Elliott Smith, The Kinks, Waterloo Sunset cover [Live on the Jon Brion Show]

[@suttree3233]

Seeing Smith's rendition made me realize how melancholy a song Waterloo Sunset really is -- now it's one of my all time favourites, all thanks to Elliott.

[@JunkBondTrader]

Elliott's the gift that keeps on giving :)

[@cosmicrocks138]

Oh you didn't know?

[@beatriceblake5201]

It's one of a few songs that makes me cry.

[@Porkleaker]

He just had this special skill, to make any song depressing af.

[@aspenelizabeth-qf3sp]

@@Porkleakerso true

[@malejajim10111]

Elliot gave this cover just the right amount of sadness the original needed. I like both the original version and this one, but this one is truly a gem.

[@bluedelerium]

I love that...”just the right amount of sadness”♥️

[@knuckle12356]

​@@bluedelerium well, before the restrictor plates were introduced, Elliott would come out with just over the TOP sadness at every race and just SMOKE the competition... The music industry has become much more competitive since...

[@Trenzalore-gn6xq]

I love his voice man, it’s so fragile and you can feel the torment he has experienced. One of the reasons I love him so much, he wasn’t afraid to pour his emotions into the music and it was just so authentic.

[@JunkBondTrader]

Yes, his emotional expression was one of his truly unmatched skills. It's what made his him great to legend IMO

[@SuperZombieUnicornsss]

Man, what I would do to see him live...anything...

[@eveazur]

same he's such a pure soul

[@MvdgMusic]

Man, what I would do to see him alive…anything…

[@melissam.9648]

Same here!

[@may-qf1kq]

i’d do disgusting things

[@swagdeteriorating]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news

[@CliveXO]

His little smile when he messes up a note towards the end is the best

[@a.evelyn5498]

He makes a remark during this show, I can’t recall if it’s before or after about how he had made a mistake, and when the other person playing with him brushes it off as happening to everyone and compliments Elliott, Elliott in turn brushes that off and comments that he shouldn’t be messing up and playing live isn’t about that, very clearly putting himself down. It’s very sad.

[@chandlerisbell4965]

I believe he said “The point isn’t to make no mistakes” meaning making mistakes is part of performing and he’s okay with it.

[@didierklein1328]

I always thought he smiled because he simply liked when Jon was playing the intro part again.

[@d-rockanomaly9243]

@@a.evelyn5498 I remember that part. I forget where too though. I think most musicians or creative types are hyper aware of their mistakes. I think he was able to realize that. I know Elliott was self critical a lot... But I feel it was more out of modesty. I always got the feeling he knew he was good, or at least, he liked his own music. It's just speculation, but I get that sense in certain shows when he's playing, sometimes he has this like half smirk when he's finger picking his way through these insane bridges with ease :p anyway I'm just talkin'

[@Cam-oh8pn]

The best is just an idea

[@ambermcewing]

This is beautifully heartbreaking to me. The world misses you, Elliott.

[@igorsanmartin7654]

15 years since Elliott Smith Left us all! Forever missed - "Never gonna know you now, but I Gonna love you anyhow"

[@Treaure]

Ive had a day that was so full of cruelty. Being blessed with this song tonight brings it all into perspective

[@catwantsfishie]

This almost made me burst into tears. I can't explain why.

[@JunkBondTrader]

I get that relatively often from Elliott. Aside from his lyrics, voice, instrumental genius... I think the quality Elliott had that made him the legend he is, was his emotional expression. It sounds and looks like he believes whatever he's singing. I can't put my finger on it either... But I think, at least for me, that realness makes me relate what he's singing to shit in my own life. Maybe that's why anything artistic makes me cry, I relate it to real people in my life, or problems or whatever, deep down.

[@kalbunga7168]

Just found this today. Have been a fan of The Kinks and Elliot forever I never knew Elliot did this. Thank you for sharing this.

[@sophiemia827]

Omg I never knew he covered this!! One of my favorite Kinks songs. Dx

[@joosse9217]

words cant describe how much this performance means to me

[@MakeAmericaLiftAgain]

Elliott Smith is perhaps the most iconic musical genius I have ever come across.

