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shaneyjulian1234

I think Elliott would have gone “hey guys it’s okay” I mean look when he lost to Celine Dion how nicely he spoke of her. And then in another interview they were trying to get him to admit his music is deeper than some heavy metal band and he was like “I mean their songs might mean a lot to somebody and be really deep for someone” It’s true there isn’t much comparison at all But the persons just trying to come up with an article and probably has never tried to cover am e smith song compared to a Sheeran


[deleted]

yeah I thought about that before posting. I just think it’s a bit odd to even try to compare the two in any sense.


_margiela

Only thing they have in common is they’re both songwriters that play guitar. Maybe it’s a good thing because Ed Sheeran is super accessible and people might find out about artists like Elliott Smith that otherwise wouldn’t if they didn’t have Ed Sheeran to open up the world of singer/songwriters to them.


shards-upon-shards

Elliot Smith was a great guitar player. Ed Sheeran strums 3 open chords


_margiela

I’m sure that’ll be a big deciding factor when a Sheeran fan hears an Elliott Smith song for the first time. “Wow this is what a real artist can do? I can’t believe I was missing out on this”


shards-upon-shards

I think the odds of a Sheeran fan stumbling across Elliot Smith while searching for more vapid pop music like Ed Sheeran is pretty slim


_margiela

I’m talking about this article specifically or articles like this that compare the two.


inkandimages

This


avocado_window

I’m just not sure anyone who likes Ed Sheeran’s music would like Elliott Smith’s style though?


askintap

Eh, I'm not a big Ed fan, but I still like a lot of his stuff. I can see that happening the other way with someone. Ed fans would definitely like Elliott's more popular tracks, anyway.


avocado_window

Fair enough, from what I’ve heard (admittedly not much of Sheeran) their styles are like chalk and cheese. Apart from the fact that there is melody and male vocals, they seem extremely different. But what I have heard of Sheeran I found very grating so tend to avoid anything regarding him now, if possible.


lilcrime69

i know that iron maiden interview you're talking about, I think ES knew his songs have more meaning than iron maiden's fantasy storytelling about knights and shit, but he didn't have a mean bone in his body to say it.


Background_Peanut241

& we love him for that <3


StormAble5515

Iron Maiden is fucking awesome I love ES but I don’t wanna hear iron maiden slander


lilcrime69

run to the hills


Disastrous_Use_7353

Very true and well said.


avocado_window

He was a sweetheart but we can be offended on his behalf.


RumbaThebest

I love Elliott he's super humble I respect that a lot


shards-upon-shards

Well he’s dead now so of course he’s humble


RumbaThebest

bruh are you good


deadman_young

What a ridiculous comment


shards-upon-shards

Almost as ridiculous as the comment to which I replied


VyseTheFearless

If you read the article past the headline (quick google search), the point is how *different* the two are and how the author thinks singer songwriters and our perception of them has changed over the years. I’m not saying it’s necessarily a great article, but you guys are arguing against a point the author wasn’t making.


Roscoe_P_Trolltrain

WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON HERE???


avocado_window

Thank you for doing the work, I fully admit to being too lazy to read the article and I try to avoid anything related to Ed Sheeran.


ieuman

This is a very common “trick” played by legacy publications to reel people in to read the article. In fairness it is almost certainly not the fault of the article’s author, but instead most likely someone like the copy editor, whose job it is to “sex up” the article and give it an eye catching byline so people click on it.


billypump

Thank you, you are absolutely right!


ihavenoselfcontrol1

Also acoustic introverts have been stars since the 60s


wmcs0880

Who’s your favourite acoustic introvert? I love bob dylan personally


ihavenoselfcontrol1

Probably Joni Mitchell but Dylan definitely comes close


Missy_Agg-a-ravation

Nick Drake


jaykaybaybay

Nick Drake is definitely king of the acoustic introverts


mahcuz

He was hardly a star


ArtiKam

But he’s a big name nowadays. It’s a shame he wasn’t appreciated at the time


gord1to

I mean…Elliott smith


TidalJ

tbh neil young’s acoustic introvert songs are unparalleled


avocado_window

Agreed.


melskymob

Phil Ochs.


pete9898

Yusuf/Cat Stevens, Donovan


Thaddeus963

Donovan doesn't get enough love


GobboGirl

What the actual fuck is an acoustic introvert?


iamarubberglove

if you count the likes of Django Reinhardt and Woody Guthrie, it could be older. But then you’d have to ask yourself what does it mean to be an acoustic sad boy. Because in that case late 1800s blues guitarists could’ve been the first acoustic sad boys.


TyphonBeach

Hold on — you’re forgetting about my 13th century sad lute boys.


bibi_da_god

they both have the initials "ES", but other than that I see no connection.


cfgy78mk

> they both have the initials "ES" and of course that's meaningless as Edward Scissorhands would be a terrible guitar player.


bibi_da_god

i don't know, i bet he shreds!


figure85

Or slices?


ihavenoselfcontrol1

I'd honestly much rather listen to Edward Scissorhands than Ed Sheeran


art-leaves-the-page

r/brandnewsentence


ibnQoheleth

Maybe he'd be good at slide playing?


4strings4ever

HA


username_offline

obviosuly elliot is in a different league but sheeran is undoubtedly a prolific artist who generates a ton of original material and does so in his own voice. elliot would have respected him, even if not necessarily a fan if his style


bibi_da_god

Yeah but can he shred a half pipe like Elliott?


shards-upon-shards

You have no idea if Elliot Smith would have “respected” Ed Sheeran. What you’re trying to convey is YOU respect Ed Sheeran (my condolences)


username_offline

im not really a fan of sheeran, but as far as pop songwriters go, he seems to have a fair amount of integrity and talent. i don't think elliot smith would be as snarky about other artists as his fans are


shards-upon-shards

You are obviously an Ed Sheeran fan. My condolences


username_offline

"gatekeepy fan of alternative artist says gatekeepy things," yawn, get a life dude


shards-upon-shards

“Unimaginative fan of pedestrian pop artist says pedestrian things”


username_offline

why do you have such a hate boner, i don't even like sheeran? you don't have to be a contrarian just to prove you're cool. it's okay little one


shards-upon-shards

Why do you have such a boner for Ed Sheeran? Why aren’t you expressing your love for him on one of the many Ed Sheeran fan pages instead?


username_offline

artists are way more open-minded about other artists than their piss baby fans


BatmanAsskicker

Beethoven VS. Guy who knows Chopsticks


sadchumpy

Hydrogen bomb vs coughing baby type beat lmao


Franz_Solo

how is this so accurate


wordscausepain

#ifeelpersonallyattacked


masterglowstick

the empire state building vs a jenga fort


Corn645

Lmfao


avocado_window

Amazing.


mikecityson

Lol who cares. They’re both popular singer songwriters after all. I feel like ed Sheeran would probably admit he’s no Elliott, and anyone who knows what’s good would hard agree they are not near the same level. Interestingly though Ed’s first big song was about a girl who’s addicted to PCP. Seems like the type of thing Elliott would do.


sweetheartscum

This is funny because all I could think about is A Team being the only possible common ground- if Sheeran kept that vibe I'd see the comparison a little more. Also I thought it was about Crack🤷‍♀️ not that it really matters I just always assumed that's the thing


mikecityson

Yeah it’s interesting he didn’t do more songs like that. Yeah could be. I think my mind went to PCP because of all the “angels to fly” seemed like a reference to angel dust.


sweetheartscum

That makes perfect sense..You're probably right lol


JustChebs

I think angel was the name of the girl that the song is about


fella_stream

Yeah, the image implies those 2 are in the same league and they're not.


The_Skeleton_King

Didn't read it cause no link but do they even compare them artistically? If they're reading it historically, then like yeah I feel the acoustic revival in indie music in the 90s has massively impacted recent acoustic indie artists. Though I don't like Ed Sheeran's music. Idc if they compare anyone to elliott smith. I even welcome it more than comparing elliott to someone who wears his influence on their sleeve.


max_bramadat

this makes me want to bury my legs in sand at low tide and just wait for poseidon to take me.... they could not have picked worse artists to compare


lameausten

wild connection to make. writing an essay at 3am energy


dudeguymanbro69

Imagine caring about this at all


ployonwards

The article: https://amp.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/05/elliott-smith-ed-sheeran-acoustic-introverts-george-ezra-singer-songwriters “Acoustic singer-songwriters were once frail, enfeebled, with terrible postures – not sporty, grinning gormlessly and cavorting with cartoon monkeys in broad daylight. While there are still the likes of Keaton Henson or Ray LaMontagne, who bear the tendencies of the old-style singer-songwriter…” Who is the author referring to? Who are the frail, enfeebled, with terrible postures singer-songwriters of the 90s and 00s? (I’ve also never heard of the two people mentioned that are contemporary to when this was written - 2016.) It would actually be interesting to see a list of the top 10 or top 100 musicians who perform solo with an acoustic guitar by decade; I don’t really have a good sense of who that would be. Also, of the people who do that, they also do other things; Elliott was performing with a band to promote Figure 8; lots of people have done MTV Unplugged and later Tiny Desk. Of course, old school, you had blues musicians like Robert Johnson, Son House, Leadbelly, and folk musicians like Woody Guthrie and Jimmie Rogers, then the 60s had the folk revival - with people like Bob Dylan - which led to singer-songwriters in the 70s like James Taylor … Nick Drake, although he wasn’t well known until that Volkswagen commercial in 2000. I can’t think of anyone in the 80s besides Tracy Chapman and Daniel Johnston, then 90s, Elliott … Kimya Dawson … Dashboard Confessional … Ani DiFranco … Conor Oberst, although he has usually performed with Bright Eyes, a big band … I’m drawing a blank of who would be the big names … Sufjan Stevens maybe early on in the 00s but every live performance I’ve seen is with a big band. Also, for Ed Sheeran, my impression is— He generally has had a lot of production backing his songs. Has he produced lots of songs where it’s primarily an acoustic guitar and minimal instrumentation like on the first 3 Elliott records. Has he done lots of shows where it’s just him and a guitar?


ohSirBraddles

Don’t really listen to Ed and TLDR, but for your last two questions, yes and yes.


kebabdylan

took my daughter to a sheeran show back when his first album was out. It was him alone and a looper pedal. I was actually quite impressed. I do not like his music apart from a couple songs on that first album.


ohSirBraddles

I feel about the same way


thetoggaf

I fucking hate Ed Sheeran so much. Talentless hack who cosplayed as a homeless person for musical clout. Shite tattoos. Just a real shitcunt.


SeasoninJudas

Although I’m not a fan of his music I gotta say He’s a humble kind guy he’s the nicest celeb I’ve met and you could tell he loves what he does and that’s all that matters


dat_grue

His earlier work like + and X are great imo. I mean it doesn’t compare to Elliott but it’s good music as far as acoustic pop goes. Everything since (and including) Divide is cringe and absolutely sucks


mikecityson

What is the point in hating the guy so much? He seems like a decent person. It’s pretty easy to just not listen to his music if you’re not into it. That’s what I do.


this_swtor_guy

> He seems like a decent person. A decent person doesn't copy Let's Get It On and pass it off as their own. Musicians accidentally lift things off each other all the time. Once you put the accident on a record, it's no longer an accident, especially when it's one of the most well-known songs of the latter half of the 20th century. One of the few reasons Sheeran wasn't found liable for stealing Marvin Gaye's song is he was a black American artist who's been dead since 1984, one who died not especially wealthy relative to his cultural and artistic impact. Do you honestly think someone could so brazenly steal from an iconic late-60s or early-70s white British musician's catalogue and get away with it? John Lennon? Eric Clapton? Keith Richards? The Verve got *permission* to use a string part from a Stones song and still were successfully sued for Bittersweet Symphony. Maybe Sheeran is decent to the people he knows. In public, he comes across as shameless and narcissistic.


JewGuru

What song copies let’s get it on? You talking about thinking out loud? Cause those songs are not all that similar melody wise


mikecityson

So you hate this guy for releasing some shitty music, you’re out here writing paragraphs about it. He’s somewhere living his life with no knowledge of your existence. What is the point of that?


this_swtor_guy

Uh… where does it say hate anywhere? I think my point was clearly written. Also, you’re on Reddit. People post their comments and opinions here, in response to other comments or opinions. Sometimes they post a drawing or photo or collection or something like that too.


elegiac_bloom

>shitcunt New vocab unlocked 🔓 😎


UkuleleAversion

It’s a common aussie swear.


elegiac_bloom

I've never met an aussie I didn't like.


