Needle in the Hay
Elliott Smith
Become A Better Singer In Only 30 Days, With Easy Video Lessons!
Your hand on his arm The hay stack charm around your neck Strung out and thin Calling some friend trying to cash some check He's acting dumb That's what you've come to expect Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay He's wearing yr clothes Head down to toes a reaction to you You say you know what he did But you idiot kid You don't have a clue Sometimes they just get caught in the eye You're pulling him through Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Now on the bus Nearly touching this dirty retreat Falling out 6th and Powell a dead sweat in my teeth Gonna walk walk walk Four more blocks plus one in my break Down downstairs to the man He's gonna make it all ok I can't beat myself I can't beat myself And I don't want to talk I'm taking the cure so I can be quiet Whenever I want So leave me alone You ought to be proud that I'm getting good marks Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay Needle in the hay
Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer
1 fan
Written by: Steven P. Smith
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
11 facts about this song
Release History"Needle in the Hay" was first released as the opening track of Elliott Smith's self-titled second studio album in 1995.
|
InfluencesThe song reflects the influences from folk and acoustic music which are the genres Elliott Smith is well-known for.
|
Theme and Lyrics"Needle in the Hay" is a hauntingly beautiful song, with lyrics widely interpreted as focusing on drug addiction and depression, subjects that Smith often broached in his songwriting.
|
Name OriginIts name is a play on the common phrase 'needle in a haystack', transformed into a metaphor that is seen as indicative of Smith's struggle with heroin addiction.
|
Chart PerformanceDespite its lack of mainstream success, "Needle in the Hay" became one of Smith's most popular songs and is often ranked among his greatest.
|
Use in FilmNotably, this song was used in the film "The Royal Tenenbaums" during a suicide attempt scene of a character, contributing to its haunting reputation.
|
Cover VersionsNumerous artists, including Bad Astronaut and Juliana Hatfield, have covered the song in tribute to Smith after his premature death in 2003.
|
Critical ResponseCritics often single out "Needle in the Hay" for its raw, emotive qualities and consider it one of the clear standouts in Smith's discography.
|
Vinyl ReleaseIn 2011, for Record Store Day, a 7" vinyl of the track was released.
|
Unique SoundThe song particularly stands out for its sparse instrumentation, primarily featuring just Smith's voice and his guitar, which is reflective of much of his early work.
|
Album SuccessWhile "Elliott Smith" wasn't an instant commercial hit, it garnered considerable critical acclaim that has only grown over time, and "Needle in the Hay" played a significant role in that.
|
Citation
Use the citation below to add these lyrics to your bibliography:
Style:MLAChicagoAPA
"Needle in the Hay Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/230831/Elliott+Smith/Needle+in+the+Hay>.
Powered by CITE.ME
Discuss the Needle in the Hay Lyrics with the community:
Report Comment
We're doing our best to make sure our content is useful, accurate and safe.
If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we'll take care of it shortly.
Attachment
You need to be logged in to favorite.
Log In