Song meaning of A Living Will by Elliott Smith

"A Living Will" by Elliott Smith is a haunting and introspective song that delves into themes of mortality, self-preservation, and the struggle to maintain a sense of control in the face of life's uncertainties. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist grappling with their own mortality, as evidenced by the opening lines, "Time to kill, wrote a living will / And gave it to the man in the moon / But I'm gonna get well soon." Here, the act of writing a living will symbolizes a desire to prepare for the inevitable, while the hope of getting well soon suggests a sense of optimism or denial in the face of impending death.

The chorus, with its repeated refrain of "Leave well enough alone," speaks to a sense of resignation or acceptance of one's fate. This sentiment is further emphasized in lines such as "Circumstance dropped by / Uninvited and demand to be fed / But I've already gone to bed," where the protagonist acknowledges the futility of resisting external forces beyond their control.

The song also touches on themes of isolation and detachment, as seen in the lines "But a spirit arose and put on my clothes / And helped me, disconnecting the phone." This imagery suggests a sense of detachment from reality, perhaps as a coping mechanism for dealing with the harsh realities of life and death.

Overall, "A Living Will" is a poignant and introspective exploration of mortality and the human experience, with Elliott Smith's emotive vocals and introspective lyrics drawing listeners into a world of introspection and contemplation.