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Elliott Smith

The celebrated folk-punk singer/songwriter Elliott Smith rose from indie obscurity to mainstream success in 1997 on the strength of "Miss Misery," his Academy Award-nominated song from the film Good Will Hunting. A native of Portland, OR, Smith began writing and recording his first songs at age 14, later becoming a fixture of the city's thriving music scene. As a member of the band Heatmiser, he debuted in 1993 with the LP Dead Air, issuing his first solo effort Roman Candle on the tiny Cavity Search label a year later. For his 1995 self-titled album, Smith signed with the noted Kill Rock Stars label. Either/Or followed in 1997, around the same time that filmmaker and longtime fan Gus Van Sant requested permission to use the singer's music in his upcoming Good Will Hunting.

Smith also composed a handful of new songs for the soundtrack, among them "Miss Misery," and when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced its Oscar nominations the following February, the track was a surprise entry in the Best Original Song category. Although he did not win, Smith performed the song live at the televised Oscar broadcast, appearing on-stage alongside superstars Trisha Yearwood and Celine Dion in one of the most notably surreal musical moments in recent memory. Smith's DreamWorks label debut, XO, followed later in 1998. Two years later he delivered Figure 8, which delved further into lush arrangements and orchestrations. For the next two years, Smith labored over what was to be his next album, From a Basement on a Hill. He would not live to see the album's completion, however.

To the shock of friends and fans alike, Smith's body was found on October 21, 2003, with two stab wounds in his chest. To date, the coroner has been unable to determine the cause of death, and the Los Angeles Police Department's investigation remains open. From a Basement on a Hill was released one year later, just two days shy of the first anniversary of his death, and received warm critical nods. In 2007, the Kill Rock Stars label issued a two-disc set of Smith's unreleased work, all of which had been recorded between 1994 and 1997. Entitled New Moon, the 24-track collection contained three songs that had been previously released on hard to find compilations or soundtracks, including an early version of "Miss Misery" and a cover of Big Star's "Thirteen." ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
full bio

Selected Discography

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Track List: Division Day (Single)

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Track List: Happiness (Single)

Comments

Stunning.
his death reaffirm his music's awesome legacy...i am a painter and his music has inspired so many of my works.
I remember hearing about his death in the parking lot after school...so devastated. Every time I hear his music I'm both elated and miserable...
But! I just found him! ...
I felt so ugly before, but now i just feel empty. RIP
I love and miss you so much, Elliott. Rest in peace. XO
Love you elliott.
Such an amazing lyricist, and a awesome guitarist, creditabilit y stamped
I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you. I miss you.
How many people miss spell there own names on a suicide note? Elliot did.
Got to know Elliot Smith from Good Will Hunting soundtrack - he has a sadness but it is beautiful - no doubt.
Dave: Since then I've given Either/Or a solid listen and agree. I also acquired From A Basement On the Hill and THAT album tells a lot about his last year/s. It is very distorted and you can tell he was under the influence of some heavier drugs towards the end. The whole album is kind of distorted and some songs have a very heroin-y feel to them
a trapped soul who only free threw his own music ....sadly gone but will always be an influence in my life
chimeradave
cerpin47: Either/Or is just as brillant. I heard Figure 8 first so I'm sentimental about it but Either/Or and XO blow it away.
I wish Elliott never died. His music is like no other. Let's Get Lost is soul lifitng. Many say he died from drugs, which isn't true. He was an addict, sure. But died from two stab wounds in the chest. He didnt need to die so so so soon. Don't know if anyone agrees, but IloveyouElli o t t . Your music will live on forever and ever.
his song Between the Bars is just amazing... it calms me down and relaxes me a lot, but at the same time makes me sort of sad.
In my opinion: Figure 8 and X/O are his best total works. For what little of his early music I've heard, it all seems very similar: melancholy and acoustic (that doesn't mean I'm saying it's bad, I just prefer his later stuff)
bdonohue41
Nobody I haven't met has been more involved in my life than Elliott.
bdonohue41
I can't believe it's been nearly ten years. I vividly remember when my friend called me to tell me he'd died.
rlo127
Unbelievable song writer and lyricist. xoxo
Next to the Beatles, Elliott you are my favourite. I only found you too late. I'll see you again between the bars :) - A Snowball in Hell ;)
But would he have reached those great heights of inspiration w/out drugs Chris Raber?????
Amazing artist.
cpraber
More proof that drugs are bad for u.
XO XO. Another tragic loss to the music world. Traded in his guitar for a harp. :)
NOT just great 'cos he's dead. So relieved he was as prolific as he was, but
it sux that he's finally caught on & now no more new songs to look forward to.
The irony of it all wouldn't have been lost to him...
I truly wish he weren't my favorite. Would make life easier.
Sad it ended the way it did. He injected just such emotion in his music that he did not need lush arrangements to get the point across. I love the Big star cover, 13! Favorite album is Either/Or
Actually he was born in Nebraska, but moved to Texas before he was 2.
bluehiway04
Elliot Smith is not a native of Portland Oregon. He's a Texan.
sbholl84
At least have a modicum of respect for the dead, people. If you don't care for his music, fine. No need to insult the man.
His music is beautiful. Wish I found it sooner. RIP.
on the other hand, Switte85 fails. And I agree with sean hayter.
Switte85: If anything sounds arrogant, it's your comment...
sean_hayter
I agree switte85 is a total knob.
Excellent Artist!
bluehiway04
Actually, Elliot Smith was born in Omaha Nebraska and then moved to Texas. He spent a great deal of his life in between Portland and Washington State. But he is not a 'native' of Portland.
such a childish sweetness.. skipping and carefree.. Depression? Dont think so. Others shy away just leaves more for me.
c'mon he killed himself--his review used to say that--I wonder why it doesn't mention that now? Probably because people don't want to admit suicide happens when they should so something can be done about it!
Magical! <3
I agree with Sadie Cash. But whenever my friends catch me listening to him they know I'm just trying to bring myself down, possibly to excuse some future behavior I may engage in. ;)
A lot of people get depressed listening to Elliott, but he seems to bring me up because i can feel the relation between his lyrics and my life. im in love with his depression because he helps me love mine.
Everyone comes back to Elliott. All of my new finds are only disciples. He and Drake are tops on my list..agreed justjourno.. . a shooting star.
justjourno
Only the good die young. You have touched many lives. Mine is one.
Amazing
chrisciaravi n o
RIP Elliott. "It's been too late for a long time"
Always a wonderful surprise when his voice graces my ears. My station dedicated to him seems to play everyone but him.

Love his music, but I always get a little depressed listening to him.
kdg_42
His music saved my life....We still miss you Elliott
he lives forever thru his work, Get the robot hand Elliott!
His music is pure magic.
t_heath
Never heard of this young man until I heard this song today...I will look for his music...Sorr y to hear how he passed...hop e they come to some sort of closure for him...
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