Elliott Smith - Roman Candle (from Roman Candle)

[@Raitor33]

I tell you, I've never heard a song that expresses what true anger feels like in such a pure and visceral way as this one. He completeley captured this feeling of being completely blinded by rage and fury against someone that the only thing you want is to see them suffer. It's a really dark but undeniably human impulse that you don't see very often outside extreme music like metal and such.

[@edhelvey6119]

His stepfather may have been the motivation to write this song.

[@bryonguernsey9794]

I have felt that way about this song as well. It’s such a simmering g boiling cool articulation of this truly level of anger and dare I say rage. But Exquisitely Encapsulated/composed by this master songwriter. It is my understanding that he did not intend to have this material released. You can hear the naked intimacy in it’s confessions. I have not heard this album in a minute and I am literally blubbering to it at the moment …. Thank you Elliott… all peace.

[@Raitor33]

@@bryonguernsey9794 I don't think he had a problem with this seeing the light. His first albums have this twisted, intimate and visceral aura that I love so much and was probably deliberate. He was a true genius.

[@alphalax7747]

What about death grips

[@concars1234]

@@alphalax7747 death grips are a continuation of Elliott's sound

[@josephwichman1702]

he made the electric guitar sound like a wavering flame, that's pretty great!

[@alexandersahs4971]

nailed it

[@EighthHouseTarot]

this is hardcore acoustic numbnuts mcloser

[@jwichmann1306]

the overdub ya muppet

[@kyleedward2679]

Joseph Wichman like a candle flickering amidst the fluidity of what Elliott was carrying in himself at the time

[@SilentAttackTV]

acoustic guitar with some sort of distortion pedal?

[@loganare]

2:40 when he tunes his low string down a full step mid-song is so awesome!

[@danielchristopher4155]

That is so true.. Elliott's way of playing is definitely inspiring.

[@scottlavender729]

Kinda sounds like a open D to me

[@jeffreytaylor2697]

+Scott Lave It goes down to C there to follow the progression, which is also what he ends with. you can hear it waver a little at first

[@Rooster70]

+loganare Dude thanks for pointing that out.. Wow..

[@raincats2011]

Brilliant!!

[@silversnail1413]

Love the slightly distorted, flickering guitar playing in the background. Genius.

[@repker]

honestly my favorite part of the composition for some reason

[@ericisdead95]

Silver Snail14 almost like... a candle ;)

[@AirGuitar]

So true

[@caerulemusic]

elliott was not only an amazing lyricist and singer, he was a fantastic instrumentalist. the way he played his instruments was superb.

[@AirGuitar]

Totally true! Him and Jerry Cantrell are my two main influences when playing acoustic. Both have a such a unique style of playing/writing.

[@Ruinz410]

@@AirGuitar same man

[@oneminutefixed5003]

Game changer to me too, made me a better guitar player

[@MustObeyTheRules]

@@AirGuitarjerry has nothing on Elliott.

[@tannerin]

I love this. It's so frantic and raw that it sounds like it could burst apart any second, but in the gentlest way possible.

[@8scatterbrain8]

+tannerin perfect comment for a perfect song

[@abreufortaleza]

Which is a great allegory for the theme of the song... Spite and rage growing over time, a secret desire for violence... Great comment!

[@hrinionuwut8637]

It's like a playing cards tower, but instead of a tower it's a shack and isntead of playing cards it's red and orange autumn leaves

[@bruhbruh-id5xu]

It sounds so angry and hurt at the same time

[@nicpete492]

I wish I could tell him how much he’s helped me over the years. Special place in Heaven for an angel like Elliott.

[@CT-dv7vx]

elliott smith is my all time favorite artist

[@conviction_amp]

Sometimes i feel embarrassed that 3/4 of my playlist is Elliott Smith. Hahahahaa

[@radioactive_p1ssy.boy.]

