Elliott Smith – No Name #5

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Got bitten fingernails and a head full of the past
And everybody's gone at last
A sweet, sweet smile that's fading fast
Because everybody's gone at last
And you don't get upset about it
No, not anymore
There's nothing wrong
That wasn't wrong before
Had a second alone with a chance let pass
And everybody's gone at last
Well, I hope you're not waiting
Waiting around for me
Because I'm not going anywhere
Obviously
Got a broken heart and your name on my cast
And everybody's gone at last
Everybody's gone at last

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Lyrics submitted by dragonflower44

Track duration: 03:43


No Name #5 song meanings
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30 Comments

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  • +3
    My Opinion:This song contains one of his most moving chord progressions AND lyrics.
    Fear of intimacy, rigidity of being, and no seen sign of improvement.
    He was a depression junky, and created music for other fucked up kids to grow up on.
    His life and music, for me, allowed me to live vicariously through his self destruction.
    Sounds really fuckin' cheesy, but this album, song, and his story has helped save my life. I was able to look at his life and music, having grown up similarly as Smith, and see the consequences of creating a trend of digging deeper and deeper holes.
    I wish he was alive and well, but because he isn't and wasn't, he's a fuckin' martyr.
    Flag killpitchforkon July 23, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I don't think that line is cheesy at all, actually. Maybe in some contexts it would be, and certainly in the context of a love song it would be, but this song isn't really directed at a person - it isn't a love song, there is no particular 'name' involved. Also the tone of it - it isn't whiny or self-pitying, it's more..resigned. So basically Elliott gets away with it :)
    Flag stayclosetomeon June 18, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I see this as a song about a youthful spirit has grown very ill. It could be a wounded Elliott being submerged in his consciousness as a child. This song is near to my heart.
    Flag Guarimnon April 02, 2009   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about a guy that lost his love, is at her funeral and he has decided to commit suicide. The 'sweet, sweet smile' that's fading fast, the reassurances not to worry and not to expect him, and the weight of waiting for everyone to finally leave.
    Flag Lumnicenceon July 17, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:it's my favorite 'no name' song my Elliott.
    very beautiful
    Flag sadisticon December 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:for me, it sounds like somebody thats given up.

    "And you don't get upset about it
    No, not anymore"
    Flag sadisticon December 03, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:WOW! No 16 year olds have tried to claim this song is about drug use yet! Amazing, we can all agree this song ISN'T about drugs, in ANY way.

    "Got a broken heart and your name on my cast"

    This line pretty much sums up why i love Elliott Smith so much. If anybody ever asks me i tell them that line if i haven't got any music on me. Its so simple, and such an amazing line 'en abyme,' the duplicity of mirrored meaning here is simply stunning when you hear it. Nobody else would or could have ever written it. Simply genius.
    Flag MikeProudhonon November 19, 2007   Link
    • 2 Replies
  • 0
    General Comment:I think this song is about a fundamental fear of intimacy, and when someone gets close to you you push them away. Only after they are gone, your relief at being free is short lived, and is quickly replaced by lonliness and regret at having missed an opportunity with someone who was probably pretty great for you. That's what keeps drawing you back into those situations, constantly flirting with intimacy, even though it terrifies you...or maybe I am just projecting my own baggage onto the song :)
    Flag Hopeless Poseron September 05, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:i think this song relates to a fear of intimacy, something that elliott deals with in alot of his songs (alameda, can't make a sound, 2:45am)

    people who feel like this often go for "unavailable" partners, he liked her, he knew she was leaving but he went for it, because there was no threat of a relationship ("everybody's gone at last")
    Flag isabel39on April 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment:This song hits deep when you're feelin' down in the dumps.
    Flag Weird0awakening7on January 08, 2007   Link

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