[@a.evelyn5498]

It drives me absolutely crazy how the word "iconic" is absolutely over-used nowadays. This here is indeed iconic-- I agree wholeheartedly with you. Elliott Smith's musical genius should be better recognized. His talent as a musician is incredible and his song-writing frank and beautiful. Kids nowadays use iconic constantly, like when their favourite KZbin star posts some selfie on Instagram. There is a vast difference between selfies and self-portraits too. Can Gogh in paint, Francesca Woodman in film photography-- those are self-portraits. Elliott's songs are in a way musical self-portraits. He is iconic, not Ariana Grande's selfie with the dog filter. It's also interesting to see pop artists trying to recreate past sounds. Harry Styles is the perfect example. His song Sign of the Times (I think that's the name?) is an attempt to recreate the sound of The Who, but it's just that-- an attempted recreation. First off, no one can recreate the sound of a band / artist like that, and second, it's not innovative in any way. Elliott Smith, for example, was greatly inspired by the Beatles, and you can hear it in a lot of his music through chord progressions and such. Elliott, however, unlike Styles, drew from the Beatles but created his own unique sound. It's by no means an attempted recreation. It's instead inspiration behind his very own creations. Does that mans sense? No one is going to read this ridiculously long comment anyway, so I don't expect an answer. This comment keeps getting longer and longer, and it will keep getting longer as I already wrote what follows but then inserted some of what I've just written. Continuing onward, it would be nice for the Oscars to have a tribute to Elliott as he was nominated - and should have won, in my opinion, not Celine Dion's well done but horribly sappy and trite song from Titanic that the Academy ate up like a dog gobbles down its food - for Miss Misery from Good Will Hunting. Gus Van Sant (the film's director) was friends will Elliott and saw his raw talent, using many of his songs in other films as well. The last scene of his film Paranoid Park concludes with Elliott's Angeles, and it's so brilliantly done; the scene and song go so well together, hand in hand. Elliott's performance at the Oscars was so anxious, but I really love it nevertheless. I absolutely hate how right after he plays, the actress announces the winner and states something along the lines of "of course, the winner is My Heart Will Go On." It strikes me as rude due to Elliott's performance having just preceded the announcement. It feels like it invalidates any of the others nominated, and again, it seems not the kindest with Elliott having just performed moments before. Maybe I'm too sensitive, and I see it as such as I'm extremely appreciative of his music, while not a fan of Titanic and its oh so sappy song. Returning to the idea of a tribute, I would want it carried out what I would deem as correctly, being in good taste, done by another truly iconic musician, and, moreover, respectfully. I would love to see what Neil Young would do with an Elliott Smith song. I consider he and Elliott on the same wavelength insofar that both are incredible musicians with voices so infused with emotion and originality. As for how I would not like to see a tribute, I was not, for example, a fan of the tribute to Kurt Cobain during which several musicians, the majority pop stars, covered his songs, many of which I personally did not enjoy and some in the strangest ways, strange to anyone not just me. Lorde's performance is the perfect example. I actually think Lorde's first album was fairly good, not exactly my taste but well done and the lyrics insightful for a teenager, not her following music so much. I was so confused -- know I was not alone in this as I've seen articles on this -- by her performance of a Nirvana song - I don't recall what song and I frankly do not feel the need to search it as I have no desire to listen to it again. It wasn't bad per say... but it wasn't good. It was very strange, and even the musician accompanying her seems to be giving her a confused look. Who knows. Maybe Kurt would have loved it. Side note: it was so sad to see how Krist Novoselic so downtrodden, not like the kid who used to bounce around shoeless on stage like he was having the time of his life. David Grohl very quickly returned to music as the lead, but Krist seems forever saddened by it, not to say that Grohl wasn't deeply affected too as he clearly was... you get what I mean hopefully. Anyway, going back to the point I was trying to make, I simply would not want nor would enjoy a tribute to Elliott to have popstars who likely have never really listened to his music covering his songs in strange ways, i.e. trying to be innovative when performing his music. Yes, a musician should imbue his/her own style into the song to an extent, but have it a musician that is more than a performer than an artist (e.g. Ariana Grande - sorry to use her again but I'm blanking on other pop stars - who can undeniably sing but generally does not write her own music and every song is about sex - it's fine to have songs on sex but literally every song of hers is a version of that one where she sings about walking side to side because of all the sex she's having, even her most recent song God is a Woman, which I listened to to see what it was all about, was ultimately about sex and while good that she owns her sexuality and asserts female empowerment, the song itself is not the "iconic" and powerful tribute to feminine power, worth going down as a major boundary-defying mark in musical history that her fans claim it to be, while in my opinion discussing feminine power in the context of sex, showing off how good she is in bed, with the music video far more powerful than the song itself - ... god I went on too long again so that my ultimate idea got lost... I was trying to compare a performer to a musician, with the example of Ariana Grande, given the aforementioned reasons, versus someone like Janis Joplin or Elliott Smith, in spite of Joplin not having written all her songs... she is artist for reasons I can't even fully explain and my thumbs are getting cramped and my brain is telling me to shut up because I'm wasting time on something no one will read fully, or probably at all. If anyone gets to this point, though, I think you'll get what I mean again hopefully). If there ever was a tribute, I'd want them to get another brilliant, truly iconic musician - I'll say it again, I'd choose Neil Young - dressed in a white suit like Elliott was when performing at the Oscars, to cover Miss Misery and leave it at that. God I would love to see what Neil Young would do with an Elliott Smith song. I think I already wrote that... anyway I better be quiet now. (Get it? I need a machete for my thumbs and a bullet for my brain). The end.

