Six years after Elliott
Six years ago, on the 21st of October, singer-songwriter Elliott Smith died at the early age of 34. The details were sketchy. He had two stab wounds to the chest that were thought to be self-inflicted. To this day, some people believe he was killed. But with no solid evidence to merit an investigation, people can only speculate.
Like many others, I did not start listening to Elliott until after his death. I think it was 2005 when I first heard his music. I do not remember much about the experience. Truth is, his music kinda crept up on me. I started listening because I had heard of his struggles with depression and addiction, having many of my own. I liked “Needle And The Hay” and a few other tracks. That was about as far as it went for a while. Then at some point his unflinching lyrics and raw emotion just hit me. With every song, it was like he was pouring his most deep down thoughts and feelings into a creation so beautiful it made me want to cry every time I heard it. After that, I began immersing myself in his music, and have ever since.
I feel as if his music is a part of me now. I often find myself running parallels with parts of his troubled life that he often reflected so well through his music. And at times, his music seems to be the only comfort I can find in such a painful world. I often wonder what it would be like if he had not met his tragic end. Would I have even discovered his music? (Probably) Would it have had such an impact? (I don’t know) Again, speculation. The fact of the matter is, his music has impacted my life in such a great way, I will forever be grateful. Thank You Elliott.
In the memory of Elliott, I have compiled a mix of some of my favorite tracks. I have also put up a tribute video I made a couple of years ago.
