I'm gonna have to disagree with the personal alcoholism explaination. I think this song is definitely about two people, specifically Elliott and a love interest. I interpret this as Elliott's way of saying he will stay with this woman, even through her alcohol addiction. He begins by explaining their relationship; "drink up baby, stay up all night... the potential will be that you'll never see the promises you only make" - he is referring to the way she lives her life, and in turn, treats him. The girl is unhappy with herself and perhaps drinks to cope with her self-loathing. Elliott promises to keep "The people she's been before that she doesn't want around anymore." He uses "between the bars" as a pun. On one end, it could mean he will kiss her between bars, as in the ones where you get alcohol, implying that he doesn't mind her drinking and loves her anyway. The other side uses "bars" as a metaphor for the prison of her addiction; he will "kiss her again between the bars," meaning he will stay with her, even through her addiction. He sees her "with her hands in the air, waiting to finally be caught," meaning that she is subtly crying for help, which he promises to provide her. I definitely see this song as Elliott's promise to stay with a woman through her troubles, not as a personal lament about his alcoholism, though it is well-documented.
I think you are right on.
I have loved many addicts.
I would ALWAYS help a friend through
their troubles if they asked me to.
But, sometimes they want to pull away
and go through things by themselves.
I hope it helps for them to know that they
have people around who care about them
and who would be willing to do almost
anything for them.
I think you are right on.
I have loved many addicts.
I would ALWAYS help a friend through
their troubles if they asked me to.
But, sometimes they want to pull away
and go through things by themselves.
I hope it helps for them to know that they
have people around who care about them
and who would be willing to do almost
anything for them.
I wholly agree with your explanation. Actually, most of your explanations I've seen on Elliott Smith songs. I hate that everyone goes, "song is about drugs, done! next?" because there's usually a much deeper explanation. Not to say that he doesn't often write about addiction, but he's not always personifying drugs and singing to them in his songs.
I wholly agree with your explanation. Actually, most of your explanations I've seen on Elliott Smith songs. I hate that everyone goes, "song is about drugs, done! next?" because there's usually a much deeper explanation. Not to say that he doesn't often write about addiction, but he's not always personifying drugs and singing to them in his songs.
it's a song about alcoholism...everyone knows that , his gf at the time before he died was sober and wanted him to get sober....she was scared of elliot bec of his behavior and addiction , great guy tho personally met him..just very messed up , on drugs...great personality in a weird kinda way....but , eh.....good die young
it's a song about alcoholism...everyone knows that , his gf at the time before he died was sober and wanted him to get sober....she was scared of elliot bec of his behavior and addiction , great guy tho personally met him..just very messed up , on drugs...great personality in a weird kinda way....but , eh.....good die young
I'm gonna have to disagree with the personal alcoholism explaination. I think this song is definitely about two people, specifically Elliott and a love interest. I interpret this as Elliott's way of saying he will stay with this woman, even through her alcohol addiction. He begins by explaining their relationship; "drink up baby, stay up all night... the potential will be that you'll never see the promises you only make" - he is referring to the way she lives her life, and in turn, treats him. The girl is unhappy with herself and perhaps drinks to cope with her self-loathing. Elliott promises to keep "The people she's been before that she doesn't want around anymore." He uses "between the bars" as a pun. On one end, it could mean he will kiss her between bars, as in the ones where you get alcohol, implying that he doesn't mind her drinking and loves her anyway. The other side uses "bars" as a metaphor for the prison of her addiction; he will "kiss her again between the bars," meaning he will stay with her, even through her addiction. He sees her "with her hands in the air, waiting to finally be caught," meaning that she is subtly crying for help, which he promises to provide her. I definitely see this song as Elliott's promise to stay with a woman through her troubles, not as a personal lament about his alcoholism, though it is well-documented.
I think you are right on. I have loved many addicts. I would ALWAYS help a friend through their troubles if they asked me to. But, sometimes they want to pull away and go through things by themselves. I hope it helps for them to know that they have people around who care about them and who would be willing to do almost anything for them.
I think you are right on. I have loved many addicts. I would ALWAYS help a friend through their troubles if they asked me to. But, sometimes they want to pull away and go through things by themselves. I hope it helps for them to know that they have people around who care about them and who would be willing to do almost anything for them.
I wholly agree with your explanation. Actually, most of your explanations I've seen on Elliott Smith songs. I hate that everyone goes, "song is about drugs, done! next?" because there's usually a much deeper explanation. Not to say that he doesn't often write about addiction, but he's not always personifying drugs and singing to them in his songs.
I wholly agree with your explanation. Actually, most of your explanations I've seen on Elliott Smith songs. I hate that everyone goes, "song is about drugs, done! next?" because there's usually a much deeper explanation. Not to say that he doesn't often write about addiction, but he's not always personifying drugs and singing to them in his songs.
it's a song about alcoholism...everyone knows that , his gf at the time before he died was sober and wanted him to get sober....she was scared of elliot bec of his behavior and addiction , great guy tho personally met him..just very messed up , on drugs...great personality in a weird kinda way....but , eh.....good die young
it's a song about alcoholism...everyone knows that , his gf at the time before he died was sober and wanted him to get sober....she was scared of elliot bec of his behavior and addiction , great guy tho personally met him..just very messed up , on drugs...great personality in a weird kinda way....but , eh.....good die young
Interesting explanation, but these lines make no sense then:
Interesting explanation, but these lines make no sense then:
Drink up with me now and forget all about The pressure of days, do what I say And I'll make you okay and drive them away The images stuck in your head
Drink up with me now and forget all about The pressure of days, do what I say And I'll make you okay and drive them away The images stuck in your head
Those lines only make sense if the 'two people' are him and alcohol.
Those lines only make sense if the 'two people' are him and alcohol.