Saddle Creek also released Letting Off the Happiness in November 1998, a ten-track record that boasted a much more focused and clear sound than the previous album. According to the Saddle Creek press release, it features members of Lullaby for the Working Class, Neutral Milk Hotel, and Of Montreal. It was predominantly recorded in the Oberst family basement in Omaha on an analog eight track reel to reel; with some work also done at keyboardist Andy Lemaster's Athens, GA studio. Although almost all of the tracks feature a full band, June on the West Coast is performed with only acoustic guitar and vocals. Padraic My Prince gives a dramatic fictional account of the death of Oberst's imagined baby brother.
In 2000 Bright Eyes released Fevers and Mirrors, a demonstration of the immense improvement in production quality and musical vision of the band. New instruments such as flute, piano, and accordion were introduced into the song arrangements. After An Attempt to Tip the Scales, a mock radio interview takes place. The mock radio interview features Todd Fink of The Faint doing an impression of Conor Oberst while reading a script that Oberst wrote. The man interviewing is Matt Silcock, a former member of Lullaby for the Working Class. In this interview, the fake Oberst intentionally presents a strange, contradictory explanation of his attitude towards his music. The interview acknowledges criticisms of his lyrics as overblown and insincere, which had begun to appear as the popularity of the band increased, but responds by stating that the lyrics are meant for personal interpretation. In a 'real' interview with KittyMagik.com, Oberst stated about the mock one: "It was a way to make fun of ourselves because the record is such a downer. I mean, that's one part of who I am, but I also like laughing and fucking around."
2002 saw the release of Lifted or The Story Is in the Soil, Keep Your Ear to the Ground, and since then Oberst has released an almost constant stream of new material on collaborative EPs, split singles, tribute albums, and charity records. He ventured into the studio with Nebraska folk-pop outfit Tilly And The Wall, co-producing their debut album Wild Like Children and released it on his newly established record label, Team Love.
January 2005 saw the release of two albums: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, which is a country-tinged mélange of Conor’s finest acoustic songs, featuring guest vocal appearances from Emmylou Harris and Jim James of My Morning Jacket; and Digital Ash In A Digital Urn, which is a more produced, electronic album featuring cameo appearances by Nick Zinner of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.
One single from each album, Take It Easy (Love Nothing) from Digital Ash and Lua from I'm Wide Awake took the top two slots on Billboard Hot 100 Singles Chart, the first time for any artist since 1997.
As had become expected of Bright Eyes recordings, the albums feature an array of talented comrades including members of Rilo Kiley, Tilly And The Wall, Cursive, Now Its Overhead, The Good Life, Azure Ray, The Faint, The Bruces, Neva Dinova, The Postal Service and Audrye Sessions.
In October 2006, Bright Eyes released a compilation of rare tracks called Noise Floor: Rarities 1998-2005.
Bright Eyes released their sixth studio album called Cassadaga on April 9, 2007, preceded by an EP entitled Four Winds on March 6, 2007.
A further 25-30 tracks have been recorded in Portland, Oregon and New York City, with another session planned in Omaha, Nebraska. Some of these tracks had already been performed at live shows.
On February 15, 2011, the band released their seventh studio album, The People's Key.
On June 22, 2020, they released Down In The Weeds Where The World Once Was, their first album on Dead Oceans after a long history with Saddle Creek.
First Day of My Life
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach
Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
And I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
But I know where I want to go
And so I thought I'd let you know
Yeah, these things take forever, I especially am slow
But I realized that I need you
And I wondered if I could come home
Remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning?
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You felt as if you'd just woke up
And you said
"This is the first day of my life
I'm glad I didn't die before I met you
But now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
And I'd probably be happy"
So if you wanna be with me
With these things there's no telling
We just have to wait and see
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery, ah-ha, mm-hmm
Besides, maybe this time is different
I mean, I really think you like me
The lyrics of Bright Eyes's song "First Day of My Life" speak to the transformative power of love and the feeling of newfound hope and purpose that it can inspire in a person's life. The first verse sets the scene of a rainy day, where everything seems bleak and uncertain, but suddenly the arrival of the person who will become the singer's love interest changes everything. The next verse expresses how significant this person is to the singer, who feels as though he was "blind" before meeting them.
The chorus is a shared sentiment between the two lovers, who each express that meeting each other feels like the "first day" of their lives. The second verse recounts a time when one of them drove all night just to meet the other, and describes how this action was a turning point in their relationship. The final verses express the mutual desire to be together and the willingness to work hard to make the relationship last.
Overall, the song is a sweet and romantic ode to the transformative power of love and the hope that it can inspire in a person's life. Its simple, catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics have made it a popular choice for weddings and romantic occasions.
Line by Line Meaning
This is the first day of my life
Today is the beginning of a new life.
Swear I was born right in the doorway
I feel like a new person, like I was just born.
I went out in the rain, suddenly everything changed
My life was dull before, but now it's bright because of you.
They're spreading blankets on the beach
The world is becoming a more beautiful and comfortable place.
Yours was the first face that I saw
You are the first person who made my life beautiful.
I think I was blind before I met you
Before you, my life was devoid of purpose and meaning.
And I don't know where I am, I don't know where I've been
I have no idea where my life is headed, but it doesn't matter as long as I'm with you.
But I know where I want to go
I know I want to be with you always.
And so I thought I'd let you know
I want to express my love and appreciation for you.
Yeah, these things take forever, I especially am slow
It took me a while to realize my feelings for you, but now I'm sure.
But I realized that I need you
You are an essential part of my life now.
And I wondered if I could come home
I hope that you feel the same way about me that I do about you.
Remember the time you drove all night
I cherish the effort you put into our relationship.
Just to meet me in the morning?
You made a special effort to be with me, and I'm touched.
And I thought it was strange, you said everything changed
You helped me see the world in a completely new way.
You felt as if you'd just woke up
Meeting me was like a revelation for you, just as it was for me.
And you said
You expressed your love for me.
"This is the first day of my life
I feel like I am starting a new life with you.
I'm glad I didn't die before I met you
I am grateful to have met you when I did.
But now I don't care, I could go anywhere with you
I am happy just being with you, and I'll go anywhere as long as we're together.
And I'd probably be happy"
You bring me so much happiness, and I hope to do the same for you.
So if you wanna be with me
I hope you continue to want me in your life.
With these things there's no telling
The future is uncertain, but I am willing to take a chance with you.
We just have to wait and see
We will go through life's ups and downs together and hope for the best.
But I'd rather be working for a paycheck
I don't need to be rich. I am content as long as we have each other.
Than waiting to win the lottery, ah-ha, mm-hmm
I don't need to rely on luck for happiness, because I already have you.
Besides, maybe this time is different
Maybe our love will be something special and stand the test of time.
I mean, I really think you like me
I feel confident in your feelings for me, and that makes me happy.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Conor Oberst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind