitlesXO]

​@@wubbalubbadubx2Could you please explain to me the" drag me down to a death.." part? .. English is not my native language..though I understand every word, I don't get the meaning.. Cheating like when you cheat on someone or when you cheat on a game?.. In Spanish those are different things..If you could use synonyms would help a lot..thanks!!

[@wubbalubbadubx2]

A lot of people ruminate over the meaning. It's a clever turn of phrase. Cheating death means just surviving a situation in which you should have died. A death not worth cheat might mean one that is pathetic and unavoidable anyway, as a heroin addicts' might be. But in saying "nothing's going to drag me down to a death not worth cheating" sounds like he's got some hope and determination to not reach that point. @@SubtitlesXO

[@SubtitlesXO]

@@wubbalubbadubx2 Thank you so much!! .. I thought it would be something like that. I've read that some people interpret the "Revolver" thing as playing Russian roulette instead of the album... so I have to choose wisely which word to use in Spanish😅

[@incessantmurkysmuggler]

I know Elliott was a huge Beatles fan and in my opinion this is the closest he ever got to sounding like them. And this is a hell of a good job

[@RyanWSi]

Chris Higgins Especially The Beatles in 66 Revolver era

[@BrianVanClough]

I can hear "it's getting better" in the guitar part

[@CrazyTrained]

@@BrianVanClough not to mention the 'Good Day Sunshine' piano flourishes in the 2nd and 3rd verses

[@davesvens8697]

I think he's better than the beatles

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

Also very Beatlesque on the brilliant “Bled White.”

[@hazelhumor]

Everytime that I try to get someone into Elliott, they always say that his music is sad or even depressing. Fuck, that people don't even know how happy this music makes us the fans feel. After a tough day, I can listen to his music and relate my problems to his, and feel that I'm not alone on this cruel nonsense world where the most sensitive ones get pissed off constantly. The relief I feel with his tunes is almost insane. Like experiencing the nirvana.

[@heyyou3609]

I find his music that way because he killed himself

[@XenomorphLV426]

Exactly. my gf and sister don't like him for those reasons.

[@XenomorphLV426]

I could have wrote your post.

[@hazelhumor]

Kevin Thomas Really nice point. I absolutely agree. Anyway, my original point was that his music isn't sad, or what people understand by sad, at all. I feel it exactly the way you describe. It's more like nihilistic music. And Nihilism drives you to kill all of the predominant values in society and develope your own ones, which makes you end up finding out who you really are and basically giving a fuck about what you're supposed to do and about everything, as you claimed. Elliott's music talk about deep stuff, and it's always more complex than something that it's just sad. He talks about his own perception of himself, about the world he's surrounded by, also about things he doesn't like, and pretty much about other hard feelings. I sincerely think that it's reductionist to claim that Elliott's music is just sad, or "bad", or depressing. Yeah, it is sad sometimes, but also happy, haunting, melancoholic, angry, quiet, melodic, smart, poetic ad lots of other positive and beautiful adjectives. Also, most of that people who consider it to be just sad, don't go much further than the sound of his music itself. The fact that it's quiet music talking about complex feelings that some people like you and me can feel, make people think that it's oce again just "sad". Also, romanticizing with such hard disorders as alcoholism or depression is so wrong. I wouldn't say that us fans romanticize with that. We just feel indentificated to his suffering. Anyone who thinks that this diabolical stuff is cool is just a stupid person. I can agree if you say that a huge amount of people who listen to Elliott Smith have been into similar troubles than him, and adopted a nihilistic point of view in life. And that's just why we connect with him so deeply. We can relate to his problems and concerns about life. Only him and Kurt Cobain are the two artists that I ever connected with this deeply. You know you're into similar troubles than them, so you just find their music to express what you can not tell with words.

[@hazelhumor]

Kevin Thomas Absolutely agree. That's the point of nihilism. Indeed, nihilism's got two faces. I sincerely recommend you to read Nietzsche, if you haven't yet. He talks exactly about that, about that Nihilism got two forms, a passive one (depression) and an active one (liberation). Anyway, yeah, I get your point on romantizicing with his suffering. Some artists have a special unique soul. They're too sensitive to live in such a cold and cruel world, so they always end up suffering too much and doing drugs or taking the easy way out. They sadly seem not to be made to live so long on this place...

[@AmberSupernova2]

Im 17.. and Elliott is my inspiration.. miss you Elliott.. Im never gonna know you now, but Im gonna love you enyhow.

[@Charles5431]

and now we are 25

[@harshitnayan]

And I'm 17 now, circle of life continues......

[@wyattzon7249]

Logical Insaan I’m 16!

[@rifqiandmarychain]

And im 14

[@NB-hh7ph]

I'm 17 now and hes my inspiration to write music

[@tiffanybuie2263]

Finally feel satisfied with the way i play this on guitar. Took me a long time to "nail it". Hes an amazing guitarist and basically every instrument he plays. He was an earth angel too good for this world. He saved me on numerous occasions. He gives voice to the feelings you cant explain and makes you feel better or at least better about not feeling okay.

[@sebastiangadd4250]

No matter if its sad, happy or depressing; it's genuine, it makes a difference. RIP beathiful Elliott.

[@aplaceforthelonely]

I remember when I first listened to elliott back in college. I first found him on my washing machine. It was broken

[@johnjacobin969]

I like how he picks up the chorus with the last word of the verse - "you get unspoken for/ someone half as smart. . ." and "a death that's not worth cheating/ for someone half as smart . . ." You can tell he really cared about his music and writing he wasn't just half-assing it to sell records.

[@atomicman2307]

The melodies he came up with were so smart

[@nick-wy7fg]

yes! ofc he was an amazing songwriter, but he was just as amazing as a producer and player, his melodys and chords were all so good

[@moonbeanification]

writing, singing, playing multi instruments ... Elliott was a one man band .. such a great talent :)

[@clovrmay3104]

Like top 3 best.

[@blissed96]

An inspiration for sure love the dude

[@muscovy5000]

he looks so happy in this video. one of my favorites of all time.

[@frankc32]

so true. his happiness in this vid betrays his depression. complicated, talented dude; gone way too soon. Cheers!

[@detwins77]

Depression has no face, as they say

[@knuckle12356]

2:49 the drop in the veneer. In that moment where the smile wobbles and it looks like it's taking everything hes got not to break. I know this. I live this. Barely hanging on. Personally I don't even bother with the veneer anymore. So bad, so far.

[@johnnyrenodopetv9169]

Me too

[@clairegougeon5186]

London bridge is safe and sound, no matter what you keep repeating. (London bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down...) OMG I can't believe that I just got this lyric, after listening to this song so many times in the past 20 years! And then he follows it up with this incredibly profound "death that's not worth cheating" concept. Multi-instrumentalist, musician, artist, singer... but let's not forget: poet.

[@beebee3871]

He's so happy and cute in this video .. wish I could give him a hug.

[@thainaferreirag]

How I wish he could be still here.

[@benphone7430]

Thainá Guerra he is though, he just got real good at hiding

[@Dani92670]

@@benphone7430 Lol, you think so? Another faked death disappearing act like so many of them do, like Prince, Michael Jackson, Chris Cornell, David Bowie, mmmm, not sure about Cobain and don't really care. Would be lovely to know he was still out there somewhere - the world would feel less evil.

[@knuckle12356]

I feel the same way, but at the same time, he would have recently celebrated his 50th birthday, and I can't picture him 50 years old. Just doesnt feel right somehow.

[@radioactive_p1ssy.boy.]

@@benphone7430 OK ELLIOTT YOU WON THIS GAME OF HIDE N SEEK

[@sonsofleroymusic3810]

Think of all the music! 😢

[@capellidipaja]

This was his way of saying "It's getting better all the tiime"

[@Missjunebugfreak]

Damn, I never thought of that reference. You can hear the Beatles influence in this song. It's beautiful.

[@kaiookalanikanuha2613]

Correct 😉

[@GabrielCsaba]

Classic Elliott: makes it sound easy, super hard to play.

[@hotrodkimball]

I just noticed the "If it ain't country it ain't music shirt" and it made me laugh out loud and feel so happy because how funny it is that he would wear that shirt. I love Elliott.

[@tvadan2586]

Can't believe it's been 20 years since this album dropped.

[@stevedemon1981]

Now it's 20 years since Elliott left this plane of existence

[@florencialirosi9822]

He was a genius........one of the most underrated songwriter ever.......

[@jamesheath7601]

💯

[@KimCheongBRO]

2nd most underrated. Townes Van Zandt is the most underrated.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

I love how jolly and buoyant this track sounds contrasted by the sad lyrics. Elliott was an incredible songwriter.

[@mellowtonen]

Man when the drums kick in and the 2nd guitars come in it's great ingenious pop brilliance. ROBOT HAND...no wonder he was so damn great.

[@edpoe1108]

mellowtonen Robot hand is the future man!

[@jonathanboetto8849]

Can't believe I'm just now discovering that Mr. Smith recorded a music video for this masterpiece.... ... in any case, thank you, Elliott. The term "essential" does even begin to describe your body of work... maybe something more along the lines of "transcendentally necessary"...? I dunno... gotta listen to this song again...

[@scouseofhorror104]

I'm 55 and managed to get through depression, insecurity, family deaths, illness, 12 year relationship breakdowns, financial loss and jaw disintegration by listening to dance music and keeping positive. The Rick & Morty reference brought me here.

[@cognitive-botanical-therapy]

It’s the fall of 2003 and I’m 16 years old. My best friend Elena and I stood outside the belly up tavern in San Diego for hours hoping we could catch a glimpse of him before his show that night (maybe we were hoping to catch him walking in during soundcheck). It was a 21+ show. We didn’t get to see him that day. I heard that he’d show up late a lot near the end and we couldn’t wait until 9 or 10 at night. We didn’t get to see him then he died, so we went to silverlake and the figure 8 wall. There were all these signs and flowers and gifts there right after he died. We worked at the che cafe at UCSD and he’s played there in the 90s, so at least we had some little bits of connection. He was our sad traumatized hero, I guess. ❤

[@GDMavis]

why sad?

[@babyduck9217]

Anyone notice the robot setting fire to the napkin with Miss Misery on it? He was probably so tired of that song, ahah.

[@rdslsmusic]

Love the "Getting Better" sounds similarities, Beatles and Elliott forever

[@bedale98]

Nothing resinates with me more than, "fights problems, with bigger problems"

[@the_nondrive_side]

Fights problems with bigger problems

[@megananne528]

Best lyric

[@Ervinabrahamian]

My life story

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

About someone who doesn’t see the good in life or herself: “counts the waves that somehow didn’t hit her” & doesn’t want to get hurt again by others...”you’ve got a look in your eyes when you’re saying good bye like you want to see hi” & obviously only thinks the creme de la creme’s opinion matters: “For someone half as smart...you’d be a work of art.” At least that’s how I see it. Other interpretations are certainly welcome.

[@kevinthomas4180]

@@shimmeringfairydust3275 Good interpretation, I just see it as a reference to self medicating with drugs and alcohol because of depression, anxiety etc..

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

Kevin Thomas oh, I’m overinterpreting, probably. He could very well be singing about himself or drugs/alcohol. Magnificent tune.

[@Kiwi.maddog]

Elliott is the cutest

[@iantorre9424]

And cleverist

[@willa5551]

+Ian Torre most clever* ftfy

[@LemonSte]

Will A cleverest* it was just a typo

[@lou808dude2]

Chesie 3636 "was unfortunately "

[@detectivewiggles]

I can't believe i've now lived longer than Elliott did. Too soon. Rest in peace

[@jhans9837]

His music resonates with my soul when I'm not feeling good. Like alone, i don't feel like i was meant to be alone.

[@nonluciddragon4937]

This guy was such a fucking genius...

[@dannyt1029]

I hope there's an afterlife for this man. We'll meet one day I hope

[@alandavidlima]

Maybe you already have 🙂

[@jamiejudd7146]

You absolutely will. ♡ The astral world is a big place but he'll wait for us.

[@BrianPremo]

I love seeing him and Joana together in this video.

[@TerrainVideos]

Portland seems like such a nice city

[@markofthenorth9512]

It used to be before it got over run with hipsters from LA and NYC. Now its just Poser City USA. And the cost of living is out of control.

[@lazorrotproductions8580]

it is a nice city

[@sarahlouise6507]

Its always been trash i was born there there's a lot of homicides and homeless even more so now sadly

[@notyoursavior78]

Elliott Smith is/was/forever a treasure. I'm glad I got into him in the mid 2000s ish.

[@veganvocalist4782]

This soul creates insanely beautiful poignant music 💛💛💛

[@aylward48]

Miss you Elliot, you music always helps me to face this world. Rip

[@cometome255]

He makes me smile.

[@rebecam.8397]

He's so freaking good.

[@roobaduh]

Robot hand is the future

[@d0xx525]

Human hand was the past

[@MrBothandNether]

both, and neither

[@knuckle12356]

Buy it now!!

[@nicolek60]

It's so sweet how he cracks half a smile towards the end. I'm always amazed by his musical capabilities and how they differ from the way that he must have felt towards the end of his life. Despite this, I love how he has somewhat of a cult following now (or maybe back then, too, idk), because to me it's almost like a way of validating and paying him the respect he was due then and now as a musician and person. Very mesmerizing and honest artist...Love you, Elliot, thanks for the great songs :-)

[@Mannnnnnnn]

R u dead

[@andydushane8565]

So many beatles vibes from this guy, he was so amazing

[@benjaminbarahona6947]

first comment omg Baby Britain feels the best Floating over a sea of vodka Separated from the rest Fights problems with bigger problems Sees the ocean fall and rise Counts the waves that somehow didn't hit her Water pouring from her eyes Alcoholic and very bitter For someone half as smart You'd be a work of art You put yourself apart And I can't help until you start We knocked another couple back The dead soldiers lined up on the table Still prepared for an attack They didn't know they'd been disabled Felt a wave a rush of blood You won't be happy 'til the bottle's broken And you're out swimming in the flood You kept back you kept unspoken For someone half as smart You'd be a work of art You put yourself apart And I can't help until you start You got a look in your eye When you're saying goodbye Like you want to say hi The light was on but it was dim Revolver's been turned over And now it's ready once again The radio was playing "crimson and clover" London bridge is safe and sound No matter what you keep repeating Nothing's gonna drag me down To a death that's not worth cheating For someone half as smart You'd be a work of art You put yourself apart And I can't help until you start For someone half as smart You'd be a work of art You put yourself apart And I can't help until you start. --------------------------------------------------- you're welcome.

[@bego.245]

Elliott!🎈XO 💙

[@loganross1861]

I feel like he was starting to perk up in so many ways before he died and it really hurt losing this one

[@crashdoll2688]

Damn....I just realized how underrated Elliott Smith is.

[@seanmatthewking]

Crash Doll Well he’s an idol among fans, and ignored by everyone else.

[@miimusic8753]

この曲はとてもビートルズっぽいですよね。 マルチプレイヤーなところがポールを連想させます。 最後らへんのエリオットの笑顔が素敵でした^ ^

[@arcanacandy]

I come back to this song every few years when things feel tough and Im so grateful for what he gave us. I just wish he'd had more time.

[@stevedemon1981]

I love what he said to Larry Crane about doing the interviews and the tours and everything else as long as I can write and record music and he hated doing interviews so much!

[@hughjackwoman]

r.i.p elliott. 15 years without you...

[@hos4800]

Such a treat to see him sing and play live, he had a really passionate relationship with his music,

[@shhmellshlikeasshhhh]

So weird to watch videos of Elliott alive, and know that he's dead. Listening to a dead man's voice, and let me tell you it's the best voice I've heard.

[@nunyabuissness8058]

This song reminds me of mornings

[@teriveee]

Heard this on the radio last summer and have been hooked on his music ever since ✌

[@benphone7430]

One of those songs you can't skip, Ricky Gervais is a huge Elliott fan and it's easy to see why, r.i.p

[@makotroid108]

I stole this album from the girl i left behind as i went to college. Listened to it everyday, and took me a year to realize how deeply in love w her i was. Thanks Elliott.

[@jainsworr]

I love seeing him happy.

[@ABLEICHK]

Fresh, lovely voice range, creative talent, we need more of that stuff!

[@RicksRemakes]

This is as good as it gets! I totally get the type of girl he is talking about! Uk guy here and he is spot on! What an amazing man he was! X

[@megs8752]

I can watch this video all day long. And I'm not even lying.

[@KhalDrogo76]

You gotta look in your eye when you're saying goodbye like you wanna say "hi"...

[@frankc32]

total contradiction! sweet get! this is the shit for which I live! Cheers!

[@gwb3768]

This video is perfection.

[@emilcohen3998]

what a man. such an under rated songwriter and singer. long live the music of Elliott Smith.

[@Nick-xo5mm]

Masterpiece

[@jayorazi9784]

Miss Elliott so much. Saw him daily in NYC way back. He knew this world suxxxx

[@jamesheath7601]

He played 🎸 🎹 🥁

[@lizzettegarcia6636]

I miss him

[@darienu8409]

Lovelace me too..

[@jakeshaw6827]

Same here...

[@toygun2596]

me too...

[@kaiookalanikanuha2613]

Love how the lyrics are so dark n fucked up but the beat has that bright, upbeat Brit Pop sound 😂 Elliott was a true American hero and poet 🫶🏼

[@benjmiester]

'98 and I'm just now hearing this?! Damn. Well, better way late than never!