@@conviction_amp man my playlist is just Elliott Smith

[@seanmatthewking]

Y’all should definitely diversify lol

[@ismaelgarrido1719]

@@seanmatthewking Agree. From experiencie, overdose of elliott smith isn’t good at all. Do psycho therapy please 🫂🤝xoxo

[@user-ck9lm6xi1o]

He's not in my top 5, but he has been before and might be in the future. I can totally understand and appreciate someone who has the dude as their favorite artist. You can't, but that's okay. But a lack of diversifying is not the reason for his continued cult following, though. Just a difference of taste. @@seanmatthewking

[@alexisarrizon6083]

I swear Elliott Smith is the one musician that makes my heart feel like its about to fall out of my chest and bleed out. He was and always will be amazing.

[@inrepairagain]

The more I listen to Elliot the more positively impressed I am at how controlled he was with his music. In spite of everything he went through as a youth and adult that could have many times had a negative impact on his music he seemed to amazingly be able to channel it and convey it into brilliance.

[@user-pq9js4ty8l]

Yes.. perhaps because he had so little control over so much of what was wrong in his life, he felt he could at least control the music

[@somecallmejames]

i remember pretty well being 21, sitting outside of parties in my car smoking bowls and listening to this album over and over

[@seanmatthewking]

Did you escape from some moody 90s film?

[@AlR-ol9gh]

@@seanmatthewking Lollllll

[@banzaisdead]

I wish we were friends then (:

[@edhelvey]

I remember buying this and his second album and listening to them after work while writing letters and drinking a few bottles of wine.

[@nicpete492]

ok mr sigma

[@4L3X3M]

Never realised just how nice the electric guitar in the chorus sounds until listening to it now. This song just has such rich dark and hazy atmosphere, arguably underrated in terms of Elliott's back catalogue i'd say.

[@roiybenkel682]

He played himself Didn't need me to give him hell He could be cool and cruel to you and me Knew we'd put up with anything I want to hurt him I want to give him pain I'm a roman candle My head is full of flames I'm hallucinating Hallucinating I hear you cry Your tears are cheap Wet hot red swollen cheeks Fall asleep I want to hurt him I want to give him pain I'm a roman candle My head is full of flames I want to hurt him I want to hurt him I want to hurt him I want to give him pain And make him feel this pretty burn

[@josephedwards4325]

This songs so insanely cool. He retunes his E string halfway through. Learning any Elliot Smith song, you know you're in for an adventure with learning new chords that sound so simple at first, but try picking them like him and it's gonna take a hell of a lot of practice. Such a genius when it comes to writing songs.

[@AndromedaHadoukenbreakherlegs]

Why have I never heard this dude before? I'm all shivery and in love?

[@TheHarrisontemple]

yup he's dead as well like all good artists it seems.

[@AndromedaHadoukenbreakherlegs]

Wingdings Gaster Misery makes pretty art, I guess. :(

[@TheHarrisontemple]

+Andromeda “Kitty” Hadouken ashes to ashes dust to dust

[@schwarzblatt]

His albums just get better and better. And he's scads of material floating around that was never released. Tons of music to listen to.

[@oddmuch6267]

Andromeda Hadouken So goooood

[@oneangrymelon]

When I was 20 years old I was still in the small town where I grew up. I went out to a bar with my coworker and her boyfriend. I was oblivious to the fact that she was crushing on me. After we had dinner we stood talking in the parking lot. I was always awkward in social situations so I diverted boring conversation to the music on the cd in my old beater car. I sang along to this song (singing in this style is natural and easy for me), and finally picked up on her feelings from how she responded affectionately to my singing. She left her boyfriend not long after and we were together for over four years. It's fifteen years later- some moments do last forever.

[@noranygard]

This is beautiful thank you for sharing. Hope you find more happy love in your life.

[@curiousgenz8032]

Wow interesting story, thank you for sharing

[@antoniovelasco2637]

are we all gonna ignore the fact that this dude is a gigachad?

[@ngoodman5340]

Poor ex-boyfriend.

[@oneangrymelon]

lol I was no chad. She was in a loveless long-term relationship. We both had childhood trauma that helped connect us, and I believe I was more emotionally mature than he was at the time, allowing us to have long and thoughtful conversations. She stuck with that other guy because she didn't know what else to do- we were all just kids. When we started falling in love she ended that relationship. I never saw much of him again after that but I don't think he was seriously hurt, just had a breakup with a high school gf.

[@witnessangry]

Foi tao jovem, tinha tanto a oferecer ao mundo.Ele foi um excelente cantor, compositor e musista. Descanse em paz

[@matthewriley3857]

if you close your eyes and put your head down you can just go away into this and it feels so, so long. the fact that it's only 3 and a half minutes long is insane. total gravitational pull. genius stuff.

[@killrockstars]

We just released Elliott Smith's entire Roman Candle album for free on KZbin. Click to watch, and subscribe to receive more great music from Kill Rock Stars every Wednesday!

[@NoirBillie]

thanks for the upload! Been looking for this

[@Bnswiss]

+Kill Rock Stars thanks i have bought it before just lost it kinda

[@zr8088]

+Kill Rock Stars Thank you!

[@Somewhp]

you guys are awesome!

[@edwardodonnell9814]

this one of those songs that never leave you... I keep coming back to listen again and again and it's still not enough :)

[@jesseroundy]

One of the only few songs i really like. Pure emotion/anger/rage in this song. I love it.

[@aisle_of_view]

The guy was an amazing songwriter. The chord progression in this is so unique, dissonant and beautiful.

[@marbleblue5127]

It has everything. That humming at the end is perfection.

[@TheStuderman]

The end with the tone of the bass frequencies is pure bliss.

[@AstonPiras]

what a song writer Elliot was. At peace now my friend. Your songs live on.

[@lukepowers6372]

One of the greatest songs ever written

[@claudiomargheri2087]

Wow so intense...the amount of textures going on through this is mind blowing. Cant even express

[@gabridelux453]

The ending is awesome, it's almost like he takes some time to calm down, let the rage go and finish the song.

[@Scottus5]

Thank you so much! I had tickets to see Elliott at All Tomorrow's Partys but he passed right before it, so I never saw him live.

[@oddmuch6267]

Scott Wilson awew

[@MrMastrsushi]

Omg thats a fucking story!

[@itsquitegood]

I‘m really sorry.

[@alexmandella7418]

Still can't believe this album was released when he was 17/18, absolutely nuts....

[@elegy67]

nah he was 25, but this song was written when he was 17

[@whirlwind9188]

He was still 24, but less than a month from turning 25 when this album was released@@elegy67

[@melinayeamon2830]

He played himself Didn't need me to give him hell He could be cool and cruel to you and me Knew we'd put up with anything I wanna hurt him I wanna give him pain I'm a Roman candle My head is full of flames I'm hallucinating, hallucinating I hear you cry Your tears are cheap Wet hot red swollen cheeks Fall asleep I wanna hurt him I wanna give him pain I'm a Roman candle My head is full of flames I wanna hurt him I wanna hurt him I wanna hurt him I wanna give him pain Make him feel this pretty burn

[@lennyrose5852]

*I want to hurt him, I want to give him pain* *I’m a roman candle, my head is full of flames*

[@JunkBondTrader]

Compare this to his final album, From a Basement on the Hill. The lyrics, the energy is completely opposite. He got louder and more chaotic with every album. The lyrics went from cryptic, folky stories like in this album.. To blunt, personal and literal lyrics on FABOTH, chaotic tracks like Shooting Star, Don't go Down, Kings Crossing, Coast to Coast.. Elliott's evolution was so interesting. I feel like the sounds reflected his increasingly chaotic life. This album is beautiful for it's rawness, and FABOTH is beautiful for it's mastery and sonic brilliance. It's amazing use of dissonance makes it so hectic in a good eay. Among other reasons.

