Heatmiser/Plainclothes Man

[@bacardi119]

"I only relly needed alcohol, something that would treat me ok, and wouldn't say the things you say". Love that line.

[@ApolloGray]

saw this comment was from 10 years ago. Just wanted to see if you’re still around

[@summyd7351]

“i get a sick confusion headache tryna figure out who’s right”

[@edhelvey]

"I didn't really need that anyhow, I only really needed alcohol" is how it goes.

[@edhelvey]

You haven't listened to the lyrics too carefully, have you?

[@SHIN-tb6du]

​@@edhelvey00:30

[@chromeduece]

Perfect song. I'm a black dude and I honestly appreciate your music. It's saved my life many times and made me appreciate the beauty in this fucked up world. I love and miss you Elliott. Thanks for making life more melodic!

[@nickhartman6372]

Why are people so obsessed with proclaiming their race? It doesn't matter dude, if you like the music you like the music, music is not racial.

[@merilynne1548]

@@nickhartman6372 I think the reason why is because people of color are stereotypically grouped into specific music genres. Black people are grouped into blues and hip hop, while hispanic people are grouped into banda and tejano music. He is just saying that despite stereotypes, he really enjoys this music and it has helped him a lot throughout the years. No need to get annoyed by it.

[@SHATHECROW]

@@merilynne1548 so well said

[@desiolle2874]

you're a good egg man...hope yr life's cool

[@SharadSwaney]

@@merilynne1548 well said

[@ChrisLeoThomas]

It breaks my heart to think that Elliott Smith will never be able to know what an everlasting impact his beautiful music has had and continues to have. Wherever you are, I just want to show you my gratitude for gifting us with your passion, emotions, talent and everything else that you put into your wonderful music. You've helped more than you could ever imagine. Thank you, Elliott ❤️

[@treetrain]

I couldn't agree more than 100 percent with you!! You get it! Thank you!!

[@learabee]

He knew then- some part of him knew -and he knows now..❤ all this love we got goes somewhere

[@alexisarrizon6799]

❤ I know in my heart he's with God. No question he was a pure soul and much loved by those of us who love his music. I can't imagine how much pain he suffered from to off himself like he did. Sweet Elliott Smith RIP God bless you and may you be in heavenly peace 🕊️

[@NighttParade]

@@alexisarrizon6799i wish i could agree, i wish there were some sort of exception, i do. unfortunately suicide only leads to one place…unfortunately

[@a.evelyn5498]

He’s dead & doesn’t know. Simple as that. Stop fooling yourself with your “beyond life” fantasies. It’s just dirt & worms. Accept it.

[@MakeAmericaLiftAgain]

Elliott Smith was a musical genius.

[@jarneyjnr2316]

Ill drink to that

[@jarneyjnr2316]

@@dillonbald218 ye i think that aswell

[@cramirez3855]

No ye

[@lisasarver8702]

He still is one in Heaven

[@joshuabiggs9717]

Understatement. Completely under appreciated

[@marywoodhouse7179]

This song both depresses me and makes me smile.

[@cramirez3855]

Ge

[@warmswarm]

@@cramirez3855 - Ba

[@radioactive_p1ssy.boy.]

warmswarm wi

[@bnowb]

20 years ago today.. RIP Elliott.. you changed music grunge, indie rock combine here. Miss you man, those times in Jersey City! 20 years already

[@chrisbartow9238]

I remember getting handed Mic City Sons in the late 90's, and setting it aside... spinning it a few weeks later and being blown away - by this song in particular. It's a timeless song... and that is one of the best compliments any songwriter can get. Smith was a great one.

[@amanda.salander]

2023 and this is still my favorite song ever. thank you, elliott.

[@mikefenn00]

Someone takes a photograph A picture while their sweetheart laughs A perfect moment in a flash of light Counting back from 3 to 1 That's exactly what you've done One of my absolute favorites of his. So much beauty in the words he used to describe relationships.

