Say Yes: The Story of Elliott Smith

[@michaelscott4347]

I almost passed out when i heard he died. Amazing how he had such a sad life but brightened all of ours

[@blueshorecreative3146]

Tragic loss of a true artist.

[@christiangasior4244]

I learned about him from the news story about his death. I was depressed and it totally matched how I felt as I started getting into drugs and such. He is a huge loss but he was like Sparklehorse or Vic Chesnutt where they kinda hinted that they may kill the selves. Often they say it out loud, even Elliott. I’m open like that too. I wish I was dead and have been but I’m not gonna try again because I don’t wanna hurt those who love me.

[@ViliusJasaitis]

Hey how are you doing?

[@redcrucible7]

One of my godparents had the painful honor of being his lover at one point in time, and the beautiful gift of knowing him in the years leading up to his death. He died when I was two, so I never got to meet him, but my godparent would tell me stories about where his songs came from, and what kind of person he was in real life. My biggest take away, to listen to his music is to know him. You can't manufacture that authenticity.

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Wow! That’s amazing, thank you for the comment. We’re around the same age, it truly would have been awesome to meet Elliott. Your godparent was beyond lucky to get a chance to get close to a real, genuine talent like Elliott.

[@alycamus]

Any chance you would let me know who your godparent is? I have researched his case for a long time and have already talked to many people. Let me know… thanks

[@oranjjjggg]

I agree. The thing I always remember about Elliott Smith is the unfiltered honesty of his persona. If he wasn’t being authentic then he sure fooled me

[@curly_wyn]

Godparents are a concept that just needs to be done away with.

[@redcrucible7]

@@curly_wyn weird thing to take away from that but hey

[@ColombianThunder]

The best. Not a bad song in his discography imo. Even his "worst" is still good

[@dreadfulsorryclementine007]

Agreed wholeheartedly.

[@axel8728]

There are just songs that I like more than others. Not a bad song at all.

[@ColombianThunder]

@@axel8728 agreed

[@axel8728]

@@ColombianThunder I also like to call Elliot the one man beatle. I love his music so much, as much as I love the Beatles. I can really hear a lot of similarities. Beautiful.

[@Bastikovski99]

Amity amity amity amity amity amity amity... lol. Had to do it.

[@bl4841]

like many, i was really into elliot smith in the late 90's. I graduated in 2002, but had some friends that were older than me who were able to leave our shitty small town first. So in 2001 a friend took a photo of elliot smith with a disposable camera on one of his last tours- The show was in LA. She mailed the photo to like a post card. I still got the photo somewhere. I was so stoked to receive it

[@dana102083]

I graduated in a small town in canada circa 2001. I hear you.. ES was the sountrack to the decade..

[@jodysawatzki8647]

Great use of the Heatmiser footage, man. I greatly enjoyed this as an avid Elliott fan. Good job. Much love - Jody

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Thanks! Glad you liked it.

[@JonShade-fy2gm]

He created his own genre. There's just no one like him, no one. It's incredible.

[@curly_wyn]

Literally tons of other sad solo folk artists like him. Joni Mitchell, Nick Drake, etc.

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

@@curly_wyn I agree with you that he didn’t create his own genre but the styles are a bit different than Mitchell and Drake. Elliott gets a lot of comparison to Drake and I get that but he wasn’t folk, more like pop/indie. All three would be impossible to replicate. Judee Sill would be another and I’ve been listening to John Moreland’s album “In the Throes” lately and there’s a song in it called “Gospel” that reminds me of something Elliott would do like “Pitseleh” or something a long those lines.

[@maryamj1186]

​@@curly_wyn i never understood the comparison to Nick Drake. i get the sad vibe, but I've listened to both and they're so different lol.

[@christiangasior4244]

Main thing is the anger in Elliott’s stuff. Nick Drake is super mellow. Christian Brothers, Georgia Georgia, etc.

[@MrGenedancingmachine]

No, no he didn’t create his own genre. Go back to the drawing board and try to think of another “how do I honour the dead” comment

[@cosmic_creatures]

Great work! He continues to make an impact on peoples lives, almost 20 years after his passing. That takes something incredibly special.

[@spacealienjesus709]

Thank you for making this ... RIP Elliott

[@joaodonatobauman7308]

dude this video is absolutely the best elliot smith video on youtube, not just because of the way you approached to his story, but the way you described his songs, congrats

[@0102city]

I saw him live in Manchester, UK, on the figure 8 tour. It was a fantastic gig. He looked really happy at that gig and he was immense on stage. The band were great, too. I remember watching the drummer closely as I was a drummer in a new band at that time and I was impressed with his style: I feel blessed to have seen him live, especially so close to his death. Elliott Smith was a genius songwriter and a truly wonderful performer that really touched my heart back then. RIP ❤️

[@xXxXcrosbykidXxXx]

Kings Crossing could fit right in on any late 60's Earl 70's Pink Floyd album, I say that as a compliment. Elliot Smith's music was so varied, and beautifully haunting. He was an amazing artist, and unfortunately those are often tortured souls.

[@ParleyPCat]

Probably my favorite song of all time.

[@Dani92670]

This is the best story of Elliott I've ever seen/heard. You really did him justice (both as a person, and his music) in a way that nobody else has matched. Excellent, excellent job! New sub.

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated :)

[@AhYesIndeedItsFunTime]

check out the documentary about him called Heaven Adores You if you get the chance, it's really good and essentially a greatly expanded version of this well done video here

[@shredmeat]

that photo of him at Lincoln is dope I skate there all the time

[@zacharywerner9395]

The picture of Elliot as a young boy at 0:55 ... If you look in the reflection of the car window it seems to show his appearance of later life, dark hair, more pronounced features, creepy dude.

[@xXthetadeltaXx]

:O

[@BetteBlaze13]

Couldn't help but notice that right away. Thought I was seeing things, but am glad someone else saw it, too. Eery..

[@oliviamartini9700]

That's his mother.

[@courtneylust]

omg…

[@MFanelli]

You’re mean 😔

[@anadraham2995]

This channel is CRIMINALLY undersubbed

[@pbakai182]

Subbed. Great job with the video. I never tire hearing about his music and life. I still haven't found a single artist like ES. I can truly say I don't dislike a single one of his tracks, whether released or unreleased... And I can't say that with any other artist/band.

[@hankdatank09]

I remember listening to KROQ, when they announced that he passed away. I was so shocked. His music resonated with me through my adolescence. It sucks

[@SB-is6je]

This is such a beautiful documentary. Thank you for sharing this with us.

[@shellw1506]

Great video. Thank you sharing the life of this incredible artist. It’s so sad that he’s gone.

[@loretta_3843]

His songs were so lovely...I even enjoyed his posthumous release!

[@Ruinz410]

XO might be my favorite album he made. Tough to decide. Everything he recorded was truly beautiful art. Just subscribed, very cool series you’ve created dude!

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Thank you for the time/effort you’ve put into this!

[@arkvinin]

@ 4:50 I'm looking at an advertisement from John Henry's in Eugene, where Elliott Smith played on August 18th, 1994 as part of the Acoustic Pop/Punk Extravaganza Tour.

[@tex2163]

Creation or a Stain helped me truly realize what my heroin addiction was doing to me, I would be dead if it was not for that. Great mini doco, thanks.

[@williswaite1963]

Im never gonna know you but im gonna love you anyhow...hope you have found peace at last Elliott Smith!

[@AaronIsaak47]

The man was a total musical genius. A modern Nick Drake. Great work on this short documentary. 👍

[@joshmusic9766]

Thanks for the vid! I would love to hear more music playing especially inbetween thoughts and especially as you transition from talkimg about one part of his life to another

[@joshmusic9766]

For example the privately made yt documentary about john mayer comes to mind

[@districttm]

Yo man you have a fascinating channel, hope you'll get recognition cuz it's definitely a lot of еffort put into this. Good luck, please continue in the same vein :D Not sure if we doing requests here but a vid about Nick Drake or Kozelek would be awesome.

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Thanks! But I do actually plan on doing a video on Nick Drake sometime soon, I already made the thumbnail. I might also do a video on Red House Painters in the future

[@anthonyboschetti249]

Your video on red house painters was how I arrived here both were very good

[@jongusta]

Excellent documentary/review of his life and music he gave to us

[@mikethomas6120]

I always wondered if McCartney was or is aware of Elliott?

[@michaellindsey2031]

Tomorrow tomorrow is absolutely my favorite Elliott Smith song ever. In fact the entire XO album is nothing short of complete musical genius.

[@jakeah1175]

Yes - tomorrow tomorrow - amazing

[@zeegeit024]

Great video sir. Respect for how you approach topics Could you do one on Conor Oberst to? I'd love that

[@devon7022]

Thank you for making this video. It really helped me to know about him as a new fan.

[@dansolo9978]

Well Made, My Friend..! I'm Glad You didn't go too " Pollitical " on His Death.! But gave New Fan's, just enough Easter Egg's, for them to Want to do thier Own Detective Work.!? Well Done & Thanks , I Still & Will Miss Him Every Day, and, Wonder What Could've been.!? You Know What I Mean..! XO

[@brentblack2878]

Wdum "political"

[@Moondivision]

@@brentblack2878 for real lmao

[@wendyhandley9463]

Spoken with a deep respect for the man and his music. Nice.

