Over My Shoulder
Elliott Smith · Other Songs - Elliott Smith
Another sick rock-and-roller acting like a dick
Bleeding cash burning through the trash
That piles up in this place
And fills up behind my empty face
Full of things that I'm not to do
You come over with all of your friends and all their opinions
I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking a way with nowhere to go
I'm running down to the corner lot
It's forty-five past two I almost forgot to show
I got a date to make with Nr. So-and-So
After which I won't care when you all start to bitch
And moan about being alone
You come over with all of your friends and all their opinions
I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking a way with nowhere to go
Well can't you just leave me alone?
You've already thrown all the sticks and stones
You had to send my way
Well can't you just leave it at that?
And spare us both the bother
'Cause I just bounce back anyway
I got nothing that I want to do
More than make another sonic fuck you
To play whenever you make my life cliché
So to fit in some little box with all the label shit
You say to keep confusion away
You come over with all of your friends and all their opinions
I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking a way with nowhere to go
You come over with all of your friends and all their opinions
I don't want to know
And I'm looking over my shoulder
Booking a way
Over My Shoulder
Elliott Smith's "Over My Shoulder" stands as a poignant testament to his mastery of intimate, confessional songwriting. Recorded during the mid-1990s, the track exemplifies his signature blend of acoustic instrumentation and raw emotional vulnerability. The composition features Smith's distinctive vocal delivery, characterized by a conversational tone that draws listeners into a deeply personal narrative. While the specific album placement remains unconfirmed in public records, the song aligns with the thematic concerns of his discography, exploring themes of longing and memory. It reflects the broader indie-folk movement of the era, prioritizing lyrical honesty over polished production. The recording captures Smith's ability to convey complex feelings through subtle dynamics and sparse arrangements, cementing his reputation as a songwriter who could articulate the nuances of human connection with remarkable clarity.