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Waltz 2 (XO)

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1998 single by Elliott Smith The correct title of this article is Waltz #2 (XO). The omission of the # is due to technical restrictions.
"Waltz #2 (XO)"
Single by Elliott Smith
from the album XO
B-side"Our Thing"
  • "How to Take a Fall"
ReleasedSeptember 21, 1998
Genre
Length4:40
LabelDreamWorks
Songwriter(s)Elliott Smith
Producer(s)
Elliott Smith singles chronology
"Miss Misery"
(1997) 		"Waltz #2 (XO)"
(1998) 		"Baby Britain"
(1999)

"Waltz #2 (XO)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Elliott Smith. It was released in 1998 by record label DreamWorks as the first single from his fourth studio album, XO.

Release

The single did not chart in the United States but reached number 52 in the UK Singles Chart, his highest chart placement in the UK to date.

Reception

In its article on the song, Slate called it Elliott Smith's best song.

Pitchfork said, "Inside a smoky karaoke bar, a man and a woman—two people who may very well be stand-ins for Elliott Smith's mother, Bunny, and his stepfather, Charlie—select songs that thinly veil their marital strife. She blankly performs the humiliating "Cathy's Clown", he sings the pointed "You're No Good". Smith uses karaoke night to give us this meta novella about pop music and heartbreak."

Cover versions

The song was covered by Kiki and Herb in their 2016 cabaret show Kiki & Herb: Seeking Asylum! at Joe's Pub, and by Canadian singer-songwriter Dan Mangan on his 2020 covers album Thief. And also covered by Murder By Death in 2023. https://store.murderbydeath.com/product/as-we-wish-10-vinyl

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."Waltz #2 (XO)"4:35
2."Our Thing"2:57
3."How to Take a Fall" (CD edition only)2:52

References

  1. "Elliott Smith – Chart History | Billboard". Billboard. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  2. "Elliott Smith | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  3. Schultz, William Todd (October 21, 2013). "Elliott Smith: "Waltz #2 (XO)" Is the Best Song by the Man Who Died 10 Years Ago Today". Slate. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  4. Jeremy D. Larson. "The 250 Best Songs of the 1990s". Pitchfork.
  5. Stewart, Zachary (2016-05-03). "Kiki and Herb: Seeking Asylum!". Talkhouse. Retrieved 2020-11-05.
  6. Alex Hudson, "Dan Mangan Releases Covers Album 'Thief'". Exclaim!, November 20, 2020.
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