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Thirteen
Elliott Smith Lyrics


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Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you
Oh, oh, oh

Won't you tell your dad to get off my back?
Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay
Come inside now, it's ok
And I'll shake you
Oh, oh, oh

Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so then let me know
If it's no then I can go
And I won't make you
Oh, oh, oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elliott Smith's song Thirteen paint a picture of a young, innocent love that is blossoming between two teenagers. The song opens with the singer asking the subject of the song if they would let him walk them home from school or meet them at the pool. These small moments of innocent intimacy are punctuated by the singer's hope that he can get tickets to the dance that Friday and take her. There is a clear desire on the singer's part to spend more time with the subject of the song and to take their relationship to the next level.


As the song continues, the singer asks the subject of the song to stand up for their relationship to her father, who has seemingly disapproved of the singer in some way. The singer suggests that they tell the father what they said about "Paint It Black," a classic rock song that ostensibly suggests that rock and roll is here to stay. The singer seems to be trying to convince the father that their relationship is something that shouldn't be feared or judged, and that there is something beautiful and enduring about their love.


The song ends with the singer asking the subject of the song to tell him what she's thinking of, and whether she would be willing to be an outlaw for his love. The singer is clearly laying his feelings on the line, and puts the ball in the subject's court by telling her that if she's not interested, he will go and "won't make [her]." Overall, the lyrics to Thirteen are a poignant and nostalgic glimpse into the innocent love of teenage years, and the simpler times that come with that age.


Line by Line Meaning

Won't you let me walk you home from school?
I want to walk you home from school.


Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
I want to meet you at the pool.


Maybe Friday I can Get tickets for the dance And I'll take you Oh, oh, oh
I want to get tickets for the dance on Friday and take you there.


Won't you tell your dad to get off my back?
Please talk to your dad and stop him from bothering me.


Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Tell him our conversation about 'Paint It Black'.


Rock and roll is here to stay Come inside now, it's ok And I'll shake you Oh, oh, oh
Don't worry, rock and roll is here to stay. Come inside with me and I'll dance with you.


Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Please share your feelings with me and tell me what you're thinking.


Would you be an outlaw for my love?
Would you do something rebellious for me, just because you love me?


If it's so then let me know If it's no then I can go And I won't make you Oh, oh, oh
If you love me and want to be with me, please let me know. If you don't, I'll understand and leave you alone.




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Chilton, Christopher Bell

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@zavalazavala6562

Won't you let me walk you home from school?
Won't you let me meet you at the pool?
Maybe Friday I can
Get tickets for the dance
And I'll take you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell your dad to get off my back?
Tell him what we said about "Paint It Black"
Rock and roll is here to stay
Come inside now, it's ok
And I'll shake you
Oh, oh, oh
Won't you tell me what you're thinking of?
Would you be an outlaw for my love?
If it's so then let me know
If it's no then I can go
And I won't make you
Oh, oh, oh



All comments from YouTube:

@killrockstars

Check out this rare live footage of Elliott's 1999 New Year's Eve performance at The Knitting Factory: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6KwzgIePF4Dy7347Om6Ijcsr4vh6JJjP

@apologygirl8513

my mom overdosed when i was 6 and she absolutely adored elliott smith and i finally figured out years ago elliott was the artist she was always playing. such a beautiful way to get introduced to an artist ill love elliott forever

@pedro-wb6bl

Hope you are okay after all this time <3

@hmmmyuup3669

@@pedro-wb6bl same. I've been an alcoholic for 15 years now. But this isn't what this song brings me back to. It brings me back to my innocence.

@cheblies0

​@@hmmmyuup3669 hey listen man the first step to solving an addiction is recognizing the problem, you're already on your way to rehabilitation i believe in u <3

@johnnyscifi

Condolences...

💔💔

@aplus1080

Im sorry to hear that. Glad you can connect with her through ES though.

1 More Replies...

@American-Zero

sits and cries in the shower

@JonathanHernandez-cz8lz

American Zero and smokes a cigarette

@marielgracerussaneeclavea2865

my soundtrack inshower literally

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