Miss Misery

Album: Either/Or (1997)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was one of the first songs that Elliott Smith recorded at a recording studio that he built in collaboration with producer Larry Crane in 1997.
  • Composed for the Gus van Sant film Good Will Hunting. It was included in the soundtrack along with other songs from Smith's album Either/Or.
  • This was nominated for an Oscar in 1997 for its appearance in Good Will Hunting.
  • "Johnnie Walker Red," from the second line of the song, is a brand of Scotch. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Silas - Florence, OR

Comments: 9

  • Paula from Houston, TxWhat a beautiful song, what a talented songwriter.
    This song makes me think of my sister, who was a severe alcoholic.
    To me, this song is about that empty place inside of addicts that nothing can fill.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyWas nominated for Best Song at the 1997 Academy Awards {Lost to "My Heart Will Go On" from the movie "Titanic"}!!!
  • Bern from Baltimore, MdI bought Either/Or as a cd and it doesn't have this track.
    now I gotta buy it off itunes..im addicted
  • Goofydawg from Silcon Valley, CaDownloaded an early, acoustic-guitar-only version of this song from iTunes and the lyrics are much, much, much darker than what was released with "Good Will Hunting." The lyrics in that version revealed the depth of his depression. It was pretty scary.
  • Tony from Sunshine Coast, AustraliaThe video of him performing this song live at the Oscars is available on YouTube. He looks really nervous and frightened while performing it, which I think only adds to the beauty and fragility of the song (and Elliott as an artist), but also adds to the ridiculousness of Celine Dion's win in this category for the Titanic song.
  • Dennis from Chicagoland Burrows, IlNader, I thought you were crazy for a second, then I stopped and thought there is a little similarity between this tune and "Bluejay Way" from the MMT.
  • Ben from Nottingham, EnglandThis is a beautiful song. Makes me happy and sad both at the same time.
  • Natasha from Chico, CaElliott Smith was such a talent, both musically and lyrically. May he rest in peace.
  • Nader from Durham, NcSounds eerily similar to Magical Mystery Tour-era Beatles to me. Which is a good thing: this song is wonderful.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Real or Spinal Tap

Real or Spinal TapMusic Quiz

They sang about pink torpedoes and rocking you tonight tonight, but some real lyrics are just as ridiculous. See if you can tell which lyrics are real and which are Spinal Tap in this lyrics quiz.

Psychedelic Lyrics

Psychedelic LyricsMusic Quiz

Whoa man! Do you know which band came up with these cosmic lyrics?

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Charlie Benante of Anthrax

Charlie Benante of AnthraxSongwriter Interviews

The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.

Gavin Rossdale of Bush

Gavin Rossdale of BushSongwriter Interviews

On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."