Elliott Smith

In the poignant live recording of "Happiness" at the Roseland Theatre in 2000, Elliott Smith was finding his footing as an acclaimed indie artist. Leading up to this performance, he had released his self-titled album "Elliott Smith" in 1995 and further solidified his reputation with "Either/Or" in 1997, which contained some of his most cherished tracks. At the time of this live performance, he was in the midst of promoting his critically acclaimed album "XO," released in 1998. This period marked a significant evolution in Smith's career; he had just begun to attract mainstream attention while still maintaining his intimate, confessional songwriting style. The raw emotion in his voice during this live performance resonated with many, and it’s intriguing to consider how this moment captured the essence of his complexity—both beloved and burdened by the weight of his art.

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