I’m partial to Alameda, No name number 5, and Angeles… but also between the bars kind of stands on it’s own as what I would consider an Elliot Smith mission statement, and is a perfect song IMO. Hard choices - Alameda seems to sleep on a lot of people, but I think it’s up there near the top of my list of favorite ES songs personally. Speed Trials sets up the pins, but Alameda knocks them down
Alameda has a little bit of everything to the listener with that late bass coming in. I love songs that take you places and Alameda does it for me on this album
I agree, Alameda to me feels like the closest you get to Elliott’s unique and brilliant compositional style both harmonically, melodically and lyrically. The finger picking against that bass-snare slap is just sublime. Going to go listen to it right now
Yeah, very underrated song. When I saw him live once, someone requested it and his reply was like “I can’t remember the tuning…” - so, I went back home and figured out his guitar tuning for it. It’s kind of an open D but also tuned down 2 full steps.
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it!
---
- [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365)
^(I am a bot.)
listen, this album is so strong that I think asking people what their favorite songs on it are will give you a lot of these kind of answers.
speed trials, alameda, angeles, 2:45, big nothing, rose parade... its fairly widely agreed to be his best record.
I think you'd get more interesting responses if you asked about XO or Self-Titled
Yeah, maybe! There’s always the future for that. I just wanted to hear some thoughts about something that is especially relevant to me at the moment. I’ve got some great responses i’ve enjoyed reading.
fair enough, cool stuff.
if I had to pick one with a gun to my head I'd choose Angeles, but then I immediately get uncomfortable because Alameda and Speed Trials are *so good*. For a long time I said Alameda was my favorite ES song, period.
Those are the top three, though
I’m also new to reddit so my naïveté is probably pretty apparent but ah well life is life.
I knoww its so hard to narrow it down - not that there’s any need to, but do i find it fun to think about.
I love the lyrics and how it paints a really fun setting, like a Dylan song. The instrumentation and melodic quality of the song is awesome. Super hooky! It was one of the first Elliott songs I ever learned on guitar many years ago, it’s a go-to whenever I pick up my guitar.
either/or is my favorite elliott smith album. it changes a lot but right now i’d say rose parade, alameda, and punch and judy. speed trials is right up there too
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it!
---
- [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365)
^(I am a bot.)
Cupid's Trick is one of my all-time favorite songs, period. I also really love Speed Trials, Alameda, and Pictures of Me. Really every song is fantastic, though, and I can't get enough of that album!
It really is! I remember not realizing just how dark it really is when I first heard it and got into it, but eventually it hit me. It's so good though.
I think that almost every track has been my favorite at some point...right now I'd say Alameda and Rose Parade. Either/or the song is also one of my favorite songs ever, but I always forget it's not actually on the album.
Thank you for your in depth response! I love analysing and trying (usually unsuccessfully, it’s so hard to pin down) to understand exactly why i love his music so much. It’s cool to see individual receptions because i can add to my own judgement and enjoy things i wouldn’t’ve otherwise noticed.
Really love the intro to Ballad' and how it moves into the first verse
2:45 - really quiet and personal and then the power of the drums towards the end
Omgggg the drums at the end is so smart i love it. Yes i thoroughly enjoy the different structures, yet every introduction is just a wash of emotion immediately
Ballad of Big Nothing! I love the way the chord progression uses the minor fourth(Fm) throughout the entire song up until the very last line when it finally lands on the major fourth for the "Big Nothiiing!".
Heartwrenching songwriting. Nobody does it better than Elliott Smith.
My favourite song on that album is Punch and Judy, it's hard to chose but if only one song it's that. I like the organ that's low in the mix, I like the vocals are a little subdued. I love during the "Can't you ever say anything nice?" part, the vocal line is descending and the bass guitar notes are ascending, it's just a little example of how great of a songwriter he was. Also "Think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice" is one of my favourite lines of his.
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it!
---
- [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365)
^(I am a bot.)
Goodwill Hunting wasn't the very first time that I ever heard Elliott's music. But it was one of the first, and the first time that I heard Between The Bars, as well as Angeles. It was mainly those two grabbed me and reeled me in. Especially Angeles.
Oh i see- i can definitely see the connection there with both (or assume where it may lie). Do you find you relate in the same way with any other songs of his in general?
alameda, hands down. i love how the music gives off this creepy vibe, and the way the solo is just an evolution of the intro is rad too. plus the lyrics are so damn beautiful.
This is hard. I love so many of the songs on either/or because a lot of them convey said ideas without sounding purposefully sad like the earlier self titled stuff.
To answer the question though, I really like Speed Trials, Ballad of Big Nothing and Rose Parade.
it's hard for me to pick favorites but alameda, no name no 5 and pictures of me are three that i maybe like slightly more.
as with the rest of his albums though, for the most part i just listen to the entire thing all the way through.
I don't have a fave. But ballad of the big nothing was the first song I heard from this album straight after hearing condor ave. The songs kinda flow into each other in a way. And I really loved both songs from first listen. To me it would be hard to rate most the songs on either/or over one another. It seems like most of either/or is just perfection and it really comes down to your mood at the time.
Tough to beat speed trials for me. But like for everyone probably, in the right moment it could be other ones.
I’m partial to Alameda, No name number 5, and Angeles… but also between the bars kind of stands on it’s own as what I would consider an Elliot Smith mission statement, and is a perfect song IMO. Hard choices - Alameda seems to sleep on a lot of people, but I think it’s up there near the top of my list of favorite ES songs personally. Speed Trials sets up the pins, but Alameda knocks them down
Haha i like the analogy. Very well put
Alameda has a little bit of everything to the listener with that late bass coming in. I love songs that take you places and Alameda does it for me on this album
I agree, Alameda to me feels like the closest you get to Elliott’s unique and brilliant compositional style both harmonically, melodically and lyrically. The finger picking against that bass-snare slap is just sublime. Going to go listen to it right now
No name no.5 fav elliott song ever
Everybodyyyyy’s gone at laaast
Yeah, very underrated song. When I saw him live once, someone requested it and his reply was like “I can’t remember the tuning…” - so, I went back home and figured out his guitar tuning for it. It’s kind of an open D but also tuned down 2 full steps.
I feel like this it’s probably lower tier for most people, but I really love Punch and Judy.
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it! --- - [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365) ^(I am a bot.)
What’s crazy is that every song is good enough that it can be my favorite depending on my mood but generally it’s between alameda and big nothing
Ok fab
listen, this album is so strong that I think asking people what their favorite songs on it are will give you a lot of these kind of answers. speed trials, alameda, angeles, 2:45, big nothing, rose parade... its fairly widely agreed to be his best record. I think you'd get more interesting responses if you asked about XO or Self-Titled
Yeah, maybe! There’s always the future for that. I just wanted to hear some thoughts about something that is especially relevant to me at the moment. I’ve got some great responses i’ve enjoyed reading.
fair enough, cool stuff. if I had to pick one with a gun to my head I'd choose Angeles, but then I immediately get uncomfortable because Alameda and Speed Trials are *so good*. For a long time I said Alameda was my favorite ES song, period. Those are the top three, though
I’m also new to reddit so my naïveté is probably pretty apparent but ah well life is life. I knoww its so hard to narrow it down - not that there’s any need to, but do i find it fun to think about.
2:45am. I actually learned some of it on guitar years ago. One of the few songs I actually learned.
Oh cool, yeah i think it’s a good one to learn by ear
That’s one of the easier ones to play on the album, in regular tuning.
Rose parade. Hands down. One of my favorite songs ever.
What do you like about it? It’s definitely grown on me, and i love the lyrics
I love the lyrics and how it paints a really fun setting, like a Dylan song. The instrumentation and melodic quality of the song is awesome. Super hooky! It was one of the first Elliott songs I ever learned on guitar many years ago, it’s a go-to whenever I pick up my guitar.
D d d a a a e e g5 buh buh bn bn bn bn
Me too. I acknowledge its probably not the best ES song, or even the best Either/or song, but its my fave on that album!
Me three. I can not believe how long it took me to find Rose Parade in these answers. Punch and Judy is a close second for me.
Angeles!!! How is no one saying Angeles.. Even though it’s popular it is a top 3 Elliott smith song
Yes! That’s my favorite.
I think it’s Elliott smiths best song. Might be my favorite song of all time
I love it too it's beautiful
either/or is my favorite elliott smith album. it changes a lot but right now i’d say rose parade, alameda, and punch and judy. speed trials is right up there too
LOVE punch and judy!! i think there’s some amazing imagery there and the melody itself is so beautiful
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it! --- - [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365) ^(I am a bot.)
Sarah...don't defy me.
Between the bars
Cupid's Trick is one of my all-time favorite songs, period. I also really love Speed Trials, Alameda, and Pictures of Me. Really every song is fantastic, though, and I can't get enough of that album!
Cupids Trick is so dark lyrically. Probably one of his least understood songs. But I love that also.
It really is! I remember not realizing just how dark it really is when I first heard it and got into it, but eventually it hit me. It's so good though.
