Elliott Smith - Pretty (Ugly Before) (from From A Basement On The Hill)

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"Pretty (Ugly Before)" from Elliott Smith's album entitled From A Basement On The Hill. Out now on Kill Rock Stars.
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[@killrockstars]

Check out this rare live footage of Elliott's 1999 New Year's Eve performance at The Knitting Factory: kzbin.info/aero/PL6KwzgIePF4Dy7347Om6Ijcsr4vh6JJjP

[@Socooomfy]

The audio is total shite for those shows. It would be nice if I could purchase a live show that's decent quality on vinyl :-)

[@supermonkeytilt]

This isn't an album! Its a compilation using some of the songs for the album he'd been working on. The track order, track selection, mixing and production were all post mortem. So of the songs were older and not even intended for this album

[@johnwhatsittoya6374]

@supermonkeytilt I’m fairly certain that most, if not all of Elliott’s fans are pretty well aware of all that, buds👍👍 FABOTH is an fantastic album nonetheless, as evidenced by this entirely gorgeous tune right here. Sweet sweet melodies, galore!❤️

[@JFernandoSosa]

The first time I listened this song was at 5 am, while I was driving in highway into my son's highschool. He was quiet, silent, he was angry with me. I remember that my heart was very sad. When I left him at school he never watched me, he just went out the car and whipped the door. I stayed crying. Now, he is 26 he's a doctor, I am 51, we dont talk each other by other troubles, but every time I listen this song remember my son just like that day and I cry again, whising he loves me as I ever have loved him.

[@Dani92670]

Reading this made me cry. It's a year later & I hope you have reconciled with your son. We don't always have all of the time we think we have & tomorrows start to add up quickly. You are both still young enough to work this out now & enjoy a future, especially once (and if) grand children are in the picture. Good luck and God bless you and your son.

[@Dbzmad34222]

Hope everything's ok tell you're son you live him.

[@PongoDaMan]

Damn this is one of the most real and sad comments I’ve ever seen on KZbin.

[@MatarBroma]

damn dude...hope it fixs one day

[@maeleahaze656]

This broke my heart, I hope you two can form a bond

[@Guy4755]

At some point in the inevitable future this album will be acknowledged as the masterpiece that it is. And it is just that.

[@mywhychromosome]

+Guy Budziak My favorite E.S. record, but a true black hole of an album. The early records get all the credit, but to me this is the closest thing to a true confessional, a harrowing descent into the very core of an addict who destroys himself and everything around him in the name of claiming false 'independence'. It's in the spirit of "In Utero", but...better. Is it destruction that you require? To feel like somebody wants you? Someone that's more for real.

[@Mnpctech_Giveaway_PC_Mods]

Guy Budziak well said

[@benwellman7300]

It's a real shame this album didn't get finished

[@andrewdyke5561]

This album is brillant musically and lyrically. I.love the direction he was heading.

[@enriqueh1004]

all of his albums are recognized as master pieces because he was a musician that stayed himself and while he was alive it worked out for him

[@Md75897]

The piano part in this really makes the song

[@Micko555]

We miss him.

[@mehmetgoksu2223]

Sunshine Been keeping me up for days There is no nighttime It's only a passing phase And I feel pretty Pretty enough for you I felt so ugly before I didn't know what to do Sometimes Is all I feel up to now But it's not worth it to you 'Cause you gotta get high somehow Is it destruction that you require to feel Like somebody wants you Someone that's more for real Sunshine Been keeping me up for days There is no nighttime Only a passing phase And I'll feel pretty Another hour or two I felt so ugly before (Ugly before) I didn't know what to do I felt so ugly before (Ugly before) I didn't know what to do I felt so ugly before (Ugly before) I didn't know what to do Ugly before (Ugly before)

[@stephanwatson7902]

I love how he made the little outro bounce back and forth between the headphones. Wear headphones people.

[@lauraanne5175]

100 agree

[@picturesquemoon]

I can't get enough of his music, it's so addictive. Cannot go a day without listening to him. Cannot go a day not thinking about the immensity of songs he could've gifted us if he were still alive. It is so so hard to face the reality that I live in a world where he doesn't live anymore. He deserved so much more from life...

[@jberdart]

Thanks Elliott....there isn't a day I go without listening to your masterpieces.

[@samrangdale8971]

Elliot Smith was one of the best.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

This is easily one of the greatest songs Elliott ever wrote, imo. And that's saying a lot since he has so many fantastic songs in his catalog.

[@rebeccahopkins9522]

This album is such a little known masterpiece. It’s simply incredible. Still melodic. Still powerful. Still sounds both retro and original at the same time. Still gleams with lyrical and vocal harmony genius. Still gives instrumental beauty. Even over 15 yrs. later. It’s also remained tough to listen to, without the sense of sadness that comes with it, without hearing the impending doom in its lyrics. It remains a hard listen, because we now know it would be his last album, we know one way or another, his demons got him. And I can’t help but think of all the music that was lost, all that could have come after it, all that ended forever because of that; because he died way to soon and lived not nearly long enough. RIP ELLIOTT. YOUR MUSIC WILL LIVE FOREVER. 💔

[@bittermelodies6265]

+Rebecca Hopkins Agreed that what we have is amazing, but it also makes me sad to think about how he never finished this album. Gotta wonder what his final vision would have sounded like.

[@alanvella2766]

@@bittermelodies6265 Is one of the most beautiful songs that I've ever heard. He was just so good and incomparable. A true genius.

[@Ajy123]

The fact that you got Elliot Smith in your playlist means you’ve got great taste in music👍🏽😁

[@DomEscalante34]

i just like to remind you this track

[@caty2ful]

Elliott...I love you so much...you were already dead the first time I´ve heard you :( Your music just fills my heart, my mind....I love it more than anything.

[@jenniferlima9235]

caty2ful I remember the day he died... I had stayed the night with three sisters that I knew. We all cried like it was someone we knew. It is the most trodden people amongst us who possess the greatest heart and the most profound genius.

[@kaceeblake6191]

+Jennifer Lima he died before I became aware of him but I'm old lol. some random cute boy burned me basement and I was like WHAT

[@TheScottoline19]

This song makes me so sad but I love it

[@B1G_MO3]

Because we love you.

[@PongoDaMan]

Song hits in the feels everytime

[@killatay2818]

We are so lucky that Elliott released as much music as he did for us to keep enjoying, talent like his rarely comes around.

[@Missjunebugfreak]

I'm eternally grateful that Elliott got to share his amazing music with us. It's been a sanctuary for me in many dark times. He's my favorite songwriter.

[@rachelheilig1477]

I love him so much. I named my son after him..

[@peachespulaski5981]

Rachel Heilig I've decided that if I ever have a son, Elliott will be his name.

[@dennisbernard11]

I named my daughter after the villain in starcraft. Would have named a boy after elliott though if we had one.

[@lisapresley6315]

I'm trying to name my boy cat after him. I'm 35 and infertile so a cat named Elliott Smith will have to suffice. I'm not having any boy humans in this lifetime, it would appear. That's probably for the best, sadly.

[@haryguby5326]

@@lisapresley6315 that would be cool.

[@maeleahaze656]

Thats been my plan since I was young to name my son Elliott or if I have a girl Elliotte

[@brunoborela4161]

I still remember the day he died... I was only 18, and now I'm older than he ever got to be. His music still means a lot to me and probably always will. RIP

[@edhelvey6119]

I remember the day after he died. I was walking to work in Portland and I ran into a friend who just said, "Elliott's dead."

[@321micks123]

@@edhelvey6119 PDX was a special place circa 1980-2k, I was a Lincoln HS 1989 (non-grad). talked to Mr. Smith once; showed him a Beatles song book, he offered his guitar, I said I couldn't.... he said the song book was "pretty cool" I was told he died at the outside inn... I cried like a child. never knew Steve; yet so compelled at so young. Mike Sweeney is the best LHS teacher, and glad Patrick Ford is free.

[@thomascraymer8712]

I only discovered him years later, after one of my friends said my music sounds like a mix between him and Nick Drake... Elliott is a legend, and his music will live forever

[@burlolly5990]

Not dead he is so alive in another space n Time

[@maxtalley6710]

I'll never forget going to Boo Boo Records in San Luis Obispo in 2003, a fantastic music store. In every section of the store a different Elliott Smith song was playing and I knew instantly, felt dizzy, gut-sick, and tried not to lose it completely. From A Basement has at least 8 of his best songs on it. This is one of them.

[@angeliquescarpa9433]

The first time I heard this song, I wept. I think it would have had an impact on me even if Elliott had lived, but since this album was released after he died, it just floored me.

[@thesmallcheval]

Behold, the best music for getting through a breakup. Ever.

[@sicknessmusik]

Can't stop listening to Elliott.

[@shrew972]

another ES masterpiece

[@jarodjohnson7713]

"Is it destruction that you require to feel like somebody wants you, someone that's more for real?" ... I think I can relate to that and the answer is 'yes'... and I still don't know what it means.

[@thebordenasylum7726]

me too brother, me too...

[@greenroomdude]

Yes me too...

[@johnarundell7951]

"Is it destruction that you're required to feel?"

[@pandap4ntz]

to me it's always meant that no matter how hard i try to be normal and to fit and have a "good life" with a partner and family, i always fuck something up big time, like i need to feel destruction in order to feel alive, or something like that. it also sums up about how i have felt about every relationship i've ever been in, i can never shake the feeling that there's something bigger and better out there for me, but then i just end up alone, which is okay for me to be alone, but even alone i feel i am missing something.

[@thomascraymer8712]

For me it has two very different meanings... when I first heard this song, I was in quite a toxic relationship and naturally this was the lyric that hit me.... now fast forward a few years, I am in a much better and more wholesome relationship, this is still the lyric that hits me, for reasons I can't describe, I guess the "someone that's more for real" is not the one who caused the destruction anymore, but the one who pulled me out of it... it's beautiful

[@toddrichardson8595]

I wore this album out the end of 2004 and all of 2005. It's still one of my all time favorite albums. A truly gifted songwriter. ..

[@awkwardme5375]

Todd Richardson Just out of curiosity, how old are you?

[@erikagrl1]

Had the same experience as you with this album and it's just beautifu!l I was lucky to see Elliott play this album in 2003 live in San Diego. It sure takes me back to my college days during that time.

[@retinarental1603]

Erika Martinez ʏᴏ ʜᴏᴡ ᴡᴀs ʜᴇ?

[@erikagrl1]

RETINA RENTAL he was so great! And so sweet. He would ask at his shows if we wanted to hear a sad or happy song. His shows were also in intimate settings and small venues. I also saw him in 2000.

[@retinarental1603]

Erika Martinez ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴋɪɴᴅ ᴏғ ᴠɪʙᴇ ᴅɪᴅ ʜɪs ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴄᴇ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴏғғ? ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇᴇᴛ ʜɪᴍ ᴀғᴛᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ sʜᴏᴡ?

[@lukasjohnson6802]

I heard this song on my local independent radio station yesterday and I had to pull over to look it up before I lost the lyrics and never heard the song again. It's brilliant. That little piano hook, too...

[@mikeym5277]

Love this song.

[@suckmadicktits]

i vibed so hard with this song the first time i heard it many years ago in the midst of my addiction. its weird and beautiful how Elliott's lyrics can relate to you no matter what situation you're in. today i have 30 days clean and sober from b&w and elliott has only been a source of inspiration and motivation. RIP you beautiful man, i dont know where i would be today if it werent for your music. i was never alone and always felt a special connection to the moment with his discog on in the background because of how much he pours his heart and soul into his work and makes you feel

[@thomascraymer8712]

Wow, and even just one song can be interpreted in so many ways! When I first heard this one a few years ago I was in quite a toxic relationship, and the lyric that really hit me was "Is it destruction that you're required to feel, like somebody wants you, someone that's more for real"... now fast forward a few years, I am now in a much better and more wholesome relationship, this lyric still hits me but in a very different way... I guess now the "someone that's more for real" is not the person who caused the destruction anymore, but rather the person who pulled me out of it... I can't describe it, but it's beautiful

[@snarp408]

How you doing, sober I hope? 🤞

[@Missjunebugfreak]

My God, this is truly beautiful. I've been missing out on this album.

[@pandap4ntz]

omg... i haven't listened to this song in a long time and i am just sitting here ugly crying. i miss you elliott, thanks for all the beautiful music you gave us

[@kinkydude4562]

Pretty Elliott forever

[@xxmyharturhandzxx]

ayy we have similar profile pictures !! :)

[@Vnzo]

The backup vocals at the end are phenomenal. I love this song so much.

[@edhelvey]

It's Sam Coomes from Quasi on backing vocals. He also played bass on Heatmiser's "Mic City Sons".

[@Vnzo]

@@edhelvey Wow awesome, thanks a lot for sharing!!

[@edhelvey]

@@Vnzo Sure! If you haven't heard "Mic City Sons" some of the better songs are "See You Later", "Plainclothes Man", "Get Lucky" and "Half Right". "Half Right" is a hidden bonus track - arguably Elliott's best song.

