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Date: Mon, 20 Apr 1998 16:47:10 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Anna C. Vidal"
Subject: s/smith_elliott/miss_misery.crd
Title: Miss Misery
Artist: Elliott Smith
Transcribed(and submitted) by Jonathan Vidal
Chords used: C#m x46654 Bsus9 224452
B 224442 A(2) 577655
F#m x04222 G 355433
E 022100 Bm 224432
F#m(add9)xx4224 D xx0232
E(2) 476454 Ab 466544
A 002220
Stick a capo on the first fret
Verse 1
C#m B F#m E F#m(add9)
I'll fake it through the day with some help
F#m
From Johnnie Walker Red
E(2) F#m B A E
Send the poison brain down the drain to put
Bsus9 B
Bad thoughts in my head
C#m B F#m E F#m(add9)
Two tickets torn in half for LA
F#m
With nothing to do
Chorus
E(2) B A(2) E(2) B
Do you miss me, Miss Misery
A E
Like you say you do
Bridge 1
G Bm E G
We met in the park, read the lines in my hand
D B
Told me I'm strong, hardly ever wrong, I said, man you mean
Verse 2
You had plans for both of us that involved
A trip out of town
To a place I seen in a magazine that you
Left lyin' around
I don't have you with me but I keep
A good attitude
Chorus
Middle Eight
A B E
I know you'd rather see me gone, than to see me
C#m A
The way that I am
B Ab
But I am in the life anyway
Verse 3
Next door, TV's flashing blue
Frames on the wall
It's a comedy of errors you see
It's about taking a fall
To vanish into oblivion
It's easy to do
Chorus Chords
And I try to be but you know me
I come back when you want me to
Chorus
This was a tough song to figure out. There's a little guitar part at the
Bsus9. It goes like this
---------------------------------|
---4p1-----1---2p1---------------|
------1-----------1--------------|
-------------------------4-------|
---------------------------------|
---------------------------------|
Send any comments, corrections, or suggestions to
Enjoy!
*******************************************************
* Anna Vidal *
* Royal Oak Public Library 248-541-1470 *
* 222 E. 11 Mile Road fax:248-545-6220 *
* Royal Oak, MI 48067 avidal@tln.lib.mi.us *
* *
* *
**********************************************************
Brought to you by the GUITARMASTA - http://www.guitarmasta.net
Tab Discussion, Comments, and Critiques
|
No Picture
Cam Wanna Be |
#1 by Cam Reck at Sep 26, 2007 at 7:01 AM EST |
| I've always enjoyed that it could be: "Do you miss me? (Do you) miss Misery like you say you do" or "Do you miss me, Miss Misery, like you say you do" | |
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No Picture
dylan Average |
#2 by dylan pesino at Sep 26, 2007 at 11:03 AM EST |
| I agree with acm. "Miss Misery" is his depression. He's felt depressed for so long that he begins to take comfort in it, and when he actually feels good for a little while, he knows that depression is lurking at the corner. So he compares his misery to a girl he has an ongoing relationship with. A girl that he doesn't want around, but then when she gets there, he just lays back and accepts her. "You had plans for both of us that involved a trip out of town, to a place I've seen in a magazine that you left lying around." I always thought this part was about suicide. The trip out of town meaning leaving the world. And it was her magazine, so it was Miss Misery's idea for him to do it. | |
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Mikel Average |
#3 by Mikel A. at Sep 26, 2007 at 11:26 AM EST |
| I love this song so fucking much, it's probably my favorite song. It means more to me than the entire catalog of The Beatles, now more than ever since Elliott isn't with us any more. | |
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No Picture
l Average |
#4 by l l at Sep 26, 2007 at 3:24 PM EST |
| Miss Misery could also be his addictions, I try to be But you know me I come back when you want me to also the chorus... Do you miss me, miss misery like you say you do? his addiction is being characterized as an ex girlfriend who lies about wanting him and being good for him. He knows its not the right thing to do, but he always goes back to her, and his addiciton | |
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No Picture
Hoffel Average |
#5 by Hoffel at Sep 27, 2007 at 3:30 AM EST |
| I've always thought Miss Misery was about two people that need to be out of each others lives but aren't - leading one to question his motives for staying. Man in the park read the lines in my hand told me I'm strong He's being told what he wants to hear; he is strong instead of weak for being in the situation he's in. You had plans for both of us that involved a trip out of town to a place I'd seen In a magazine That you left lying around. Refering to how leaving each others lives would send them to an idyllic paradise like something out of a brochure. By far though the best line is- To vanish into oblivion Is easy to do and I try to be but you know me I come back when you want me to Actually leaving someone isn't that hard, but it becomes impossible when you keep returning at one anothers request. Beautiful song... story of me and my fiancee... | |
