Roman Candle was Elliott Smith's debut album as a solo artist, even though he was still a singer and guitarist for the band Heatmiser. The album has a raw, homemade sound (see Lo-fi music), with Smith playing each instrument and recording it on his four-track recorder. Kid Tulsa (Pete Krebs) played snare and cymbal on tracks "No Name #1" and "Kiwi Maddog 20/20". According to the Elliott Smith biography, Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing, Elliott recorded the album in the basement of the home of then-girlfriend and Heatmiser manager J.J. Gonson. The album was never intended for release, as Read Full BioRoman Candle was Elliott Smith's debut album as a solo artist, even though he was still a singer and guitarist for the band Heatmiser. The album has a raw, homemade sound (see Lo-fi music), with Smith playing each instrument and recording it on his four-track recorder. Kid Tulsa (Pete Krebs) played snare and cymbal on tracks "No Name #1" and "Kiwi Maddog 20/20". According to the Elliott Smith biography, Elliott Smith and the Big Nothing, Elliott recorded the album in the basement of the home of then-girlfriend and Heatmiser manager J.J. Gonson. The album was never intended for release, as Smith only expected to get a deal for a seven-inch record, however, after Gonson played the album for Cavity Search Records, they immediately requested permission to release it in its entirety. Smith at first hesitated, and then allowed permission. On April 6, 2010, Roman Candle (remastered by Larry Crane) was re-released by Kill Rock Stars, now with a US vinyl version.
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Roman Candle
Elliott Smith Lyrics
He played himself
Didn't need me to give him hell
He could be cool and cruel to you and me
Knew we'd put up with anything
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
I'm a roman candle
My head is full of flames
I'm hallucinating
Hallucinating
I hear you cry your tears
Cheap wet hot red swollen cheeks
Fall asleep
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
I'm a roman candle
My head is full of flames
I want to hurt him
I want to hurt him
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
Make him feel this pretty burn
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN P. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Roiy Benkel
He played himself
Didn't need me to give him hell
He could be cool and cruel to you and me
Knew we'd put up with anything
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
I'm a roman candle
My head is full of flames
I'm hallucinating
Hallucinating
I hear you cry
Your tears are cheap
Wet hot red swollen cheeks
Fall asleep
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
I'm a roman candle
My head is full of flames
I want to hurt him
I want to hurt him
I want to hurt him
I want to give him pain
And make him feel this pretty burn
33 rotiaR
I tell you, I've never heard a song that expresses what true anger feels like in such a pure and visceral way as this one. He completeley captured this feeling of being completely blinded by rage and fury against someone that the only thing you want is to see them suffer. It's a really dark but undeniably human impulse that you don't see very often outside extreme music like metal and such.
33 rotiaR
@Bryon Guernsey I don't think he had a problem with this seeing the light. His first albums have this twisted, intimate and visceral aura that I love so much and was probably deliberate. He was a true genius.
Bryon Guernsey
I have felt that way about this song as well. It’s such a simmering g boiling cool articulation of this truly level of anger and dare I say rage. But Exquisitely Encapsulated/composed by this master songwriter. It is my understanding that he did not intend to have this material released. You can hear the naked intimacy in it’s confessions. I have not heard this album in a minute and I am literally blubbering to it at the moment …. Thank you Elliott… all peace.
Ed Helvey
His stepfather may have been the motivation to write this song.
tannerin
I love this. It's so frantic and raw that it sounds like it could burst apart any second, but in the gentlest way possible.
hrin ionuwut
It's like a playing cards tower, but instead of a tower it's a shack and isntead of playing cards it's red and orange autumn leaves
abreufortaleza
Which is a great allegory for the theme of the song... Spite and rage growing over time, a secret desire for violence... Great comment!
sktttrbrain
+tannerin perfect comment for a perfect song
Joseph Wichman
he made the electric guitar sound like a wavering flame, that's pretty great!
Rikka-ka ka
Exactly! Lol good catch