Elliott Smith

Elliott Smith lives in the middle ground — 20 moderate songs that balance intensity with control. 11 quiet anchors and 2 songs where they let go completely.

The character of Elliott Smith

Across the 33 Elliott Smith songs we've measured, intensity averages 32/100 — calmer than the typical song we measure (46/100).

They run from Clementine (the calmest here, 11) to Needle in the Hay (the most charged, 60), with layered textures most common and changes you can mostly see coming. It spans 1994–2003.

The widest dynamic swing belongs to Last Call.

4.9
Avg Intensity
33
Songs Decoded
1
Fan Stories
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The songs that hit hardest

The controlled burn

Waltz No. 1 moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6
Christian Brothers moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 1995
Clementine moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 3 · 1995
The Biggest Lie moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 4 · 1995
Angeles moderate
smooth texture · none changes · DR 5 · 1997
Between the Bars moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 1997
Miss Misery moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1997
Rose Parade moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1997
Speed Trials moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 4 · 1997
Bled White moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1998
Bottle Up and Explode! moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1998
Independence Day moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1998
Waltz #2 (XO) moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 7 · 1998
Baby Britain moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 1999
Color Bars moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 5 · 2000
Everything Reminds Me of Her moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2000
Happiness moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2000
Pretty Mary K moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2000
Son of Sam moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 6 · 2000
Easy Way Out moderate
layered texture · mild changes · DR 4 · 2003

The quiet ones

Frequently asked about Elliott Smith

Answered from our measurements of every song above.

What is the most intense Elliott Smith song?

Of the 33 Elliott Smith songs we've measured, “Needle in the Hay” scores highest at 60/100 for intensity — computed from its dynamic range, texture, sudden changes and tempo.

What is the calmest Elliott Smith song?

“Clementine” measures gentlest at 11/100. It runs 72 BPM. The songs here span 11–60 on our 0–100 intensity scale.

How intense is Elliott Smith overall?

Elliott Smith averages 32/100 intensity across 33 measured songs — calmer than the 46/100 catalog average.

What is the average tempo of Elliott Smith?

The Elliott Smith songs we've measured average about 102 BPM — midtempo.

Which Elliott Smith songs are calm enough for background listening?

These measure in our gentlest band (steady level, no sudden shifts): “Condor Ave”, “No Name No. 5”, “Punch and Judy”, “Say Yes”.

The Wall — Fan Stories

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I was in rehab when someone played this for me. The gentleness of it destroyed me. He understood addiction as a love song not a horror story. I have been sober 4 years.

Theo — Chicago

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