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Elliott Smith Trivia Quiz

Elliott Smith is a critically acclaimed singer/songwriter. His songs are heard in several movies and one of his songs was nominated for an Academy Award. Sadly, Elliott died on 10/21/03. Perhaps this quiz will expose new listeners to his music...

A multiple-choice quiz by themats. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
themats

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
215,283

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
405

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 152 (6/10), Guest 88 (7/10), Guest 174 (8/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Elliott's song, "Miss Misery," was nominated for Best Original Song in the 1998 Academy Awards. The song, along with several other Elliott compositions was featured in a movie about a young man who had to "gotta see about a girl." Robin Williams won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. Can you name the movie? Hint

Good Will Hunting

Jack

Patch Adams

One Hour Photo

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Question 2 of 10

2. Elliott was a member of a band that acheived some local success in the Portland, Oregon area in the early 1990s. Along with Elliott, the band featured Neil Gust (of No. 2) and Sam Coomes (of Quasi). Can you name this band? Hint

Pond

Everclear

Screaming Trees

Heatmiser

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Question 3 of 10

3. Speaking of Quasi, they often toured as part of Elliott's backing band. Quasi features Sam Coomes and his now ex-wife, Janet Weiss. Janet plays drums for what band? Hint

Bikini Kill

Helium

Sleater-Kinney

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Question 4 of 10

4. Elliott performs a beautiful rendition of the Beatles' "Because" at the end of this movie. The movie won Best Picture along with four other awards including Best Writing for Alan Ball. Do you remember the title? Hint

Pollock

Traffic

The Insider

American Beauty

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Question 5 of 10

5. Elliott Smith played nearly all the instruments for his first three albums. For the fourth album, "XO," released in 1998, Elliott solicited the help of an LA-legend, songerwriter, composer and multi-instrumentalist. This individual wrote the music for much of the following soundtracks: "Magnolia," "Punch-Drunk Love" and "I Heart Huckabees." Can you name him? Hint

Rufus Wainwright

Jon Brion

Danny Elfman

Michael Penn

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Question 6 of 10

6. Elliott's last album, "From A Basement On The Hill," was completed prior to his death.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Elliott's "Needle In The Hay" is featured prominently in a Wes Anderson film as "Baumer" attempts suicide. Name the film. Hint

The Royal Tenenbaums

The Life Aquatic

Rushmore

Lost In Translation

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Question 8 of 10

8. "Elliott, man, you played a fine guitar
And some dirty basketball
The songs you wrote
Got me through a lot
Just wanna tell you that
But it's too late."

A few of the lyrics from "Late," which can be found on this artist's 2005 release, "Songs For Silverman." Hint

Ben Folds

Ben Kweller

Beck

Roger Klug

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Question 9 of 10

9. Name the album NOT released by Elliott Smith. Hint

Figure 8

Elliott Smith

Something

Either/Or

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Question 10 of 10

10. 2001 saw the release of a small film called "Southlander." Elliott had a small role as a bus driver and the movie contained one of his songs. The movie also featured Beth Orton, Hank Williams III and one other artist who is not a "Loser," does not have a "Devil's Haircut" and who knows "Where It's At." Can you name him. Hint

Lou Barlow

Iggy Pop

Beck

Ric Ocasek

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Most Recent Scores

Dec 10 2024 : Guest 152: 6/10
Dec 05 2024 : Guest 88: 7/10
Nov 26 2024 : Guest 174: 8/10
Nov 06 2024 : Guest 159: 9/10
Oct 31 2024 : Guest 174: 10/10
Oct 24 2024 : Guest 89: 7/10
Oct 22 2024 : Guest 58: 8/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Good Will Hunting

The song is played over the movie's credits and leaves a haunting image. Celine Dion won the award for her song in "Titanic."

Answer: Heatmiser

Heatmiser formed in 1992 and released three studio albums. At the time of the release of the last album "Mic City Sons" in 1996, Elliott had already released two solo albums.

3. Speaking of Quasi, they often toured as part of Elliott's backing band. Quasi features Sam Coomes and his now ex-wife, Janet Weiss. Janet plays drums for what band?

Answer: Sleater-Kinney

Quasi backed Elliott for much of his 1998 tour. It was a good mix as he was promoting songs off his album "XO" that featured elaborate harmonies. Janet is one of the most underrated drummers in rock and Sleater-Kinney's 2005 "The Woods" is a great album.

Answer: American Beauty

Elliott was never one to stick to a setlist and often called upon the audiance for requests. He loved to do covers, especially the Beatles, including the following: "Long, Long, Long," "Yer Blues," "For No One," I'm So Tired," "I'm Only Sleeping," "Something" and "Revolution."

Answer: Jon Brion

Jon has produced albums for Fiona Apple, Aimee Mann and The Eels. "XO" is Elliott's most produced and Beatles-sounding album and was his first effort with major label, Dreamworks.

6. Elliott's last album, "From A Basement On The Hill," was completed prior to his death.

Answer: False

The album was released nearly one year after his death. Although many of the songs were completed, Elliott's family turned to Rob Schnapf and Joanna Bolme, whom Elliott had worked with before, to complete the mix of the album.

7. Elliott's "Needle In The Hay" is featured prominently in a Wes Anderson film as "Baumer" attempts suicide. Name the film.

Answer: The Royal Tenenbaums

Elliott often ventured into dark themes such as suicide, lost love and drug addiction. Oddly, though, a lot of his music actually sounds happy! The coroner's report is inconclusive, but it is believed that Elliott took his own life.

8. "Elliott, man, you played a fine guitar And some dirty basketball The songs you wrote Got me through a lot Just wanna tell you that But it's too late." A few of the lyrics from "Late," which can be found on this artist's 2005 release, "Songs For Silverman."

Answer: Ben Folds

There have been numerous Elliott tributes since his death. A tribute CD was released in early 2005 and both Beck and The Decemberists have played Elliott Smith songs in live performances.

9. Name the album NOT released by Elliott Smith.

Answer: Something

Elliott's 2000 release of "Figure 8" expanded his use of orchestration and foreshadows the good things to come on "From A Basement On The Hill."

Answer: Beck

The movie featured "Splitzville," which is a great unreleased song of Elliott's. Elliott and Beck were acquainted and lived in close proximity to one another. In fact, Elliott ran into a little problem with LA's finest while attending a Beck/Flaming Lips concert.

Source: Author themats

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