Waltz No. 2 (XO)

Album: XO (1998)
Charted: 52
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  • First a mic, then a half cigarette
    Singing Cathy's clown
    That's the man she's married to now
    That's the girl that he takes around town
    She appears composed
    So she is
    I suppose
    Who can really tell?
    She shows no emotion at all
    Stares into space like a dead China doll

    I'm never gonna know you now
    But I'm gonna love you anyhow

    Now she's done and they're callin someone
    Such a familiar name
    I'm so glad that my mem'ry's remote
    Cause I'm doin' just fine hour to hour
    Note to note
    Here it is
    The revenge to the tune:
    You're no good
    You're no good
    You're no good
    You're no good
    Can't you tell
    That it's well understood

    I'm never gonna know you now
    But I'm gonna love you anyhow

    Here today and expected to stay
    On and on and on
    I'm tired, i'm tired

    Lookin' out on the substitute scene
    Still going strong
    XO, mom
    It's okay it's alright nothing's wrong
    Tell Mr. Man with impossible plans
    To just leave me alone
    In the place where I make no mistakes
    In the place where I have what it takes

    I'm never gonna know you now
    But I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm never gonna know you now
    But I'm gonna love you anyhow
    I'm never gonna know you now
    But I'm gonna love you anyhow Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 7

  • Bryan from Washington, DcThose who are familiar with Smith's biography can work out that most of the song is about his estrangement from his mother, who has devoted her life to new husband, a man who Smith says abused him when he was young. The song opens with mother singing with her new husband (Cathy's Clown, which is about a man who mistreats his woman); her attempts to convince herself she's happy (stares into space like a dead china doll); "calling someone such a familiar name" refers either to the stepdad being called dad or Smith, son; in saying "he is glad his memory's remote,..." he's acknowledging the abuse he has suppressed so he can function today; as a popular musician he can now sing his revenge to his stepfather, "you're no good," (and he borrows here from Ronstadt, same number of times) and flips the abuse (stepdad probably told him he was no good as a child); he's "expected to stay" but he's "tired" of living with pain; "substitute scene" again refers to substitute dad with mom; he wishes his mom well but wants her "Mr. Man" to leave him alone (now mentally as he's still scarred); he's a star now ("makes no mistakes") and has "what it takes;" he says goodbye to his mother since there's no way he can embrace her as long as she's with stepdad, but he's going to love her anyhow...
  • Colm from Northport, NyIf you like Elliott Smith then I'd think you'll like Bright Eyes... Conor Oberst, the lead singer, expresses similar emotion and deep meaning and is known for his brilliant song writing ability. Check 'em out if your up for it, i think you'll enjoy.
  • Goldaline from Santa Barbara, Castop spelling his name wrong he spelled it with two t's. It wasn't his real name but still, elliotT.
  • Josh from Farmington, Utthis song is awsome some one should put up some stuff about elliot's life
  • Craig from Madison, WiNot just one of poor Elliot Smith's best songs, but also the best song ever about karaoke.
  • Craig from Madison, WiThe old rock standard "You're No Good" is mentioned in the second verse. The best known version of it would be Linda Ronstadt's.
  • Will from Happy Valley, UtThe song "Cathy's Clown", mentioned in the first verse, was written by the Everly Brothers.
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