Taking a chance is always a fearsome thing. Relocation, especially to somew… Read Full Bio ↴Taking a chance is always a fearsome thing. Relocation, especially to somewhere as gold-gilt and Gomorrah-esque as Los Angeles is a huge risk which can hold fame and riches in store or another tally to add onto its wall of ruined lives. Elliott switched from working with indie record labels in Portland to signing with Spielberg-founded Dreamworks Records after this song was released. Angeles seems to be Smith’s internal struggle with this huge decision for both his personal life and musical career ending in the decision he ultimately reached, summed up so succinctly sweet with, “so glad to meet you, Angeles.”

In 2012, Elliott’s former record label, Kill Rock Stars, released an album titled “Alternative Versions From Either/Or”, which included alternative lyrics to many of Smith’s songs off his Either/Or album. This includes “Angeles”.

Angles
Elliott Smith Lyrics

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Someone's always coming around here
Trailing some new kill
Says "I've seen your picture on a
Hundred-dollar bill"
What's a game of chance to you,
To him is one Of real skill

So glad to meet you, Angeles

Picking up the ticket shows there's
Money to be made
Go on, lose the gamble that's the
History of the trade
Did you add up all the cards left to play
To zero

And sign up with evil, Angeles?

Don't start me trying now
Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh

'Cause I'm all over it, Angeles

I can make you satisfied in
Everything you do
All your secret wishes could right
Now be coming true
And be forever with my poison arms

Around you
No one's gonna fool around with us

No one's gonna fool around with us
So glad to meet'cha, Angeles

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Elliott Smith's song "Angles" describe the way in which some people view gambling or taking risks as a game of chance, while others see it as a matter of real skill. The lyrics also talk about how the singer is glad to meet Angeles, picking up a ticket that shows there is money to be made. While the history of the trade is to lose a gamble, the singer suggests adding up all the cards left to play, which will result in zero. In the end, the singer signs up with "evil, Angeles," meaning they are willing to take risks, even if they are potentially dangerous or harmful.

The song's chorus speaks about how the singer is "all over it, Angeles," indicating their level of commitment and how they are ready to take the risk. They believe they can make Angeles satisfied in everything they do and make their secret wishes come true. The singer's last line of the song describes how they are glad to meet Angeles and how no one is going to fool around with them. In summary, the lyrics of "Angels" suggest a theme of taking risks, particularly with gambling or making potentially harmful choices.

Line by Line Meaning

Someone's always coming around here
People keep coming here often

Trailing some new kill
They bring something new to show off every time

Says 'I've seen your picture on a hundred-dollar bill'
They try to impress by saying they recognize the person

What's a game of chance to you, to him is one of real skill
They view the game differently and consider it a skill

So glad to meet you, Angeles
They are being polite and happy to meet the person

Picking up the ticket shows there's money to be made
Buying a ticket indicates a lucrative opportunity

Go on, lose the gamble that's the history of the trade
Losing is typical in this business

Did you add up all the cards left to play to zero
Have you calculated your chances of success as zero?

And sign up with evil, Angeles?
Are you willing to resort to immoral tactics?

Don't start me trying now, Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh
I'll get worked up and emotional if you provoke me

'Cause I'm all over it, Angeles
Because I'm fully invested in this situation