"Baby Britain" is a song by American singer-songwriter

Elliott Smith Steven Paul Smith (August 6, 1969 – October 21, 2003), known as Elliott Smith, was an American musician and singer-songwriter. He was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and lived much of his life in Portland, Oregon, whe ...

. It was released in 1999 by record label DreamWorks as the second single from his fourth studio album, '' XO''.

Release

"Baby Britain" was released in 1999 by record label DreamWorks as the second single from his fourth studio album, ''XO''. The single did not chart in the United States but reached number 55 in the UK Singles Chart.

Music video

A music video, directed by

Steve Hanft Steve Hanft is a music video and film director. Early life Steven Hanft was born in Ventura, California. He has an MFA in Experimental Narrative Film from CalArts. Music videos Steve Hanft has directed music videos for recording artists such as ...

, was made for the song. In the video, Smith can be seen in a recording studio playing various instruments, including a guitar, piano,

mandolin A mandolin (, ; literally "small mandola") is a Chordophone, stringed musical instrument in the lute family and is generally Plucked string instrument, plucked with a plectrum, pick. It most commonly has four Course (music), courses of doubled St ...

and drums. There is also footage of Smith playing live.

Cover versions

The band Bayside covered "Baby Britain" on their 2006 album '' Acoustic''. Seth Avett from the band

Avett Brothers The Avett Brothers are an American folk rock band from Concord, North Carolina. The band is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett (banjo, lead vocals, guitar, piano, kick-drum) and Seth Avett (guitar, lead vocals, piano, hi-hat) along with Bob ...

and Jessica Lea Mayfield covered “Baby Britain” in 2015 on the cover album “Seth Avett & Jessica Lea Mayfield Sing Elliott Smith”.

Track listings

CD Single 1 CD Single 2 CD Single 3 7" single

Personnel

*Elliott Smith – vocals, piano, bass, drums, mandolin, organ *Rob Schnapf – guitars *Joanna Bolme – recording

References

{{authority control Elliott Smith songs 1999 singles DreamWorks Records singles 1998 songs Song recordings produced by Tom Rothrock Songs written by Elliott Smith