Say Yes (Elliott Smith song)

"Say Yes" is the final track of Elliott Smith's 1997 album Either/Or, and one of three tracks from Either/Or that was used in the soundtrack of Good Will Hunting.

"Say Yes"
Song by Elliott Smith
from the album Either/Or
Released	February 25, 1997
Genre	Indie folk indie pop
Length	2:19
Label	Kill Rock Stars
Songwriter(s)	Elliott Smith
Producer(s)	Elliott Smith Tom Rothrock Rob Schnapf

Background and content

"Say Yes" is one of Smith's widely recognized songs.^[1] It is considered happy^[2] and optimistic^[3] in both instrumentation and lyrics in comparison to the dark tone in most of his other songs.^[4] In an interview, Smith said that the song was written about "someone particular, and I almost never do that. I was really in love with someone."^[5]

Live performances

Smith performed the song often,^[6][7] even during full band shows, in which he would play the song solo on an acoustic guitar.^[1]

Reception

Pitchfork said, "It's a straight-ahead love song, one that dares to hope. Listen closely and you'll hear just how fragile that hope is: Smith whispers most of the song. He wavers. His fingers pluck out a simple question on the acoustic."^[8]

Legacy

"Say Yes" has been used in a wide variety of movies, including Hurricane Streets and American Pie Presents: The Book of Love, as well as being covered by Death Cab for Cutie^[9] and live by Ben Folds.^[10] It was also covered in an episode of One Tree Hill, when Bryan Greenberg sings to his daughter Jenny.^{[citation needed]}

Cover versions

Year	Artist	Album
2004	Dave House	Kingston's Current
2011	The Xcerts	Stairs to Noise