Elliott Smith – Single File

Know something about this song or lyrics? Add it to our wiki.
Send "Single File" Ringtone to Cell

Here in line where stupid shit collides with
Dying shooting stars all we got to show
What we really are is the same kind of scars
And looking at you all I see is your waiting

For something single file you're a murder mile
You idiot kid your arm's got a death in it
If your choking up take this paper cup
But there's a price you'll pay for

Trying hard to become whatever they are
And saying whatever they say
So help yourself to this bitter pill
Or somebody else will

Single file you're a murder mile
You idiot kid your arm's got a death in it
Single file single file single file single file

Send "Single File" Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus

Track duration: 02:26

"Single File" as written by Steven P. Smith

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


Single File song meanings
Add your thoughts

32 Comments

sort form View by:
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about a junkie seeing another junkie who's waiting for drugs and he notices his track marks. Single file is referring to how track marks are created on one vain going up the vain in single file. "What we really are is the same kind of scars" that's him saying we both have track marks all we really are is junkies. A dying shooting star is shooting up, you shoot it into your vain when its already in the star has died in a sense. "You idiot kid your arm has a death in it" referring to an overdose or an infection in the arm that untreated could get really bad. The "paper cup" is the little paper bag dope comes in and the bitter pill also dope, dope is bitter.
    All this from an ex-junkie. I'm not saying its right but that's what it means to me. Serenity, courage, wisdom there is a better way for anyone that's still sick and suffering.
    Flag gst2234on June 25, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Perhaps Elliott is drawing an allegorical link between the things that people do to numb the pain of existence and inevitable death. So the methadone clinic, becomes pills that a depressive patient may take, or abusive relationships that people place themself in are all symptoms of the same malady - "existence" and walking "single file" towards death. The main "death" in the kids arm is his blood.

    The reason he doesn't seem to pass judgment is that he kinda thinks we all do it to some extent as part of the human condition.
    Flag koanon January 02, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about how when you try to become other people, you're throwing your life away by not being yourself.
    Flag quietiscute19on September 08, 2010   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song always reminded me of when I used to stand in line at the methadone clinic every morning...most clinic's give liquid doses...but the pills are bitter too...hence "so help yourself to this bitter pill or somebody else will".
    Flag STCN0B0DYon October 29, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:This is a song about a very long queue in which Elliott Smith gets quite angry and starts calling someone an idiot kid. He was inconsiderate like that.
    Flag Cavauroon June 07, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i had a dream about this song
    Flag welcomenowhereon February 05, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:It has always painted a picture of a methadone clinic to me. I guess that could be a metaphor for something less specific, or it could literally be a song about waiting in line for your methadone. I take it literally, but that's just cause of what was going on in my life when I would listen to this song a lot.
    Flag a_mothon April 28, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I basically agree with the first comment, yeah. It's a sad, sad song, but my favorite by him. It's just a simple, sweet, melancholy little bit of a song, and it makes the most of that.
    Flag taylorsaurus rexon March 21, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i'm still unsure what this song's about, although it's interesting reading everyone's interpretations. i love the line "your arm's got a death in it," though.
    Flag girlmontagon January 21, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Although I agree that anyone is free to interpret any song however they feel, this song in particular is one of Elliott's most explicit addiction songs. It may have other significance, but it's clearly and most directly about heroin addiction and specifically waiting in line for methadone.

    *"dying shooting stars" - the pour souls who have wasted their life on this stupid ("shit") drug.
    *"All we got to show...same kind of scars" - trackmarks
    *"Waiting for something...single file" - waiting in line at the clinic. Also, waiting for something in your life to change, without trying to make it happen.
    *"...arm's got a death in it" - again, trackmarks
    *"If you're choking up take this paper cup" - If you're relapsing, here's some methodone (always dispersed in paper cups in clinics)
    *"...price you'll pay..." - you're gonna die just trying to fit in
    *"...bitter pill or somebody else will." - take your dose or someone else will be happy to, and will.

    RIP Elliott
    Flag ColorBar77on August 16, 2007   Link

Add your thoughts

Log in now to tell us what you think this song means.

Don’t have an account? Create an account with SongMeanings to post comments, submit lyrics, and more. It’s super easy, we promise!

Back to top
explain