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.
At the Bottom
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get eaten off the web
We must rip out all the epilogues
From the books that we have read
And to the face of every criminal
Strapped firmly to a chair
We must stare, we must stare, we must stare
Too expensive now to sell
Set fire to the preacher
Who is promising us hell
And in the ear of every anarchist
That sleeps but doesn't dream
We must sing, we must sing, we must sing
While my mother waters plants
My father loads his gun
He says death will give us back to god
Just like the setting sun
Its return to the lonesome ocean
And then they splashed into the deep blue sea
It was a wonderful splash
We must blend into the choir
Sing a static with the whole
We must memorize nine numbers
And deny we have a soul
And in this endless race for property
And privilege to be one
We must run, we must run, we must run
We must hang up in the belfry
Where the bats and moonlight laugh
We must stare into a crystal ball
And only see the past
And into the caverns of tomorrow
With just our flashlights and our love
We must plunge, we must plunge, we must plunge
And then we'll get down there
Way down to the very bottom of everything
And then we'll see it, we'll see it, we'll see it
Oh my mornings coming back
The whole world's waking up
This city bus is swimming past
I'm happy just because
I found out that I am really no one
The lyrics to Bright Eyes's song At the Bottom address the desperation felt in contemporary society. It feels like we’ve exhausted all options and must resort to desperate measures to bring change. It is a call to action to use our own power against corruption, greed, and the degradation of society. The first verse talks about the need to communicate with one another, even in the face of technology where we often hide behind the safety of screens. The lyrics suggest to rip out the epilogues from books that we read, indicating that we must create our own endings instead of accepting the prescribed ones.
The second verse speaks to the injustice of the world, where the medicine is too expensive for people who need it, and preachers instill fear in people with their promise of hell. The lyrics suggest setting fire to the preacher, representing the need to break free from oppressive structures. In the third verse, the lyrics address the necessity of solidarity by blending into the choir, memorizing nine numbers, and denying we have a soul to fit into society's mold. Finally, the song ends on a positive note with the singer on the brink of discovery. As the world wakes up, they have found out that they are no one, which can be viewed as liberating as it frees them from societal expectations to become whoever they want to be.
Line by Line Meaning
We must talk on every telephone
It is essential that we keep in touch with everyone, be it through traditional communication or via the internet.
Get eaten off the web
We must find a way to connect with masses of people using digital means.
We must rip out all the epilogues
We need to let go of the closure that comes with end of a book or story.
From the books that we have read
The stories that we have read and been told can shape how we look at the world, and they need to be reevaluated.
And to the face of every criminal
We must confront those who have caused harm in the world and make them face the consequences of their actions.
Strapped firmly to a chair
The punishment for the crimes committed must be serious to reflect the severity of the situation.
We must stare, we must stare, we must stare
We must hold the guilty accountable and not shy away from the uncomfortable truths.
We must take all of the medicine
It is imperative that we take care of ourselves, including following medical advice.
Too expensive now to sell
Healthcare costs can be prohibitive and must be addressed, so everyone can have access to proper care.
Set fire to the preacher
There are people who claim to have answers to the unknown, promising a better afterlife. They shouldn't hold such power and shouldn't be trusted.
Who is promising us hell
These people often use the fear of the unknown to manipulate people and push their agendas while promising them a better future.
And in the ear of every anarchist
We must reach out to those who've given up hope but are still alive and urging them to fight on.
That sleeps but doesn't dream
Even though they have given up, they have the power to change things, and we must seek to reignite their passion for life.
We must sing, we must sing, we must sing
Music has the power to move people and instill hope and passion in them, and we must not underestimate its power.
While my mother waters plants
Life continues on normally, without regard for the deep issues and problems that plague our society.
My father loads his gun
Some turn to weapons and violence to solve their problems, perpetuating the cycle of violence and aggression.
He says death will give us back to god
There are those who see death as a way to escape the problems of this world and to reunite with a higher power.
Just like the setting sun
Death is seen as a natural and inevitable part of life, like the sun setting each day.
Its return to the lonesome ocean
Death is like a return to the vast mysterious unknown that is the ocean.
And then they splashed into the deep blue sea
Life is fragile and fleeting, and it can end at any moment, and with it comes the unknown.
It was a wonderful splash
Although death is often feared, it can also be beautiful and peaceful.
We must blend into the choir
It's important for people to work together and find common ground, harmonizing all our voices for the greater good.
Sing a static with the whole
Each person has an individual voice, but it is up to all of us to come together and create a symphony of justice, equality, and love.
We must memorize nine numbers
Make sure to remember which information is most important in life and limit the focus on trivial or otherwise unimportant matters.
And deny we have a soul
The soul is a concept that many have struggled to define and understand. It's okay to not know, but it's better to focus on our actions and the impact we have in the world.
And in this endless race for property
The pursuit of property and accumulation of material wealth may seem like endless pursuits, but it only leads to a cycle of greed, waste, and consumption.
And privilege to be one
People often seek privileges and power over others, which only leads to exploitation and oppression.
We must run, we must run, we must run
Refuse to follow the status quo blindly and instead become active participants, striving for real change guided by a strong moral compass.
We must hang up in the belfry
It is kind of impossible to shut everything out, but it is important to create space for oneself and detach from the stresses of the outside world.
Where the bats and moonlight laugh
Sometimes, the world is a joke, and it's up to you to decide if you want to spend time laughing along or fighting the status quo.
We must stare into a crystal ball
The future is hard to predict, but it's important to probe it to develop an understanding of what's to come.
And only see the past
We cannot change what has already happened, but we can let it inform our actions and choices moving forward.
And into the caverns of tomorrow
The future is a large and dark place, overwhelming at times, but it is also full of untold possibilities.
With just our flashlights and our love
We have each other, and together, there is no limit to what we can achieve with determination and love.
We must plunge, we must plunge, we must plunge
We must take chances, embracing the uncertainties and risks that come with progress.
And then we'll get down there
Despite the unknown, it's important to be bold, focused, and committed to making things better for ourselves and for others.
Way down to the very bottom of everything
The deepest problems and issues need to be uncovered, analyzed, and fought against with a compassionate, empathetic heart.
And then we'll see it, we'll see it, we'll see it
Only by pushing ourselves to the breaking point, questioning everything, and more, will we be able to bring about real change.
Oh my mornings coming back
No matter how dark today may seem, hope is always possible, and dawn will come again.
The whole world's waking up
People from all walks of life are realizing the power they hold within themself, reaching for life-changing, positive growth.
This city bus is swimming past
Despite deep existential issues, life carries on, pushing and pulling in unexpected ways.
I'm happy just because
Sometimes there is happiness, much needed light during the darkest times.
I found out that I am really no one
True happiness is achieved knows that our own place in the world is relatively small when compared with the grandeur and beauty of it all.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CONOR OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@deweynoears
We must talk on every telephone
Get eaten off the web
We must rip out all the epilogues
From the books that we have read
And to the face of every criminal
Strapped firmly to a chair
We must stare, we must stare, we must stare
We must take all of the medicine
Too expensive now to sell
Set fire to the preacher
Who is promising us hell
And in the ear of every anarchist
That sleeps but doesn't dream
We must sing, we must sing, we must sing
While my mother waters plants
My father loads his gun
He says death will give us back to god
Just like the setting sun
Its return to the lonesome ocean
And then they splashed into the deep blue sea
It was a wonderful splash
We must blend into the choir
Sing a static with the whole
We must memorize nine numbers
And deny we have a soul
And in this endless race for property
And privilege to be one
We must run, we must run, we must run
We must hang up in the belfry
Where the bats and moonlight laugh
We must stare into a crystal ball
And only see the past
And into the caverns of tomorrow
With just our flashlights and our love
We must plunge, we must plunge, we must plunge
And then we'll get down there
Way down to the very bottom of everything
And then we'll see it, we'll see it, we'll see it
Oh my mornings coming back
The whole world's waking up
This city bus is swimming past
I'm happy just because
I found out that I am really no one
@Unnatural09
Thank you for everything Carl.
@RCSJ11
I had no idea this song existed until today. I was exploring an abandoned amusement park and saw "In the ear of every anarchist that sleeps but doesn't dream, we must sing" spray painted on a wall.
@laketuna
That is very cool.
@smilyface38
RCSJ11 That sounds super creepy but awesome as fuck.
@RCSJ11
RCSJ11 For the last 7 months, I've been completely unaware people liked my comment lmao
@smilyface38
RCSJ11 lol you need to be more aware
@cherroe
smilyface38 he saw the likes spray painted on a wall in an abandoned amusement park
@joeownsyourmom
This is the healthiest song ever written about death.
@lukereddington2969
period.
@maxbecker5252
Modest mouse’s ocean breathes salty is a good one too