Son of Sam (song)
Encyclopedia
"Son of Sam" is a song written by Elliott Smith
. It was released on his fifth studio album Figure 8
in April 2000, and then as a single in November 2000.
The song was not about the real life "Son of Sam", serial killer
David Berkowitz
. Smith explained, "It's not about the serial killer, I'm not sure exactly what it's about because it's just sort of like telling someone a dream you had last night. There are some destructive figures in it, 'Son of Sam', Shiva
... but Shiva's also associated with creativity... I'm not sure... it's just an impressionistic song about destruction and creativity, I guess; if it's about anything."
The song is featured in the film Antitrust
and an acoustic version appears as a b-side on the "Happiness
" single.
, both with an electric band and solo with an acoustic guitar. Notably, he performed it with a band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
on April 21, 2000.
for the song, featuring intermittent black and white stop frames. Smith is seen following a red balloon that moves by itself; this concept resembles that of the 1956 French film The Red Balloon
, although de Wilde notes in the photo-book Elliott Smith
that the video was inspired by the 1962 French film La jetée
.
In an interview Smith said, "The person who did 'Son of Sam' is a friend of mine. I didn't want some hot shit Hollywood guy to make god knows what. My friend Autumn, who is a photographer, had never made a film before, but she was very interested in doing it, so she came up with an idea. It was fun because I knew her, and I liked and respected her pictures."
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
. It was released on his fifth studio album Figure 8
Figure 8 (album)
Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
in April 2000, and then as a single in November 2000.
The song was not about the real life "Son of Sam", serial killer
Serial killer
A serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
David Berkowitz
David Berkowitz
David Richard Berkowitz , also known as Son of Sam and the .44 Caliber Killer, is an American serial killer and arsonist whose crimes terrorized New York City from July 1976 until his arrest in August 1977.Shortly after his arrest in August 1977, Berkowitz confessed to killing six people and...
. Smith explained, "It's not about the serial killer, I'm not sure exactly what it's about because it's just sort of like telling someone a dream you had last night. There are some destructive figures in it, 'Son of Sam', Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
... but Shiva's also associated with creativity... I'm not sure... it's just an impressionistic song about destruction and creativity, I guess; if it's about anything."
The song is featured in the film Antitrust
Antitrust (film)
Antitrust is a 2001 thriller film written by Howard Franklin and directed by Peter Howitt....
and an acoustic version appears as a b-side on the "Happiness
Happiness (Elliott Smith song)
"Happiness" is a song written by Elliott Smith which was first released as a single in 1999.-Versions:A slightly different mix of the song was released on his album Figure 8 in 2000....
" single.
Live
Elliott performed "Son of Sam" live on tour in support of Figure 8Figure 8 (album)
Figure 8 is the fifth studio album by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. Released by DreamWorks Records on April 18, 2000, it became Smith's second release on a major label and the last album he would complete before his death...
, both with an electric band and solo with an acoustic guitar. Notably, he performed it with a band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...
on April 21, 2000.
Music video
A music video was directed by Autumn de WildeAutumn de Wilde
Autumn de Wilde is an American photographer best known for her portraiture and commercial work photography of musicians.-Early life:...
for the song, featuring intermittent black and white stop frames. Smith is seen following a red balloon that moves by itself; this concept resembles that of the 1956 French film The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon
The Red Balloon is a 1956 fantasy short film directed by French filmmaker Albert Lamorisse.The thirty-four minute short, which follows the adventures of a young boy who one day finds a sentient, mute, red balloon, was filmed in the Ménilmontant neighborhood of Paris, France.It won numerous awards,...
, although de Wilde notes in the photo-book Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith (book)
Elliott Smith is a book about the musician Elliott Smith that was compiled by photographer Autumn de Wilde. According to Amazon, it features photographs she took of Smith as well as his own handwritten lyrics, and it includes "revealing talks with Smith's inner circle, many speaking here for the...
that the video was inspired by the 1962 French film La jetée
La Jetée
La jetée is a 1962 French science fiction film by Chris Marker. It is also known in English as The Jetty or The Pier. Constructed almost entirely from still photos, it tells the story of a post-nuclear war experiment in time travel. The film runs for 28 minutes and is in black and white...
.
In an interview Smith said, "The person who did 'Son of Sam' is a friend of mine. I didn't want some hot shit Hollywood guy to make god knows what. My friend Autumn, who is a photographer, had never made a film before, but she was very interested in doing it, so she came up with an idea. It was fun because I knew her, and I liked and respected her pictures."
CD single
- "Son of Sam"
- "A Living Will"
- "Figure 8" (Bob DoroughBob DoroughBob Dorough is an American bebop and cool jazz pianist, composer and vocalese singer.He worked with Miles Davis and Allen Ginsberg, and his adventurous style was an influence on Mose Allison, among other singers...
)