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Cian Average |
#6 by Cian Ormond at Sep 27, 2007 at 4:06 PM EST |
| good will hunting just inspired me to finally go out and be an actor. And as a music soul lover I also found elliot....what a lucky day...still my favorite is..Angeles | |
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No Picture
Chris (a.k.a. " Wanna Be |
#7 by Chris (a.k.a. "Spikes") Muhler at Sep 28, 2007 at 8:55 AM EST |
| my favourite song ever by elliott | |
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No Picture
Robert Wanna Be |
#8 by Robert Higgins at Sep 28, 2007 at 5:27 PM EST |
| this song is about a man who got dumped. and hes so obessed he follows her around. and when hes watching her in the park he talks to the old man then follows her to her house.. you get the idea. | |
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Trash Rhythm Player |
#9 by Trash Gibson at Sep 29, 2007 at 9:38 PM EST |
| beautifully written song, it doesn't get much better... | |
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Scott Average |
#10 by Scott at Sep 30, 2007 at 4:27 AM EST |
| Everytime I watch 'Good Will Hunting', I get so excited for when Matt drives off at the end...and this song is playing. This song is a lot like the story of life. | |
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No Picture
Old Jigi Average |
#11 by Old Jigi at Sep 30, 2007 at 9:22 PM EST |
| Like acm said, this is a beautiful song written about Elliott's depression. He was an amazing, painfully honest artist whose words will hopefully help others. I think because of the fact that this song was featured in "Good Will Hunting," the meaning was misunderstood. | |
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No Picture
Timothys Monste Wanna Be |
#12 by Timothys Monster at Oct 1, 2007 at 12:42 AM EST |
| such a pretty song. it's from 'Good Will Hunting', which i absolutely love as well. when i listen to this song, it just reminds me of the hope and maybe also the lack of hope in a relationship. | |
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No Picture
sketch Wanna Be |
#13 by sketch at Oct 1, 2007 at 10:09 PM EST |
| I believe most of you missed the meaning. To me, this is one of the most beautiful and accurate descriptions of major depression in modern music. Elliott's "Ms. Misery" is within him - it is the darkness from which he attempts to extricate himself. Sadly, this may not be possible and he knows this. "I know you'd rather see me gone than to see me the way that I am," he retorts within himself. There is hope here, as in "but I am in the life anyway," but it is impermanent and he ultimately resigns: "I try to be but you know me, I come back when you want me to." When it is understood that Elliott's words are directed towards himself, we are immediately gripped by the knowledge that they foreshadow his fate. We can hope that Elliott has found some release from the suffering that resounds in these words - and those of us that found in him a truly empathic soul can be thankful that he gave us a voice of uncompromising honesty. | |
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Eric Wanna Be |
#14 by Eric Canfield at Oct 2, 2007 at 2:06 PM EST |
| this song is heartbreaking, the way he sings it, makes me cry The one line... "i don't have you with me but i keep a good attitude" makes me think of my dad who passed away last year elliott is most definitely music's greatest loss since lennon was killed | |
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Oliver Average |
#15 by Oliver Taylor at Oct 2, 2007 at 10:29 PM EST |
| of course all of elliotts songs had some root in him (obviously, even though he always denied it) but this song was written specifically for good will hunting.. there is a big difference between the other songs in the film that gus just took from either/or and this song that elliott made up after he saw the film and gus wanted something specific for it.. it references the film in more than a few ways - getting drunk to forget about your problems (matt and friends do that oftan) - man in the park told me im strong (robin williams character) two tickets torn in half (he was supposed to go with minni drivers character but he didnt) trip out of town also goes with that obviously.. i come back when you want me to (he goes to her) do you miss me (does she miss him in the film, he knows she does) but thats more surface for the film that elliott used on purpose.. the idea of depression and misery was his deeper meaning of course... | |
