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Looking Over My Shoulder
Elliott Smith Lyrics


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Wiped out in the city slick
Another sick rock 'n' roller acting like a dick
Needing cash
Burning through the trash
That piles up in this place
And fills up behind my empty face
Full of things that I'm not to do

You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go

I run down to the corner lot
It's forty-five past two
I almost forgot to show
Got a date to make with Mr. So-and-So
After which
I won't care when you all start to bitch and moan
About being alone

You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go

Well, can't you just leave me alone?
You've already thrown all the sticks and stones
You had to send my way
Well, can't you just leave it at that?
And spare us both the bother
Because I just bounce back anyway
I got nothing that I want to do more
Than make another sonic "fuck you" to play
Whenever you make my life cliche
So to fit in some little box with the all the labeled shit
You would say to keep confusion away

You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go

You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away

Overall Meaning

"Looking Over My Shoulder" is a song by Elliott Smith from his album "Either/Or" released in 1997. The song describes an aimless and struggling rock 'n' roller who is looking for cash and meaning in his life. Smith portrays a character who is emotionally detached from his surroundings and overwhelmed by the opinions of people around him. The singer has a certain contempt for society and its labeling, and he seeks solace in creating music as a form of rebellion.


The verses describe the singer's mundane life, where he spends most of his time burning through trash, contemplating things that he is not supposed to do, and running errands. He struggles with his own self-worth and feels trapped in the chaos of city life. He is constantly looking over his shoulder, trying to escape the opinions of others that he doesn't want to know.


In the chorus, the singer confronts the people who are invading his personal space and not leaving him alone. He rejects their opinions and judgments and tries to escape from them by booking away with nowhere to go. The song reflects the feeling of isolation and detachment that can come from being constantly bombarded with the opinions and expectations of others.


Overall, "Looking Over My Shoulder" is a powerful song about feeling lost and disconnected in a busy world. It is a reminder that sometimes we need to take a step back from the noise around us and focus on our own inner voice.


Line by Line Meaning

Wiped out in the city slick
Fatigued and exhausted in the urban environment


Another sick rock 'n' roller acting like a dick
A musician who is unwell and behaving rudely


Needing cash
In dire need of money


Burning through the trash
Quickly using up all available resources


That piles up in this place
Referring to the debris accumulated in the area


And fills up behind my empty face
Feeling emotionally burdened but hiding it from others


Full of things that I'm not to do
Having a clear understanding of what shouldn't be done


You come over with all of your friends
You arrive with a group of people


And all their opinions I don't want to know
I don't care about their views or ideas


And I'm looking over my shoulder
I'm checking who is behind me


Booking away with nowhere to go
Making a quick escape without a specific destination


I run down to the corner lot
I hurry towards the nearby area


It's forty-five past two
The time is 2:45 am


I almost forgot to show
I nearly missed my appointment


Got a date to make with Mr. So-and-So
I have to meet someone named Mr. So-and-So


After which I won't care when you all start to bitch and moan
Once that is done, I won't be bothered by your whining


About being alone
Complaining about being by oneself


Well, can't you just leave me alone?
I'm requesting to be left in solitude


You've already thrown all the sticks and stones
You've already said or done hurtful things to me


You had to send my way
You deliberately directed them towards me


Well, can't you just leave it at that?
Can't you stop here and not cause more trouble?


And spare us both the bother
Let's not waste our time and energy


Because I just bounce back anyway
I will recover and become strong again


I got nothing that I want to do more
There is nothing more important to me than


Than make another sonic "fuck you" to play
Creating and playing an aggressive and provocative music piece


Whenever you make my life cliche
Whenever you make my life boring and predictable


So to fit in some little box with the all the labeled shit
To conform to society's norms and expectations


You would say to keep confusion away
You suggest following the rules to avoid chaos




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN P. SMITH

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

@asaphluiz2854

Wiped out in the city slick
Another sick rock 'n' roller acting like a dick
Needing cash
Burning through the trash
That piles up in this place
And fills up behind my empty face
Full of things that I'm not to do
You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go
I run down to the corner lot
It's forty-five past two
I almost forgot to show
Got a date to make with Mr. So-and-So
After which
I won't care when you all start to bitch and moan
About being alone
You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go
Well, can't you just leave me alone?
You've already thrown all the sticks and stones
You had to send my way
Well, can't you just leave it at that?
And spare us both the bother
Because I just bounce back anyway
I got nothing that I want to do more
Than make another sonic "fuck you" to play
Whenever you make my life cliche
So to fit in some little box with the all the labeled shit
You would say to keep confusion away
You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away with nowhere to go
You come over with all of your friends
And all their opinions I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking away



All comments from YouTube:

@punkskunk7172

Words can’t express how much I love Elliott Smith’s music

@jeanpierreconverty1166

Je ressens la même chose que vous en écoutant ce génie trop méconnu en France ❤

@oneminutefixed5003

best singer / song writer of our times, no doubt whatsoever

@mugen29

No objections so far

@punkskunk7172

Yup

@The_jerk_store

100%

@Kris-em4eq

I like how he says its 45 past 2, almost like hes making a reference to 2:45 am

@This_Is_Probably_Pavlo

totally a reference!
Such a great song btw!

@MrByebyelove

He had this subtle stable of phrases and themes that he would slyly recycle, I say with all reverence. Noticeable to devout fans like i take it you are💙

@garyrouyea8314

This song is in my TOP 10..HA

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