LA
Elliott Smith (album) Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Spinning his hat on a cane
Stepping out, out for change
Good morning all, it's a beautiful day
The generals are winning a war
Seemed suicidal before
You came alone, now
LA
One of a kind
You'll be walking in the sun
Living in the day
Last night I was about to throw it all away
If patience started a band
I'd be her biggest fan
Look at me, I'm talking to you
I don't want the lead in your play
The star's just a part of the scene
The gentle man in green
Paying off, out on the street
I can't go home, it's not on my way
LA
Things are never done, car's parked in the sun
Living in the day
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away
Last night I was about to throw it all away
The song "LA" from Elliott Smith's self-titled album is a melancholic yet insightful piece about the city of Los Angeles. The lyrics revolves around a man who is walking down a lane while a gentleman is spinning his hat on a cane. It's a beautiful day, and the man is excited about the idea of change. The lyrics continue to describe the city of LA, and how it's a one-of-a-kind place. The generals can win the war, but it seemed suicidal before, and now the singer wants to protect a person as long as they stay.
The lyrics in the second verse feature a metaphorical reference to patience, which, if started a band, would have the singer as its biggest fan. He is trying to talk to someone and wants to make it clear that he does not want the lead in their play. The mention of stars and the gentleman in green creates a vivid picture of the city. The singer mentions how he can't go home as it's not on his way. In the chorus, he sings about how things are never done in LA, the cars are parked in the sun, and he's just living in the day. The haunting and repeated line that "last night I was about to throw it all away" leaves a sense of unease and anxiety, making it a thought-provoking piece.
Line by Line Meaning
The gentleman in the lane
There's a man on the street
Spinning his hat on a cane
He's twirling his hat with a walking stick in hand
Stepping out, out for change
He takes a step forward, looking for something different
Good morning all, it's a beautiful day
He greets everyone in a cheerful tone, admiring the beauty of the day
The generals are winning a war
People in power are dominating
Seemed suicidal before
Their actions seemed self-destructive
You came alone, now
But then you arrived
I'll protect you, long as you stay
I'll take care of you if you stay with me
LA
Referring to the city of Los Angeles
One of a kind
Unique and special
You'll be walking in the sun
You'll enjoy the sunny weather
Living in the day
Enjoying the present moment
Last night I was about to throw it all away
I was on the verge of giving up everything yesterday
If patience started a band
If the concept of patience was personified into a musical group
I'd be her biggest fan
I'd be a devoted follower of patience
Look at me, I'm talking to you
Pay attention to what I'm saying
I don't want the lead in your play
I don't want to be the main character in your life
The star's just a part of the scene
Famous people are just one aspect of life
The gentle man in green
Another man on the street, dressed in green
Paying off, out on the street
He's earning money, possibly by performing
I can't go home, it's not on my way
I can't go home because it's not convenient right now
LA
Referring to the city of Los Angeles
Things are never done, car's parked in the sun
Life is always ongoing, a car is parked in the sun
Last night I was about to throw it all away
I was on the verge of giving up everything yesterday
Last night I was about to throw it all away
I was on the verge of giving up everything yesterday
Last night I was about to throw it all away
I was on the verge of giving up everything yesterday
Last night I was about to throw it all away
I was on the verge of giving up everything yesterday
Lyrics © Songtrust Ave
Written by: BRIXE SMITH, MARK EDWARD SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind