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 Must Belong Somewhere
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Leave the death ledger under City Hall
Leave the joyful air in that rubber ball today
Just leave the lilac print on the linen sheet
Leave the birds you killed at your father's feet
Let the sideways rain and the crooked street remain
There's a train off in the distance, a bicycle chained to the stairs
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Leave the ocean's roar in the turquoise shell
Leave the widower in his private hell
Leave the liberty in that broken bell today
Just leave the epic poem on its yellow page
Leave the gray macaw in his covered cage
Let the traveling band on the interstate remain
'Cause everything, it must belong somewhere
Soundstage in California, televisions in Times Square, yeah
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Yeah, I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
In truth, the forest hears each sound
Each blade of grass as it lies down
The world requires no audience, no witnesses, no witnesses
Leave the novelist in his daydream tune
Leave the scientist in her Rubik's Cube
Leave the true genius in the padded room today
Leave the hot, white trash in the shopping malls
Leave the hawks of war in their capitals
Let the organ's moan in the cathedral remain
'Cause everything, it must belong somewhere
They locked the devil in the basement, threw God up into the air, yeah
Everything, it must belong somewhere
I know it's true, I wish you'd leave me here
Yes, you know it's true, why don't you leave me here?
The Bright Eyes song "I Must Belong Somewhere" is a haunting ode to the idea that everything must belong somewhere, even as the singer challenges the very notion of belonging. The verses are filled with seemingly disconnected images and actions, but they all serve to illustrate that there is a place for everything in the world, even if that place is one of darkness or pain. The chorus repeatedly affirms that belief, even as the singer casts aside some of the trappings of his own life, suggesting that he too may not always feel that he belongs.
The first verse urges the listener to leave behind the happy memories that they may have held, such as the death ledger at City Hall and the joyful air of a rubber ball. The lilac print on the linen sheet and the birds killed at a father's feet remind us of more painful memories, while the recurring rain and crooked streets suggest that sadness and disorder are just as important in the world as happiness and stability. The second verse continues the theme, with even more striking images such as a whimpering dog, a dead star, and acid kids in green fishbowls. All of these things have their place, whether we understand why or not.
Line by Line Meaning
Leave the bright blue door on the whitewashed wall.
Abandoning memories and familiar surroundings.
Leave the death ledger under City Hall.
Leaving behind the weight of mortality and bureaucracy.
Leave the joyful air in that rubber ball today.
Letting go of childlike wonder and fun.
Leave the lilac print on the linen sheet.
Leaving behind the comfort of home.
Leave the birds you killed at your father's feet.
Leaving behind guilt and shame.
Let the sideways rain and the crooked street remain.
Accepting the imperfections of life and finding beauty in them.
Leave the whimpering dog in his cold kennel.
Leaving behind the need for control and power over others.
Leave the dead star lit on her pedestal.
Leaving behind the worship of celebrity and false idols.
Leave the acid kids in their green fishbowls today.
Leaving behind anger and resentment towards others.
Just leave the sad guitar in its hard-shelled case.
Leaving behind the sorrow and pain of the past.
Leave the worried look on your lover's face.
Leaving behind anxiety and fear about the future.
Let the orange embers in the fireplace remain.
Holding onto warmth and comfort despite the chaos of life.
Cause everything - it must belong somewhere.
Acknowledging the importance of finding one's place in the world.
A train off in the distance; bicycle chained to the stairs.
Symbolizing the constant motion and stagnation in life.
I know that now - that's why I'm staying here.
Accepting one's current circumstances and finding contentment in staying put.
Leave the ocean's roar in the turquoise shell.
Leaving behind the vastness and unpredictability of nature.
Leave the widower in his private hell.
Leaving behind the pain and loneliness of loss.
Leave the liberty in that broken bell today.
Leaving behind the idealization of freedom and democracy.
Leave the epic poem on its yellow page.
Leaving behind the grandiose and unattainable goals of life.
Leave the gray macaw in his covered cage.
Leaving behind the illusion of safety and security.
Let the traveling band on the interstate remain.
Embracing the freedom and adventure of life on the road.
Leave the secret talks on the trundle bed.
Leaving behind the fear of vulnerability and openness.
Leave the garden tools in the rusted shed.
Leaving behind the physical labor and monotony of daily life.
Leave those bad ideas in your troubled head today.
Leaving behind negative thoughts and self-doubt.
Leave the restless ghost in his old hotel.
Leaving behind the haunting memories of the past.
Leave the homeless man in his cardboard cell.
Leaving behind the societal failures and injustices.
Let the painted horse on the carousel remain.
Holding onto the magic and illusion of childhood.
Just like the gold around her finger or the silver in his hair.
Recognizing the inevitability of change and loss in life.
And you know it's true - I wish you'd leave me here.
Desiring to be left alone and finding solitude in one's surroundings.
In truth, the forest hears each sound - each blade of grass as it lies down.
Acknowledging the interconnectedness and vitality of nature.
The world requires no audience - no witnesses...no witnesses.
Realizing that life exists regardless of recognition or attention from others.
Leave the old town drunk on his wooden stool.
Leaving behind the numbing and destructive coping mechanisms.
Leave the autumn leaves in the swimming pool.
Leaving behind the remnants of past seasons and experiences.
Leave the poor black child in his crumbling school today.
Leaving behind the systemic oppression and inequality.
Leave the novelist in his daydream tune.
Leaving behind the escapist fantasies and unrealistic expectations.
Leave the scientist in his Rubik's Cube.
Leaving behind the obsession with logic and rationality.
Let the true genius in the padded room remain.
Recognizing and supporting the unconventional and misunderstood thinkers.
Leave the horse's hair on the slanted bow.
Leaving behind the remnants of identity and individuality.
Leave the slot machines on the river boat.
Leaving behind the tempting yet destructive vices.
Leave the hot, bright trash in the shopping malls.
Leaving behind the superficial and materialistic desires.
Leave the hawks of war in their capitol.
Leaving behind the glorification of conflict and aggression.
Let the organ's moan in the cathedral remain.
Holding onto the awe-inspiring and transcendent power of religion and music.
They locked the devil in the basement; threw God up into the air.
Questioning the concepts and institutions of good and evil.
And you know it's true - why don't you leave me here?
Challenging the pressure and expectations to conform and move on.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Conor Oberst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TastyKibble14
Leave the bright blue door on the whitewashed wall.
Leave the death ledger under City Hall.
Leave the joyful air in that rubber ball today.
Leave the lilac print on the linen sheet.
Leave the birds you killed at your father's feet.
Let the sideways rain and the crooked street remain.
Leave the whimpering dog in his cold kennel.
Leave the dead star lit on her pedestal.
Leave the acid kids in their green fishbowls today.
Just leave the sad guitar in its hard-shelled case.
Leave the worried look on your lover's face.
Let the orange embers in the fireplace remain.
Cause everything - it must belong somewhere.
A train off in the distance; bicycle chained to the stairs.
Everything - it must belong somewhere.
I know that now - that's why I'm staying here.
Leave the ocean's roar in the turquoise shell.
Leave the widower in his private hell.
Leave the liberty in that broken bell today.
Leave the epic poem on its yellow page.
Leave the gray macaw in his covered cage.
Let the traveling band on the interstate remain.
Cause everything - it must belong somewhere.
Soundstage in California; televisions in Times Square.
Everything - it must belong somewhere.
I know that now - that's why I'm staying here.
Leave the secret talks on the trundle bed.
Leave the garden tools in the rusted shed.
Leave those bad ideas in your troubled head today.
Leave the restless ghost in his old hotel.
Leave the homeless man in his cardboard cell.
Let the painted horse on the carousel remain.
Cause everything - it must belong somewhere.
Just like the gold around her finger or the silver in his hair.
Everything - it must belong somewhere.
I know that now - that's why I'm staying here.
In truth, the forest hears each sound - each blade of grass as it lies down.
The world requires no audience - no witnesses...no witnesses.
Leave the old town drunk on his wooden stool.
Leave the autumn leaves in the swimming pool.
