Get ready for a heartfelt journey. The late Elliott Smith was known for his raw emotion, intimate storytelling, and unforgettable melodies.
Through his music, he shared moments of heartache, longing, and romance that resonate with listeners worldwide. In this article, we’ve handpicked 10 truly beautiful love songs that showcase the unique mastery of this truly gifted artist.
So, grab your headphones and prepare to be swept off your feet by the best Elliott Smith love songs!
1. “Angel In The Snow” (2007)
🎵 Song Name: Angel In The Snow
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: New Moon
📅 Release Date: 2007
🕒 Song Duration: 2 minutes 38 seconds
“Angel In The Snow” is a beautiful love song from Elliott Smith’s posthumous 2007 album New Moon. The charming lyrics compare the object of his affection to a perfect angel in the snow, while the narrator confesses their love and vulnerability.
Elliott’s gentle voice, combined with raw emotion, makes this one of his most beloved love songs. The track resonates with listeners as they connect with its message of pure love and fragility.
2. “Say Yes” (1997)
🎵 Song Name: Say Yes
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: Either/Or
📅 Release Date: 1997
🕒 Song Duration: 2 minutes 21 seconds
“Say Yes” is a captivating love song from Elliott Smith’s 1997 album Either/Or. It paints a raw and honest picture of love’s uncertainty and vulnerability, contrasting the joy of companionship with the risk of heartbreak.
One of Smith’s more uplifting works, “Say Yes” resonates with listeners due to its relatable depiction of hope amidst emotional turmoil. Here, Smith captures the essence of taking a chance on love, even when the outcome is uncertain.
3. “Satellite” (1995)
🎵 Song Name: Satellite
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: Elliott Smith
📅 Release Date: 1995
🕒 Song Duration: 2 minutes 26 seconds
“Satellite” from Elliott Smith’s 1995 self-titled album Elliott Smith is a beautifully crafted love song. The enigmatic lyrics depict a yearning for connection through the metaphor of a midnight satellite.
The chilling “ice in my veins” line emphasizes the struggle to express genuine emotions. The chorus reveals an interesting twist, comparing the satellite to a “lover’s moon,” both for their ability to bring people together and keep them up all night.
A brilliant song capturing the essence of longing and love.
4. “True Love” (2015)
🎵 Song Name: True Love
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: Heaven Adores You Soundtrack
📅 Release Date: 2015
🕒 Song Duration: 5 minutes 24 seconds
“True Love” from Elliott Smith’s Heaven Adores You Soundtrack is a raw and powerful love song. The track delves into the complexities of love, depicting it as something both beautiful and painful, locked behind glass.
Smith’s lyrics portray a struggle with addiction and emotional turmoil, particularly in lines like “All I need is a safe place to bleed.” Ultimately, “True Love” solidifies itself as one of Elliott Smith’s most memorable and emotional love songs, resonating with listeners seeking sincerity and depth in their music.
5. “Seen How Things Are Hard” (2007)
🎵 Song Name: Seen How Things Are Hard
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: New Moon
📅 Release Date: 2007
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 21 seconds
“Seen How Things Are Hard,” from Elliott Smith’s 2007 album New Moon, captures the raw and emotional essence of love amidst struggles. The lyrics depict a relationship marred by lack of commitment and personal issues, with the protagonist remaining loving and supportive.
Elliott Smith’s soulful lyrics provide a relatable and intimate portrayal of love’s complexities, making it one of his most striking love songs to date.
6. “Going Nowhere” (2007)
🎵 Song Name: Going Nowhere
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: New Moon
📅 Release Date: 2007
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 51 seconds
“Going Nowhere,” from Elliott Smith’s posthumous album New Moon, takes listeners on an introspective journey into a love story filled with nostalgia and acceptance. What makes it one of the best Elliott Smith love songs is its intimacy and vulnerability.
The lyrics showcase an emotional disconnect between lovers, captured by lines such as “There’s no changing my mind” and “You said some things you can’t take back.” With its wistful melody, this unforgettable song deeply resonates and leaves an indelible mark on listeners.
7. “Pitseleh” (1998)
🎵 Song Name: Pitseleh
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: XO (Deluxe Edition)
📅 Release Date: 1998
🕒 Song Duration: 3 minutes 23 seconds
Diving into the world of Elliott Smith’s “Pitseleh” from his 1998 album, XO (Deluxe Edition), is like taking a bittersweet journey through love and self-awareness. Often considered one of his most remarkable love songs, “Pitseleh” reveals a raw and genuine expression of vulnerability.
The lyrics highlight an inner conflict within the narrator, who feels unworthy of love. The song captures listeners’ hearts with its sincere melody, and it keeps them hooked by challenging conventional love song tropes and exposing the harsh reality of imperfections in relationships.
8. “In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost” (2000)
🎵 Song Name: In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: Figure 8 (Deluxe Edition)
📅 Release Date: 2000
🕒 Song Duration: 4 minutes 33 seconds
“In The Lost And Found (Honky Bach)/The Roost” from Elliott Smith’s Figure 8 (Deluxe Edition) is a heartfelt love song that beautifully captures the yearning for connection. Lyrics like “He held his breath to hold your hand” and “I’m in love, love I hope” convey vulnerability in relationships, while the chorus pleads for the beloved to stay.
Painting a tender picture of love persevering despite obstacles, the song is praised for its poignant lyrics, memorable melody, and relatable emotions.
9. “Angeles” (1997)
🎵 Song Name: Angeles
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: Either/Or
📅 Release Date: 1997
🕒 Song Duration: 2 minutes 57 seconds
“Angeles” is a captivating track from Elliott Smith’s 1997 album Either/Or. The enigmatic lyrics often invoke interpretations of love and temptation, with lines like “All your secret wishes could right now be coming true”.
The song’s haunting melody and mesmerizing guitar work contribute to its lasting impact on listeners. As one of Elliott Smith’s best love songs, it beautifully captures the desire, vulnerability, and complexity of emotions in its lyrics and melodies.
10. “Thirteen” (2007)
🎵 Song Name: Thirteen
🧑 Artist: Elliott Smith
💿 Album: New Moon
📅 Release Date: 2007
🕒 Song Duration: 2 minutes 45 seconds
“Thirteen” from Elliott Smith’s 2007 album New Moon is a sweet, nostalgic love song that captures the innocence of young romance. With lyrics like “Won’t you let me walk you home from school?” and “Would you be an outlaw for my love?”, the song tugs at the heartstrings, inviting listeners to reminisce about their own first loves.
Its impactful message on the tenderness of young love has solidified “Thirteen” as one of Elliott Smith’s most beloved and enduring tracks.
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