[@Gillanator99]

@@a.evelyn5498 You could use some of the brevity "kids these days" have.

[@davidrundle1366]

@@a.evelyn5498 That's the longest comment I have ever seen.

[@bluedelerium]

David Rundle I was like “Wait...no it’s not”...*UNTIL* I clicked “read more” and then laughed so hard at your comment.😂 & It took me sooo long just to scroll past all that to get back down to your comment...I think quarantine is over now.

[@d-rockanomaly9243]

@@davidrundle1366 You haven't seen my comments then haha. Oh fuck nvm I just hit more.

[@folkchild7595]

can't believe I never heard this before, and I love him and the kinks. happy I found it now though. stay safe everyone, quarantine kids

[@JunkBondTrader]

Gotta love finding Elliott stuff. Like Christmas!

[@MoiraRussell]

Well, _that's_ fucking heartbreaking. Beautiful version, thank you so much for posting it.

[@lisajaenicke6203]

I always live to hear covers of former releases by artists! It really adds flavor and color to the original💕💕💕

[@horatiohornblowers]

This is just beautiful. A gift. Thank you.

[@toddaop9103]

First off. One of my favorite tunes. Love the Kinks. Had no idea Elliot covered it. Great version.

[@bluedelerium]

I get teary & chills/goosebumps EVERY TIME I watch this.♥️

[@3hr284]

Elliott voice is so calming, he make my life so much better

[@TheMindulina]

It's kind of tender how Elliott keeps an eye on what Jon is playing.

[@thomascraymer8712]

This comment almost brought me to tears, for another reason... well I have 2 younger brothers, we used to have a band when we were teens (actually in our early days we did Kinks covers, as well as Beatles, Nirvana, Doors, and Oasis)... I am slightly guilty for breaking up the band, I was the first to leave it (I wanted to do more experimental stuff and formed a side band), but I joined again, to keep it going, despite our musical differences I quite enjoyed playing live with them... my two brothers were extremely close, I was the outsider My youngest bro was the next to leave, he just lost interest in music one day... my middle bro was always close to our youngest bro but we went on without him, we talked about doing acoustic stuff, but eventually hired another member and did 2 huge gigs, then hired another, but by that time there were already tensions, me and my bro took the band seriously, the other two were always late (if they even did turn up), we affectionately named one of our bandmate's gf "Yoko" for obvious reasons The final nail in the coffin was my youngest bro getting married... ofc I am happy for him, but he has now cut off all contact with my middle brother, and my middle bro completely gave up on music now too, I am the only one still making music... Sorry, I have rambled now... how this relates to your comment is when me and my middle bro were doing the acoustic stuff together, and talking of a new band... we usually had a sort of Lennon-McCartney style rivalry in the past, never got on, but after our youngest bro left the band, we had some of the most intimate jams possible, similar to this... we should have done this, rather than inviting two other members... it's possibly the closest I ever was to my middle bro, and we could have done well performing as 2 brothers

[@RahRahTique]

been watching this video for 4 hours, still can't get enough of it...

