Somebody that I Used to Know
Elliott Smith/Elliot Smith Lyrics

In "Somebody That I Used To Know," Elliott Smith conveys the feelings of detachment and acceptance that come with letting go of someone who has hurt you. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that his former lover had made him feel vulnerable and exposed by rejecting his tender feelings. He then shifts the focus to the fact that while his heart may have been bruised, hers is scarred. This implies that the end of the relationship may have hurt her as well, even if she was the one who ended it.

As the song progresses, Smith emphasizes that the singer no longer holds any responsibility for his ex's well-being, as she is now capable of taking care of herself. He no longer feels obligated to help her, and the relationship now belongs fully to her. This realization leads him to accept that she is no longer a part of his life and that he is happy to let her go.

Smith also touches on his ex's self-destructive behavior, which may have contributed to the end of the relationship. He suggests that she is in control of her own destiny and that she has chosen to throw away a "living past" in favor of a "dying day." This phrasing seems to suggest that perhaps she is moving toward a future that will ultimately fail to sustain her.

In summary, "Somebody That I Used To Know" is a song about accepting the inevitable end of a relationship and moving on. The singer recognizes that he and his ex have grown apart and that she is no longer a part of his life. He acknowledges the pain that came with the breakup but ultimately finds peace in the knowledge that he has let go of someone who was no longer meant to be in his life.