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.
'feel Good' Revolution
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be sitting around doing nothing
Let's wait till the sun goes down
Then we'll drive off deep into the night
Don't care where we are going
As long as I'm going with you
With the heat comes a new kind of wanting
Cool nights never cooled us off
Lay around, wait for something to happen
When it is three lonely figures
A bedroom, a basement, she's scared
Which one is sleeping
And which one is lying awake?
Which one is sleeping
And which one is lying about it?
Afternoon drags on and on
Movie nights that never end
We can hang out all night long
Lay in bed and talk to a good friend
'Cause we only get older
You probably forget what it is like
The university's quiet today
Didn't clean, we just talked in the bathroom
The girl always gets in my way
Ruined friendships but others replace them
These opinions are poison
I've been drinking them all of my life
I could never replace you
I could never forget what it's like
Step out on a moonlit roof
The radio leads a feel good revolution
Cigarettes and my closest friends
Tell myself that I have to remember this
Remember this
Tell myself that I have to remember this
Remember this
To remember, to remember this
The lyrics of Bright Eyes’s "The 'Feel Good' Revolution" encapsulate youth, freedom and the carelessness of summers. The singer plans to meet someone after work, ready to embark on a journey into the night, without any plans but the company of the person they are with. The song describes the warmth of summer and the yearning for something new. The lyrics depict the free spirit of the singers, who seem to be enjoying life in the moment, where time remains still, and they hope to capture the essence of these timeless memories. The verses about three people in a room juxtapose the cheerful feel of the rest of the song, creating a break of melancholy, a moment of introspective reflection surrounded by carelessness.
As the song progresses, it speaks about how being young and having endless summers is fleeting, as people get older and forget the joy of living in the moment. The lyrics refer to the singer being at university, the chaos and noise of everyday life being replaced by quiet and a lack of interest. The song then talks about how the person never wants to forget life's happy moments; memories of lying on a moonlit roof with their closest friends, listening to music and feeling carefree.
Overall, "The 'Feel Good' Revolution" is a reflection on youth, and the feeling of invincibility and immortality that often comes with it, and how those memories stay with an individual forever.
Line by Line Meaning
Come by when you get off work
I am free and I want to spend time with you after your work day ends.
I'll be sitting around doing nothing
I don't have any specific plans or activities, just waiting for you to come over.
Let's wait till the sun goes down
We can start doing things together when the day is over and when things are cooler and more relaxed.
Then we'll drive off deep into the night
We will travel and explore new places and things after dark when the possibilities are endless.
Don't care where we are going
The most important thing is being with you and spending time with you rather than the destination.
As long as I'm going with you
I value your company and being around you is good enough for me.
The summer swells in us
The season of summer fills us with excitement and fervor.
With the heat comes a new kind of wanting
The heat of summer brings forth new desires and cravings that we want to act on.
Cool nights never cooled us off
The cooler temperature at night doesn't diminish our enthusiasm for experiencing new things.
Lay around, wait for something to happen
We are content with being idle and just waiting for a new opportunity or experience to present itself.
When it is three lonely figures
When there are three of us in a room, the energy can be different, and someone may feel isolated or alone.
A bedroom, a basement, she's scared
In a private and enclosed space, one person may feel apprehensive, fearful or uneasy.
Which one is sleeping, And which one is lying awake?
It is hard to tell who is asleep and who is not, who is being honest and who is not, or who is at peace and who is troubled.
Afternoon drags on and on
The daytime feels long and tedious, as if it will never end.
Movie nights that never end
The experience of watching movies with friends can feel timeless and unending, in a positive way.
We can hang out all night long
We are capable of socializing and having fun for an extended period of time, without getting bored or tired of each other's company.
Lay in bed and talk to a good friend
Being able to relax and converse honestly with a dear friend while in bed is comforting and enjoyable.
'Cause we only get older
We are keenly aware that time is passing, and we are getting older with each passing day.
You probably forget what it is like
It is possible that over time, and as we age, we forget what it feels like to be young and carefree.
The university's quiet today
The academic institution is peaceful and silent today, without its usual hustle and bustle.
Didn't clean, we just talked in the bathroom
Rather than cleaning or studying, we spent quality time conversing with each other in this intimate and private space.
The girl always gets in my way
This female acquaintance often presents obstacles that hinder us from having a good time or enjoying each other's company.
Ruined friendships but others replace them
Some friendships falter or end, but new connections and relationships arise to take their place.
These opinions are poison
Harmful ideas or beliefs can be toxic and detrimental to our wellbeing.
I've been drinking them all of my life
I have been consuming and internalizing these negative opinions and attitudes for as long as I can remember.
I could never replace you
You are irreplaceable and hold a special place in my life that no one else can occupy.
I could never forget what it's like
I will always remember the memories and experiences we shared, and the feelings that came with them.
Step out on a moonlit roof
We exit the building and stand on a rooftop, which is illuminated by the light of the moon.
The radio leads a feel good revolution
The music we listen to creates a movement of good feelings and positivity.
Cigarettes and my closest friends
We enjoy smoking cigarettes together and value the companionship of our dearest friends.
Tell myself that I have to remember this
I am cognizant that this moment is special and meaningful, and that I want to remember it in the future.
Remember this
I must not forget the significance of this event, experience or feeling.
To remember, to remember this
Repeating the phrase reinforces the importance of recollection and preserving the memory.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OBERST, Conor Oberst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CuteCami11
This song really makes me realize I need to appreciate my teenage years more.
RAMMOTH
therye gone now.
TopHatKitty
I'm glad I found bright eyes two years ago. His music is indescribable already, but it is amazing when it has a touch of nostalgia added to it while listening to it.
Naila Amin
his music is just so raw, even now. the vibration of his voice and the emotions just pouring out through the music. Conor Oberst is magic.
Fernanda Alves
Que letra... <3 <3
daya rodriguez
love itttt! cant wait to see them play in september again^__^
Jimmy Egan
His music really takes me to a different place
madeleine p.
This song is making me feel really nostalgic, but I don't even know what for.
Siobhansies
This is the best song on earth.
David R
Amazing this only has 26k views. This was a track that hooked me.