"Say Yes" | |
---|---|
Song by Elliott Smith | |
from the album Either/Or | |
Released | 25 February 1997 |
Genre | |
Length | 2:19 |
Label | Kill Rock Stars |
Songwriter(s) | Smith |
Producer(s) | Smith, Tom Rothrock, Rob Schnapf |
"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" 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]
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]
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]
"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.[ citation needed]
Year | Artist | Album |
---|---|---|
2004 | Dave House | Kingston's Current |
2011 | The Xcerts | Stairs to Noise |
Smith then played solo for 'Say Yes', one of the songs that earned his fame...(subscription required)