Friday Night Jukebox

by E.D. Kain on May 8, 2009

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.






Tagged as: elliot smith, Music

E.D. Kain is a blogger and freelance writer. Currently he serves as Editor-in-Chief of The League of Ordinary Gentlemen and writes a tech blog at Forbes. Visit his politics blog here. He can be found occasionally composing 140 character cultural analysis on Twitter. His writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The National Review, The Washington Examiner, and the now-defunct True/Slant. You can also contact him via email.

{ 3 comments }

1 Will May 9, 2009 at 2:05 pm

Nicely done.

2 Michael Drew May 9, 2009 at 3:52 pm

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!

3 Joseph FM May 9, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Thanks for this. I’m with Michael on “Needle In The Hay”, and maybe Smith’s entire self-titled album.

Comments on this entry are closed.