Status

Elliott Smith Song

Written By

Elliott Smith

Recording Sessions

March-May 1996 (Smith Residence, Portland, OR - Either/Or Sessions at Elliott’s House)

Availability of Official Release

Either/Or
Either/Or: Expanded Edition (not a studio recording, soundboard recording of live performance from July 17, 1997, in Olympia, WA)

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
You asked me to come down and watch the parade
To march down the street like the Duracell bunny
With a wink and a wave from the cavalcade
Throwing out candy that looks like money
To people passing by that all seem to be going the other way

[Chorus]
Said, “Won’t you follow me down to the Rose Parade?”

[Verse 2]
Tripped over a dog in a choke-chain collar
People were shouting and pushing and saying
And I traded a smoke for a food stamp dollar
Ridiculous marching band started playing
Got me singing along with some half-hearted victory song

[Chorus]
Won’t you follow me down to the Rose Parade?
Won’t you follow me down to the Rose Parade?
Won’t you follow me down to the Rose Parade?

[Verse 3]

The trumpeter’s obviously been drinking
‘Cause he’s fucking up even the simplest lines
You say it’s a sight that’s quite worth seeing
It’s just that everyone’s interest is stronger than mine
When they clean the street, I’ll be the only shit that’s left behind

Audio