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No Picture
Johan Average |
#16 by Johan Soderberg at Oct 3, 2007 at 12:27 AM EST |
| I agree with the last few comments, the timing of the song's placement in the film gives a false impression. The song can be interpreted as being about his own depression, but it can also be about a codependent relationship, that is, about two people with problems and the damage that they do to eachother. | |
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No Picture
Quinn Rhythm Player |
#17 by Quinn I killed my last name at Oct 3, 2007 at 12:45 AM EST |
| i think this is about ending a really important relationship that leaves you torn up inside, so you look to something else for comfort (like alcohol, etc.) its a great song.... nyblueguy..i love angeles too :) | |
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No Picture
Dev1 Average |
#18 by Dev1 at Oct 3, 2007 at 5:10 AM EST |
| i love this song..its written soo good no one can beat elliott smth...i think this song is bout life and depression..at the end is my favorite part..."to vanish into oblivion is easy to do..but i try to be..but you know me ..i come back when you want me to..do you miss misey...do you miss misery like u say u do?".i think the song is talking bout him... 2 me this songs bout life..i can really relate to this song, i feel like all what he says in the song is so fucking true ..i feel like he really knew how fucked up life really can get. i love songs w/ dark meanings..not happy shit cuz that aint real....i think every1 has different meanings for the song..i mean thats y i think singers dont talk bout what it means..cuz it should be hidden..it should mean what u think it means...i think all songs r like that....R.I.P elliott...no one will ever measure up 2 ur songs... | |
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No Picture
YFLBassplayer Wanna Be |
#19 by YFLBassplayer at Oct 3, 2007 at 5:30 AM EST |
| It has recently come to my understanding that Elliott was heavily inspired by Danish existentialist Soren Kierkegaard. Upon hearing this, I was reminded of this excerpt from the aesthetic 'Either' portion of Kierkegaard's famous Either/Or: "Besides my other numerous circle of aquaintances I have one more intimate confidant -- my melancholy. In the midst of my joy, in the midst of my work, he waves to me, calls me to one side, even though I physically stay put. My melancholy is the most faithful mistress I have known; what wonder, then, that I love her in return." When coupled with that aphorism I view Elliott's Miss Misery as an attempt to find some form of consistency in one's life, even if it's rooted in depression. The end result sparks both regret and gratitude, and all attempts to break the relationship apart end in complete failure due to the reliance one has built for oneself on the paradoxical mode of living. | |
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No Picture
If i can't be m Average |
#20 by If i can't be my own, i'd feel better dead at Oct 3, 2007 at 6:38 PM EST |
| I think Miss Misery is a recycling depression, whom the narrator is so commonly found with, it is like a lover. | |
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No Picture
khairney Wanna Be |
#21 by khairney drew at Oct 4, 2007 at 5:58 AM EST |
| And I'm pretty sure the line reads- To take its toll in having a lot of nothing to do | |
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No Picture
Emily Average |
#22 by Emily F at Oct 4, 2007 at 1:58 PM EST |
| GOD DAMN dont listen to this song if you are depressed. this song got me so comfy in my little depressed rut i was in for a while. i still love it none-the-less of course. 1 2 Next | |
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No Picture
Eric Average |
#23 by Eric at Oct 4, 2007 at 8:35 PM EST |
| i think this song is both about a breakup AND depression... miss misery is a double meaning to me. | |
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No Picture
Juandiego Rhythm Player |
#24 by Juandiego Schubnell at Oct 4, 2007 at 9:37 PM EST |
| I can actually relate to this song very well. :D sort of scary in a way. | |
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luke Average |
#25 by luke at Oct 6, 2007 at 9:31 AM EST |
| This song is the story of life. | |
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