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.
Shell Games
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The circuit board and the city streets
Shooting star, swaying palm tree
Laid it at the arbiter's feet
If I could change my mind, change the paradigm
Prepare myself for another life
Forgive myself for the many times
But here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tag it on a tenement wall
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone's got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
I was dressed in white, touched by something pure
Death obsessed like a teenager
Sold my tortured youth, piss and vinegar
I'm still angry with no reason to be
At the architect who imagined this
For the everyman, blessed Sisyphus
Slipping steadily into madness
Now that's the only place to be free
But here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tattooed on a criminal's arm
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
No, I don't want to play
It's a shell game, it's a shell game
Distorted sounds on oscilloscopes
Distorted facts, I could never cope
My private life is an inside joke
No one will explain it to me
We'll be everything that we ever needed
Everyone, on the count of three!
Everyone, on the count of three!
All together now!
Here it comes, that heavy love
We're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Playing as the cylinder rolls
Here it comes, that heavy love
I only want to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
The lyrics of "Shell Games" by Bright Eyes appear to be a commentary on the cruel nature of life and the human condition. The first verse sets the stage for the singer's struggles, as they list off a number of items and experiences that are typically associated with modern life: fireworks, vanity, city streets, and so on. These things are then "laid at the arbiter's feet," possibly indicating a sense of resignation or futility on the part of the singer.
The second verse delves into the singer's regret and longing for redemption. They wish they could change their mindset or their very way of being ("change the paradigm") in order to be kinder to the vulnerable and helpless beings around them. The chorus interrupts this reflection with a repeated statement: "Here it comes, that heavy love/ I'm never going to move it alone." This could mean that the burden of life and its struggles is too great to bear alone, and that we must rely on each other for support and strength.
The final verse brings the song to a close with a mix of confusion, frustration, and optimism. The singer bemoans the "distorted sounds" and "distorted facts" of life and their own "inside joke" of a private life. However, they also express a desire for unity and togetherness, urging everyone to come together and face life's struggles as one. Overall, "Shell Games" seems to be a reflection on the harshness of modern life and our need for connection and compassion with each other.
Line by Line Meaning
Took the fireworks and the vanity
I have given up all materialistic and superficial things, such as fireworks and self-importance.
The circuit board and the city streets
I have also abandoned technology and city life.
Shooting star, swaying palm tree
I have embraced nature and beauty, like a shooting star and swaying palm tree.
Laid it at the arbiter's feet
I have surrendered all of these things to a higher authority, the arbiter.
If I could change my mind, change the paradigm
I wish I could change my way of thinking and the way the world works.
Prepare myself for another life
I want to be ready for a new phase of my life.
Forgive myself for the many times
I need to let go of the past and move on from my mistakes.
I was cruel to something helpless and weak
I have been unkind to innocent and weak creatures, and regret my actions.
But here it comes, that heavy love
The intense and burdensome feeling of love is approaching.
I'm never going to move it alone
I cannot deal with this love on my own.
Tag it on a tenement wall
I want to express this love and make it known to others.
Someone's got to share in the load
I need someone to help me bear the weight of this love.
I was dressed in white, touched by something pure
I was innocent and pure, but experienced something that tainted me.
Death obsessed like a teenager
I am fixated on death and dying, like many teenagers.
Sold my tortured youth, piss and vinegar
I have abandoned my angsty and rebellious youth, and all of the negativity that came with it.
I'm still angry with no reason to be
I am still holding onto anger despite having no real reason for it.
At the architect who imagined this
I blame the creator or architect of this flawed and unfair world.
For the everyman, blessed Sisyphus
The average person, like Sisyphus, is cursed to toil endlessly with no ultimate reward.
Slipping steadily into madness
I can sense myself losing my grip on reality.
Now that's the only place to be free
I have come to believe that madness is the only way to truly be free in this world.
No, I don't want to play
I refuse to engage in this game or false reality.
It's a shell game, it's a shell game
This is all a deceitful, trickster's game.
Distorted sounds on oscilloscopes
There is a lack of clarity or truth in the airwaves of society.
Distorted facts, I could never cope
I cannot handle the manipulated or falsified information I am being fed.
My private life is an inside joke
I feel like my personal life is meaningless and a joke to those in power.
No one will explain it to me
Nobody is willing or able to give me satisfactory explanations for the way the world works.
We'll be everything that we ever needed
Together, we will fulfill all of our needs and desires.
Everyone, on the count of three!
We need to work together and act in unison, let's do it now!
All together now!
Let's come together and support each other.
