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.
Papa Was a Rodeo
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like your questioning eyebrows
You've made it pretty clear what you like
It's only fair to tell you now
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
But maybe you should plug it with a beer, because
Papa was a rodeo
I could play guitar and rope a steer
Before I learned to stand
Home was anywhere with diesel gas
Love was a trucker's hand
Never stuck around long enough
For a one night stand
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo
The light reflecting off the mirror ball
Looks like a thousand swirling eyes
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
You know, every minute someone dies
What are we doing in this dive bar?
How can you live in a place like this?
Why don't you just get into my car
And I'll take you away, I'll take that kiss now, but
(Boy) Papa was a rodeo . . .
And now it's 55 years later
We've had the romance of the century
After all these years wrestling gators
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me
Papa was a rodeo . . .
Before you kiss me you should know
Papa was a rodeo
What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too
The song "Papa Was a Rodeo" by Bright Eyes is an emotional reflection on childhood experiences, family dynamics, and lost love. The singer of the song seems to be in a bar or a club, talking to someone called Mike, who has expressed an interest in kissing him. However, before he agrees, the singer shares some personal background that sheds light on his hesitancy and vulnerability. He reveals that his father was a rodeo performer, and his mother was a member of a rock band. He grew up in multiple places, always on the move with his family, and learned to play guitar and rope a steer before he learned to stand. Love, to him, was a trucker's hand, as his parents were never around long enough for him to form lasting connections. He warns Mike that he should know this before kissing him, possibly indicating that he fears getting too close or being abandoned again.
The song then takes a poetic turn, showing the singer's awareness of the fragility and transience of life. The disco ball's reflection reminds him that every minute someone dies, and he questions his presence in this particular place. He offers to take Mike away with him, but the repetition of the refrain "Papa was a rodeo" suggests that he is still caught up in the past and the memories that shape him. The final verse reveals that he has reunited with someone he loved 55 years ago, but that person's parting words still haunt him. The song ends with the realization that Mike's father was also a rodeo performer, perhaps implying that the connection between them is stronger than either of them realizes.
Line by Line Meaning
I like your twisted point of view, Mike
I appreciate your unique perspective on things, Mike.
I like your questioning eyebrows
I appreciate the way you often raise your eyebrows to ask questions.
You've made it pretty clear what you like
You've been pretty upfront about what you're into.
It's only fair to tell you now
In return, it's only fair to tell you about my upbringing.
I see that kiss-me pucker forming
I can tell you want to kiss me from the way your lips are puckering.
But maybe you should plug it with a beer, because
But maybe you should hold off on the kiss and have a drink instead, because.
Papa was a rodeo
My father used to be a rodeo competitor.
Mama was a rock'n'roll band
My mother was a member of a rock band.
I could play guitar and rope a steer
I was skilled enough to play the guitar and even rope cattle at a young age.
Before I learned to stand
I learned those skills before I even learned to walk.
Home was anywhere with diesel gas
I grew up traveling, and as long as there was gas for the vehicle, we had a home wherever we went.
Love was a trucker's hand
I was used to seeing affection expressed through simple gestures since my parents were constantly on the move.
Never stuck around long enough
My parents never stayed in one place for very long.
For a one night stand
This meant that they never stayed in one place long enough for a fling or a casual hookup.
Before you kiss me you should know
Before we get intimate, there's something you should know about my upbringing.
The light reflecting off the mirror ball
The swirling, colorful light reflecting from the disco ball above makes me feel disoriented.
Looks like a thousand swirling eyes
The reflection off the disco ball makes it appear as if there are many eyes watching me.
They make me think I shouldn't be here at all
These swirling lights make me feel like I don't belong in this place.
You know, every minute someone dies
This prompts me to ponder life's fleeting nature and the inevitability of death.
What are we doing in this dive bar?
I'm questioning why we would spend time in a place like this when there are other options.
How can you live in a place like this?
I'm honestly curious how someone could choose to live in a dive bar such as this.
Why don't you just get into my car
I'm suggesting we leave this place and go somewhere more comfortable.
And I'll take you away, I'll take that kiss now, but
I'm offering to whisk you away and kiss you, but there's something I need to tell you first.
(Boy) Papa was a rodeo . . .
As mentioned before, my father used to be a rodeo competitor.
And now it's 55 years later
I'm giving an update on my life - it's been 55 years since my parents were in the rodeo scene.
We've had the romance of the century
Despite the chaos of my upbringing, our romance has been long-lasting and memorable.
After all these years wrestling gators
I've likely been involved with other professions and careers since my rodeo days. Here, I'm using wrangling alligators as an example.
I still feel like crying when I think of what you said to me
Despite the passage of time, certain things my partner has said to me still move me to tears and stir up emotions.
What a coincidence, your Papa was a rodeo too
It's funny how the two of us have similar backgrounds and upbringings.
Contributed by Cameron E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Jeff Schultz
It's a sin that this is not on spotify.
Maggie Wojtowicz
Same!!!!
Michael Putlack
That's how I arrived here as well.
a_bra_ham_
Love this cover, it’s pop and the ending is bitter sweet. Excellent. Furthermore, the magnetic fields did this song with soul, no one can deny the song that.
Stan Usher
The original is my favorite song of all time and usually, I dislike covers of classic songs, but I gotta say that this cover is pretty damn good! 8/10/
Kim B
Wish it was on Spotify!
iGod
I love the koopa troopa beach vibes
Sterling Archibald
Breathe of Life! No kiss of death!
Gordon Maskell
rad
Valentina Beauchamp
Marge and Val here