Single File
Elliott Smith Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where stupid shit collides
With dying shooting stars
All we got to show what we really are
Is the same kind of scars
And looking at you all I see is
You're waiting for something
Single file
You're a murder mile
You idiot kid
Your arm's got a death in it
If you're choking up take this paper cup
But there's a price you'll pay
For trying hard to become whatever they are
And saying whatever they say
So help yourself to this bitter pill
Or somebody else will
Single file
You're a murder mile
You idiot kid
Your arm's got a death in it
Single file
Single file
Single file
Single file
In Elliott Smith's song "Single File," he paints a picture of a dreary and hopeless world. The people in the song are all standing in line, waiting for something - but it's not clear what. There is a sense of desperation and futility, as if they are waiting for something that will never come. Their lives are full of "stupid shit" and "the same kind of scars" - they are all broken in their own way, but they are united by their pain.
The chorus of the song speaks to the harsh reality of life - the world is a "murder mile" and we are all just walking through it, arm in arm with death. We may try to escape our fate, but it's always there, lurking just around the corner. The final line of the chorus, repeated several times, brings home the sense of hopelessness that pervades the entire song: single file, single file, single file.
Line by Line Meaning
Here in line
We are all in a queue, waiting for something.
Where stupid shit collides
We're in a place where foolishness and recklessness meet.
With dying shooting stars
With fading dreams and dying hopes that were once bright and promising.
All we got to show what we really are
We have only our scars and wounds as proof of our true selves.
Is the same kind of scars
Our scars and wounds are alike, showing the pain we have all endured.
And looking at you all I see is
When I look at all of you, I see the same thing.
You're waiting for something
You are all waiting for something, just like me.
Single file
We are all following one another in a line.
You're a murder mile
Our actions and the way we follow blindly can lead to destruction.
You idiot kid
We are foolish and inexperienced, prone to making mistakes and not knowing any better.
Your arm's got a death in it
Our actions hold consequences and pain that we will carry with us.
If you're choking up take this paper cup
If you're struggling, here is something to help you through it (a metaphorical paper cup).
But there's a price you'll pay
However, it will come with a cost.
For trying hard to become whatever they are
When we try too hard to fit in and become like everyone else, we lose ourselves.
And saying whatever they say
When we mindlessly follow what others say, we give up our own voice and thoughts.
So help yourself to this bitter pill
If you must continue down this path of conformity, take this bitter pill (metaphorically) to endure it.
Or somebody else will
If you don't take charge of your own life, someone else will control it for you.
Single file
We are all still following one another in a line, unable to break free from the cycle of conformity and destruction.
Single file
The repetition of this line emphasizes our inability to escape the fate we have brought upon ourselves.
Single file
We are trapped in this cycle, with no way out.
Single file
We are all following blindly and leading each other to our own destruction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Steven Paul Smith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@knuckle12356
I don't know exactly how to put this, but his sound was so unique, whether it was a blues style song like Condor Ave, or more Psychedelic like Color Bars, or all the really upbeat or angry songs with just the most jovial chord changes and the darkest lyrics; all were still uniquely Elliott's work, and these ones that stepped out of his more common "low quiet and sad" are usually my favorites, though they aren't usually any of the "freebird" suggestions from the fans (waltz #2, miss misery, much of his self titled or Roman Candle stuff...)
His sound just kept expanding without ever really betraying his roots or sincerity. It would have been really great to see where a settled and mellowed Elliott would have wound up... It's just that the heartfelt pains of loss and addiction, and coming up short in life are pretty raw and genuine from a guy in his 20s. But it's not as attractive coming from a guy in his late 50s, ya know?
I like to imagine that if he had made it through the demons he would have navigated that transition in ways none of us could anticipate. And it would have been amazing. Maybe if he had stuck with Mademoiselle Pigallé, rather than Miss "I didn't know not to pull the knife out and that's why my prints are on the
-murder-I mean suicide weapon" Chiba. 😔I realize I'm being unfair. I'm not too broken up about it.
~~~~~~~
Now, offer me money.
Yes.
Power too. Promise me that.
All that I have and more. PLEASE
Offer me ⚔️ e v e r y t h i n g ⚔️ I ask for.
Any thing you want.
I want my Singer/Songwriter back, you son of bitch.🤺💀
@Jonleespradlin777
[Verse 1]
Here in line where stupid shit collides
With dying shooting stars
All we got to show what we really are
Is the same kind of scars
And looking at you all I see is
You're waiting for something
[Chorus]
Single file
You're a murder mile
You idiot kid
Your arm's got a death in it
[Verse 2]
If you're choking up, take this paper cup
But there's a price that you'll pay
For trying hard to become whatever they are
And saying whatever they say
So help yourself to this bitter pill
Or somebody else will
[Chorus]
Single file
You're a murder mile
You idiot kid
Your arm's got a death in it
Note: early on, live, he'd sing the fourth line as "is the scars on our arms"
@jayorazi9784
This album saved my life. Thank u Elliott. Love u. Miss u
@bmcdermott32
Jay Orazi mine as well !!
@hillarysudeikis2264
Used to be a huge fan but only Lord Jesus Christ saves lives guys.
@Ceb773
@@hillarysudeikis2264 Lol, except for this guy, who was clearly saved by Elliott, not jc.
@Stoody
@@hillarysudeikis2264 get the f outta here
@kevinryan1359
Yeah bro bro me tooo
@therealblackmonolith
Such unusual chords. So lovely.
@thomasdap8659
How are you?
@LobotomyMeat
How are they unusual?
@bigchickentime7391
@@LobotomyMeat just started learning this song and can confirm they are pretty strange just a lot of chords that sound off until their put together