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.
Nothing Gets Crossed Out
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My head is a carousel of pictures.
The spinning never stops.
I just want someone to walk in front and I'll follow the leader.
Like when I fell under the weight of a schoolboy crush.
I started carrying her books and doing lots of drugs.
I almost forgot who I was, but came to my senses. Now I try to be assertive.
I want to rise to the occasion, yeah, meet all of their demands.
But all I do is just lay in bed and hide under the covers.
I know I should be brave but I'm just afraid of all this change.
It's hard to focus through all this doubt.
I keep making "To Do" lists but nothing ever gets crossed out.
Even working on the record seems pointless now. When the world ends, who's gonna hear it?
But I try and take some comfort in written words, yeah Tim I heard your album and it's better than
good.
When you get off tour I think we should hang and black out together.
Because I've been feeling sentimental for days gone by...
all those summers singing, drinking, laughing, wasting out time.
Remember all those songs and the way we smiled in those basements made of music.
But now I've got to crawl to get anywhere at all. I'm not as strong as I thought.
So when I'm lost in a crowds, I hope that you'll pick me out.
Oh, how I long to be found.
The grass grew high. I
laid down.
Now, wait for a hand to lift me up, help me stand.
I have been laying so low don't want to lay here no more.
I But if everything that happens is supposed to be and it is predetermined, you can't change your destiny.
Then I guess I'll just keep moving and someday, maybe, I'll get to where I'm going.
The song “Nothing Gets Crossed Out” by Bright Eyes is a reflection of the frustrations and fears that come with growing up and facing the uncertainties of the future. The singer seems to be overwhelmed by the worries and doubts that plague his mind, as he struggles to cope with the changes that are happening around him. He starts the song by expressing his worries about the future, and how his head is constantly filled with images that seem to never stop spinning. He longs for someone to guide him through this uncertainty, to lead him in the right direction.
He then reflects on a time when he lost himself, falling under the weight of a schoolboy crush and losing sight of his own identity. He acknowledges how he almost forgot who he was, but eventually came to his senses and tried to take control of his life. However, he finds himself struggling to be assertive and make plans, and instead, finds himself hiding under the covers and avoiding the challenges that come with change.
Despite his doubts, he clings to written words, finding comfort in them, and even expresses his admiration for a friend's album. He remembers the good times he had in the past, singing, drinking, and laughing with friends, but recognizes that he now has to work harder to achieve anything. The song ends with the singer expressing his desire to be found and lifted up, to be helped to stand, and to move forward.
Overall, "Nothing Gets Crossed Out" is a poignant reflection on the struggles of growing up and facing the future, and the need for guidance and support to navigate through these challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
The future has got me worried, such awful thoughts.
I am anxious about what the future holds and have troubling thoughts about it.
My head is a carousel of pictures.
My mind is constantly spinning with thoughts and ideas.
The spinning never stops.
I cannot seem to calm my mind and stop overthinking.
I just want someone to walk in front and I'll follow the leader.
I desire direction and guidance from someone who can lead me.
Like when I fell under the weight of a schoolboy crush.
The feeling of falling hard for someone is a familiar and overwhelming sensation.
I started carrying her books and doing lots of drugs.
With this crush, I started doing everything I could to impress them, including engaging in risky behavior.
I almost forgot who I was, but came to my senses. Now I try to be assertive.
I lost myself trying to impress someone, but I realized my mistake and now strive to be more confident and assertive.
I'm making plans. I want to rise to the occasion, yeah, meet all of their demands.
I am driven to succeed and meet the expectations of those around me.
But all I do is just lay in bed and hide under the covers.
Despite my goals, I often find myself paralyzed and unable to take action due to anxiety or depression.
I know I should be brave but I'm just afraid of all this change.
I recognize the need for courage in the face of change, but I am struggling to overcome my fear of it.
It's hard to focus through all this doubt.
My doubts are making it difficult to concentrate or make decisions.
I keep making "To Do" lists but nothing ever gets crossed out.
I attempt to be productive but my lack of motivation or focus prevents me from accomplishing tasks.
Even working on the record seems pointless now.
I am struggling to find meaning or purpose in the work I am doing.
When the world ends, who's gonna hear it?
I am questioning the relevance or impact of my work in the grand scheme of things.
But I try and take some comfort in written words, yeah Tim I heard your album and it's better than good.
Despite my uncertainty, I find solace in art and the creative output of others.
When you get off tour I think we should hang and black out together.
I yearn for connection and camaraderie with friends, even if it means losing myself in the moment and forgetting my worries.
Because I've been feeling sentimental for days gone by...
I have been reminiscing and sentimental about past experiences.
all those summers singing, drinking, laughing, wasting out time.
I have fond memories of carefree and enjoyable times with friends in the past.
Remember all those songs and the way we smiled in those basements made of music.
I recall the joy and happiness of making music and spending time with friends in a carefree setting.
But now I've got to crawl to get anywhere at all. I'm not as strong as I thought.
I am currently struggling to make progress and finding it much harder than anticipated.
So when I'm lost in a crowds, I hope that you'll pick me out. Oh, how I long to be found.
I sometimes feel lost or overlooked in large social situations and wish someone would notice me.
The grass grew high. I laid down.
I sometimes feel overwhelmed and just want to escape from my problems.
Now, wait for a hand to lift me up, help me stand.
I am hoping for support and guidance from others to help me work through my struggles.
I have been laying so low don't want to lay here no more.
I am tired of feeling stagnant and unmotivated.
But if everything that happens is supposed to be and it is predetermined, you can't change your destiny.
I am questioning the role of fate in my life and whether or not my actions truly have an impact.
Then I guess I'll just keep moving and someday, maybe, I'll get to where I'm going.
Despite my doubts and uncertainties, I am resolved to keep pushing forward and hoping to eventually find my way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OBERST, Conor Oberst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind