Miss Misery (song)
Encyclopedia
"Miss Misery" is a song by singer-songwriter
Elliott Smith
who wrote both the music and lyrics. Featured in the closing credits and the soundtrack of the 1997 film Good Will Hunting
, the song was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards
. It is arguably the song for which Smith is best known.
A previous version of "Miss Misery" with different lyrics was recorded in Jackpot! Recording Studio in early 1997 and appears on the 2007 posthumous collection New Moon
. The Good Will Hunting version was re-cut at Jackpot!
by performing "Miss Misery" solo on acoustic guitar.
On March 23, 1998, Smith played an abridged version of the song at the 70th Academy Awards
, accompanied by the house orchestra. After the "shocking" nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song
, Smith had to be convinced by the producers to perform the song at the ceremony, as he had not intended to do so. They informed him that his song would be played live that night, whether by him or another musician of their choosing. They also purportedly rejected his style of performing while sitting in a chair. Beforehand, he said that "Mainly I just want to go so I can wear my white suit. I always have a great time when I wear my white suit." When Madonna
announced "My Heart Will Go On
" the winner, she sarcastically remarked, "What a shocker!" She later revealed that she had greatly admired Elliott Smith. Afterwards, Smith described the experience as "surreal" and "ridiculous, but at a certain point I threw myself into it because it seemed to make my friends happy... I walked out and Jack Nicholson was sitting about six feet away, so I avoided that area and I looked up at the balcony in the back and sang the song."
In 1998, Smith performed the song on MTV
.
Although he would play "Miss Misery" in various shows throughout his career, Smith would often avoid playing it and talking about it.
It was not heavily requested compared to his other songs, and in one show he dedicated it to the audience.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
Elliott Smith
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...
who wrote both the music and lyrics. Featured in the closing credits and the soundtrack of the 1997 film Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting is a 1997 drama film directed by Gus Van Sant and starring Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Ben Affleck, Minnie Driver, and Stellan Skarsgård...
, the song was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards
70th Academy Awards
The 70th Academy Awards were noted for their high ratings and the 11 wins obtained by the Best Picture Titanic. Billy Crystal hosted the ceremony for the sixth time, and received an Emmy award for his performance....
. It is arguably the song for which Smith is best known.
A previous version of "Miss Misery" with different lyrics was recorded in Jackpot! Recording Studio in early 1997 and appears on the 2007 posthumous collection New Moon
New Moon (Elliott Smith album)
New Moon is a 2-CD/2-LP posthumous compilation album by Elliott Smith, released on May 8, 2007 by Kill Rock Stars.It contains 24 previously unreleased songs recorded between 1994 and 1997, when Smith recorded his albums Elliott Smith and Either/Or, both also released by Kill Rock Stars. It peaked...
. The Good Will Hunting version was re-cut at Jackpot!
Music video
The 1998 music video shows Smith walking around in a white suit, being followed by a policeman. Smith is putting change in expired parking meters so the policeman cannot write up tickets. He also wore the same suit during the 1998 Oscars.Performances
On March 5, 1998, Smith made his network television debut on Late Night With Conan O'BrienLate 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...
by performing "Miss Misery" solo on acoustic guitar.
On March 23, 1998, Smith played an abridged version of the song at the 70th Academy Awards
70th Academy Awards
The 70th Academy Awards were noted for their high ratings and the 11 wins obtained by the Best Picture Titanic. Billy Crystal hosted the ceremony for the sixth time, and received an Emmy award for his performance....
, accompanied by the house orchestra. After the "shocking" nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Song
Academy Award for Best Original Song
The Academy Award for Best Original Song is one of the awards given annually to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences . It is presented to the songwriters who have composed the best original song written specifically for a film...
, Smith had to be convinced by the producers to perform the song at the ceremony, as he had not intended to do so. They informed him that his song would be played live that night, whether by him or another musician of their choosing. They also purportedly rejected his style of performing while sitting in a chair. Beforehand, he said that "Mainly I just want to go so I can wear my white suit. I always have a great time when I wear my white suit." When Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
announced "My Heart Will Go On
My Heart Will Go On
"My Heart Will Go On" is the theme song/love theme of the 1997 blockbuster film Titanic. With music by James Horner, lyrics by Will Jennings, and production by Simon Franglen, James Horner and Walter Afanasieff ,, it was recorded by Céline Dion...
" the winner, she sarcastically remarked, "What a shocker!" She later revealed that she had greatly admired Elliott Smith. Afterwards, Smith described the experience as "surreal" and "ridiculous, but at a certain point I threw myself into it because it seemed to make my friends happy... I walked out and Jack Nicholson was sitting about six feet away, so I avoided that area and I looked up at the balcony in the back and sang the song."
In 1998, Smith performed the song on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
.
Although he would play "Miss Misery" in various shows throughout his career, Smith would often avoid playing it and talking about it.
It was not heavily requested compared to his other songs, and in one show he dedicated it to the audience.