Independence Day
Status
Elliott Smith Song
Written By
Elliott Smith
Recording Sessions
June 1998 (Sonoma Recorders - Los Angeles, CA - XO “B-Sides” Session)
July 8, 1998 (KBOO Community Radio Studios, Portland, OR - Drinking from Puddles) - unofficially circulating
November 29, 1998 (NOB Audiostation 1, Hilversum, Netherlands - 2 Meter Sessies) - uncirculating
Availability of Official Release
XO
Lyrics
Future butterfly, gonna spend the day higher than high
You’ll be beautiful confusion
Ooh, once I was you
I saw you caught between all the people out making a scene
And a bright ideal, tomorrow
Ooh, don’t go too far
Stay who you are
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
Everybody knows
You only live a day
But it’s brilliant anyway
I saw you at the perfect place
It’s gonna happen soon, but not today
So go to sleep, and make the change
I’ll meet you here tomorrow
Independence Day
Independence Day
Independence Day
Note
In the album version of the song, Tom Rothrock programmed a drum loop from a hip-hop track.
Audio/Video
Video of Elliott Smith, Brad Meldhau and Jon Brion performing this for a recording of the Jon Brion Show:
XO version: