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'm Sorry For Being Such A Crappy Friend
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And you were feeling small
And you come to me today
Because no one seems to
Like your style at all
And you'll be back tomorrow
When you've had it up to here
But you know, I hope you know
And why is the fact so much easier to believe?
We've both admitted this
So how can it still persist?
And it should come to one of us has to leave
I promise you, that it won't be you
No it won't be you
And it won't be, I promise you
That it won't be you
No it won't be you
And it won't be you
The opening lines of the song set the stage for the emotional tone of the lyrics - the singer's friend is in a vulnerable state, feeling small and unappreciated. Despite this, the friend knows that they can rely on the singer for support, and will likely continue to go to them for comfort in the future. The chorus of the song highlights the bond between the singer and their friend, emphasizing that there is "no fear" when they are together, and that the singer promises to never let their friend down, even if one of them eventually leaves the relationship.
As the song progresses, it becomes clear that there are underlying issues that make this relationship more complicated than simply being supportive friends to one another. The line "And why is the fact so much easier to believe?" suggests that there may be doubts or negative feelings between the two, despite their professed loyalty to one another. The singer acknowledges that they've "both admitted this," but it's unclear what "this" actually represents - perhaps there are romantic feelings or a history of betrayals that make the relationship difficult to maintain.
As the song comes to a close, the singer reiterates their promise to stay in the relationship, even if it means sacrificing their own happiness at some point. The repetition of "it won't be you" emphasizes the idea that the friend is not the source of the problem in the relationship, and that the singer is willing to do what it takes to keep them close.
Overall, "I'm Sorry For Being Such A Crappy Friend" is a poignant exploration of the complicated nature of relationships, particularly those that are based on support and dependability. The song touches on themes of loyalty, fear, and sacrifice, and raises questions about what it truly means to be a good friend.
Line by Line Meaning
You came to me yesterday
You approached me yesterday seeking comfort or support
And you were feeling small
You were feeling insignificant or unimportant
And you come to me today
You came to me again today
Because no one seems to
Because it appears that nobody
Like your style at all
Doesn't appreciate your manner or behavior
And you'll be back tomorrow
You plan to come back again tomorrow
When you've had it up to here
When you're fed up with the current situation
But you know, I hope you know
I want you to know
That when it's you and me there is no fear
You and I feel safe and comfortable together
And why is the fact so much easier to believe?
Why is the truth more believable?
We've both admitted this
Both of us have acknowledged
So how can it still persist?
Why does this issue continue?
And it should come to one of us has to leave
One of us will eventually have to depart or separate
I promise you, that it won't be you
I assure you, it will not be you
No it won't be you
Definitely not you
And it won't be, I promise you
I guarantee that it will not happen
That it won't be you
You will not be the one to leave
No it won't be you
Absolutely not you
Contributed by Allison E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.