[@trevorb3342]

Great video, really enjoyed watching it.

[@NxDoyle]

Bled White is my favourite from XO, except for all the other favourites.

[@dk_kardboard]

Really nice job on this. You probably have already - I recommend you listen and read lyrics on Kings Crossing from basement on a hill. It’s really powerful and chilling.

[@RalphRoberts1]

I love Elliott.

[@nancythomson190]

Excellent job! Love this! Thank you sincerely.

[@rickgriego2844]

Changed MY LIFE.Literally.

[@polarsken6906]

Saw your post on r/elliottsmith! Amazing video!

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Thanks, I appreciate it!

[@mrSWEETlfs]

Well done, my friend.

[@louiswhistler751]

Really like your approach in the "Story Of" segments. Keep up the good work.

[@0hstarv1ng67]

i love elloitt smith, his music has had such a huge impact on me, its so sad when i think about his death

[@cosmicdrifter287]

Again,great job on this!

[@matthewsolina4920]

I think a lot of artists earlier records are better. But with Elliot Smith, the songwriting and production got better and better with each record. Who knows where he would be today.

[@stevematheson1706]

Amazing talent……timeless songs with a raw humanity and musicality that will never die…thank you Elliot….

[@rickjamesspliff406]

What's that 'tony iommi looking' silver thing on the other guitar players picking finger at 3:38(!)???? Possibly a slide but wrong hand......, idk, I'm stumped

[@d_hurl]

Looks kinda like duct tape- Maybe an improvised bandage/splint/cast for a hurt finger?

[@user-ns6tr7wz5q]

whats the name of the first song playing?

[@Matabang1]

Nobody stabs themselves twice… in the heart.

[@jamesheath7601]

Murder

[@Daddy53751]

All of Chiba’s ever changing stories stink on ice. Even worse than her ridiculous stories, was the police’s absolutely embarrassing response and “investigation”. Long story short, and just the facts; Smith is dead from two stab wounds in the chest. Chiba’s fingerprints on the bloody knife. She chased him from the kitchen to the balcony. Summary: “He talked about suicide, so that’s what it was.” The end.🤦‍♂️🤔

[@whiteyfisk9769]

Quit being sexist #believe all women

[@Daddy53751]

@Whitey Fisk I know right? Those pesky facts.

[@whiteyfisk9769]

@@Daddy53751 facts?? Men commit 100% of rapes...100%. Thats a fact

[@jabroni_killer13]

What is this Pitt's law I can't find it anywhere

[@DaisyChaine]

you kinda sound like my dead best friend corey who introduced me to elliott thanks man

[@edithwallflower]

This is so good but you sound bored, only thing I’d critique is the voice acting

[@iamcyber]

ppl cant help how they sound :/

[@ojaftertoothpaste7174]

This is an Elliott Smith video. I don't wanna hear perky.

[@big-yellow-bastard6053]

Great video!

[@alps3DV]

His song needle in the hay is in the movie the royal tenenbaum in the suicide scene

[@itsgonnbeok7249]

Slight correction in the first couple minutes, Elliott wasnt allegedly abused by a "close family member" he was abused by his mother's boyfriend Charlie, who is mentioned in quite a few songs of his. At some point Elliott did start thinking that he had memories of being sexually abused by Charlie, but he denied that. He did apologize to Elliott at some point for the verbal/physical abuse, and before Elliott passed away he had spoken to his sister and told her that Charlie called him and they talked. He has a song called Flowers For Charlie

[@TheMusicNarrative]

Ah, you're right, Charlie wasn't technically in the family. But yes, I know the story. I didn't want to dive too deeply into such a sensitive subject, so I simplified it down. Also, I didn't want to make an accusation I couldn't 100% verify, even with all of Elliott's songs referencing the situation. I just wanted to err on the safe side.

[@jodycarrithers6160]

@@TheMusicNarrative plus, "Flowers For Charlie" doesn't LITERALLY seem to be about an abusive step father figure. It MAY be, symbolically, but LITERALLY, it's more about the Vietnam War and it's controversial aspects. Also "Charlie" was the nickname given to the Viet Cong. "Victor Charlie", to be exact.

[@alycamus]

Elliott never talked about his abuse publicly, so he certainly never mentioned being sexually abused. Even his close friends do not know exactly what happened. Charlie was his stepdad, not his mothers boyfriend by the way. Elliott probably was mistreated and probably abused by this man but we don’t know the details of the abuse

[@alycamus]

@@TheMusicNarrative yes Charlie was in the family. He was his stepfather. He married Bunny, Elliott’s mother and they have 2 children

[@chatelaindavid2985]

I'm new to your channel, and I thing it is awesome👍I'm subscribing

[@jamesheath7601]

What’s the song playing at the end?

[@johnnydaukes]

Nice work man. Thanks.

[@darrenbrown7037]

Figure 8 seems to be overlooked, which is crazy to me.

[@Noname-rve]

First: thanks for this video! Second: what is the last song you used called?

[@apesonegotrips7]

Reckon he's chilling with Bill Hicks?

[@christiangasior4244]

Just be careful with this man’s music if you’re already prone to heavy depression as I am. Can be comforting but also It can keep you in a feedback loop of negativity. His songs are honest and I love that but they’re generally very negative and I just can’t handle it sometimes, it’s so beautiful and perfect but dark, it’s like peaking off the edge of a cliff into the abyss. The more you listen, the closer you inch up to that edge. This is a companion in dark times but just remember it might keep you in a dark place. It’s powerful music, to put it simply.

[@lukemoussa1298]

Elliott. It is not lost my man. Miss you. Go forward with g-d strength. With courage and right.

[@DemitheDaredevil]

Great channel I commend you.

[@RumbleFish69]

I listen to his songs and watch videos about his life and I don't know what to say or feel. I don't know what to say about his suicide either. Most of all, I just don't understand any of it. It's hard to live and share time with Elliot Smith and then have that just stop. It's like, okay, what now?

[@travisjohnson622]

Honestly the best thing I can say is share him with people. When you can manage to introduce him to someone its like living vicariously through them and experiencing him for the first time. They really are blown away and his music enriches youth. Lets keep telling it and sharing it.

[@RumbleFish69]

@@travisjohnson622 That's a pretty awesome idea. I suppose that will keep him alive in a way. Thanks!

[@stevekokidko6031]

Whats the first song that played ?

[@jamesheath7601]

Pitseleh

[@terrybest21]

Thankyou.👏 🎤🎸🎹 🥁🎵🎶🎵🎶 ❤

[@knuckle12356]

A comment on the "nom de tune," yeah, maybe it fit better on the young man than Steven/Steve, but also "Elliott" never suffered at the hands of his step-dad Charlie. All that (allegedly) happened to Steven.

[@grangeblood07]

All Thumbs Up 👍🏾

[@jamesheath7601]

RIP Elliott Smith ❤️

[@javierm3998]

No name #3 is also in good will hunting

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

thx

[@MrGenedancingmachine]

All that creativity and output only to be murdered by your girlfriend, whet a waste and what a betrayal

[@HeyJudie]

If you watched "Heaven Adores You" then you'd know Elliott hated playing Waltz #2.

[@catythatzall4now]

I think his girlfriend musta killed him -

[@opheliajade1986]

Yesssssssss love this!

[@MomoGrok]

who is that?

[@christiangasior4244]

Elliott is so good that he can ruin other artists for me. Sparklehorse and Elliott are my go-to albums when I’m depressed and wanna wallow to some good music. Radiohead and The Beatles are my favorite non-depressive bands probably.

[@deejaye2647]

His dad was a psyche

[@andreaholcock8992]

Give up the thing you love

[@tabathaogost4982]

How ...exactly can one stab themselves in the heart, twice.. WTF

[@oraziohall2969]

She stabbed that man, another Cobain Situation.

[@s34ngel]

wuats the bg music

[@FleetingDolphins]

The idea that he didn't commit suicide, that he was murdered by his girlfriend is just not tenable.

[@derrikc9961]

He was killed by his girlfriend Jennifer Chiba. How could you even think otherwise? All the evidence points to homicide.

[@cian_jacob]

I’m at 4:00 minutes (ignore this everyone who isn’t me)

[@shanehale5215]

Victim worship.

[@49ERSoverEVERYBODY]

I never really liked Elliot smith, his voice is just not good and his music kinda sucks but his guitar playing is great and I just happen to think his story and the way he went out is wild but RIP to the guy I hope he’s at peace

[@curly_wyn]

Elliott Smith and Jeff Buckley are both overrated. Fight me.

[@xXthetadeltaXx]

I agree with you on Jeff Buckley, but what of Smith's music makes you think so?

[@brentblack2878]

Do u know the definition of underated

[@FACEGRINDproductions]

Then, who is better in your opinion?

[@brentblack2878]

@@FACEGRINDproductions smith

[@FACEGRINDproductions]

How many songs have you personally written? They're both great in different ways

[@xx3maxx1]

whoever made this vid stay safe bro