Playing as the cylinder rolls
We are taking our chances and rolling with the punches.
I only want to share in the load
I only want to contribute and ease the burden for others.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CONOR M OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
navy toad
Took the fireworks and the vanity
The circuit board and the city streets
Shooting star, swaying palm tree
Laid it at the arbiter's feet
If I could change my mind, change the paradigm
Prepare myself for another life
Forgive myself for the many times
I was cruel to something helpless and weak
But here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tag it on a tenement wall
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone's got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
I was dressed in white, touched by something pure
Death obsessed like a teenager
Sold my tortured youth, piss and vinegar
I'm still angry with no reason to be
At the architect who imagined this
For the everyman, blessed Sisyphus
Slipping steadily into madness
Now that's the only place to be free
But here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tattooed on a criminal's arm
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
No, I don't want to play
It's a shell game, it's a shell game
Distorted sounds on oscilloscopes
Distorted facts, I could never cope
My private life is an inside joke
No one will explain it to me
We'll be everything that we ever needed
Everyone, on the count of three!
Everyone, on the count of three!
All together now!
Here it comes, that heavy love
We're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Playing as the cylinder rolls
Here it comes, that heavy love
I only want to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
_____
Took the fireworks and the vanity
The circuit board and the city streets
Shooting star, swaying palm tree
Laid it at the arbiter's feet
If I could change my mind, change the paradigm
Prepare myself for another life
Forgive myself for the many times
I was cruel to something helpless and weak
But here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tag it on a tenement wall
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone's got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
I was dressed in white, touched by something pure
Death obsessed like a teenager
Sold my tortured youth, piss and vinegar
I'm still angry with no reason to be
At the architect who imagined this
For the everyman, blessed Sisyphus
Slipping steadily into madness
Now that's the only place to be free
But here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tattooed on a criminal's arm
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
No, I don't want to play
It's a shell game, it's a shell game
Distorted sounds on oscilloscopes
Distorted facts, I could never cope
My private life is an inside joke
No one will explain it to me
We'll be everything that we ever needed
Everyone, on the count of three!
Everyone, on the count of three!
All together now!
Here it comes, that heavy love
We're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Playing as the cylinder rolls
Here it comes, that heavy love
I only want to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Mike West
I don’t know if anyone else noticed, but the opening lyrics are references to earlier bright eyes albums.
Fireworks = letting off the happiness
Vanity = fevers and mirrors
Circuit board = digital ash
City streets = I’m wide awake it’s morning
Shooting stars, swaying palm trees =cassadaga
Arbiters feet = the people’s key
But I’m trying to figure out where lifted fits in here, but I’m having a difficult time.
MrToadRocks
Took the fireworks (letting off the happiness), and the vanity (fevers and mirrors), the circuit board (digital ash in a digital urn) and the city streets (I'm wide awake it's morning), shooting stars swaying palm trees (cassadaga) laid it at the arbiters feet (the people's key). It's all his album covers.
Jenny Brecht
OMFG
Billy Roberts
Mind fucking blown...
Benjamin Woods
wow. thank you for pointing that out!
Kat
He notably left out Lifted, as he sang "I do not read the reviews" in a song on that album, as the arbiters are the music critics
Zach Walker
that's awesome
live4ever89
The People's Key = underrated masterpiece
James Lansing
Bright Eyes BEST album!
navy toad
Took the fireworks and the vanity
The circuit board and the city streets
Shooting star, swaying palm tree
Laid it at the arbiter's feet
If I could change my mind, change the paradigm
Prepare myself for another life
Forgive myself for the many times
I was cruel to something helpless and weak
But here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tag it on a tenement wall
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone's got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
I was dressed in white, touched by something pure
Death obsessed like a teenager
Sold my tortured youth, piss and vinegar
I'm still angry with no reason to be
At the architect who imagined this
For the everyman, blessed Sisyphus
Slipping steadily into madness
Now that's the only place to be free
But here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Tattooed on a criminal's arm
Here it comes, that heavy love
Someone got to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
You're never going to move it alone
No, I don't want to play
It's a shell game, it's a shell game
Distorted sounds on oscilloscopes
Distorted facts, I could never cope
My private life is an inside joke
No one will explain it to me
We'll be everything that we ever needed
Everyone, on the count of three!
Everyone, on the count of three!
All together now!
Here it comes, that heavy love
We're never going to move it alone
Here it comes, that heavy love
Playing as the cylinder rolls
Here it comes, that heavy love
I only want to share in the load
Here it comes, that heavy love
I'm never going to move it alone
Kurt Kishishita
The calendar hung itself