[@JunkBondTrader]

Madlad! Legend says he's still going, 7 years on.

[@RahRahTique]

@@JunkBondTrader yes sir! I actually watched this video last week, again!

[@embecker9318]

This is so beautiful and unexpected, thank you for posting ❤️

[@chadsmith3171]

The audio is amazing. Insanely clear. Love that.

[@benphone7430]

Chad Smith check out other voices, it's a TV show made in Ireland with that in mind, all sorts of artists recording in ideal acoustic buildings and the likes

[@kingrobert1st]

Sounded like geese farts on a muggy day to me.

[@d-rockanomaly9243]

@@kingrobert1st It's all relative. This is live footage of someone who died in 2003, who had more of a cult following than a mainstream audience, who has a lot of shows that have far worse quality. This is "insanely clear" Elliott Smith footage. It wasn't produced at Abbey Road, yesterday. And even objectively speaking, this is pretty well recorded and mixed. It's what I'd expect from TV footage this old.

[@summerblack314]

there is nothing more beautiful that I have ever known of than 1969 - 2003 him & his life, and I know I'll forget someday but.. nothing can change that it happened

[@soarom1]

Thanks for sharing, summer.

[@PanthersForce]

Elliot Smith soothes my heart and mind.

[@JunkBondTrader]

And the ear :)

[@FungusMossGnosis]

Older I get, the more I realize this is one of the finest Western pop songs, up there with the best of Foster, Carmichael, Berlin, Kern. Absolute genius.

[@sometimesmudturnstoau7469]

i love the way his voice hit's the line afraid so tenuously. really his voice does it on the whole song, but it just fit's the song so well. it's like a crack in the exterior. i'm really petrified and anxious as all hell most of the time, but i'll still play and will blow you away. one wonders if he realized how great he truly was. whatever. but lowkey acoustic elliott is amazing. as is every other incarnation of his music.

[@vijetao2090]

Oh, what a beautiful song and Elliott Smith made it even more beautiful! ❤️

[@agamenon1953]

Boy, I can not hold back the tears

[@steveparness2251]

man that was beautiful

[@sloanerockwell3177]

wow this is great - never thought Id hear them play together

[@camerriam]

If there were any justice in the world this show would’ve lasted for 20 years

[@jamesbyrne9312]

Lovely, love singing this one, elliot has a clean voice. We'll done

[@bananatarash3704]

so beautiful

[@sophiam7601]

I adore this

[@mrSWEETlfs]

I so love this version.

[@teenactavis]

love you Elliott

[@xexexz6372]

listening to his cover makes me look at the song in a new light

[@bobbycigarette]

Love you Elliott,... its been 13 years. I love hearing him sing this song.

[@Lunatic4Bizcas]

Wow! Sublime. So true to the original. I guess such a gem could only be done justice by someone as prodigious as the late Elliot Smith.

[@Whatzzzz999]

In my humble opinion there are only three voices that can do this song justice: Ray Davies, Damon Albarn and Elliott Smith. Each has just the right combination of simple, understated delivery, poignancy, 'believability'...Others generally seem to 'over-egg the pudding' and go a bit theatrical I think. This is a great video, thanks for posting.

[@billyjoe8759]

Yes for Damon!!!

[@DrawtheCurtains]

I think Alex Chilton from Big Star (the biggest Kinks fan of all time, I understand) could have done this pretty well too, especially in the 70s when his voice was at its prime.

[@jamespowell2297]

this is paradise

[@dbcruser3133]

Very beautiful.

[@Carrandas]

Elliott Smith got me listening to the Kinks. I had no idea that they were so good :)

[@briankennedy1192]

Without the kinks there would be nothing.