[@JunkBondTrader]

@@HowToDriveinOregonReviews yeah not this song necessarily, but the album. There are hardly any literal lines I can think of off the top of my head. Like, condor Ave epitomises the style best I think. But faboth, I can think of lots like in little one, kings crossing "don't matter cos I have no sex life", fond farewell "vomiting in the kitchen sink", and then strung out again is a really good example of it, "hate my face" Maybe cryptic isn't the best word either, but a more figurative writing style in Roman Candle than Faboth for sure IMO. Maybe cos it seems a lot more based on truth as the songs are more written in first person and are more clearly about himself, where Roman Candle feels like he's telling stories of people so he can afford to be more metaphorical. Or maybe I'm just glossing over the literal lyrics that probably exist on Roman Candle haha. Anyway that's my take cheers!

[@killrockstars]

Elliott Smith's "Roman Candle" is now on KZbin.

[@SpinHalo76]

Oh yeah ? Prove it !

[@teamyordle23]

Thanks

[@kylem.9525]

I don’t believe you

[@jesseb5257]

This one's been stuck in my head for months now

[@edg7636]

2:50 The double-track guitar on this song almost sounds like the string picked notes are delayed but I don't think they are - might have just ended up that way. Coupled with with 2 separately recorded vocal tracks panned left and right is just so simple yet stereophonically haunting. Some say 4-track recording is limited but this is a perfect example where "less" is certainly much more. After listening to this, I wouldn't want to hear this song recorded any other way.

[@StormTossedSoul]

I wanna hurt him I wanna give him Pain I’m a Roman candle My head is full of flames

[@lumpofclay9505]

It definitely hits different once I learn he was talking about his stepfather.

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

I figured it was about him

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

But I can't figure out if he's saying he wants to hurt his stepfather or he's singing from the stepfather's point of view like I want to hurt that kid he's got lots of songs about his mom and stepdad I think

[@mikogale]

frightening but absolutely beautiful

[@Nopenonameok]

Such an under appreciated song and album.

[@veral9837]

this is so bitter sweet, love it

[@ruthdixon7807]

a quiet song about anger like no other.

[@dinauchiha3924]

God he is amazing

[@traverd]

I'd love to hear a metal cover of this

[@MatthewMcRowan]

now im interested too

[@LeahDyson-kq4bd]

Lol

[@nubalu]

Beautiful and raw

[@ericfoster8411]

This is restrained rage beauty

[@petersmernoff9590]

It makes perfect sense that George Harrison's Beatles tune---LONG, LONG, LONG--was the very last thing that Smith performed live. Smith was like Harrison in that, beneath the 'gentleness' there was a rather scary amount of barely pent-up rage.

[@maxfrank13]

Thank you Mary Lou Lord for showing me this.

[@placeholder3853]

Absolutely adore this song

[@michaelraum3393]

This is so haunting

[@jazminward5032]

this song is so underrated my god

[@zs3473]

This might just be the best song ever

[@chubsreese4443]

So much energy

[@jaclynhicks2819]

It’s 2022 and nothing will ever top Elliott Smith. Happy Birthday sweet soul! 8/06/2022.

[@marcusmetternich6626]

Is this the best song ever written?

[@taka-taktak]

Quiet, burning, repressed rage.

[@wdgetah]

This song is exactly what it feels like to restrain the rage that wants to boil over ever so badly. Knowing you have every right to retaliate yet here you remain.

[@mlamferreira]

my throat hurts every time i listen to this song, sometimes i even cry. i just want him out of my life, why is it so hard?

[@alexandersahs4971]

all time favorite. unbelievable.

[@etah1]

possibly my favourite song ever

[@stanleyfreezeRANSLEY]

Haunting stuff

[@hozic9929]

I feel like this song is about self hatred, and it really makes me relate

[@miracles4u]

His best song in so many ways. Love the vibe and simplicity of this album though e s was such a accomplished musician

[@degengam2781]

Angeles obviously his best song but this is a good one

[@juliadzik4545]

Wow it's such an amazing piece to play on classical guitar !!

[@Missjunebugfreak]

This song is so angry in the most satisfying way.

