musicofmylifetime:

#155

Elliott Smith- Needle in the Hay

A great depressing number from Elliott here, this song is a lot more than sad really, it’s got that vibe that it’s a bit, what you’d call, ‘fucked up’. Which I guess is a feeling some people feel, there’s sad, and then there’s one step further than that to the point that people call you crazy and ‘not in a good mental state’, the exact label they gave to Elliott Smith. What I think is great about this song is the fact that if you feel a bit like that, his songs are great to reassure you and show that you aren’t the only one. It is beautiful though in that aspect, plus his voice is perfect for the type of song it is.

The style of song is very similar to his first album, full of claustrophobia and eerieness. Giving the sense of being trapped incredibly well. It isn’t really the easiest of listens due to many clashing notes on the acoustic guitar, and the very low, dark sound it has. It’s a great start to his self-titled album, bringing you straight to the point as quick as possible, even with the title which the word ‘needle’ has a lot of connotations, this song fulfilling one of them, heroin addiction. And he’s using that as a metaphor for how difficult it is for you to find exactly what you need. Like how difficult it is to find a needle in hay.

Album: Elliott Smith

Genre: Singer/Songwriter

Favourite Part/Lyrics: ”I can’t be myself, And I don’t want to talk, I’m taking the cure, So I can be quiet whenever I want, So leave me alone, You ought to be proud that I’m getting good marks”