[@ginjani_8247]

This is honestly my fav part about this song, glad someone pointed it out. Amazing end to the sont

[@joelhoward8211]

That little guitar lick reminds me of a big star song

[@JC-om6gq]

love you elliott, thanks for carrying me thru life

[@dannybrown3746]

This song makes me cry so bad

[@ferouihamza]

elliott is too awesome for our world,people are too stupid to realise his greatness

[@Poodledoodle42]

feroui hamza hell yeah! great comment my friend. ♡

[@B1G_MO3]

Who remembers Jeff Buckley? Two guys with so much talent, gone too soon.

[@petehughes791]

Not true he had the world at his feet but the fame made him uncomfortable. I remember I performance on MTV, he looked like he wanted to die. He was so appreciated and so many influential fans he could have gone anywhere. Side note fans kicked off when his music was featured on the OC and one tree hill. I guess some didn’t want to share him with the world.

[@gm6393]

@@petehughes791 for someone like Elliott I'm sure the artificiality and shallowness of MTV would have been very uncomfortable

[@Dani92670]

can't get enough of this beautiful song. it's 4 minutes and 45 seconds of blissful escape.

[@lauraanne5175]

Im 90 min on repeat...why is it that this song does that?

[@Dani92670]

@@lauraanne5175 Because it's that kind of song you can do that with! I listen to this song at least once a week, sometimes more.

[@Dani92670]

@@lauraanne5175 I do the repeat thing a lot with "Can't Make a Sound" and several others like "Tomorrow Tomorrow".

[@rooftopsignals7313]

It's that kind of day again

[@raincats2011]

To acknowledge one's ugliness is something that some people are not capable of imagining....some artists like Elliot got a bit deeper into putting emotions into form....One of a kind!!

[@ardien.535]

my mom really likes this song. rest in power

[@thomascraymer8712]

"Is it destruction that you're required to feel, like somebody wants you, someone that's more for real"... this lyric in particular has always hit me hard, and is one of my favourites of all time (which is saying something as most of Elliott's songs have amazing lyrics) It's hitting especially hard tonight... I had many bad relationships in the past (not just romantic, but also had many toxic friends), and I felt "so ugly before", and I was also very self destructive... my girlfriend is one of the few people I've ever known who actually is "more for real", she really cares.... she is really trying to help me, I realise I can sometimes be a burden on her, and just wish I could be a good partner as she is... now she doesn't want to talk, I fucked up, but I hope she will forgive me... How this relates to the song and that lyric in particular... I know for a fact she really is the best girl I've ever dated by far, but having had so many bad relationships, I just don't really know how to react when someone is really genuine, but at the same time, I feel her love so strongly because she is genuine

[@brianmaxwell1832]

First time hearing this omfg what a song . Beatles or what

[@astroboy3002]

I remember the first time I heard this song wide eyed and jaw agaped. I listened over and over. Oh also that's how I feel about every Elliot Smith song

[@JTOwens89]

More time passes, another dream I've lived and left... just ready for a good night's rest

[@rogier8893]

Most beautiful music there is.

[@stuffinthesecheeks]

A gem

[@digitalbuddha4me]

have been listening to this album a lot lately

[@andrewptob]

This album would’ve been a masterpiece if he had finished it. Amazing songs and album nonetheless

[@petersmith9530]

It IS a masterpiece.

[@amandad6782]

This is one of my favorites. I love this album.

[@Silverchord1974]

I really dig this one. First time hearing

[@twoicecreams.]

Beautiful song

[@asa.8691]

Listening to songs of his makes you like them even more. I used to think this album wasn’t great, now it’s my favorite

[@chrismoin8881]

This song is like the theme of my life right now

[@maldoror2007]

yeah, good to come back and hear this song like 15 years later.

[@Lukamusic81]

such a good song

[@Jesper1270]

I love this song

[@frankstan935]

Friggin love this song

[@boycewebb1435]

I'm ordering "Heaven Adores You" today. Looking forward to that.

[@tomsmet400]

For me "'Heaven adores you"' is like what '' the white album'' (beatles) for other millions of people means.

[@cameronsharples5514]

Didn't care for this song for a long time. Now I cant get enough!

[@MotherBabylon]

Yes, I love you, Elliott.

[@kazzz2765]

I need this song more than anything right now. Thank you so much, Elliott.

[@barberhella2781]

I love you Elliott Smith

[@user-et2wt4jd5j]

I've never felt like this before. It's paraperfection.

[@cjdenino7722]

I listen to this song while I drive around and I feel like a badass. I've heard every song on this album at least three times. I don't know what ES album I should get next cause this one just gets me.

[@Tykenolm]

I think my favorite is Self Titled

[@Danny_On_Wheels44]

CJ de Niño oh I've heard this mist be 50 times lol.

[@Danny_On_Wheels44]

CJ de Niño I like XO

[@harrystylesassistantlove3276]

I like xo and self titled the best. I’m on my gf account.

[@ACHILLESPRIZE]

A perfect song

[@erichschienke]

Elliott... I miss you so much!!!

[@petersmith9530]

Man the backwards guitar at the end.Sheer unadulterated genius.

[@jamesheath7601]

RIP Elliott ❤️

[@kimkovaly3096]

My favorite song ❤❤

[@foleydvm]

mine 2!

[@kimkovaly3096]

+foleydvm it's such an amazing song. I love Elliott Smith.

[@foleydvm]

there wont ever be another

[@Apeekachu]

I miss him

[@Militiaa]

Sometimes is all i feel up to now

[@georgesdimopoulos1486]

Perfection

[@llariru2150]

so sad and hurt.. when i listen to this.

[@karoln2840]

A partir de hoy esta canción significa mucho para mí.

[@flynnskully5162]

his best song 😥😥😥

[@shima18330]

素敵すぎる。美しい

[@Mnpctech_Giveaway_PC_Mods]

This song reminds of Christmas

[@Cruizzerr]

hah.

[@foleydvm]

sometimes.....is all i feel up to now

[@Nick-wv4xn]

I went to some guitar exhibit at the MET.Nothing from Elliott Smith.Sad how hes overlooked

[@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776]

classic & timeless=]

[@chaosbringerpig]

14 people dislike this? I feel sorry for you.

[@retinarental1603]

D M ᴛʜᴇʏ sᴛᴀʏ ʟɪsᴛᴇɴɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴄᴀʀᴅɪ ʙ ᴀɴᴅ ᴊᴜsᴛɪɴ ʙɪᴇʙᴇʀ 😂

[@asevillanoa]

The first time I heard this song. I did n times, until get sleep. Great Elliot.

[@nicolagreco9130]

un pezzo fantastico!

[@bbomg02]

I think this could be taken in many ways. To me it could be in one way about the drug you are addicted to "fixing" your depression. But I also feel like it can be taken as getting rid of your addiction and being sober.

[@Cruizzerr]

Its only a passing phase.

[@mannystr2639]

Amazing

[@nicolasklinke5713]

taking analog black and white pictures with Elliot Smith on may earpods, can't go wrong

[@kevinthomas4180]

He could have been the best musician ever, but instead he threw it all away. I will always love you elliott.

[@johnarundell7951]

Elliott "threw it all away" by having his crazy bitch girlfriend stab him twice in the heart with a large knife? I'm so tired of these fucking bullshit comments denigrating his character as if he became some 'selfish' casualty of suicide, depriving us of more great music. Sickening stuff on several levels.

[@kevinthomas4180]

@@johnarundell7951 I know all to well about that and I too think it is entirely possible. We will never sure about it though because they didn't investigate. They just assumed he killed himself because he was well known to be a highly depressed drug addict that talked about it a lot.

[@johnarundell7951]

@@kevinthomas4180 So why did you appear to somehow blame him with the nonsense "threw it all away" line as if he chose to have his career cut short by being murdered? Elliott was obviously a great songwriter but suggesting he is anywhere near "the best musician ever" is just ludicrous. What does that even mean? Is it a competition? Was he greater than every virtuoso or prodigy that ever lived in the last 500 years of Western music? Was he greater than Prince? Was he constantly improving as a multi-instrumentalist? No, no, no, no, no, no. Absurd hyperbole.

[@kevinthomas4180]

@@johnarundell7951 Calm down man. He is the best to me because I like his songs more than anything I've ever heard, that's all. It has nothing to do with ability, it is simply an opinion. No reason to go apeshit crazy. Edit: and just to make you more mad, yes he was much much greater than Prince.

[@thomasdap8659]

@@kevinthomas4180 are you still alive? PS. who tf is prince?

[@craigmather9533]

golden

[@lesliepowell-mccarty7067]

Damn, I miss Elliott.

[@andrewdyke5561]

When i first heard this when this came out i didnt like it, now its in my top three with either or and self title

[@aditya1dhiman]

so pretty i love this song i love eliott smith.

[@tisue]

WE MMISS YA BRO :)

[@MM-pq3gv]

I remember listening to this song, while going on a bus, and thinking I was about to break up with my bf at the time

[@misslemon6032]

♥

[@andrewbochicchio2232]

Thebestest

[@fatgreenjelly333]

💙💙💙

[@rexbanner7256]

That crushed me pretty good.