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.
I'll Be Your Friend
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you don't know how much you did
Now you don't want me to go home
Because you're afraid you might get sick
Just like the bad news you accept
Just like that boy you're gonna get
It's all just drunken promises
So you come chasing after me
But I'm just barely out the door
Down in the belly of the beast
We waited with the passengers
Just like that train I gotta catch
Just like that song I can't finish
It's the mistake I won't regret
You'll be my friend but I just haven't made you yet
You will be my friend but i just haven't made you yet
You talk like you're drunk
Like you're standing in front of a microphone
And each night it repeats and you fall into me
Like a domino
And you talk when you're drunk
Like you're writing it up for an article
And you think that I lie when I tell you goodbye
And then I've got to go 'cause I've got to go.
But I guess it's a success
We're at our best when you're upset
I'll be your friend but you just haven't made me yet
The lyrics in Bright Eyes & Neva Dinova's song, "I'll Be Your Friend" depict a complex relationship between two people who are struggling to understand one another. The lyrics suggest that one of them may be addicted to drugs, as there is a reference to lots of coke being laid out and the fear of getting sick. The other person is trying to be supportive and be a friend but has not yet earned that title.
The lines, "Just like the bad news you accept, Just like that boy you're gonna get" suggest that the person who is struggling with addiction is not taking responsibility for their actions and may be expecting the other person to take care of them. The line, "It's all just drunken promises" highlights the reluctance of the other person to fully commit to being a friend in this situation.
The chorus emphasizes the effort that has been put into building this relationship, with the repetition of "I'll be your friend but you just haven't made me yet." This line showcases the complexity of the relationship, with one person trying to reach out and support the other, but still feeling disconnected and unrecognized in return.
Overall, the song tells a story of two people trying to navigate a difficult relationship, where one person is struggling with addiction and the other is trying to offer support.
Line by Line Meaning
You said they laid out lots of coke
You mentioned that there was a lot of cocaine available.
But you don't know how much you did
You are unsure of how much cocaine you consumed.
Now you don't want me to go home
You are trying to prevent me from leaving.
Because you're afraid you might get sick
You fear that you may become ill without my assistance.
Just like the bad news you accept
You are willing to accept negative circumstances.
Just like that boy you're gonna get
You are determined to pursue something you desire.
It's all just drunken promises
Your words and actions are influenced by alcohol and therefore unreliable.
I'll be your friend but you just haven't made me yet
Even though you have not yet formed a meaningful connection with me, I have offered to be your friend.
So you come chasing after me
You are pursuing me eagerly.
But I'm just barely out the door
I am trying to distance myself from you.
Down in the belly of the beast
We are in a difficult or unpleasant situation.
We waited with the passengers
We were in the company of others during this difficult time.
Just like that train I gotta catch
I have a necessary responsibility to attend to.
Just like that song I can't finish
I have unfinished business that requires my attention.
It's the mistake I won't regret
I will not regret anything that happens as a result of this situation.
You'll be my friend but I just haven't made you yet
Although you may be willing to be my friend, I have not yet established a bond with you.
You talk like you're drunk
Your speech is characteristic of someone who is intoxicated.
Like you're standing in front of a microphone
You speak as if you are performing in front of an audience.
And each night it repeats and you fall into me
You consistently repeat the same behavior and depend on my support.
Like a domino
Your actions have a ripple effect and impact me as well.
And you talk when you're drunk
Your communication while intoxicated is a common occurrence.
Like you're writing it up for an article
Your drunken speech has a sense of formality or intent to document.
And you think that I lie when I tell you goodbye
You doubt my sincerity when I try to leave.
And then I've got to go 'cause I've got to go.
I must depart because I have a necessary obligation elsewhere.
But I guess it's a success
Despite the difficulties of this situation, there is some measure of accomplishment.
We're at our best when you're upset
We function better and have better results when there is some pressure or urgency involved.
I'll be your friend but you just haven't made me yet
I have not yet established a deep connection and friendship with you, but I am willing to do so in the future.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@switch1504
You said they laid out lots of coke,
You you don't know how much you did.
Now you don't want me to go home,
Because your afraid you might get sick,
Just like the bad news you accept,
Just like that boy your gonna get,
It's all the drunken promises,
I'll be your friend,
But you just haven't made me yet.
So you come chasing after me,
But I'm just barely out the door,
Down in the belly of the beast,
We waited with the passengers,
Just like the train I gotta catch,
Just like that song I can't finish
It's the mistake i won't regret.
You'll be my friend but I just haven't made you yet.
You talk like you're drunk like you standing in front of a microphone.
And each night it repeats and you fall into me, like a domino,
And you talk when you're drunk like you're writing it up for a article,
And you think that I lie when I tell you goodbye and I've got to go,
Cause I've got to go.
But I guess it's a success, we're at our best when your upset.
OH
I'll be your friend but you just haven't made me yet.
@brandnizzle7468
This song has gotten me through hard times. Im going through a hard time right now... This song helps...
@codyduchnowsky5063
Hey man. It was 7 years ago now that this hard time you were going thru went down. I’m going through one now since around Christmas. Been through many , Connor and I Share the same birthday I’m turning 30... hope all’s great
@godweenkatie
Here I am in 2023 , going through hard things, and feeling better because of this song. I really hope both of you are okay now.
@schlieffenska
I cry so hard every time I hear this.
@tuckman315
All be your friend
@nate-manlovesgland2347
can anybody seriously recommend me any songs with similar trumpet stylings? that sound is really cool
@MattyRude910
that is a sax
@breathequiet
I love Bob Dylan, and Dylan was the best. But, if Dylan was any younger his name would be Conor Oberst.
@claudiacastillo670
He was called "a young Bob Dylan" by many people. He always blushes and says "I wish".
@tia3006
This song has Mysterious Skin vibes