Leave the poor black child in his crumbling school today.
Leave the novelist in his daydream tune.
Leave the scientist in his Rubik's Cube.
Let the true genius in the padded room remain.
Leave the horse's hair on the slanted bow.
Leave the slot machines on the river boat.
Leave the cauliflower in the casserole today.
Leave the hot, bright trash in the shopping malls.
Leave the hawks of war in their capitol.
Let the organ's moan in the cathedral remain.
Cause everything - it must belong somewhere.
They locked the devil in the basement; threw God up into the air.
Everything - it must belong somewhere.
And you know it's true - I wish you'd leave me here.
You know it's true - why don't you leave me here?
@roiybenkel682
Leave the bright blue door on the whitewashed wall
Leave the death ledger under city hall
Leave the joyful air in that rubber ball today
Just leave the lilac print on the linen sheet
Leave the birds you killed at your father's feet
Let the sideways rain in the crooked street remain
Leave the whimpering dog in his cold kennel
Leave the dead starlet on her pedestal
Leave the acid kids in their green fishbowls today
Leave the sad guitar in its hardshell case
Leave the worried look on your lover's face
Let the orange embers in the fireplace remain
'Cause everything it must belong somewhere
A train off in the distance, bicycle chained to the stairs
Everything it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Leave the ocean's roar in the turquoise shell
Leave the widower in his private hell
Leave the liberty in that broken bell today
Just leave the epic poem on its yellowed page
Leave the gray macaw in his covered cage
Let the traveling band on the interstate remain
'Cause everything it must belong somewhere
Sound stage in California, televisions in Times Square
Yeah, everything it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Well I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Leave the secret talks on the trundle bed
Leave the garden tools in that rusted shed
Leave those bad ideas in your troubled head today
Just leave the restless ghost in his old hotel
Leave the homeless man in that cardboard cell
Let the painted horse on the carousel remain
'Cause everything it must belong somewhere
Just like the gold around her finger or the silver in his hair
Yeah, everything it must belong somewhere
I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
Oh I know that now, that's why I'm staying here
In truth the forest hears each sound
Each blade of grass as it lies down
The world requires no audience
No witnesses, no witnesses
Leave the old town drunk on his wooden stool
Leave the autumn leaves in their swimming pool
Leave the poor black child in his crumbling school today
Leave the novelist in his daydream tune
Leave the scientist in her Rubik's cube
Let the true genius in the padded room remain
Leave the horse's hair on the slanted bow
Leave the slot machines on the riverboat
Leave the cauliflower in the casserole today
Just leave the hot bright trash in the shopping malls
Leave the hawks of war in their capitols
Let the organ's moan in the cathedral remain
'Cause everything it must belong somewhere
They locked the Devil in the basement, threw God up into the air
Yeah, everything it must belong somewhere
You know it's true, I wish you'd leave me here
Now you know it's true, why don't you leave me here?
@bloodSCARSandMCR
I surprised myself by remembering every word and inflection after nearly 5 years of not hearing this... i will always be grateful for this man and his mind. Even if he never accepts that.
@joellazcano2192
I have been looking for this version of this song since I was like 13
@Xanthopathy
congrats
@TheTotox666
There's no way I could go months- or even weeks without Bright Eyes. I crave his voice and lyrics.
@a7ukgc8x9m4h
You still stand by that?
@IndieIncendiary
I felt the same way for a long time. Then I stopped listening to Bright Eyes as constantly and I felt... happier? It's comforting to find solace in music that delves into these real and important feelings of blueness we all share. Though it's just like this song says: everything must belong somewhere. We should try to move forward with our lives and be happy, but this meaningful music will always be here for us to return to if and when we need it!
@RandySavagxe
@@IndieIncendiarythat’s because you started ignoring that part of you consciousness screaming out for help. He’s screaming because he sees the hopelessness of the situation of humanity. Humans want to cure suffering but in our attempt we only cause it in other areas.
@sonshineoh
Here's to still trying to figure it out.
@slayer1201ful
Live because we don't always have answers
@sonshineoh
I found the answers written on a bathroom wall once.