[@jala1081]

It's staged happiness, dream in black and white (like a black and white photograph) because photographs are happy looking and the truth is not wholly happy,

[@GS-vm8gk]

this band is underrated, their three albums are fcking nuts

[@dansolo9978]

Just re-listening & wishin' it was still 96 again...

[@chaosbringerpig]

Me too, brother. Me too. 😢

[@JunkBondTrader]

Most talented, well-rounded songwriter. Ever. I'm a massive Lennon fan, and Elliott, in terms of skill, dominates John in every category, except maybe vocals, John had a really incredible voice.

[@flyondonnie9578]

Yep, Elliott had the advantage of being able to learn from The Beatles, Jobim and others so it shouldn’t be a surprise that he was able to take the craft further. I agree on the voice being the one area where Lennon had the edge.

[@sonicdiablo8968]

I agree with you totally

[@bingohhhhhhhhhhhh]

@@flyondonnie9578 Lennon's songwriting musically (independent of the words, which are quite good too) and yes, his voice, was the most interesting thing about the Beatles and he's above everyone in that. Just my take.

[@earlofeastjurong]

feel like this song could fit in easily somewhere in Figure 8

[@antrob95]

He recorded a solo version of this in the later years, you can find it on Grand Mal or the biography movie soundtrack. If you're interested

[@samnicholson5051]

Seeing as his 2 albums at this time were mostly acoustic with the occasional light percussion or electric guitar overdub, this would have sounded quite different.

[@XenomorphLV426]

I was afraid Heatmiser wouldn't be any good compared to Elliott's solo work. Glad to be wrong.

[@mohammedalrasheed6516]

+XenomorphLV426 you are a dumbass bitch, how could you even think that

[@XenomorphLV426]

+mohammed alrasheed It's just a prank, bro.

[@SupremeIntentionCrew]

+XenomorphLV426 I see this has gone SEXUAL.

[@lynnturman8157]

+XenomorphLV426 Exactly. I was already an Elliott fan. Discovering Heatmeiser is like discovering a whole new batch of Elliott songs you didn't know existed.

[@gameshowmatt]

i.ytimg.com/vi/bf2nhEoZNm0/maxresdefault.jpg

[@Steven1000W]

So many memories with Elliott Smith...this is just another element of the melancholic genius

[@tbfilms420]

I just had a cliche teen moment. I had my dad listen to this song. He said "this is awful", to which I replied "You just don't understand dad!". FML

[@rachelrohde7549]

lol, musical preference is very personal. I usually listen to Heatmiser and Elliot Smith while I am alone.

[@GharudaProductions]

There is nothing teen about it. It only happens more when you get older

[@tbfilms420]

My dad says "You like him because you like the Beatles. I don't like the Beatles". FML

[@Nonexistanthuman]

Taylor Beil Billy Mays here to sell you MIC CITY SON'S!!! Heatmiser can withstand over 1,000,000 B.T.U.'s and can withstand even the suns heat. Now availble for home release for you're record,cassette or cd player and digital download when computers get more relevant!!!

[@tbfilms420]

Nonexistanthuman Um fuck off, i'm Billy Mays

[@TylertheRed33]

favorite song of all time.

[@kit2250]

Tyler Allred I like waltz number 2

[@sameoldscenes]

same

[@dirtmerchant1980]

damn.....remember when back when MTV2 first came on the air and it only played videos.........those were the days. It was like having Pandora on TV. Every time i turned it on i saw some great new band id never heard of.

[@eteline_music]

Still my favourite song. It just has this incredible buzzing, latent energy to it until the storm breaks.

[@GixxerRider1991]

Elliott was such a great musician. I wish I'd been born ten years earlier.

[@purplepatch7]

Me too.

[@claytondenchuk478]

Makes me want to move to Portland.

[@future_Tarzan]

+Clayton Denchuk listening to this in Portland. (yes it's raining)

[@basedsouljah]

+Clayton Denchuk 1996 portland was so much different from 2016 portland.. haha.

[@eyedeliver]

+Joshua Magdaleno listening to this in portland, its sunny.

[@antrob95]

Yeah the portland Elliott lived in is long gone.

[@sucktastic]

God yes it was.

[@johnnydam8671]

This song is fire. Man this guy was taken too soon from the earth

[@carldavis9603]

I showed this song to my therapist. She loved it. Elliott Smith had a power of putting feelings that I can't quite describe into words

[@Killfaced]

Music peaked with this song, we haven’t had anything better since

[@ammortal]

This is a little baffling to me. I became a rabid Elliott fan as soon as I heard his stuff on the Good Will Hunting soundtrack in 1998. And that discovery of his music absolutely, unalterably changed my life. This Heatmiser video is stamped with a big 'ol MTV2 mark, and I'd been an avid Alternative Nation/120 Minutes watcher during this entire period. So was I just not paying attention, or maybe this just slipped by me, because I sure as fuck would have been all over this track as every musical element that adheres me to him are right here in this song.

[@whyisaac]

WOW?! Elliott playing John's Rickenbacker, the Bassist playing Paul's Hofner and the Guitarist playing George's Jaguar. So much Beatles, kick ass song!

[@whyisaac]

You're god damn right. It wasn't a signature guitar for him, but he sure as hell played one in his Beatles years :)

[@erickt1974]

@@whyisaac George never played a Jaguar

[@danielw.1339]

For some reason I just really love the rhyme at "They say that I'll recover from my love of her once in a while."

[@petersmith9530]

Me too.It got stuck in my head for a while.Its like a loop of words.

[@SmittenKitten.]

Sometimes I want to reach through the screen and shake the living hell out of him. I'm still so pissed that he's gone.

[@LeftHookLegend]

*LYRICS* You're everybody's second home Always trying to get me alone An easy way to lose it all Always there when all else fails Over by the west side rails But I don't really need that now I never really did anyhow I only really needed alcohol Something that'd treat me okay And wouldn't say the things you'd say Please turn out the light I get a sick confusion headache Trying to figure out who's right Dreaming on the silver strand Waking up to plainclothes man You little bastard, little boy in blue Someone's gonna get to you And fuck up everything you do He's so unhappy inside He's serious with everyone And he thinks he'll win you with his angry kiss Acting like he has no needs Wanting you to watch him bleed Made for each other bet you pay me any mind Just goes to show my continual decline They say that I'll recover my love of her once in a while But I don't know I don't think so There's something that I'll tell you now Now that no one else is around The sort of lesson that I learned from you Not quite the way you planned But I know you'll understand Someone takes a photograph A picture while their sweetheart laughs A perfect moment in a flash of light Counting back from three till one That's exactly what you've done And I'm so Unsurprised I remember, I remember why I dream in black and white Goes to show my continual decline They say that I'll recover My love of her Once in a while But I don't know I don't think so I don't think so

[@PeacockAffect]

I love that guitar

[@davebosworth1778]

Yea. Love that Rickenbacker sound.

[@amyh2310]

This song pierces my heart and head.

[@realityisfire]

i've listened to this song on repeat for the last day...something about it really does it for me. thanks for the vid.

[@nyckelwound]

The lyrics of this song are awesome and i can painfully relate to what it says.... And heatmiser are overally awesome , even in the songs that elliot smith doesnt sing. Mic city sons is a pearl of an album

[@cathiejoyYoungart]

my god this brings back memories. my favorite band and was'nt i lucky to be living here and going to their shows? loved Elliott but was intimidated by him. tried to talk to him but he was as shy as me. had a big crush on Neil Gust even though he was gay heatmiser....

[@PipePhilosophy1377]

The 90s were such magical time for music . I’m glad I was around

[@jlansdale536]

This is my new go to simply because it is both heartbreaking and uplifting.

[@shodty]

I love that Elliott never looks at the camera. He was an amazing dude.

[@blackburnrovers11]

I REMEMBER I REMEMBER WHY I DREAM IN BLACK AND WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITEEEE

[@alexberry9272]

blackburnrovers11 I do the same thing :)

[@ammortal]

+blackburnrovers11 That scratch in his vocals there is so amazing.

[@georgebegbie6725]

oh yes, it's sad it was only sung once in the song. brilliant line

[@giselaoluic5745]

Oh, Mr Smith you've felt me for so long.

[@hollyvines1585]

I love u,elliott.r.i.p.

[@barretferre9258]

just imagine if Jeff Buckley and Elliott Smith had the chance to work together........

[@VikenxRocker]

well there's a photo of them together, I think it was at a Heatmiser concert, not sure... was something beautiful to see, even when it wasn't the best picture of all the time hahaha so yeah, if just a photo can make me feel that way a song probably would be too much for my emotions

[@billybandit6505]

mixed up with Noel Gallaghers Lyrics :O

[@singingknives3856]

In a perfect world perhaps.. They'd still be making music tho. But in the words of Jeff "society wants them (rockstars) to die" having someone to martyr as they carry a light we refuse to carry for ourselves, so they killed them.

[@k-dogg711]

@@singingknives3856 I think it’s a tad ridiculous to say that someone in the music industry literally killed them. Maaaaybe Elliott, but that’s a stretch. Jeff Buckley had nowhere to go but up so it would have made no logical sense.

[@singingknives3856]

@@k-dogg711 yeah, of course it's a stretch. I was paraphrasing though so maybe I didn't articulate my point very well. I just meant the way society creates an image of someone to perpetuate the money machine and if you can't be that puppet doing it the way that people expect you to then you simply fall into mediocrity or die gracefully.

[@TonySarandrea215]

Probably in a Top 5 for my favorite Elliott songs... and that says ALOT.. cause he has so much gold material.. It's at least in a top 10 for me.. and its definitely the best Heatmiser song.. also really like See You Later, Half Right, and Christian Bros. with them..

[@jamieanderkin7512]

First time I noticed what looks like Elliott himself stealing a pack of TP from the kwike-mart....love it!

[@Rainbowcorn1997]

Thank you for pointing that out, it made my day ! Lol

[@riffraffrichard]

Me too, hes obviously got shoplifting skills to match his songwriting

[@adilennon130]

I wish Elliot, Josh Klinghoffer and Jeff Buckley can create a band together, those shy musicians are ( were ) genius!

[@thunderpants7]

Like a warm blanket that helps me to feel comforted.

[@RippedfromVHS]

That MTV2 logo in the corner gave me all sorts of emotional feels

[@songsthatarecatchy]

Who in their right mind could ever dislike this song???

[@YewLogs026]

Ohhhh the 90s. Strumming his electric guitar at the beginning to an acoustic part of the song xD R.I.P. Elliott Smith. You can still feel the Elliott within Portland to this day..

[@sloppy_hand]

there's a clip from "I'm a loser" (and sure there's also from another songs) in which John Lennon is strummin' his Ric to an acoustic sound... Elliott was a big Beatles' fan, so who knows if wasn't it on purpose in this clip?

[@JULIAtalk]

Regardless how he died, his music will make him live forever.

[@kathybatesmotel]

That voice is fucking amazing.

[@MatthewBrigham-1]

Still loving this in 2020.

[@carlostixtla]

great, great song by great musicians, thanx elliott

[@themurge]

What a beautiful, beautiful voice he had

[@jpl2754]

My favourite song posted on my birthday. Nice.

[@henfencey5751]

Interesting to think that if you lived in the PNW in the 90s, you could've seen Elliot Smith, the Melvins, Unwound and Nirvana live.

[@Dani92670]

In the few times I've seen this video I never gave it much scrutiny. For whatever reason, this time I found myself scrutinizing it and am now aware that towards the end, Elliott is shoplifting in the liquor store. It really speaks volumes to me as to what kind of sense of humor Elliott possessed.

