Son of Sam (song)
| "Son of Sam" | |
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| Song |
"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 possibly inspired by the real life "Son of Sam", serial killer David Berkowitz, though Elliott himself disputed this, saying the song was about failed relationships. The lyrics "the couple killer each and every time" and "the couple killer running out of time" seem to reference the fact that Berkowitz repeatedly shot at young couples while also pointing to the failed relationships reference.
The phrase "lonely leered... disappear" recurs in "In the Lost and Found (Honky Bach)", another song on Figure 8.
An acoustic version of "Son of Sam" appears as a b-side on the "Happiness" single.
Live
Elliott performed "Son of Sam" live on tour in support of the album, both with an electric band and solo with an acoustic guitar.[1] Notably, he performed it with a band on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on April 21 2000.
Music video
A music video was directed by Autumn de Wilde 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.
Track listings
CD single
- "Son of Sam" ⓘ
- "A Living Will"
- "Figure 8"
7" single
- "Son of Sam"
- "A Living Will"
Trivia
- "Figure 8" is a cover of a "multiplication rock" song from Schoolhouse Rock! performed on piano, and does not appear on American Figure 8 album.
- Son of Sam is featured in the film Antitrust