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.
Ladder Song
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're gonna lose what you love the most
You're not alone in anything
You're not unique in dying
I feel a strange day every now and then
Fall asleep reading science fiction
I wanna fly in your silver ship
It's on now
The days are long now
The ups and the sun downs
And a twisting mind
If I gotta go first
I'll do it on my terms
I'm tired of traitors
Always changing sides
They were friends of mine
Don't hang around once the promise breaks
Or you'll be there when the next one's made
Kiss the feet of a charlatan
Some imagined freedom
All the rest is predictable
You can say you're the first to know
Bought a mantra to concentrate
Car alarm or hissing snake
I know now
How it's gonna turn out
You've got to calm down
Or I'll lose my place
Got to get to the center
Got to get to the concert
Run off with a dancer
Gonna celebrate
We'll welcome the new age
Covered in warrior paint
Lights from the jungle to the sky
See now a star is born
Looks just like a blood orange
Don't it just make you want to cry?
Precious friend of mine
Will I know when it's finally done?
This whole life is a hallucination
You're not alone in anything
You're not alone in trying to be
The lyrics of "Ladder Song" by Bright Eyes are an introspective exploration of mortality and the fragility of life. The opening line "No one knows where the ladder goes" suggests the uncertainty and mystery surrounding death. The next line "You're gonna lose what you love the most" acknowledges that death means the loss of everything we hold dear. The following lines "You're not alone in anything / You're not unique in dying" emphasize that death is a universal experience and a reminder of our shared humanity.
The second verse seems to suggest a desire for escapism from the thoughts of death and mortality. The singer talks about feeling a "strange day" every now and then and wanting to fly in someone's "silver ship." The reference to religious figures Jesus and Buddha further highlights the search for spiritual meaning and escape from the harsh realities of life. The line "If I gotta go first / I'll do it on my terms" shows the singer's acceptance of the inevitable, but a desire to have some control over how it happens.
The final verse discusses the idea of false promises and the danger of clinging to them. The reference to a "charlatan" and "imagined freedom" suggest a warning against putting too much faith in things that are fleeting and offer false hope. The line "Will I know when it's finally done? / This whole life is a hallucination" is a reflective question on the nature of existence and whether or not we truly understand it. The song ends with the reassurance that nobody is alone in their struggles to understand and cope with the reality of life and death.
Line by Line Meaning
No one knows where the ladder goes
No one can predict the path of life or what the future holds.
You're gonna lose what you love the most
Death is inevitable, and we will lose the things that matter the most to us.
You're not alone in anything
We are all connected and share similar struggles and experiences.
You're not unique in dying
Death is a universal experience that we all share.
I feel a strange day every now and then
Occasionally, life feels unpredictable and surreal.
Fall asleep reading science fiction
Escaping reality by diving into books or other media can be a source of comfort.
I wanna fly in your silver ship
Longing for a deeper connection with someone and a desire to explore new frontiers.
Let Jesus hang and Buddha sit
Acknowledging and respecting different religious beliefs and traditions.
It's on now
Life is in motion and constantly changing.
The days are long now
Time can feel slow and endless when faced with difficult moments.
The ups and the sun downs
Life has its share of highs and lows.
And a twisting mind
Living with anxiety or mental health struggles can make life feel confusing and uncertain.
If I gotta go first
Dealing with the fear of death and wanting to control the circumstances of one's passing.
I'll do it on my terms
Wanting to maintain autonomy and make one's own decisions about life and death.
I'm tired of traitors
Feeling betrayed by those who were once trusted friends.
Always changing sides
People can be fickle and unreliable, often switching loyalties.
They were friends of mine
Feeling sadness and loss when friendships end or change.
Don't hang around once the promise breaks
When someone fails to keep their word or delivers on a promise, it may be necessary to move on and let go.
Or you'll be there when the next one's made
Staying around for the promise of something better, but risking disappointment and heartbreak again.
Kiss the feet of a charlatan
Worshipping false idols or putting trust in someone who turns out to be deceitful.
Some imagined freedom
The idea of freedom may be an illusion or only exists in our minds.
All the rest is predictable
Life can feel mundane and routine.
You can say you're the first to know
Thinking you have discovered new insights or ideas that are actually shared by others.
Bought a mantra to concentrate
Seeking spiritual practices or other techniques to help with focus and clarity.
Car alarm or hissing snake
Distractions and noise that can disrupt peace of mind and concentration.
I know now
Gaining insight and clarity.
How it's gonna turn out
Accepting the inevitability of certain outcomes in life.
You've got to calm down
Managing anxiety or emotional distress.
Or I'll lose my place
Allowing fear or worry to interfere with success or progress.
Got to get to the center
Striving for balance and authenticity.
Got to get to the concert
Finding joy and connection through music or other forms of entertainment.
Run off with a dancer
Leaving behind conventional expectations and taking risks for the sake of love or passion.
Gonna celebrate
Choosing to focus on the positive and find reasons to be joyful.
We'll welcome the new age
Looking forward to positive changes and new opportunities.
Covered in warrior paint
Celebrating strength and resilience, and preparing for battle in the face of adversity.
Lights from the jungle to the sky
The beauty and wonder of nature and the universe.
See now a star is born
New beginnings and the birth of something special or significant.
Looks just like a blood orange
Finding beauty and meaning in unpredictable or unconventional forms.
Don't it just make you want to cry?
Feeling overwhelmed or emotional in the face of beauty or awe-inspiring moments.
Precious friend of mine
Expressing gratitude and appreciation for loved ones.
Will I know when it's finally done?
Reflecting on the mysteries of life and death, and questioning what comes after.
This whole life is a hallucination
Contemplating the nature of reality and the possibility that nothing is as it seems.
You're not alone in anything
Reinforcing the idea of shared experiences and the importance of connection and community.
You're not alone in trying to be
Acknowledging the universal struggle to find meaning and purpose in life.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CONOR M OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind