Elliott Smith's 'Either/Or' and the Making of 'Miss Misery'

In the late 1990s, American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith was on the verge of mainstream success with his album 'elliott smith either or youtube'. The album's single, 'Miss Misery,' gained widespread attention after being featured in the film Good Will Hunting. But before it became a household name, Smith had to be convinced to perform the song at the Academy Awards ceremony.

On March 23, 1998, Smith took the stage at the 70th Academy Awards, accompanied by the house orchestra, to perform an abridged version of 'Miss Misery.' The performance was a result of producers' persistence, as Smith had initially not intended to perform the song. Prior to that, he had performed the song solo on acoustic guitar on Late Night with Conan O'Brien on March 5, 1998.

The music video for 'Miss Misery' was shot in Los Angeles' Silverlake neighborhood and features Smith walking around in a white suit while being followed by a policeman. The video also includes footage from Good Will Hunting, which adds to the song's cinematic charm. Ross Harris directed the music video, which showcases Smith's distinctive style.

Interestingly, an earlier version of 'Miss Misery' with different lyrics was recorded in early 1997 and appears on the 2007 posthumous collection New Moon. The song was nominated for Best Original Song at the 1998 Academy Awards, further cementing its place in music history.

'Elliott Smith's 'Either/Or' and the Making of 'Miss Misery'

Elliott smith either or youtube