[@agneebags]

miss u elliott

[@CuzDud]

[Em7]baby britain feels the [Am7]best [G]floating over a [C]sea of vodka [Em7]separated from the [Am7]rest [G]fights problems with [C]bigger problems [Em7]sees the ocean fall and [Am7]rise [G]counts the waves that somehow [C]didn't hit her [Em7]water pouring from her [Am7]eyes [G]alcoholic and [C]very bitter For [Em]some[Em/F#]one [Em/G]half [Em/A]as [C]smart, you'd [Em]be [Em/F#]a [Em/G]work [Em/A]of [C]art, you [Em]put [Em/F#]your[Em/G]self [Em/A] a[C]part [Am]and I can't help until [C]you start [Em7]we knocked another couple [Am7]back [G]the dead soliders lined [C]up on the table [Em7]still prepared for an [Am7]attack [G]they didn't know they'd been [C]disabled [Em7]felt a wave a rush of [Am7]blood [G]you won't be happy til [C]the bottle's broken [Em7]you're out swimming in the [Am7]flood [G]you kept back kept [C]unspoken For [Em]some[Em/F#]one [Em/G]half [Em/A]as [C]smart, you'd [Em]be [Em/F#]a [Em/G]work [Em/A]of [C]art, you [Em]put [Em/F#]your[Em/G]self [Em/A] a[C]part [Am]and I can't you help until [C]you start [C]you got a look in your [A/C#]eye when you're saying good[D]bye like you wanna say [B/D#]hi Instrumental: [Em Em/F# Em/G Em/A C (3X) Am C [Em7]the light was on but it was [Am]dim [G]revolver's been [C]turned over [Em7]and now it's ready once a[Am7]gain [G]the radio was playing [C]crimson and clover [Em7]london bridge is safe and [Am7]sound [G]no matter what you keep [C]repeating [Em7]nothing's gonna drag me [Am7]down [G]to a death that's [C]not worth cheating For [Em]some[Em/F#]one [Em/G]half [Em/A]as [C]smart, you'd [Em]be [Em/F#]a [Em/G]work [Em/A]of [C]art, you [Em]put [Em/F#]your[Em/G]self [Em/A] a[C]part [Am]and I can't help until [C]you start-- x2

[@minhee3784]

love it

[@misery3681]

Neil Gust at 01:37 love that guy

[@dragonquestfan2002]

Robot hand is the future 😈

[@fedsonflames9022]

such a beautiful soul

[@claudiomargheri2087]

Someone please loop this. It really is a perfect song if anything of that sort even exist to make sense

[@gabrielygodez2537]

Amazing

[@MrJcenter7]

Man I was so depressed my sophomore year of college. Had the album, XO, this song is from on repeat. Played it over and over again. Never heard anything so slick in pop. I'm glad Elliott found a good studio with all the tools and a good producer. it sounds so much better than his earlier records. I just feel dull and numb these days not as sickly sweet and deep and dire in depression. Or am I. Maybe I just traded a bunch of the should and have tos like I have to brighten up for my dreams

[@EMEReynolds]

Known about this song for about 5 years, so glad I looked it up today.

[@DRKCLDSHNJI]

Love this version and the Bayside cover!

[@thanisftavarestavares7704]

Até hoje não acredito que existiu Elliott !

[@tommacmahon6522]

Thanisftavares Tavares agora que ele se foi, ele parece um sonho distante...

[@HendersonHinchfinch]

Crimson and Cloverrrrrrr

[@user-by1cu1ih6v]

Named my only son Brittan as way to pay homage to elliott. Favorite of all time!!!!

[@davidbeverly6411]

It's getting better all the time...

[@fart66677]

"London Bridge is safe and sound. No matter what you keep repeating." WOW.

[@DodgerFan1988]

Can't believe it's been 10 years.

[@galacticspacebear9589]

I can't believe it's been 15

[@Topspin89]

​@@galacticspacebear9589 I can't believe it's been 20. ☹️

[@Teen_Drama]

I hear a lot of “Getting Better” in this song

[@lionelbeaulaton7610]

sublime!!!!!

[@novahikari1223]

I wish I could live in 90s Portland.

[@1984craine]

I've always shrugged off Elliott Smith but just heard this song today and already on my 4th listen

[@zoechuang4278]

his smile is so precioous i

[@salvation3289]

cool good music

[@stevenconrady1990]

My hero!

[@parkdale3612]

Diggin the guitar out of the dirt was neat

[@DeclanBurger]

sucha nice song man i wish i could see elliott live :(

[@luci3skdfl]

amazing boy

[@fredleept]

thought about this song today

[@Paloma-ne6jj]

favv