[@kicker4ld]

Always loved elliott's version of this, great footage

[@JunkBondTrader]

Tis a lovely piece of footage.

[@indiesongwriter5474]

I love the original as it has a sweeter bittersweet, but this versions more sad bittersweet tone brought out another dimension to the lyrics. I actually feel like I understand the song more. It's a great companion piece to the original. What and amazing accomplishment for Elliott. Not many covers accomplish this feat.

[@jjacazoid]

My favorite cover ever! Well this and Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah...

[@Catsmakemeselfconscious]

this is so sweet

[@thomasmalone8216]

True to the original. Wonderful.

[@williamcole60]

The greatest thing on KZbin

[@user-zt2wc3uh1l]

Beautiful voice. Jon Brion is my 3rd cousin, btw.

[@d-rockanomaly9243]

Nice! If you ever see him, tell him Dustin Mulligan thinks your cool as fuck.

[@atticusfinch6038]

What happened to the first two?

[@Cuddletauren]

@@atticusfinch6038 nick drake and es died

[@aguscg7897]

this is how pure otherwordly sensibility sounds like

[@Sophieloaf]

god I love Elliott’s voice

[@iwiwd624]

this song makes me sad and happy at the same time❤️ i prefer this cover to the original

[@ustheserfs]

What a talent...he had as far to go as he'd already traveled.

[@o0musiic0o]

so beautiful. my favorite kinks song

[@projekctgonzo]

Qué versión tan hermosa. Elliott hace sonar sublime cualquier cover que hacía. Carajo y eso hace que lo extrañes más.

[@jorgek92]

Pablo Sinuhé verdad, siempre vuelvo a sus canciones con esa idea

[@MrSnappy67]

Back in the 90's, remember reading about a Kinks tribute show featuring Elliott and other Portland musicians (probably in a bar) the week after it happened. That would've been nice to see. Not sure if this song was played (seems likely), but I recall the ensemble encore was Shangri-La. (And I was jealous they got to play Kinks songs and wished I'd been part of it!)

[@JunkBondTrader]

Haha cool. I love reading little snippits of Elliott history like this, thanks for sharing.

[@SteveVanEtten]

Wow, yeah that is sublime✌❤🎵🎶

[@jasonleon857]

Dirty old river, must you keep rolling Flowing into the night? People so busy, make me feel dizzy Taxi light shines so bright But I don't need no friends As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day, I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine (Waterloo sunset's fine) Terry meets Julie Waterloo station Every Friday night But I am so lazy, don't want to wander I stay at home at night But I don't feel afraid As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day, I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine (Waterloo sunset's fine) Millions of people swarming like flies 'round Waterloo underground But Terry and Julie cross over the river Where they feel safe and sound And they don't need no friends As long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset They are in paradise Waterloo sunset's fine (Waterloo sunset's fine) Waterloo sunset's fine

[@druidswillow1052]

I know Elliot was a troubled soul but there's a beauty in sadness & never more on show in this cover R.I.P Elliot, Jim, Godalming, UK

[@engeldeeter]

Better than the original. Better than the Wilco cover. Ray Davies wrote one of the very greatest pop songs here. Absolute beauty. Halloween of '96 I got off work at a pizza place and went directly to The Metro in Chicago to see Elliott open for The Tindersticks. I had been listening to 'Either/Or' all the time since a friend had recently given me a copy. Elliott had walking pneumonia but played anyway. I got drunk on red wine with my friends. I smelled like pizza. The Tindersticks were great too and I met them at the bar next door after the show. They were very nice. I'm so glad I got to see Elliott live. He is sorely missed. Such great memories.

[@noosed]

Edward Buster You are very lucky to have seen him, wish I had! Glad you had the opportunity to make such an awesome memory.

[@Alyssasrealm]

Elliott mostly looks like feeling very uncomfortable anyhow...

[@gibsonvos5120]

Better than the original? ...no Don’t think so

[@billyjones4309]

fair fucking play this is so great

[@pablon.rivero585]

Beautiful soul Elliott...

