The first time I heard Elliot Smith was watching the Oscars – or rather, when I watched Good Will Hunting, but I didn’t pay much attention then. When I saw this performance though I was extremely impressed. It followed a number of big flashy numbers – Celine Dion I think, and others. Lots of production.
And then this one guy with his acoustic guitar and a slightly quavering voice, singing this fantastic, lyrically beautiful just immensely genuine song. A great moment.
Erik Kain
Erik writes about video games at Forbes and politics at Mother Jones. He's the contributor of The League though he hasn't written much here lately. He can be found occasionally composing 140 character cultural analysis on Twitter.
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Nicely done.Report
E.D. —
1. Thanks for posting Needle in the Hay — a Top Ten, maybe Top 5 song for me.
2. Your description of your first conscious encounter with E.Smith matches my experience becoming aware of Neil Young in a big way. 1995 Oscars, I believe. He played his song from Philedelphia, “Streets of Philedelphia” I believe, or maybe it was just “Philedelphia” — one was Springsteen’s, the other Neil’s. They both played, and The Boss got all the hype, which was not undeserved, and won of course, but Neil pierced my heart that night. I’m now a degenerate Neil Young junkie who has considered chucking life in search of an opportunity to be a roadie for him. And don’t regret any of it. Thank God for the Oscars!Report
Thanks for this. I’m with Michael on “Needle In The Hay”, and maybe Smith’s entire self-titled album.Report