Elliott Smith - Waltz #2 (XO) Lyrics






First the mic, then a half cigarette
Singing Kathy's clown
That's the man she's married to now
That's the girl that he takes around town
She appears composed
So she is, I suppose
Who can really tell?
She shows no emotion at all
Stares into space like a dead china doll

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow

Now she's done, and they're calling someone
Such a familiar name
I'm so glad that my memory's remote
'Cause I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
Here it is, the revenge to the tune
You're no good, you're no good, you're no good, you're no good
Can't you tell that it's well understood?

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow

I'm here today, expect it to stay on, and on, and on
I'm tired, I'm tired
Looking out on the substitute scene
Still going strong
XO Mom
It's OK, it's alright, nothing's wrong
Tell Mr. Man with impossible plans
To just leave me alone
In the place where I make no mistakes
In the place where I have what it takes

I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow
I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow
I'm never gonna know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow





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Elliott Smith Waltz #2 (XO) Comments
  1. I.... B....

    Anyone here after This Is Us?

  2. M.... T....

    Any cute girls like this song?

  3. M.... M....

    hard to make a waltz sound sad... congrats ES.

  4. K.... B....

    That freaking ending.

  5. A.... S....

    Elliott Smith got me threw my suicidal episodes back in high school

  6. A.... H....

    This song makes me think of Bojack Horseman's family, now that I've seen season 4.

    A.... H....

    dude yer so right

  7. �.... �....

    A lot of people heard this song from a book called ‘love, simon’
    To those of you who’s known Elliot Smith long before the book was created (like me)
    I love you.

    �.... �....

    I love you tooo

  8. L.... ....

    This song made me forget that I wanted to kill myself. It's weird, but in my heroin-infused haze, these words resonated deep within myself and because I knew someone else felt the same agony allowed me to take another step forward. That was a step Elliott never got to take. Love you brother. Rest in peace.

    L.... ....

    This song had the opposite effect on me. It made me remember that I wanted to kill myself, but I wasn't alone and I wasn't the only one that felt that kind of pain, and there's comfort in that.

    L.... ....

    I am in a state of thinking about suicide all to often and i hate it. I feel like a coward. I have to be careful listening to Elliott's music because there is a part of me that is drawn to my sadness and i dive even further down when I hear anything that makes my heart sad like it did when I first connected to it. I feel like God spoke to me last night and for some reason an audiobooks of Dial DE jing was in que. I started playing it and it was exactly what I needed in life right now

    L.... ....

    @Steven Holmes I am not familiar with the audio book you mentioned but I am very familiar with the state of mind. Especially if you believe in some sort of higher power, cling to that and know that time may not perfectly heal all wounds but there WILL be a day where you conduct a self examination and come out grateful that you're still on this plane of existence

  9. D.... M....

    You will always be what I think of when I look across the river at Portland, OR. You are the epitome of what this town means to me and the memories I have here.

  10. N.... B....

    Now when I heard "first a mic & a half cigarette" that was my indeed my experience--! First, I mic vocalized singing, but since my voice is all F'd I stopped quick, to smoke a half cigarette, half marijuana!

  11. D.... 3....

    Absolutely amazing talent. Truly missed.

  12. M.... ....

    First the mic then a half cigarette

    Seeing Kathy’s clown

    That’s the man she’s married to
    now

    That’s the girl that he takes around town

    She appears composed

    So she is I suppose

    Who can really tell

    She shows no emotion at all

    Stares into space like a dead china doll

    I’m never gonna know you now

    But I’m gonna love you anyhow

    *it’s fucking “seeing” retards, like he’s out for a smoke break and sees his exes boy friend. This is why he killed him self, because you are all dumb.

    M.... ....

    Jordan Phillips get a better music reproduction system.

    M.... ....

    Jordan Phillips do you believe she’s married to Cathy’s clown, or married to singing Cathy’s clown? That’s the one she’s married to now.

    M.... ....

    @MWorsa It might just be the inflection with which he's pronouncing it, but I can't NOT hear "singing" no matter where I listen to it, but what you're saying makes perfect sense. I do think "singing" could still make sense too, though. I always pictured Elliott standing outside smoking a cigarette and hearing someone singing the song "Cathy's Clown" (or perhaps even singing it himself) and drawing a parallel to his own life as the lyrics of the song are about an abusive relationship. It's much like in the song "Clementine" where Elliott ponders the irony of the bartender singing "Oh My Darling, Clementine". That's probably more of a stretch than your interpretation though.

    M.... ....

    Jordan Phillips it’s also interesting to listen to the actual song “Cathy’s Clown”, it sorta describes a similar situation, definitely a play on words in there. I would note too that I absolutely thought it was “seeing”until I looked it up on the web and I was like, that’s impossible. And if one posts it, the rest just copy and paste.

    M.... ....

    Jordan Phillips I honestly believe it is “seein’”. 😃

  13. C.... L....

    I like how many people are here because of Love, Simon.

  14. K.... L....

    I never realized how telling it is that he's saying I'm never gonna know you now, like he never had. They never had a real relationship. It reminds me of my relationship with my own mother. It's okay it's alright no thing's wrong, just telling someone what they want to hear and they're not invested at all in the relationship. It saddens me that he doesn't sound like he felt wronged in regards to her. Maybe he was displacing his anger, he blamed his step dad.

  15. T.... T....

    I named my son after Elliott Smith. And my child is one talented Guy. RIP Elliott Smith you were a genius ❤

  16. M.... M....

    If I EVER committed suicide, it would be to waltz 1 &2.

    M.... M....

    Don't ever do that

  17. A.... P....

    People who like this are the ones who make up their own minds about music

    A.... P....

    Totally agree

  18. I.... M....

    Tenho certeza que não sou um único brasileiro aqui.

  19. C.... R....

    Is anyone here after seeing Liz’s insta
    No only me okay...

  20. D.... D....

    Oh man this song gives me memories.
    I met this guy Nathan on an app called “Seven cups”, it was basically an app to help people talk about their mental illness and help one another. We met on the depression chat and he was amazing, we talked to each other everyday. One day Nathan sent me this song and said it was his favourite song, I listened to Waltz#2 and fell in love with it, Elliott soon became one of my favourite musicians.
    But then, we started getting busy and weren’t talking as often, then we completely stopped talking. I messaged him one day and to this day he has never replied. Nathan self harmed and was an alcoholic, he abused drugs but I don’t remember what, two years later and I have no clue what happened, but if you’re somehow reading this Nathan, I love you man, you were amazing and I hope you’re doing okay ❤️

    D.... D....

    7 cups is amazing. I've deleted it now but it helped me through tough times. I might get it again, especially if there's people like you on there 💕

    D.... D....

    I love this song, but I'm not sure listening to Elliot Smith is very good for someone with depression. In some cases, it expounds the feelings of depression and alienation. And I've been there, and have loved this album since it was released.

    D.... D....

    ​@raceyboy surely only listening to "happy" music would further alienate?

    D.... D....

    @pukeyourguts Probably. Maybe. Just try something not so emotionally raw.

    D.... D....

    @raceyboy listening to sad music doesnt make me feel more depressed, it just makes me feel a little better about feeling bad

  21. A.... R....

    2019 elliott lovers listening?

    A.... R....

    Always, till my end.

    A.... R....

    To this day

    A.... R....

    Forever

    A.... R....

    God yes

    A.... R....

    Everyday for sure !

  22. M.... K....

    Great song.

  23. L.... L....

    Today would've been Elliott Smith's 50th birthday

    L.... L....

    I miss him x

    L.... L....

    I was holding back tears and doing pretty well until I read that.

    L.... L....

    Sixteen years gone already

    L.... L....

    I share the same birthday as elliot. I make it a point to listen to him every year on that day.

  24. D.... G....

    Primeiro o microfone depois um meio cigarro 
    First the mic then a half cigarette 

    Cantando Cathy's clown
    Singing Cathy's clown 

    Esse é o homem com quem ela é casada agora 
    That's the man that she's married to now 

    Essa é a garota que ele leva pela cidade 
    That's the girl that he takes around town 

    Ela parece composta, então ela é, eu suponho 
    She appears composed, so she is, I suppose 

    Quem pode realmente dizer? 
    Who can really tell? 

    Ela não mostra emoção alguma 
    She shows no emotion at all 

    Olha para o espaço como uma boneca de porcelana morta 
    Stares into space like a dead china doll 

    Agora, eu nunca mais vou te conhecer, mas eu vou te amar de qualquer maneira 
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow 

    Agora ela terminou e eles estão ligando para alguém
    Now she's done and they're calling someone

    Um nome tão familiar 
    Such a familiar name 

    Estou tão feliz dessas minhas memórias remotas 
    I'm so glad that my memories remote 

    porque eu estou indo bem de hora em hora, nota por nota
    'cos I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note 

    Aqui é a vingança da melodia 
    Here it is the revenge to the tune 

    "Você não é bom, 
    "You're no good, 

    Você não é bom, você não é bom, você não é bom " 
    You're no good you're no good you're no good" 

    Você não pode dizer que é bem compreendida 
    Can't you tell that it's well understood 

    Eu nunca vou te conhecer agora, mas eu vou te amar de qualquer maneira 
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow 

    Estou aqui hoje e espero continuar e continuar
    I'm here today and expected to stay on and on and on 

    estou cansado
    I'm tired

    estou cansado 
    I'm tired 

    Olhando para a cena substituta 
    Looking out on the substitute scene 

    Ainda continua forte 
    Still going strong 

    Mãe 
    Xo, mom 

    Tudo bem, tudo bem, nada está errado 
    It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong 

    Diga senhor. 
    Tell mr.

    homem com planos impossíveis para me deixar sozinho 
    man with impossible plans to just leave me alone 

    No lugar onde eu não cometo erros 
    In the place where I make no mistakes 

    No lugar onde eu tenho o que é preciso 
    In the place where I have what it takes 

    Agora, eu nunca mais vou te conhecer, mas eu vou te amar de qualquer maneira 
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow 

    Agora, eu nunca mais vou te conhecer, mas eu vou te amar de qualquer maneira
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow

    Agora, eu nunca mais vou te conhecer, mas eu vou te amar de qualquer maneira
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow

    First the mic then a half cigarette
    Singing Cathy's clown
    That's the man that she's married to now
    That's the girl that he takes around town
    She appears composed, so she is, I suppose
    Who can really tell?
    She shows no emotion at all
    Stares into space like a dead china doll
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    Now she's done and they're calling someone
    Such a familiar name
    I'm so glad that my memories remote
    'cos I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
    Here it is the revenge to the tune
    "You're no good,
    You're no good you're no good you're no good"
    Can't you tell that it's well understood
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm here today and expected to stay on and on and on
    I'm tired
    I'm tired
    Looking out on the substitute scene
    Still going strong
    Xo, mom
    It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong
    Tell mr. man with impossible plans to just leave me alone
    In the place where I make no mistakes
    In the place where I have what it takes
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow

  25. F.... F....

    This song is about his mother, she remarried and Elliott Smith new stepdad abused him, so he had to leave and go on his own. I'm never going to know you now but I'm gonna love you anyhow.

  26. A.... A....

    What a beautiful and incredible song
    Elliott your talent is indisputable♡

  27. c.... ....

    no words...;0

  28. D.... P....

    Legend!

  29. E.... ....

    Love, Simon brought me here and introduced me to this music. So glad I decided to stay and listen.

  30. P.... S....

    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow

  31. w.... f....

    historic song! and person! you were loved ! i know some times you didn't feel like it but we loved you!

  32. J.... B....

    I'm sorry but this is garbage compared to the acoustic

    J.... B....

    Well... That's just like... Your opinion, man.

  33. w.... f....

    this guy! man i loved him so much!

  34. A.... K....

    Love. Simon

    A.... K....

    yes love simon

  35. A.... ....

    First the mic, then a half cigarette
    singing 'Cathy's Clown'
    That's the man that she's married to now
    That's the girl that he takes around town
    She appears composed, so she is I suppose
    Who can really tell?
    She shows no emotion at all
    Stares into space like a dead China doll
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    Now she's done and there calling someone
    Such a familiar name
    I'm so glad that my memory's remote
    'Cos I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
    Here it is the revenge to the tune
    "you're no good,
    You're no good you're no good you're no good"
    Can't you tell that it's well understood
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm here today and expected to stay on and on and on
    I'm tired
    I'm tired
    Looking out on the substitute scene
    still going strong
    XO, mom
    It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong
    Tell mr. man with impossible plans to just leave me alone
    In the place where I make no mistakes
    In the place where I have what it takes
    I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow

    A.... ....