[@BoogWorldwide]

The way him and Jon harmonize.... god damn

[@jbliv831]

Great band covered by a great musician.

[@Monthito1]

Music dont get much better than that

[@jasonsnusberry3654]

This and the Damon Albarn one are my favorite covers of Waterloo, it's such a better song being stripped back like this and so much texture comes through.

[@inDieffiNido]

Dirty old river, must you keep rolling Flowing into the night People so busy, makes me feel dizzy Taxi light shines so bright But I don't need no friends As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine Terry meets Julie, Waterloo Station Every Friday night But I am so lazy, don't want to wander I stay at home at night But I don't feel afraid As long as I gaze on Waterloo sunset I am in paradise Every day I look at the world from my window But chilly, chilly is the evening time Waterloo sunset's fine Millions of people swarming like flies 'round Waterloo underground But Terry and Julie cross over the river Where they feel safe and sound And they don't need no friends As long as they gaze on Waterloo sunset They are in paradise Waterloo sunset's fine

[@johncroasdale1992]

Well done lads

[@JunkBondTrader]

Same here actually. I didn't realize so many songs were actually theirs, but I recognized them. They're good shit!

[@bttrflygal]

Junk Bond Trader originally by the kinks

[@jainsworr]

This is beautiful!!

[@JunkBondTrader]

ah yes Ive always loved this video, I always wished it were longer cos' seems like he had a lot more to say. He was quite chipper that afternoon :D

[@DrawtheCurtains]

Man, is Brion the only one singing the harmonies? They're absolutely beautiful.

[@ryanrockers]

Seriously fucking great

[@ryanguerin1010]

Chills.

[@velocityJE]

wonderful

[@Carrandas]

They have a huge catalogue. I personally really enjoy their Face to Face & Something Else by the Kinks. Your mileage may vary.

[@Shroomy801]

I wish I had the soul of Elliott. I wonder if there’s footage of him walking on water?

[@tman6799is]

That smile at 3:00 made me so happy and sad at the same time

[@Nikkyeshiva83]

I love this. I'm ashamed I didn't discover his stuff until the day he passed away. Wait, Jon Brion had a show???

[@Mark-td6wh]

Crying myself to death

[@eggman098765]

Wow! Great cover. Elliott not so impressed by the great Jon Brions solo. Funny moment. Two of my favorites, great rendition, fer sure.

[@kylem2712]

that voice, man

[@jgarchuleta1175]

nice to hear that voice..

[@JunkBondTrader]

Too true, too true.

[@davidcraig75]

Black Berry the movie brought me here , new to the song , and Elliott , just finding this , try not be jealous , LOL

[@natsukibarususubaru]

is elliott's music featured in the film or something?

[@davidcraig75]

@@natsukibarususubaru no, the Kinks , first time hearing the song , then I was prompted to listen to Elliot , he,s great.

[@LordTamer12]

this is a fortnite vicotry royale

[@supergene64]

this has ridiculously huge Simon Spier energy

[@atticusfinch6038]

Jon brion hits the high notes like Barry gibb,

[@presinald]

I'm drunk and having a breakdown listening to Elliott Smith, KZbin I do not give a shit about Christian dating apps. What could possibly be in my marketing data to suggest I would be interested lol

[@R3DXM4S]

Lily P, if you ever hear this then no I will love you forever and always.

[@GuitarManNik]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@jmpsthrufyre]

Hmm. Just noticed Elliott is strumming with the down strum on the up beat.

[@alexandrax7110]

[@josecardena8017]

Es mejor que la original, su voz es tan triste , perfecta para la canción

[@jay56wilcox]

Hello, For so many Reasons. This Is My FAVORITE. You Get It. Ray Got it Gave. 143 7 jcw

[@OriBenZvi]

mesmerizing...

[@hatesitrick]

YO WAT THE FUCK - I NEVER KNEW THAT ELLIOT SMITH COVERED THE KINKS -

[@stelladougherty6721]

I KNOW RIGHT ITS THE BEST THING IN HISTORY

[@stelladougherty6721]

people: endgame was the most ambitious crossover event me:

[@JunkBondTrader]

FUCK YEAH!!!!!!