Tag Archives: Either/Or

Song of the Week – Say Yes, Elliott Smith

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Ignored             Obscured              Restored

Elliott Smith was one of the most brilliant songwriters of the 1990s, yet his legacy is too often reduced to just two moments: his 1998 Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for “Miss Misery” from Good Will Hunting, and his tragic death in 2003 at the age of 34 from two stab wounds to the chest.

But Smith’s artistry deserves so much more.

His 1997 album Either/Or is a genuine classic — an album that has only grown in stature over the years. Three of its songs were featured in Good Will Hunting, and it has consistently appeared on “best of” lists, cementing its place in indie rock history. Its accolades speak for themselves:

  • Pitchfork ranked Either/Or 59th in its list of the 100 Greatest Albums of the 1990s and later placed it at #23 in its Best Albums of the Decade list (2022).
  • Spin ranked it #48 on its list of the best albums from 1987 to 2012.
  • Blender named it the 36th greatest indie rock album ever.
  • NME included it at #149 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list.
  • Consequence of Sound ranked it #97 among the greatest albums ever made.
  • Rolling Stone placed it at #216 in the 2020 edition of their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Among its many gems, the album’s closing track, “Say Yes,” stands out as one of Smith’s most optimistic songs.

It was written for his then-girlfriend, Joanna Bolme, but Smith was vague about its origins. “It’s about someone particular, and I almost never do that.  I was really in love with someone,” he admitted without identifying the person.

“Say Yes” captures the essence of Smith’s songwriting — short and sweet, honest yet deceptively simple.  He even leaves in the sound of himself clearing his throat at the start of the recording, an unfiltered moment that adds to its raw intimacy.

I’m in love with the world
Through the eyes of a girl
Who’s still around the morning after

This is Elliott Smith at his finest — delicate, deeply personal, and achingly sincere. “Say Yes” is not just a song; it’s a glimpse into the quiet beauty of his genius.

Enjoy… until next week.