Elliott Smith was an influential singer-songwriter who died in 2003 from two stab wounds to the chest. He is a hero of Phoebe Bridgers; here, she contemplates a fictional encounter where she is a little too enthusiastic towards him.
The concept of a "punisher" comes from the archetype of an overly excitable and eager fan, making their hero feel trapped when they get to meet them. Bridgers explained to Apple Music the song is about her "stalking Elliott Smith," and being a punisher who when she talks to her heroes, "their eyes will glaze over." She added: "Say you're at Thanksgiving with your wife's family and she's got an older relative who is anti-vax or just read some conspiracy theory article and, even if they're sweet, they're just talking to you and they don't realize that your eyes are glazed over and you're trying to escape: That's a punisher."
Ben Folds' "Late" is another fan song about Elliott Smith. During the 2005 track, Folds expresses his regret that he never got to thank Smith for his music, which "got me through a lot."
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