    Omg those last 11 lines... 'sigh'

  36. A.... ....

    But I’m gonna love you anyhow. 💕

    A.... ....

    and if they wont love you... love them anyhow

  37. W.... O....

    we all miss you elliot <3

    W.... O....

    the guy had talent. i love this song.

    W.... O....

    Yes. I was listening to "Don't Be Sad" by Brad Mehldau and discovered that there is another track, "Sky Turning Grey (For Elliot Smith)" on the album, Highway Rider. Both have that sound of melancholy like I remember from XO. I do miss him.

  38. W.... Q....

    Underrated

    W.... Q....

    No it's not

    W.... Q....

    No shit its underrated

    W.... Q....

    VERY underrated

  39. A.... a....

    Simon Spier was here

    A.... a....

    Reason i came lol

    A.... a....

    Yass ;)

    A.... a....

    I am so glad I read Simon vs Homo Sapiens Agenda, not only it is my favorite book now but without it I wouldn't have discovered such an amazing artist

    A.... a....

    @Angelika Joanna Same <3

    A.... a....

    Honestly I found out about this song and Between the Bars from Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda, and they’re both such good songs.

  40. D.... ....

    I made a music video from this story my grandma told me when I was little. About a man and woman married for 60 years. But he gets Alzheimer's and his wife comes to see him everyday in the group home until one day when i nurse pulls her aside and tells her, he doesn't remember her anymore and she's upsetting his new girlfriend. Saddest story i've ever heard.

    D.... ....

    @Wizard Owl sorry, massive brain surgeries, skull implants, half of it missing for a year, seizures, strokes, hemorrhages, screw came loose from synthetic skull and threatened infection and immediate removal for 40 percent of my skull, daily migraines, extreme visual disturbances, aphasia, agnosia, ptsd, adhd, SPD,.... and almost all those complications were due to a psychopathic neurosurgeon. this reality has brought me to a place where dancing with misery is a part of surviving. you can't have only happiness, just as you can't have only agony.

    D.... ....

    Life is a fickle, fitful thing. While I cannot begin to fathom what you've been through, I believe it's a very difficult thing you've been able to forge through all this time--perhaps even more so to share--and I know no better word to describe your feat than the word "warrior." You have both my compassion and my commendation. Hang in there, my dude

    D.... ....

    @Skryte Temnoty wow, thank you so much for that! I keep getting back up bc I truly don't have it in me to give up. thank you for your encouragement and words, they mean everything!

    D.... ....

    DishLuna Absolutely no problem! It's always gladdening to offer a few words of my own; so just consider it what you may. Stay strong <3

    D.... ....

    @Skryte Temnoty thank you so much my friend that gives me so much strength

  41. c.... ....

    she appears composed so she is I suppose..best line . and I'm never gonna know you now...simply priceless...what a soul...here it is the revenge to the tune,,, waltz 2 AKA the silver waltz

  42. r.... h....

    Beatles would have loved to record this...great track!!!

    r.... h....

    @Blake X it should be obvious you have to know he was greatly influenced by the style of the Beatles.....this song sounds like something they would've recorded period and Im sure that he would agree if he were here.

    r.... h....

    All artists including the Beatles were influenced by other artists.

    r.... h....

    @robert hughes Yes and The Beatles are brought up on every Elliott Smith video to remind everyone. After awhile I think it goes without saying.

    r.... h....

    robert hughes I agree. I can certainly hear The Beatles influence especially in this song. Maybe why it’s one of my favorites.

    r.... h....

    wow I think you hit the nail on the head. Thanks , this dude kicks ass . I am here today eXepteded to stay.

  43. T.... O....

    Look me in the eyes and tell me this doesn’t sound like it just came out of a Square Enix game

    T.... O....

    This doesn't sound like it just came out of a Square Enix game.

    T.... O....

    @biggrocc19 Not one bit my friend. Sounds like it's from Elliot Smith

  44. M.... ....

    Reminds me of when I was cleaning out the gutters around 5 years ago, standing on the roof of the garage, scooping out soggy maple leaves. I heard this song and Baby Britain. Good times.