The title is thought to be taken from a song by Schoolhouse Rock!. Smith covered this song, but it did not make the final track listing.
Compared to Smith's earlier work, Figure 8 is more instrumentally ornate, and the lyrics are more impressionistic. Smith described the songs on the album as "more...fragmented and dreamlike"
Son of Sam
Elliott Smith Lyrics
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I told the boss off and made my move
Got nowhere to go
Son of Sam, son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer, each and every time
I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird
Lonely leered, options disappeared
But I know what to do
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
Acting under orders from above
King for a day
Son of Sam, son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer, running out of time
Shiva opens her arms now
To make sure I don't get too far
I may talk in my sleep tonight 'cause I don't know what I am
I'm a little like you, more like son of Sam
In Elliott Smith's "Son of Sam," the lyrics describe a person who is feeling lost in life, yet empowered by speaking their mind to their boss. They are haunted by their own thoughts and feelings, but also by the infamous serial killer, Son of Sam. The lyrics suggest that the singer feels a connection to Son of Sam, as they both seem to be acting under some sort of external force, whether it be through orders from above or by mental illness. The singer references the "shining path," a reference to a Maoist insurgency in Peru, and feels a sense of power as they become the "king for a day."
The chorus repeats the title phrase, "Son of Sam," and adds the line "the couple killer each and every time." This references the fact that Son of Sam, whose real name was David Berkowitz, targeted couples in his shootings. The singer seems to have a fascination with Son of Sam, and the final lines of the song suggest that they may even be afraid that they share some similarities with him.
Overall, the lyrics of "Son of Sam" are a haunting exploration of mental illness, power dynamics, and the darkness that can exist within us all.
Line by Line Meaning
Something's happening
There is a shift or a change taking place
Don't speak too soon
It's better to wait and observe before making any assumptions
I told the boss off, made my move
I stood up for myself and took action to change my situation
Got nowhere to go
Feeling stuck and without options
Son of Sam
A reference to the infamous serial killer, David Berkowitz
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
Feeling lost and unclear about one's path in life
The couple killer each and every time
A reminder of the devastating impact of violence and murder
I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird
I'm okay with embracing my quirks and differences
Lonely leered, options disappeared
Feeling isolated and without opportunities
But I know what to do
Confident in my ability to handle challenges
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
A reminder that even those who commit evil acts were once innocent and loved
Acting under orders from above
Suggests a lack of personal responsibility for one's actions
King for a day
Feeling powerful and in control, if only temporarily
The couple killer running out of time
A sense of urgency - the consequences of one's actions are catching up
Shiva opens her arms now
A reference to the Hindu goddess associated with destruction and transformation
To make sure I don't get too far
A reminder that there are limits to what we can do or get away with
I may talk in my sleep tonight
Unsure of what might happen or what one might reveal
Cos I don't know what I am
A sense of confusion or lack of identity
I'm a little like you
A connection or similarity with someone else
More like Son of Sam
Embracing one's dark or troubled side
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind