Elliott Smith wrote “Say Yes” (presumably) at the end of his relationship with musician Joanna Bolme. “’Say Yes’ was written about someone particular,” Smith said in one interview, “and I almost never do that. I was really in love with someone”. As the song’s lyrics illustrate, Smith wanted her back...
[Verse 1]
I'm in love with the world
Through the eyes of a girl
Who's still around the morning after
We broke up a month ago
And I grew up, I didn't know
I'd be around the morning after
[Verse 2]
It's always been wait and see
A happy day and then you pay
And feel like shit the morning after
But now I feel changed around
And instead of falling down
I'm standing up the morning after
[Bridge]
Situations get fucked up
And turned around sooner or later
And I could be another fool
Or an exception to the rule
You tell me the morning after
[Chorus]
Crooked spin can't come to rest
I'm damaged bad at best
She'll decide what she wants
I'll probably be the last to know
No one says until it shows, see how it is
They want you or they don't
Say yes
[Outro]
I'm in love with the world
Through the eyes of a girl
Who's still around the morning after
Say Yes was written by Elliott Smith.
Say Yes was produced by Elliott Smith & Rob Schnapf & Tom Rothrock.
Elliott Smith released Say Yes on Tue Feb 25 1997.
Live at The Knitting Factory, New Year’s Eve, 1999