Son of Sam
Elliott Smith (album) Lyrics
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Don't speak too soon
I told the boss off, made my move
Got nowhere to go
Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer each and every time
Lonely leered, options disappeared
But I know what to do
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
Acting under orders from above
King for a day
Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer running out of time
Shiva opens her arms now
To make sure I don't get too far
I may talk in my sleep tonight
Cos I don't know what I am
I'm a little like you
More like Son of Sam
The lyrics of Elliott Smith's song "Son of Sam" speak of the internal struggle of a character with a twisted mind, who is referred to as the "son of Sam." The opening lines seem to suggest an impending action that could turn violent or might have just happened. The character speaks of having told off his boss and made a move, but now he has nowhere to go. It's unclear what this move might have been or what the character's motivation was. The reference to the "son of Sam" is most likely in reference to the American serial killer David Berkowitz, who terrorized New York City in the 1970s. The character of the "son of Sam" in the song also seems to be a killer, as indicated by the line "the couple killer each and every time."
The next verse speaks of the character's discomfort with his own feelings and perhaps the consequences of his actions. He feels lonely and isolated, and his options have disappeared. The references to a doctor's touch and a nurse's love suggest that he may have received some sort of treatment or therapy, but it hasn't been effective in curbing his violent tendencies. He feels like he's acting under orders from above, which adds to the sense that he's not entirely in control of his own actions.
The song's lyrics are somewhat ambiguous, but they seem to reference the conflicts and turmoil that can result from mental illness or trauma. It's a haunting portrayal of a character caught in the grip of a dark obsession.
Line by Line Meaning
Something's happening
There is something abnormal occurring
Don't speak too soon
Do not come to conclusions hastily
I told the boss off, made my move
I stood up to the authority figure and took action
Got nowhere to go
I have no direction or purpose
Son of Sam
A nickname given to a notorious serial killer
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
A reference to a violent communist movement in Peru and the psychological issues that may have led to the killer's actions
The couple killer each and every time
The killer targets couples and has done so repeatedly in the past
I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird
I am accustomed to feeling strange
Lonely leered, options disappeared
I am haunted by loneliness and have limited choices available to me
But I know what to do
Despite my challenges, I have a course of action in mind
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
A reference to the killer's background, possibly suggesting a tension between the medical profession and the concept of care
Acting under orders from above
The killer may be taking orders from other entities or may feel compelled to act
King for a day
At this moment, I feel powerful or in control
The couple killer running out of time
The killer's actions are nearing an end
Shiva opens her arms now
A Hindu goddess associated with death and rebirth appears to be welcoming the killer
To make sure I don't get too far
The deity may be keeping the killer from escaping consequences
I may talk in my sleep tonight
I am uncertain of my own state of consciousness
Cos I don't know what I am
I am questioning my identity and sense of self
I'm a little like you
I may share some traits or experiences with the listener
More like Son of Sam
I may relate more closely to the notorious killer than to the listener
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RICK BEATO, BRENT SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@writersherlock
Something's happening
Don't speak too soon
I told the boss off, made my move
Got nowhere to go
Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer each and every time
I'm not uncomfortable feeling weird
Lonely leered, options disappeared
But I know what to do
Son of Sam, son of a doctor's touch, a nurse's love
Acting under orders from above
King for a day
Son of Sam
Son of the shining path, the clouded mind
The couple killer running out of time
Shiva opens her arms now
To make sure I don't get too far
I may talk in my sleep tonight
Cos I don't know what I am
I'm a little like you
More like Son of Sam
Songwriters: Beato, Rick / Smith, Brent
@petercastillo2752
This is the most intense powerpoint presentation I've ever seen.
@humorgenerico
Lmaoooo
@giangarciamusic
This will forever be appreciated haha.
@tammyh4677
lol i was sad before i read this comment lmfao hahahaha
@a_little.less.than.a.human1090
You made my stomach hurt out of laughter XDDD
@nen7736
The ZOOMS and special effects hahaha
@travisminneapolis
That chord progression in the beginning is so amazing.
@Missjunebugfreak
I love it too. He knew how to use great interesting chord progressions. It's one of my favourite aspects of his music.
@jamiefugazi6974
His chord progressions are just on a different level and the way he worked with what he had available is insane early on. Genius songwriter and prolific as hell check out "Dancing on the highway''.
@jacobsims8307
Possibly the most underrated musician ever.