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.
The Difference in the Shades
Bright Eyes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And if it rains, we'll just sink in to the mud
Where it is quiet and much cooler than the house is
And there is no clocks or phones to wake us up
Because I have learned that nothing is as pressing
As the one who is pressing would like you to believe
And I am content to walk a little slower
I find that life is easier when it is just a blur
With no details to confuse who or what or where I was
So when the ending comes the full regret will be obscure
But these are days we dream about when the sunlight paints us gold
And this apartment could not be prettier as when we danced
up there alone
This TV is old, the color is fucked, do you see the difference in the shades?
But the green is still close to green, my love
And I believe we are the same
And we'll stay like this, all gold and green
The light collects and projects your heart on a movie screen
And if you close your eyes
We will always be the way we were that night
You crawled inside of me
And you slept in my blood the way you sleep now
The quietest hush has consumed this house
And when the doctors are gone and you sweat through the bed
With all these pictures and pills they piled around your head
Just rest now, and in a moment you will know everything
Was it just a dream?
It's too vague now to recount
And outline of the one you loved in a life that was not longer
Will be standing above you as you sleep
The song "The Difference in the Shades" by Bright Eyes is a reflection on the simple pleasures of life and the importance of living in the present moment. The lyrics describe the singer's desire to slow down and take in the world around him. He finds sanctuary in the garden, where he can escape the pressures of the outside world and the constant demands of technology. The words "Because I have learned that nothing is as pressing as the one who is pressing would like you to believe" are particularly poignant and speak to the idea that much of what we consider important is really just a product of societal expectations.
The singer also touches on the idea that life is easier when we don't sweat the small stuff. He finds comfort in the idea of life being just a blur, without the need for details or specifics. In this way, he feels that he can be more present and in tune with his surroundings. The chorus speaks to the idea that these quiet moments are what we dream about and treasure, and it is in these moments that we truly come alive. The final verse is more subdued, touching on the fragility of life and the idea that everything may be just a dream. Through it all, the singer is comforted by the thought that the person he loves will always be with him, no matter what happens.
Line by Line Meaning
Now that it's June, we'll sleep out in the garden
We will enjoy the warm summer nights by sleeping outdoors.
And if it rains, we'll just sink in to the mud
We are willing to get dirty and be fully immersed in nature, even if it means getting muddy in the rain.
Where it is quiet and much cooler than the house is
The garden provides a peaceful haven away from the noise and heat of the house.
And there is no clocks or phones to wake us up
Without clocks or phones, we are free from the pressures of time and can fully relax in the garden.
Because I have learned that nothing is as pressing
I have realized that most urgent matters are not actually as important as some people make them out to be.
As the one who is pressing would like you to believe
People who push for urgency often have their own agenda and motivations behind it.
And I am content to walk a little slower
I am happy to take my time and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.
Because there is nowhere that I really need to be
I don't have any pressing commitments or obligations at the moment.
I find that life is easier when it is just a blur
It is simpler to live life without obsessing over small details, and instead focus on the bigger picture.
With no details to confuse who or what or where I was
Without getting bogged down in specifics, life becomes easier to navigate without losing sight of oneself.
So when the ending comes the full regret will be obscure
When my life is coming to an end, I won't regret small things or dwell on specific details.
But these are days we dream about when the sunlight paints us gold
These are the kind of moments we treasure and remember fondly, when everything seems perfect and idyllic.
And this apartment could not be prettier as when we danced up there alone
The apartment is at its most beautiful and special when the two of us are dancing together.
This TV is old, the color is fucked, do you see the difference in the shades?
The TV might not be perfect, but we still cherish and appreciate it for what it is and the memories it holds.
But the green is still close to green, my love
Although things may not be perfect, we can still find beauty and meaning in them.
And I believe we are the same
We have a deep connection and understanding of each other.
And we'll stay like this, all gold and green
We will continue to treasure and cherish the life we have together, with all its imperfections and beauty.
The light collects and projects your heart on a movie screen
The light of our love shines brightly and illuminates our lives.
And if you close your eyes
If you allow yourself to be vulnerable and open, you can connect with your deepest emotions and feelings.
We will always be the way we were that night
We will always cherish and savor the special moments we have shared together.
You crawled inside of me
You have left a lasting impact on my life and my heart.
And you slept in my blood the way you sleep now
Your presence and influence are an integral part of who I am and how I live.
The quietest hush has consumed this house
We are surrounded by peace and tranquility, and everything is calm and still.
And when the doctors are gone and you sweat through the bed
Even in the worst moments, when you're sick and struggling, I will still be there for you.
With all these pictures and pills they piled around your head
Even with all the chaos and confusion of illness, I will still stand by your side and care for you.
Just rest now, and in a moment you will know everything
Take a break and rest, and things will become clearer and more manageable.
Was it just a dream?
Sometimes things can seem too good to be true or too dreamlike to be real.
It's too vague now to recount
The memory of past events can fade and become muddled with time.
And outline of the one you loved in a life that was not longer
The memory of someone you loved who is no longer with you can become hazy or distorted over time.
Will be standing above you as you sleep
The memory or presence of someone who has passed can linger and be felt even in dreams.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: OBERST, Conor Oberst
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind