Alameda
By: Elliott Smith

Original Performance: Elliott Smith
Written by: Elliott Smith

Live Versions:
  1. Alameda
    Credits
    Beck Hansen: Guitar (Acoustic), Vocals
 
Lyrics:
Alameda [Live version (a)]:

From November 3 2003 version:

Walk down Alameda
Shuffling your deck of trick cards over everyone
Like some precious only son
Face down, bow to the champion
You walk down Alameda
Looking at the cracks in the sidewalk
Thinking about your friends
How you maintain all them
In a constant state of suspense
For your own protection
Over their affection
Nobody broke your heart
You broke your own
'Cause you can't finish what you start
Down Alameda

You walk down Alameda
Pushing off the nightwares you wish
Could plague me when I'm awake
Now you see your first mistake
Was thinking that you could relate
For one or two minutes
She liked you
But the fix is in
Doo doo doo...

You're all pretension
I never pay attention
I broke your heart
You broke your own
Finish what you start
Nobody broke your heart
You broke your own
'Cause you can't finish what you start
Oh broke your heart
If you're alone
It must be you that wants to be apart
 
The Song:

"Alameda" can be found on Elliott Smith's album, Either-Or.

This was second of three songs Beck performed at Elliott Smith's tribute concert shortly after he died. The other songs Beck did at the concert were "Ballad of Big Nothing" and "Clementine."

Beck played "Alameda" once again at another show as well a few weeks later.
 
Live:

Played live 2 times:
Earliest known live version: November 3, 2003
Latest known live version: November 22, 2003

The November 3 version is decent. To be honest, Beck sounds to be struggling to find the vocal melody a bit. His acoustic guitar sounds pretty.

 
Elliott Smith's original

 
Notes: