LA
Status
Elliott Smith Song
Written By
Elliott Smith
Recording Sessions
July-August 1999 (Capitol Recording Studios - Los Angeles, CA - Primary Figure 8 Sessions)
Availability of Official Release
Figure 8
Lyrics
the gentleman’s in the lane spinning his hat on a cane
stepping out, out for a change
good morning all, it’s a beautiful day
the general’s winning the war that seems suicidal before you came along
now i’ll protect you as long as you’ll stay
la
morning had to come, i’d be walking in the sun
living in the day
but last night i was about to throw it all away
if patience started a band i’d be her biggest fan
look at me, i’m talking to you
i don’t want the lead in your play
the star’s just a part of the scene, the gentleman in green
paying off out on the street
i can’t go home, it’s not on my way
la
things i’ve never done, cars parked in the sun
living in the day
but last night i was about to throw it all away
last night i was about to throw it all away
last night i was about to throw it all away
last night i was about to throw it all away
Note
In live acoustic versions, Elliott added a tremolo introduction prior to the start of the song.
Audio
Album version
Live acoustic guitar version, performed on February 20, 2000 in Washington, DC