Between the Bars

I’m on an Elliott Smith kick. If you haven’t heard of him, here is your golden opportunity.

Like many amazing artists, he was a raging alcoholic and a drug user. He died young, at age 34, from suicide/possible homicide right as he was reaching mainstream fame. Nearly half of the Good Will Hunting album is comprised of his music and as a result he was nominated for an Academy Award in 1998. (Youtube the video of him playing at the Oscars… he looks so uncomfortable and out of place, which is weird to see at the Oscars where everyone is so well put together)

This song is called Between the Bars, and it was written to personify a conversation with a bottle of alcohol. It took me awhile to fully appreciate it but after listening to the lyrics a few times and understanding them, it makes the music so much better.

Drink up baby stay up all night

with the things you could do, you won’t but you might

the potential you’ll be that you’ll never see

the promises you’ll only make

Drink up with me now and forget all about

the pressure of days, do what I say

and I’ll make you okay and drive them away

the images stuck in your head

People you’ve been before that you

don’t want around anymore

that push and shove and won’t bend to your will

I’ll keep them still

Drink up, baby, look at the stars

I’ll kiss you again, between the bars

where I’m seeing you there, with your hands in the air

waiting to finally be caught

 

Drink up one more time, and I’ll make you mine

keep you apart, deep in my heart

separate from the rest, where I like you the best

and keep the things you forgot

 

People you’ve seen before that you

don’t want around anymore

that push and shove and won’t bend to your will

I’ll keep them still