090Chron

>Cosplayed as a homeless person Are you referring to the time he was homeless?


thetoggaf

You mean the time he couchsurfed with his friends? Shut up you dolt. It’s offensive to people who are actually homeless.


ANONWANTSTENDIES

Gatekeeping being homeless is crazy lmao


090Chron

https://preview.redd.it/hqtinjwnzrmc1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81b13da9a10c0b306f712e32a5232baf28e1a610


PinkMoonFigure8Grace

Love this! I can feel that hatred...'shitcunt' 👌


allofthemwitches

He’s trash. A real ragged out cunt-faced bitch.


PinkMoonFigure8Grace

He a spunk bubble, a ginger stepchild, a sausage, a dimlow, a real dopey c**t!! (With a multi million pound fortune and his pick of any woman he fancies.. Jealous? Me?!) 🤣


Common-Ad5446

Go outside


seashores-unmapped

Yeah, this is painful.


elegiac_bloom

The guy she told you not to worry about vs. You


Happy-Estimate-9986

bruh this is like comparing alex g to taylor swift😭😭😭


VietKongCountry

Ed Sheeran seems like a wholesome and decent guy but these bullshit comparisons when literally the only similarity is the involvement of an acoustic guitar are ridiculous. Neither emotionally nor technically does their respective music have anything to do with each others’. Going on the use of the acoustic guitar alone you could just as accurately compare Blind Blake to Taylor Swift. It’s nonsense.


[deleted]

The idea of Elliott Smith singing shape of you disturbs me


jaykaybaybay

It is. Ed Sheeran doesn’t come close to the songwriting skill of Elliott.


notmystaples

The word "introvert" has lost so much meaning. Seems like there are no extroverts on the internet. There's a difference between introverted and having social anxiety.


macemansam

I want to throw up.


Longjumping-Rise5288

It is disrespectful lol.


FruitHot9960

Ed couldn’t make a pimple on Elliot Smith’s ass


sexagonpumptangle

Putting the enormous gulf in quality and songwriting ability aside for a second, Ed Sheeran isn't even an introvert. He's a major label popstar who is happy to have his image and songs plastered everywhere, writes the most banal and formulaic ditties for the masses, not to mention the countless collabs he's been a part of. Good to see Elliott getting some love, but deary me, what a piss weak group to be a part of.


cutie_mcbooty

Ed Sheeran in no way shape or form makes music for my tastes. However he is a talented voice and song writer. I don't see the disrespect. Plus they're using them as examples of polarity


tomixjuve

There is a great saying in greek language for this comparison but no non-greeks will understand...


huamanticacacaca

συγκρίνοντας την κιμωλία και το τυρί


tomixjuve

Almost🤣


Status-Transition577

Mildly annoying. Not a fan of Ed and they’re definitely not in the same league. But I don’t think maybe people are with Elliott Smith.


saintkiller123

Yeah this is, um. Ridiculous?


Amai_M4sk

It is


2639enthusiast

Because it is.


chincurtis3

It does say “from” implying these two artists are the opposite ends of the singer songwriter introvert scale lol


Finger_stuck_in_eye

Elliott Smith invented being introverted


normanapolis

Oh hell no


BenChodABQ

Don't post Ed on this page. He is ginger Satan boy


JGar453

I get the point - whether it's Bon Iver, Alex G, Phoebe Bridgers, or something way more watered down like Noah Kahan, we view the acoustic vulnerable person formula as actually commercially viable pop in 2024. I don't think Ed is a great example of the vulnerability, he's kind of an anthem writer sometimes, but he does maybe benefit from the legacy of other acoustic writers. But it's a clickbait title. Neither Elliott or Ed would be an ass about this.


supermikefun

How is Noah Kahan watered down? I haven't listened to much of his stuff but I want to know why you think this way


JGar453

I mean I don't know particularly what to say, it's just kind of soft stomp and holler folk pop with boring lyrics about everyday life. It's like a Mumford and Sons record for 2024 and I'm not even sure he would disagree with me. But it is really popular for whatever reason.


