Elliott Smith - Go By Lyrics

Spending all your time with some girl
You'll never get to know

A lot of working parts in the verses which most writers today would use to make 4 or 5 songs... and that’s only the verse structure... Neat transition or pre-chorus and then the haunting chorus and back to the verse... Doesn’t have a bridge or middle eight but it really doesn’t need one... The verses are plenty busy with interesting chord choices...

Go by|Good bye
te amo Elliott!

So, Cupid's Trick for E/O and not this?

haha, Forget Cupid's Trick, I would say this and New Disaster are superior to at least half of the songs on Either /Or

note that Elliott redid this song in 2003 titled "It's Alright" (Sing 'It's Alright' instead of 'Go By') and the song was intended to be included on "From A Basement On The Hill"

I'd like, I'd really do, to make a cover of this song with my band. But i don't understand the underlying secret philosophical sense of this. I know I'd like to. I can relate to all of the lyrics I understand in it, but I can't get my head around it and understand the beauty of them and of the music dancing together. I don't need a long explanation or something, just something like a raw description of the feel. I'm sorry I look like a robot. If someone can help me I'll be really happy with that. Thank you, potential stranger of the future to answer my call. Have a great day.





If no one replies to that let me say this.
I'm sorry you had to leave Elliott, love you so much. Bye.

This to me is a song about a feeling of helplessness, like watching yourself enter into relationships that might not have much substance (spending all your time with some girl you'll never get to know ), knowing your own bad habits/fragility, but struggling with changing those patterns ( you live up in your head, scared of every single noise)... The chorus of "go by" feels like a sad mantra about pushing yourself through life, or letting it pass you by, instead of feeling like you're living through it

@benoplustee seems good to me

basically hes talking about the evils of islam and the collapse of civilization

To me, this song has the feeling of dancing and waltzing around a sad situation. if you cover it, make sure you don't slow it down too much or make it too sad because that's not the focus of the song. To me this even is a happy song. the only problem is that you'll see it's a passing feeling. But that doesn't make it any less happy.

[Dsus2 - (Dm)]

[Dsus2]Go on parade and [F]fade
[F/E]hit the [F]scene and [Bb]slow
[F]spending all your time with some [Dm]girl
you'll [G]never get to [Bb]know

[F]Wound up [Bb]tight
[F]dressed all in [Dm]white
some [C]torn main [G]sail
blowing out to [Bb]drift
[G]leave you even [Bb]if[Bb/C]

[F]You live up in your [Dm]head
scared of [G]every little [Bb]noise
someone's [F]always breaking in accidental[Dm]ly
using [G]nothing but their [Bb]voice

[F]Shrill and [Bb]small
[F]echo down the [Dm]hall
re[C]peating pet [G]names
see it in your [Bb]eyes
[G]you're only passing [Bb]by [Bdim - C - C#dim - Dm]

[Dm]Go b[Bdim]y, go b[C5]y (D-C) [Bb] [A] x2

[Dsus2]Someone's in the [F]way
of pretty [F/E]words and in[F]side [Bb]slurs
all the [F]things they have to say to per[Dm]form
the [G]work that they've re[Bb]hearsed

It's a [F]waste of [Bb]time
[F]I'd put it be[Dm]hind me [C]once and for [G]all
and let the hype de[Bb]cline
[G]if the problem wasn't [Bb]mine [Bdim - C - C#dim - Dm]

[Dm]Go b[Bdim]y, go b[C5]y (D-C) [Bb] [A] x4 (end on Bb)

Someone'sintheway

two timed

I'm only passing by.

It's really unbelievable that this didn't make it to Either/Or.

I know!!! possibly my fav from ES

i am rendered speechless

To me ‘New Moon’ plays more like a greatest hits package than a “leftovers” collection. As Larry Crane mentioned in the liner notes, Elliott Smith’s leftovers were better than most people’s best stuff... Of course New Moon feels like a cohesive album with its own unique mood and personality. This is probably my favorite Elliott Smith album.

Hate my life, love this song

Hm . Grab a guitar , twenty years later - payback Dime !!!

this song has been on repeat in my head the past few days, his voice is so perfect.

This song is so damn beautiful

The only one his albums I truly love, amazing songcraft

+Jack Francis basement on a hill is super good. It's so sad though. just knowing that, that's it, that's all.

Either/Or is probably my favorite album by him, but New Moon comes close if not equal. I like all of his albums though.

ALL OF THEM ARE FLAWLESS

1) Self Titled
2) New Moon
3) Basement
4) Roman Candle
5) Either/Or
6) XO
7) Figure 8

This isn’t even an album though. It’s a compilation. It’s b-sides and unreleased material. There’s no cohesion or input from elliott. This comment baffles me

So damn good. A musical and lyrical genius.

this album is so perfect, i can't believe he was so fucked up when writing/ recording it. wish he was still here.   gbnf

+onemorebrando Weren't the songs from New Moon recorded during his time at Kill Rock Stars (~95-97)? I don't think he was doing any drugs at that time. I doubt he was drunk or anything while recording. He sounds fine

+chocolate37131 I believe some were done before he completely abstained and really turned everything around. Like when he was in the worst possible way of his life. And you are right, his beautiful voice is so strong. Thanks for replying.

oh-oohh-ooohhh

I love songs.

Dressed all in white
Some torment saint..

Torn main sail