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.
Feb. 15th
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another year I claim
Of total indifference
To hear the days pile up
With decisions to be made
I'm sure all of them were wrong
Into this song I send myself
And with these drinks
This wasted year
These wasted years
Devoted friends they disappear
And, I'm sorry about the phone call
And needing you
Some decisions you don't make
I guess it's just like breathing
And not wanting to
There are some things you can't fake
Yeah, there are some things that you can't fake
Well I guess that it's typical
To cling to memories you'll never get back again
And to sort through old photographs
Of a summer long ago
Or a friend that you used to know
And there below his frozen face
Where you wrote the name
And that ancient date, that ancient date
And you can't believe that he's really gone
When all that's left is a fucking song
I'm sorry about the phone call
And waking you
I know that it's late
But thank you for talking
Cause I needed to
Yeah, some things just can't wait
Yeah, some things just can't wait
Yeah, some things just can't wait
Yeah, some things just can't wait
In "Feb. 15th," Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst examines the passage of time and the regrets and nostalgia that come with it. The song opens with Oberst reflecting on the passing of another year, seemingly without much progress or accomplishment. He laments the decisions he's made, assuming they were all wrong. The song is introspective and heavy, with Oberst seeking comfort in alcohol and reflection on the relationships he's lost. He apologizes for a late-night phone call to someone, perhaps an ex-lover or friend, and admits his need for them. The song ends with a haunting realization that the memories and people we cherish can slip away from us, leaving behind only a "fucking song."
"Feb. 15th" is a melancholy track that speaks to the universal experience of feeling stagnant and unfulfilled. Its themes of regret and loss are particularly resonant, and the song's introspective lyrics and Oberst's signature plaintive vocals make for a moving listening experience.
Line by Line Meaning
All eyes on the calendar
Everyone is aware of the passing days.
Another year I claim
Another year has passed of the singer's life.
Of total indifference
The singer has been emotionally detached from the events of the past year.
To hear the days pile up
To be aware of the passage of time.
With decisions to be made
Throughout the year, the singer has been faced with choices.
I'm sure all of them were wrong
The singer is doubtful about the choices they made.
Into this song I send myself
The singer is expressing their emotions through music.
And with these drinks
The singer has been consuming alcohol.
I plan to collapse and forget
The singer wants to escape their feelings and memories.
This wasted year
The singer feels like they have wasted the past year.
These wasted years
The singer feels like they have wasted more than just one year.
Devoted friends they disappear
The singer's close friends have drifted away.
And, I'm sorry about the phone call
The singer regrets calling someone late at night.
And needing you
The singer was reaching out for emotional support.
Some decisions you don't make
Some choices are made for you, whether you like it or not.
I guess it's just like breathing
Accepting things that are out of your control is a fundamental fact of life.
And not wanting to
Even if you don't want to accept something, you still have to.
There are some things you can't fake
Authenticity in certain situations is irreplaceable.
Well I guess that it's typical
It is common to look back on old memories.
To cling to memories you'll never get back again
The singer is grieving for the good times that have passed and will not return.
And to sort through old photographs
The singer is looking through old pictures to reminisce.
Of a summer long ago
The singer is reflecting on a specific summer from the past.
Or a friend that you used to know
The singer is missing a friend they have lost touch with.
And there below his frozen face
The singer is looking at a photograph of a deceased friend.
Where you wrote the name
The singer has written the name of the friend on the photograph.
And that ancient date, that ancient date
The photograph is from a long time ago.
And you can't believe that he's really gone
The singer can't come to terms with the loss of their friend.
When all that's left is a fucking song
The only thing remaining of the friend is a memory.
And waking you
The singer apologizes for waking someone up in the middle of the night.
I know that it's late
The singer is aware that it is an inconvenient time to call.
But thank you for talking
The singer is grateful for the person's willingness to listen to them.
Cause I needed to
The singer felt an urgent need to reach out to someone.
Yeah, some things just can't wait
Certain things require immediate attention.
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.