Elliott Smith – L.A.

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The gentle little Elaine,
Spinning his hat on a cane
Stepping out, out for change
Good morning all, it's a beautiful day

The generals are winning a war
Seemed suicidal before
You came alone, now
I'll protect you, long as you stay

LA
One of a kind
You'll be walking in the sun
Living in the day
Last night I was about to throw it all away

If patience started a band,
I'd be her biggest fan
Look at me, I'm talking to you
I don't want the lead in your play

The star's just a part of the scene
The gentle man in green
Paying off, out on the street
I can't go home, it's not on my way

LA
Things are never done, car's parked in the sun
Living in the day
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away

Send "L.A." Ringtone to Cell


Lyrics submitted by EnjOy IncUbus

Track duration: 03:14

"LA" as written by Timothy Mosley, Trevor Smith

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group

Lyrics powered by LyricFind


L.A. song meanings
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20 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:has almost a "prog" feel to it. well, as Elliott Smith songs go, anyway.
    Flag foreverdroneon May 04, 2012   Link
  • 0
    Lyric Correction:Now I've never seen the lyric booklet..but they can sometimes have errors. Anyone who listens to this song could easily tell you he says "morning had to come," rather than "morning never come"
    Flag AndrewC312on May 01, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:freaky part of this song is that the very end vocals reminds me of kurt cobain's vocals. kinda like ghostly
    Flag Brenguyon January 17, 2011   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:Feeling suicidal but then the high that came from some great experience seems like the obvious meaning of this song, which is what I thought at first but thinking about it more now I don't think it's about that at all.

    I think it's about deciding not to go into a relationship when normally in the past he would've. He's deicded to be patient and take his time rather than diving straight into this relationship, "...About to throw it all away" may refer to sleeping with this lady and starting the relationship.
    Flag hamster247on November 01, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I always thought about that one line "But last night I was about to throw it all away" haunting stuff even it wasnt meant to be.....
    Flag SatellitesOverCityon September 13, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this is going to be on guitar hero :)
    Flag murder13dollson August 07, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:It maybe be so that the Nugent book wasn't based on facts
    But neither is this thread
    Its all just a matter of opinion and ideas and critique or analysis
    Flag Placeholderon October 19, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:in autumn de wilde's new book in one of her interviews with Joanna Blome she points out that L.A. is about how elliott is glad he moved there and is actually happy
    Flag mooniniteson December 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song is so catchy. I feel in love with it the first time I heard it. Figure 8 is definitely my favourite album, but they're all great! :D
    Flag Sweet_Amityon December 29, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:this song is really growing on me....such a flawless album.

    LA, seems to be written from a happy perspective even though it alludes to tough times
    Flag bubbamooon December 05, 2007   Link

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