[@spacefrog3764]

he saved me i love him so much i wish i knew him

[@ArKaneAcrumProductions]

My head is full of flames

[@boshb2569]

So beautiful

[@theworkerhours3141]

phenomenal! from 2:43 till the end

[@marcusmetternich6626]

It's so beautiful. There are no words for it.

[@connorhough1393]

I love this place

[@havalinachiel7694]

" he made this guitar sound like ... watering flame , no , like far away trains chasing industriel indian tribes . "

[@sarapau6199]

I’ve been feeling alone all my life

[@smatsri]

i think we are all alone

[@xXthetadeltaXx]

i'm beginning to think it's not so bad

[@draft1643]

me too and moreso now

[@jimmyjam-vc6rf]

maybe im not so alone after all

[@jayorazi9784]

Love n miss u Elliott

[@k1wimaddog]

Damn this is a masterpiece

[@edhelvey8649]

I wonder if the "him" he wants to hurt is his step-dad Charlie?

[@hegelsbagels02]

i always saw it as if it were sung from the perspective of his stepdad. 'him' being charlie wanting to hurt elliott

[@radioactive_p1ssy.boy.]

Yeah

[@ghostbird23]

I'm sure this song is about infidelity, but in dealing a very different beast I know exactly how he feels, and that is what makes his music so relatable to this day

[@merilynne1548]

Actually I think this song is more abt the abuse he suffered from his father at a young age, like with No Confidence Mand and Abused.

[@revolverdolls]

So amazing!!!!

[@taylorwood6470]

I would give so much to just have a conversation with him

[@Genesisdoes87]

Elliott was on a different level and I feel it.

[@maeleahaze656]

I cant even take refuge in his music anymore. You ruined my life dad.

[@DonavanJurich]

You'll be ok , You're the Universe . 💛🎶

[@blackswanfirefox]

thanks KRS... love your attitude

[@peaceandlove22999]

dont know how many times ive listened to this number this evening. things are great

[@Steven1000W]

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE!

[@fkash2281]

you guys think is a coincidence that the tuning of the guitar is D-A-D-G-B-D that at first it spells DAD? There might be a connection that this tuning/song is about his step father Charlie and wanted to point out a detail

[@Jbrizzin-]

This is the most crazy reach ive ever saw

[@bruce_sings]

I think it’s about his step father. But DAD is super common…

[@paranoidandroid6691]

it goes down to C-A-D-G-B-D by the end of the song so… no

[@xskramx8078]

this is my jam

[@Nerdboy456]

underrated as fuck album

[@noranygard]

there are a lot of people who I think about whenever I hear this song

[@snowydove6510]

this song has really deep meaning I think. like Elliott saying he wants to hurt those who care like natural mechanism to see how much they care. gives deep satisfaction to see how they care after u push the ones u love. sick. expresses the hatred out atleast . hates when people try to care cause idk . no one else has

[@MrRekarbenots]

thanks. you krs cats keep it comin'..-cool

[@imusicked]

yeahhh! 💌

[@meckhanmekmeckhan]

anyone know why this album and a few others have just vanished from all other streaming sites (apple music, spotify, soundcloud)???

[@fivequackingzephyrs]

this is back on Spotify now!

[@Overseer85]

This is anger (possibly self anger given his life struggles) in audio format

[@mannofscience]

idk how to explain it but this song being raw anger kinda teeters on the line of love i literally love it so much

[@rickgriego2844]

To hear this is to sit with his ghost

[@user-lb4ew7gr2j]

nice

[@rickgriego2844]

I've banged some of THE HEAVIEST DARKEST music known to man and Elliott Smith, or THIS SONG,ROMAN CANDLE,IS THE SCARIEST SONG I'VE EVER HEARD.and this IS the heaviest shit I know.RIP Elliott.years from now, they'll be literally studying this.

[@D00MFiz]

hes the only one here

[@therealblackmonolith]

Dark af holmes

[@webacedesign]

My friends have been playing him since forever in San Francisco, what have you been writing and playing?

[@harleyrountree5540]

I hate drugs and alcohol when you young you dont know better

[@seanmatthewking]

They’re great in moderation, no matter the age