Say Yes (Elliott Smith song)

"Say Yes" is the final track of Elliott Smith's 1997 album Either/Or, and one of three tracks from Either/Or that was used in the soundtrack of Good Will Hunting.

"Say Yes"
Song by Elliott Smith
from the album Either/Or
Released25 February 1997
Genre
Length2:19
LabelKill Rock Stars
Songwriter(s)Smith
Producer(s)Smith, Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf

Background and content

"Say Yes" is one of Smith's widely recognized songs.[1] It is considered happy[2] and optimistic[3] in both instrumentation and lyrics in comparison to the dark tone in most of his other songs.[4] In an interview, Smith said that the song was written about "someone particular, and I almost never do that. I was really in love with someone."[5]

Live performances

Smith performed the song often,[6][7] even during full band shows, in which he would play the song solo on an acoustic guitar.[1]

Reception

Pitchfork said, "It's a straight-ahead love song, one that dares to hope. Listen closely and you'll hear just how fragile that hope is: Smith whispers most of the song. He wavers. His fingers pluck out a simple question on the acoustic."[8]

Legacy

"Say Yes" has been used in a wide variety of movies, including Hurricane Streets and American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, as well as being covered by Death Cab for Cutie[9] and live by Ben Folds.[10] It was also covered in an episode of One Tree Hill, when Bryan Greenberg sings to his daughter Jenny.

Cover versions
YearArtistAlbum
2004Dave HouseKingston's Current
2011The XcertsStairs to Noise

References
  1. Musgrove, Mike (March 15, 1999). "Elliott Smith: Woe Is Him". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Smith then played solo for 'Say Yes', one of the songs that earned his fame... (subscription required)
  2. Hogan, Mark (October 28, 2003). "Elliott Smith: A Fond Farewell | PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  3. Schmelling, Sarah (October 23, 2003). "Elliott Smith, 1969–2003 – salon.com". Salon. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  4. Jamieson, Robert (April 30, 2002). "Elliott Smith: Either/Or | PopMatters". PopMatters. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  5. Dornan, Matt (1999). "Elliott Smith". Comes with a Smile (4). Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  6. Schumacher, Helen (October 30, 2003). "Elliott Smith's Live Act Worth It | Emerald Media". Daily Emerald. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  7. Vandergast, Brendon (May 26, 1998). "Elliott Smith's Indie Style Delights Crowd". Daily Bruin. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  8. Marc Hogan. "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork.
  9. Berman, Stuart (October 30, 2003). "Eye Weekly – CMJ '03: Rooms on Fire – 10.30.03". Eye Weekly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved June 30, 2013.
  10. "Ben Folds Covers Elliott Smith | Video | A.V. Undercover 2010 | The A.V. Club". The A.V. Club. May 11, 2010. Retrieved June 30, 2013.


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