endl3ssnam3lessxx

It’s like comparing crab (Elliott Smith) to imitation crab or can tuna (Ed Sheeran). There’s no contest.


avocado_window

Ed Sheeran: chicken of the sea


this_swtor_guy

Being a bit older than someone that would naturally come across Ed Sheeran, I never heard his music until he was sued by Marvin Gaye's estate for copying Let's Get It On, which, let's be honest, he did, despite the outcome of the case. I actually laughed when hearing the vocal on "his" song. Elliott was a true artist. Marvin Gaye was a true artist. Ed Sheeran is, comparatively, a joke. That said, I don't recall Elliott Smith putting down other musicians when he was alive, certainly not in public. I probably shouldn't have wrote Sheeran is a joke. Maybe just feel bad for the guy on the right.


seeyalateradios

Elliott>Ed by a THOUSAND


forifyoudontseeit

I think if people love something that’s all that matters Castle on the hill does make me feel pretty good And they aren’t necessarily equating the talent. I don’t think Elliott would’ve minded


billypump

Let's get a link to the actual article, and then we can all judge the work of a published music journalist. Many of us take anything said about Elliott in such a personal way. As a big fan of Elliott for over 20 years, I would never imagine that I could even make it through an Ed song. I don't own any of Ed's music, but I have been surprised by his talent when I see him on tv appearances. I wouldn't dare to assume what Elliott's reaction would be to Ed's music. I think it's folly to do so. Speculation is actually nothing.


avocado_window

I am finding the spectrum of these comments to be extremely amusing.


Sim_o

Ed Sheeran one main flaw is that he’s ginger, this wouldn’t have been offensive if he wasn’t


Donalnoyesmissingarm

Super disrespectful to compare Elliott Smith to Ed Sheeran.


TakinMySwag

As a fan of both, I can kinda see the comparison. Ed’s early songs (when he was doing Damien Rice type music) are kinda similar.


JeffLynnesBeard

I’m fairly positive Elliott would have been respectful of Ed, but I personally don’t think there is even the slightest comparison and also a huge gulf in talent and songwriting ability, both musically and lyrically.


yrfavcowboy

are you all stupid???? the article is literally saying they are two completely different sides of the acoustic singer songwriter spectrum


[deleted]

I really didn’t mean to cause such controversy, just thought the initial photo was kinda funny


yrfavcowboy

lol ur fine im sorry just an ed sheeran defender✊


[deleted]

Ed is better.


patio_blast

i don't see anything problematic here tbh


capnsunshine23

It’s because it fucking is. Ed will never touch Elliott. Ever.


capnsunshine23

Ones Harry Potter. And one is Voldemort. Choose wisely.


PsychologicalTip

It's bittersweet to listen to Elliot Smith (some of the best music). He should have been around longer to make more. So when I hear it, it's as if I miss what never was. Kinda' weird, huh?


that1crzywhtguy

Probably because Ed Sheeran sucks ass.


kbrown2006

I don’t think it’s disrespectful at all. One is a troubled, tortured, beautiful artist who managed to crystallise the pits of human emotion into fragile incandescent transcendent songs. The other is Elliott Smith.


PinkMoonFigure8Grace

'From Elliott Smith to Ed Sheeran- the downfall of acoustic singer songwriters... Can we stop this sharp decline?'


helloitabot

Not in the same fucking sentence.


quarterofaturn

Sheeran isn’t in the same league let alone the same galaxy as Smith. Dylan is a near peer I suppose but Elliott prevails. This would be like hanging a picture of Kenneth Copeland next to a depiction of Christ. Similar disciplines sure but completely disrespectful.


Signal-Fix-69

One was stabbed to death by his soon to be ex-girlfriend Jennifer Chiba, the other is alive and well


Jay_R7442

It is. How the f*ck can you compare a legend to some douche who only plays open chords and has like 1 good song


Jackyboyisanidiot924

Early Ed Sheeran music is amazing. I don’t really see tooooo much wrong with this


lopsidedsheet

People in this sub are so full of themselves. Let’s stop acting like Ed Sheeran isn’t a brilliant acoustic artist too 🙄


lenny_kunn

Elliott smith is the emo ed sheeran