Waltz #2
Elliott Smith (album) Lyrics
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Singing cathy's clown
That's the man that she's married to now
That's the girl that he takes around town
She appears composed, so she is, I suppose
Who can really tell?
She shows no emotion at all
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
Now she's done and they're calling someone
Such a familiar name
I'm so glad that my memory's remote
'Cause I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
Here it is, the revenge to the tune,
"You're no good,
You're no good you're no good you're no good"
Can't you tell that it's well understood?
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
I'm here today and expected to stay on and on and on
I'm tired
I'm tired
Looking out on the substitute scene
Still going strong
XO, mom
It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong
Tell mr. man with impossible plans to just leave me alone
In the place where I make no mistakes
In the place where I have what it takes
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
The lyrics to Elliott Smith’s Waltz 2 are intriguing, poignant and introspective. The song starts with a picture of a man singing Cathy’s Clown while holding a half cigarette. It gives the listener a sense of a lonely bar somewhere, perhaps, and this man is singing away the blues of his life. The man is the ex-husband of a woman who he is watching with another man. The singer describes the woman as composed, but notes that it is hard to tell what she's really thinking. She looks emotionless and empty like a “dead china doll.” The singer expresses his fear that he will never know her now, but at the same time, his love for her remains strong.
The verse that follows shows the singer’s introspective side. He is looking out of the window at the “substitute scene'' and feels weary. He talks about how he is tired of being on and on, and that he wants to be in a place where he makes no mistakes and has what it takes. The lyrics imply that he is tired of the façade he puts on to face the world, and wants to be in a place where he can be himself. In the final moments of the song, he says “I’m never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow.” This line is a reflection of the notion that we can't always know or understand everything, but we can still find love in it.
Line by Line Meaning
First the mic then a half cigarette
Starting a performance, having a small break
Singing cathy's clown
Performing a cover of a song
That's the man that she's married to now
Identifying someone in a relationship
That's the girl that he takes around town
Pointing out someone involved in infidelity
She appears composed, so she is, I suppose
Noticing someone's facade of calmness
Who can really tell?
Questioning the true thoughts and feelings of someone
She shows no emotion at all
Observing someone's lack of display of emotions
Stares into space like a dead china doll
Comparing a person's vacant gaze to an inanimate object
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
Expressing love despite never fully knowing someone
Now she's done and they're calling someone
The end of a performance and announcement of the next act
Such a familiar name
Recognizing the name of the next performer
I'm so glad that my memory's remote
Being grateful for not having to remember certain things
'Cause I'm doing just fine hour to hour, note to note
Focusing on the present moment and performing well
Here it is, the revenge to the tune, 'You're no good, You're no good you're no good you're no good'
Singing a song with vengeful lyrics
Can't you tell that it's well understood?
Assuming agreement with the lyrics
I'm here today and expected to stay on and on and on
Being present and having a continued presence
I'm tired
Feeling exhausted
Looking out on the substitute scene
Observing alternative options
Still going strong
Continuing to perform well
XO, mom
Signing off with a message to a loved one
It's ok, it's alright, nothing's wrong
Assuring oneself that everything is fine
Tell mr. man with impossible plans to just leave me alone
Requesting someone with unrealistic expectations to back off
In the place where I make no mistakes
Finding comfort in a space without risk of failure
In the place where I have what it takes
Being confident in one's abilities in a certain environment
I'm never gonna know you now, but I'm gonna love you anyhow
Repeating the sentiment of loving despite not fully knowing someone
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: STEVEN P. SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind