Miss Misery

Last updated

"Miss Misery"
Miss Misery Promo CD.jpg
Single by Elliott Smith
from the album Good Will Hunting: Music from the Miramax Motion Picture
ReleasedDecember 7, 1997
Recorded1997
Genre Alternative rock, indie folk
Length3:15
Label Capitol Records
Songwriter(s) Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith singles chronology
"Needle in the Hay"
(1995)
"Miss Misery"
(1997)
"Waltz #2 (XO)"
(1998)

"Miss Misery" is a song by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Featured in the closing credits and the soundtrack of the 1997 film Good Will Hunting , the song was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards. [1]

Contents

A previous version of "Miss Misery" with different lyrics was recorded in Jackpot! Recording Studio in early 1997 and appears on the 2007 posthumous collection New Moon . The Good Will Hunting version was re-cut at Jackpot! [2]

Music video

A music video was directed by Ross Harris, and features Smith walking around in a white suit, being followed by a policeman. The musician inserts change into expired parking meters so the policeman cannot write up tickets. [3] [4] The video was shot in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles; it opens in front of the Smog Cutter dive bar, [5] then follows Smith down both Virgil Avenue and Hoover Street.

One version of the video splices in some footage from Good Will Hunting.

Performances

On March 5, 1998, Smith performed "Miss Misery" solo on acoustic guitar on Late Night with Conan O'Brien . [6]

On March 23, 1998, Smith played an abridged version of the song at the 70th Academy Awards, accompanied by the house orchestra. Following the "shocking" [7] nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song, Smith had to be convinced by the producers to perform the song at the ceremony, as he had not intended to do so. They informed him that his song would be played live that night, whether by him or by another musician of their choosing. [8] They also reportedly rejected his style of performing sitting in a chair. Before the ceremony, Smith, responding to a reporter's question, said, "Mainly I just want to go so I can wear my white suit. I always have a great time when I wear my white suit." [7] When Madonna announced "My Heart Will Go On" as the winner, she sarcastically remarked, "What a shocker!" She later said that she greatly admired Elliott Smith. [7] Afterwards, Smith described the experience as "surreal" and "ridiculous, but at a certain point I threw myself into it because it seemed to make my friends happy... I walked out and Jack Nicholson was sitting about six feet away, so I avoided that area and I looked up at the balcony in the back and sang the song." [8]

In 1998, Smith performed the song on MTV.

Although he would play "Miss Misery" in various shows throughout his career, Smith would often avoid playing it [9] or talking about it. [10] It was not heavily requested compared to his other songs, [11] and in one show he dedicated it to the audience. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliott Smith</span> American musician (1969–2003)

Steven Paul Smith, known as Elliott Smith, was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he gained popularity. Smith's primary instrument was the guitar, though he also played piano, clarinet, bass guitar, drums, and harmonica. He had a distinctive vocal style in his solo career after Heatmiser, characterized by his "whispery, spiderweb-thin delivery", and often used multi-tracking to create vocal layers, textures, and harmonies that were usually finger picked and recorded with tape.

<i>Good Will Hunting</i> 1997 film by Gus Van Sant

Good Will Hunting is a 1997 American drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. It stars Robin Williams, Damon, Affleck, Stellan Skarsgård and Minnie Driver. The film tells the story of janitor Will Hunting, whose mathematical genius is discovered by a professor at MIT.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The White Stripes</span> American rock duo

The White Stripes were an American rock duo formed in Detroit, Michigan, in 1997. The group consisted of Jack White and Meg White. They were a leading group of the 2000s indie rock and garage rock revival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Melissa Arnette Elliott, also known as Misdemeanor, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. She began on her musical career as a member of the R&B girl group Sista during the 1990s, who were part of the larger musical collective Swing Mob—led by DeVante Swing of Jodeci. The former group's debut album, 4 All the Sistas Around da World (1994) was released by Elektra Records and met with positive critical reception despite commercial failure. She collaborated with album's producer and Swing Mob cohort Timbaland to work in songwriting and production for other acts, yielding commercially successful releases for 702, Aaliyah, SWV, and Total. She then re-emerged as a solo act with numerous collaborations and guest appearances by 1996, and in July of the following year, she released her debut studio album, Supa Dupa Fly (1997).

<i>Either/Or</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Elliott Smith

Either/Or is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Either/Or was recorded in several locations, mostly in Portland, Oregon – while Smith was still a member of Heatmiser – and was produced by Smith, Tom Rothrock and Rob Schnapf. Either/Or was released on February 25, 1997, on the Kill Rock Stars record label, following Heatmiser's dissolution. Book-ended by its two singles, "Speed Trials" and "Ballad of Big Nothing", Either/Or did not chart in the US, but was acclaimed by critics.

<i>XO</i> (Elliott Smith album) 1998 studio album by Elliott Smith

XO is the fourth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was recorded from 1997 to 1998 and released on August 25, 1998, by record label DreamWorks; Smith's first solo album on a major record label. Two singles, "Waltz #2 (XO)" and "Baby Britain", were released.

<i>Elliott Smith</i> (album) 1995 studio album by Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was recorded from late 1994 to early 1995, and released on July 21, 1995, through Kill Rock Stars, his first album on the label. It was preceded by the single "Needle in the Hay", released in early January 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rooster (song)</span> 1993 single by Alice in Chains

"Rooster" is a song by the American rock band Alice in Chains, featured on their second studio album, Dirt (1992), and released as the fourth single from the album on February 22, 1993. It is the fifth song on the original pressing of the album and sixth on others. The song was written by guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell for his father, Jerry Cantrell Sr., whose childhood nickname was "Rooster" and served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Cantrell would later name his music publishing company Rooster's Son Publishing. "Rooster" spent 20 weeks on Billboard's Mainstream Rock Tracks chart and peaked at No. 7.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Because the Night</span> Song written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith

"Because the Night" is a rock song from 1977 written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith that appears on the Patti Smith Group album Easter, which was released in 1978. On March 2, 1978, the song was released as a single, and was commercially successful, reaching No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, and No. 5 in the United Kingdom, which helped propel Easter to mainstream success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasty (Janet Jackson song)</span> Janet Jackson song/single

"Nasty" is a song by American singer Janet Jackson from her third studio album, Control (1986). It was released on April 15, 1986, by A&M Records as the album's second single. It is a funk number built with samples and a quirky timpani melody. The single peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and remains one of Jackson's signature songs. The line "My first name ain't baby, it's Janet – Miss Jackson if you're nasty" has been used in pop culture in various forms. According to musicologist Richard J Ripani, Ph. D, the single is one of the earliest examples of new jack swing music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Son of Sam (song)</span> 2000 single by Elliott Smith

"Son of Sam" is a song by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was released on April 11, 2000, by record label DreamWorks as the second and final single from his fifth studio album, Figure 8.

<i>Strange Parallel</i> 1998 American film

Strange Parallel is a documentary short film revolving around the American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. The film was directed by Steve Hanft and released on October 15, 1998, and features interviews with Elliott himself as well as fans, friends and other acquaintances of his.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missy Elliott discography</span>

The discography of American rapper Missy Elliott consists of six studio albums, three compilation albums, one extended play, seventy-four singles and twenty solo music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elliott Smith discography</span>

The discography of Elliott Smith, an American singer-songwriter, consists of six studio albums, one live album, two compilation albums and eleven singles.

"Time Is on My Side" is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy. First recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his orchestra in 1963, it was covered by both soul singer Irma Thomas and then later the Rolling Stones in 1964.

<i>New Moon</i> (Elliott Smith album) 2007 compilation album by Elliott Smith

New Moon is a posthumous compilation album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith, released on May 8, 2007 by Kill Rock Stars. It contains twenty-four previously unreleased songs, most recorded between 1994 and 1997 during the sessions for Smith's albums Elliott Smith and Either/Or.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)</span> 1997 single by Missy Elliott

"The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)" is the debut solo single by American rapper Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott. It was written and composed by Don Bryant, Bernard "Bernie" Miller, Elliott, and producer Timbaland for her debut album Supa Dupa Fly (1997) and contains a sample of Ann Peebles' 1973 single "I Can't Stand the Rain", whose lyrics serve as the chorus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Misery (Maroon 5 song)</span> 2010 single by Maroon 5

"Misery" is a song by American band Maroon 5. It was released on June 22, 2010 by A&M Octone Records, as the lead single from their third studio album Hands All Over (2010).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Take Away (song)</span> 2001 single by Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliott featuring Ginuwine and Tweet

"Take Away" is a song by American rapper Missy Elliott. It was written by Elliott and Timbaland for her third studio album, Miss E... So Addictive (2001), while production was helmed by the latter, with Elliott and Craig Brockman served as co-producers. The downtempo track features guest vocals from R&B singer Ginuwine. While the album version of "Take Away" credits background vocals by 702 member, Kameelah Williams, the single version replaces Williams's vocals with then-newcomer, Elliott's former protégée Tweet.

<i>Heaven Adores You</i> 2014 American film

Heaven Adores You is a 2014 documentary about the life and music of indie rock singer-songwriter Elliott Smith (1969–2003). It premiered at the San Francisco International Film Festival on May 5, 2014.

References

  1. D'Angelo, Joe (October 22, 2003). "Singer/Songwriter Elliott Smith Dead; Fellow Musicians Pay Tribute". MTV News . Archived from the original on March 12, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  2. New Moon (CD). Elliott Smith. Olympia, WA: Kill Rock Stars. 2007. p. 4. KRS455.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  3. "Elliott Smith Miss Misery – YouTube". YouTube. March 9, 2006. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  4. "Elliott Smith – Miss Misery – Oscar 1998 – YouTube". YouTube. January 31, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2013.[ dead YouTube link ]
  5. "Top 10 Best Karaoke Bars in L.A." L.A. Weekly . February 23, 2012. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  6. Spanos, Brittany (July 15, 2015). "Watch Elliott Smith and Friends Recall Rise to Success in New Doc Clip". Rolling Stone . Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 Hellweg, Eric (March 24, 1998). "White Suit, Blue Collar". The Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on October 1, 2007. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
  8. 1 2 Kagler, Marcus (June 2006). "Better Off Than Dead, Elliott Smith Comes Clean". Under the Radar . Archived from the original on April 8, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  9. Sullivan, Jim (October 7, 1998). "Smith Lets 'Miss Misery' Sit Out His Paradise Set". The Boston Globe . Smith did not even play 'Miss Misery'.
  10. Wilson, Scott (November 2, 2000). "Misery Missing". The Pitch . Archived from the original on May 9, 2009. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  11. Ashare, Matt (April 16, 1998). "Elliott Smith". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  12. Chelser, Josh (March 5, 1999). "Concert Review: Elliott Smith Wins Over Los Angeles Crowd". University Wire. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved June 30, 2013. [...] when he shyly dedicated "Miss Misery" [...] to the audience [...] it became obvious how both deserved and unlikely his success has been.