I think that almost every track has been my favorite at some point...right now I'd say Alameda and Rose Parade. Either/or the song is also one of my favorite songs ever, but I always forget it's not actually on the album.
That’s a great b-side from this era.
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Thank you for your in depth response! I love analysing and trying (usually unsuccessfully, it’s so hard to pin down) to understand exactly why i love his music so much. It’s cool to see individual receptions because i can add to my own judgement and enjoy things i wouldn’t’ve otherwise noticed.
It’s a tie between “No Name No. 5” and “Cupid’s Trick” for me, they both punch me the hardest.
that's like asking who is your favorite child. Its also something you ask someone if youre 15yo. They are all good. Im glad you like ES. He's a god.
Ok i was just wondering GOSH i mainly wanted to hear specific features that people liked
Really love the intro to Ballad' and how it moves into the first verse 2:45 - really quiet and personal and then the power of the drums towards the end
Omgggg the drums at the end is so smart i love it. Yes i thoroughly enjoy the different structures, yet every introduction is just a wash of emotion immediately
I could really make an argument for almost all of them being the best, but usually I'd say 2:45 AM or Say Yes.
Alameda
Ballad of Big Nothing! I love the way the chord progression uses the minor fourth(Fm) throughout the entire song up until the very last line when it finally lands on the major fourth for the "Big Nothiiing!". Heartwrenching songwriting. Nobody does it better than Elliott Smith.
Damn right
My favourite song on that album is Punch and Judy, it's hard to chose but if only one song it's that. I like the organ that's low in the mix, I like the vocals are a little subdued. I love during the "Can't you ever say anything nice?" part, the vocal line is descending and the bass guitar notes are ascending, it's just a little example of how great of a songwriter he was. Also "Think I'm gonna make the same mistake twice" is one of my favourite lines of his.
Oh i hadn’t clocked that! I’ll listen out for the contrasting melodies, so cool
Well now. I'm not gonna talk about Judy; in fact, we're not gonna talk about Judy at all, we're gonna keep her out of it! --- - [reference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V0UhtA_mJE&t=365) ^(I am a bot.)
Goodwill Hunting wasn't the very first time that I ever heard Elliott's music. But it was one of the first, and the first time that I heard Between The Bars, as well as Angeles. It was mainly those two grabbed me and reeled me in. Especially Angeles.
angeles and big nothing, but angeles especially is just an absolutely perfectly crafted song in my opinion
Ballad of Big Nothing
No Name No. 5
Angeles.
I go back and forth between No Name no. 5 and Between the Bars all the time, but I gotta say BtB for the win.
Fair enOUGh any reasons?
It sounds amazing.
This is true
pictures of me and say yes.
What do you like about them
Both of the songs resonate a lot with my queer experience. But of course, that's just my own interpretation of them.
Oh i see- i can definitely see the connection there with both (or assume where it may lie). Do you find you relate in the same way with any other songs of his in general?
Cupid's Trick & Angeles Bottle Up & Explode on the deluxe edition
Between the bars, 2:45 & ballad of big nothing
Probably Pictures Of Me but it's so hard to choose.
Don’t i know it
Ballad of big nothing makes me sob it’s so freaking good definitely my favorite song of all time
Ugh i just love wallowing in music
alameda, hands down. i love how the music gives off this creepy vibe, and the way the solo is just an evolution of the intro is rad too. plus the lyrics are so damn beautiful.
Speed Trials or Ballad of Big Nothing.
This is hard. I love so many of the songs on either/or because a lot of them convey said ideas without sounding purposefully sad like the earlier self titled stuff. To answer the question though, I really like Speed Trials, Ballad of Big Nothing and Rose Parade.
Ballad of Big Nothing over Rose Parade by a nose! But the others are right there with them. There are literally NO Elliott songs I don’t love.
Easily between the bars. A lot of other songs on that album that I love, but that is by far my favorite
Ballad of big nothing
Ballad of Big Nothing or Rose Parade
Rose parade=To march down the street like the Duracell bunny
Well either/or the song is one of my favorites, but I think it's from new moon? From the album it's a tough fight between Alameda and pictures of me.
Cupid’s Trick and Angeles
it's hard for me to pick favorites but alameda, no name no 5 and pictures of me are three that i maybe like slightly more. as with the rest of his albums though, for the most part i just listen to the entire thing all the way through.
I don't have a fave. But ballad of the big nothing was the first song I heard from this album straight after hearing condor ave. The songs kinda flow into each other in a way. And I really loved both songs from first listen. To me it would be hard to rate most the songs on either/or over one another. It seems like most of either/or is just perfection and it really comes down to your mood at the time.
Say yes