See You in Heaven + Later Unreleased Material (FABOTH ERA) Discussion
Hello everyone,
In the past few years, I’ve formed a very personal attachment to Elliott’s music just like all of you. One song in particular that I find the most compelling is See You in Heaven. The song did come to me at a darker time in my life, but the composition, phrasing, and reoccurring organ melodies make the song feel so completed despite its missing vocals on the version we all have heard.
I’ve even tried to dig really deep on this song and find out as much as possible as Elliott’s career was tragically cut short so he obviously did not get to finish From A Basement On The Hill as he might have intended to. The official release is probably only a fraction of what is beneath the sessions of the album.
In SYIH, I know David McConnell has specified that the record was missing its “2 best songs” one being “True Love is a Rose and other True Friends/See You in Heaven” which is an interesting statement to make in itself. It implies “True Friends” as a possible important aspect to SYIH, was that alternative title or a key phrase he would sing throughout the song? Who knows? Maybe David.
It seems there was a trend going on. True Believer, True Love, and True Friends as a reoccurring concept theme, kind of reminds me of Brian Wilson’s theme of elements in the original SMiLE Concept. (Although this is different as it is based on air, water, and fire)
I spoke to quite a few people, some who have heard more than I have or most of us possibly and they run with the claim that Elliott had the song all planned out, had some lyric drafts here and there, but might have never gotten to recording any type of vocal takes on the song. He apparently sang along to this track in and out of the studio frequently and people close to the sessions put doubt on the popular theory that See You in Heaven is a finished version of his song My New Freedom. The melodies line up on the verses and the chord progression of the 2001 Crystal Ballroom version of MNF is almost identical despite being a half step up. (SYIH is the key of Eb while 2001 crystal ballroom version of MNF is in E) but is this enough to speculate that they are related? I think so, but if people close to the sessions are saying they had completely different melodies, then it’s possible that it is just a coincidence. It is one of those things only Elliott knew for sure.
I know for certain there were at minimum draft lyrics for See You in Heaven that exist privately. I’ve had the pleasure of having a cropped snippet of the first line that I discovered 2 years ago. But it is not enough for me to really have a strong grasp on how the song would’ve went. Elliott for sure had the melody planned out and I find it interesting in some collector’s/fan catalogue’s list SYIH having 2 versions. One being a Satellite Park 2001-2002 demo (which is the most likely version we are hearing on the leak) and an alleged 2003 New Monkey version (which could possibly be the same version just existing as a transfer), but until someone confirms or releases something it’s still all up in the air.
As for other songs pertaining to this late period, I know Jamie Fischer the author of Nobody Broke Your Heart talked about it an earlier demo of fond farewell and a song called mama’s boy existing. I find that to be very interesting and it’s the newest thing I’ve heard about this material. I just absolutely love the FABOTH era so much and especially See You in Heaven, I am very curious to know if anyone knows anything more about this or even other songs from this period of his music. It would mean so much to me. Thank you xo