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.
Blue Christmas
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'll be so blue thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Won't mean a thing though, if you're not here with me
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain
When all those blue memories start hurting
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
Yeah, you'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
The lyrics to Bright Eyes's song "Blue Christmas" speak of the loneliness and sadness that can come during the holiday season. The singer is experiencing a blue Christmas without their loved one, and they can't help but think about them during this supposedly joyful time. The decorations and festivities, traditionally represented by red and green, don't hold any significance for the singer if their love isn't present. The repetition of the phrase "blue Christmas" emphasizes the deep sadness and loneliness the singer feels.
The singer acknowledges that their loved one might be having a "Christmas of white," symbolizing a joyous, snowy holiday season, but they cannot escape their own blue Christmas. The line "But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas" is repeated at the end, serving as a haunting reminder of the emotional pain the singer is experiencing. The use of the color blue is significant, as it can symbolize sadness, melancholy, and the absence of a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll have a blue Christmas without you
I'll be sad and lonely during the Christmas season because you won't be here with me.
I'll be so blue thinking about you
My thoughts will be consumed with sadness as I miss you during the festive season.
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
The typical holiday decorations won't bring me any joy this year without you by my side.
Won't mean a thing though, if you're not here with me
All the festive decorations do not have any significance to me if you are not here to share this moment.
I'll have a blue Christmas, that's certain
I know for sure that the holiday season will bring me immense sadness and depression due to your absence.
When all those blue memories start hurting
I'll become emotionally unstable and hurt more as memories of our past Christmases together return.
You'll be doin' all right, with your Christmas of white
You will be doing fine and enjoying your holiday despite us being apart.
But I'll have a blue, blue Christmas
Despite other people’s joy, I will feel lonely and unhappy this holiday season without you.
Lyrics © DEMI MUSIC CORP. D/B/A LICHELLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: Billy Hayes, Jay W Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kim
"Renowned lyricist Conor Oberst records cover album for charity." "Your favorite favorite Christmas classics, sung instead by Conor Oberst." - with nothing but the deepest admiration
ghettobandaidz
Christmas 2021. I always come back for a listen.
donttxtme
Christmas 2022, still amazing 13 years later.
Emmie Allnutt
I remeber hearing this song a few years back, right before the holidays. A friend and I had fell out, and our thing together was listening to Bright Eyes, and I BAWLED. In the middle of Savers...with people staring at me. Sad vibes.
ablemaples
This is my favorite from the album, the colors and bright eyes. suits them nicely, good stuff. Im sort of lonely this christmas as its the first one in a long time that I have no girl to share it with, but at least I got family. bakin cookies and whatnot right now!
Blaqk .Shadow
havent heard this album but have read shed loads. so here goes.....come on bright eyes, dont let me down u honey. Sighs. Course you wont. Love,peace and acts of random kindness for everyone. Thank you.
Maribel Tostado
Love this....
Dead Boyfriend
Don't forget to be sad on Christmas guys!
turbo_wrath
Christmas is coming. Love you guys.
boredom 974
I'll have a crushingly depressing Christmas with this song.