[@the805paradox]

Yes he is there’s still photographs of this . He was stealing Toiler Paper if i remember correctly

[@Dani92670]

@@the805paradox You said "there's still photographs of this" - meaning actual photographs hanging up at the store? TP is too funny...kinda takes on a whole new meaning after a couple of years ago and the whole "TP" issue because of the scam-demic. Elliott wouldn't have been down with this crap.

[@the805paradox]

@@Dani92670 my friend Ross Harris shot this vidoe and also took pictures of Elliot. i think if you look up pictures taken by Ross Harris you’ll come across the TP bandit lmao

[@Dani92670]

@@the805paradox I tried soooo many different search tags trying to find a TP photo and just couldn't come up with anything. I was surprised to see this Ross Harris person you speak of - well he is a big deal, damn. I must be living under a rock, of sorts.

[@the805paradox]

@@Dani92670 here’s the link to Rosss pic of Elliot and the TP. 😅

[@seshwig]

"Someone's gonna get to you and fuck up everything you do" - my favorite line.

[@trumpsaflightrisk2030]

The producing here is perfect. Double the vocals, and Rickenbackers aren't cheap but worth it

[@jlansdale536]

This song is the best.

[@emilychinn5782]

the bass line is perfect, and with that voice... woah

[@parasympathicus]

Great Song. Great Voice. Great Poem.

[@povetru]

god, bless this man, he deserves it like no one

[@saucepanification]

same here man. this is all i ever listen to anymore.

[@carolinapdx]

I love your music.. miss you :(

[@moviemaker96]

realityisfire is a very good friend of mine. he introduced this song to me a few weeks ago. i'm not gonna lie, it took me a while to get into it. now that i have, i have realized what a great work of art this song is. i will relish this song for as long as i'm drunk. and believe me, i will be drinking for a VERY long time.

[@scottyspaceboots9]

amazing lyrics! just plain awesome!

[@dave3006]

Saw their last show at la Luna PDX... amazing.... many years ago

[@Djrossi13]

Thanks, +desperateStatic. I haven't heard this since the 90's. Clutch!!

[@petezilla]

Thanks for posting this.

[@AaronIsaak47]

God damn this is a good song. 😎 Playing it on repeat today.

[@vladatsman5464]

слушали всем стримом, топ песня

[@ДимаОглы-ш7п]

Песня гениальная! Очень жаль, что на русском языке такой песни нет. И музыка и особенно текст бесподобные

[@chrish6912]

This video being 15 years old (on KZbin, I know the song is older) gives me existential despair.

[@EggNoggDreams]

aww, memories...

[@aJazzcat]

i never knew heatmiser had any videos. this is great

[@jlansdale536]

That chord change. Oh.

[@ALLinALLgood]

*"I only really needed alcohol"* ..I fuck-up every thing I do .. A perfect moment in a flash of light ..

[@nargizaliyeva]

Finally I understand that this song is about a narcissist father, abusive family relationships and a quite fed up child. That's actually the situation I'm in.

[@roxxma]

I think my favorite line is "Someone takes a photograph, a picture while their sweetheart laughs, a perfect moment in a flash of light". It just says so much.

[@elizabethlongail4781]

Timeless video

[@songsthatarecatchy]

THIS IS THE BEST BAND EVER.

[@gabejohnston1556]

It's amazing how much that Ricky sounds like an acoustic guitar... ;)

[@CaseySugrue]

this band really saved me

[@lennoncoimbra4856]

I will listen on my last day.

[@victoriandorian8730]

...just goes to show my continual decline....he was one of the best lyricists, i put him on part with Leonard Cohen, lyrically, almost...

[@lynnturman8157]

+Victorian Dorian Interesting. Cause he's also one of the great melodists ever. Right up there with Mozart & McCartney.

[@jenniferreynolds1565]

His heart on his sleeve

[@clydeg4274]

Elliott’s lyrics hit so hard.. especially his songs dealing with addiction and alcohol which is probably most of them. Hits the nail so squarely on the head.

[@BBPalmer420]

@@lynnturman8157 While im a massive Smith fan and I respect your opinion, I would have to disagree with him being right up there Mozart/McCartney.. I wouldn't even put McCartney up there w Mozart.. MAYBE Brian Wilson.. but Mozart was not from this plane friend

[@downallyourstreets]

Maybe Mcartney is good but I can’t stand him, I ‘m glad I get to choose Elliott Smith and Lou Reed David Bowie etc. no interest in thebeatles

[@TheNewThirteen]

I really like this song.

[@pinkchocolategirl55]

beautiful song! luv it

[@yourlipsarerubyred]

one of his best.

[@MojoBending]

I’m a hinge Dylan fan but this might be one of the best songs ever. A pure, honest masterpiece.

[@seanmatthewking]

That’s half of Elliott’s catalogue

[@angelolivares8754]

Dude you should listen more Elliott Smith songs from his solo career you'll probably like him he was incredible, also listen to Nick Drake if you haven't the album Pink Moon is a great way to start. For me Elliott, Dylan and Nick Drake are the best folk guitar dudes of all time

[@Saketaikura]

This Condenser microphone ´s acoustic guitar sounds is super amazing, His delicate voices has been stands out by it.

[@blissed96]

Such a cool sad sounding melody

[@alaskaonthemoon]

Thank you!!!!

[@evanisovich]

THANK YOU

[@revisionscreenprinti]

I has a sad.

[@dennisbernard11]

Eric Courtemanche yea girl, me too

[@Dani92670]

@@dennisbernard11 I think Eric is a male name. I have a brother named Eric. He is a boy.

[@dennisbernard11]

@@Dani92670 Yeah girl, me too

[@thornycrown7775]

@@dennisbernard11 *3 years later*

[@hvghhefner]

@@thornycrown7775 its surprising I've never seen someone reply to a comment pass 1 year or a couple months lol

[@BozzasBilge]

GREAT UPLOADING :D x

[@samesamething]

song goes great with the videos feel

[@ajc72198]

this is the only 1 true song, its my favorite song, why do i only listen to this song??? i love it

[@89arnburg]

i like how he doesnt look at the camera. he sounds so sincere. so real.

[@BradleyHartzler]

In youth we can remember a time when we were not fond of cops, and as allen ginsberg said, and it's probably the case here, elliot "inherited a little poetic paranoia." Paradox is those cops could have saved his life, maybe help give 'em the rude awakening he needed to stay off drugs and recover. More and more I am loving his music. His compositions, which is really what they are, will really insure him a cult following into perpetuity.

[@SethMacLaren]

cops were very much a part of the driving force that took him from us. the only thing that could have saved him was love but nobody could understand that til it was too late

[@BradleyHartzler]

Interesting enough Seth, like Brian Jones, another talented composer, he had a deep-seated (and he's not the only one :)) trauma, involving a male authority figure as a young person that, like you said, was a driving force in his life, for sure was the thing that took us from us entirely too early. In Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture it's called a CF, a Causative Factor. Circumstances surrounding his life and death are riveting, I hope as time goes on more people enjoy the music and the life of our Mr. Smith.

[@DylG1111]

Bradley Hartzler great comments. Interesting psychological analysis on Elliott Smith. As a former addict I really don't believe the criminal justice system helps addicts out at all... It's a medical problem. I've never heard of someone getting a "rude awakening" from the police. I'm not saying doctors could have helped Elliott either because that's what they were trying to do at the time of his death. Just my opinion. RIP Elliott.

[@BradleyHartzler]

Seth, we are people constitutionally incapable of being honest with ourselves. We are like sick puppies. I don't read into the work of elliot and the Beats, as another example, the same way I did when I was in active addiction. I read them as attempts to maintain their sobriety.

[@BradleyHartzler]

Slow down.

[@lnnocent]

Amazing.

[@Stillillgal]

it's one of this song i heard for the first time and didn't like that much and now it's one of my favorit of him