At fourteen years of age, Oberst became singer and guitarist of Commander Venus, an indie rock band. The former members of Commander Venus, Tim Kasher of Cursive, Robb Nansel (who now runs Saddle Creek), and Todd Fink of The Faint, would later go on to feature in many Saddle Creek recording groups. Conor was also a member of the band Park Ave, which he joined after terminating the difficult relationship he had with Megan Saienni, due to an affair with Maria Pantin.
Oberst was also guitarist and singer for the band Desaparecidos. The music and lyrics of Desaparecidos differ greatly from Bright Eyes, having more in common with punk rock than folk. The lyrics are generally social and political commentary on the state of affairs in America, the pitfalls of the suburban lifestyle, and America's love of capitalism as opposed to the more introspective lyrics of Bright Eyes.
Oberst is one of the founding members of the independent record label Saddle Creek Records, which hosts and has hosted bands including Cursive, Desaparecidos, The Faint, Rilo Kiley (who left to start their own label Brute/Beaute Records), Bright Eyes, Son Ambulance, Azure Ray, The Good Life, and Sorry About Dresden, among others.
Oberst is currently involved in a boycott of Clear Channel Communications. His broadcast television performances include a spot on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in March 2005, which sparked controversy with his performance of the incendiary "When the President Talks to God", The Late Show with David Letterman, on which he performed "The Trees Get Wheeled Away", and his guitar-smashing performance of "Road to Joy" on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Oberst was a member of the Vote for Change tour in 2004 with Bruce Springsteen and REM. He has recently started his own label, Team Love, which is currently hosting bands such as Tilly and the Wall, M. Ward, Jenny Lewis and The Watson Twins, A Weather, Capgun Coup, and David Dondero.
Bands:
Commander Venus from 1995-97
The Magnetas in 1996
Park Ave. from 1996-98
Desaparecidos from 2001-2
Bright Eyes since 1995
Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band since New Year's Weekend 2007
Monsters of Folk since 2009
Better Oblivion Community Center since 2019
Cape Canaveral
Conor Oberst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I saw your legends lined up
And I never felt more natural
Apart, I just came apart
Please, please, please sister Socrates
You always answer with a question
Show some kindness to a petty thief
Watch the migrants smoke in the old orange grove
And the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
You've been a father to me
In 1960's speak
In the comatose joy that we're on TV
While the mountain's side was shining
Wild colors of my destiny
I watched your face age backwards
Changing shape in my memory
You told me victory's sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
Hey, hey, hey mother interstate
Can you deliver me from evil
Make me honest make me wedding cake
Atone, I will atone
Wait, wait, wait mighty outer-space
All that flying saucer terror
Made me lazy drinking lemonade
A waste, it just went to waste
Like the Freon cold out the hotel door
Or the white rocket fade over Cape Canaveral
You've been a daughter to me
Your buried shoe-box grief
I felt your poltergeist love like Savannah heat
While the waterfall was pouring
Crazy symbols of my destiny
I watched your face die backwards
Little baby in my memory
You told me victory's sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
And you don't judge me
That's not your style
But I won't see you for a little while
And there's no worries
Whose got time
All these changes are going to fill your mind
Like the citrus glow off the old orange grove
Or the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
It's been a nightmare to me
Some 1980's grief
Gives me parachute dreams
Like old war movies
While the universe was drawn
Perfect circles form infinity
I watched the stars get smaller
Tiny diamonds in my memory
I know that victory is sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats
The lyrics of Conor Oberst's "Cape Canaveral" are a beautiful blend of nostalgia, contemplation, and regret, a reflection of the artist's own experiences and emotions. The song is a tribute to the past, to the memories of a childhood spent watching rockets fly over Cape Canaveral and dreaming of what lies beyond the stars. It is an ode to the people who have come and gone in his life, to the brother totem pole that stood tall and proud, to the sister Socrates who questioned everything, to the mother interstate who took him on long car rides, and to the mighty outer-space that fascinated him. But the song is also an acknowledgement of the pain and loss that comes with growing up and letting go of those memories and people that defined us.
The first verse of the song sets the tone for what's to come, with Oberst reminiscing about the brother totem pole, a symbol of Native American spirituality and a connection to the land. He remembers looking at the totem pole and feeling at peace, at home, but then feeling himself "just come apart" as he realizes how fleeting and fragile that sense of belonging can be. In the second verse, he addresses sister Socrates, who always challenged him with her questions, but also forgave him for his mistakes. Here, Oberst touches on the themes of forgiveness and kindness, virtues that he values deeply.
The chorus then reminds us of the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral and the migrants smoking in the old orange grove, images of a time when life felt simple and full of possibilities. Oberst sings about how those memories have been a father and a daughter to him, representing the joys and sorrows of life. But he also acknowledges the bittersweet nature of those memories, knowing that they are a reminder of what has been lost and what can never be regained. The last verse brings the song full circle, with Oberst addressing the mother interstate and the mighty outer-space once again. He asks for deliverance from evil and for a chance to atone for his sins. But he also recognizes that change is inevitable and that all these "changes are going to fill your mind." Despite the pain of letting go, Oberst finds solace in the knowledge that "victory is sweet, even deep in the cheap seats."
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, oh, oh brother totem pole
Addressing a friend as a revered object
I saw your legends lined up
I recognized your past accomplishments
And I never felt more natural
I felt comfortable in your presence
Apart, I just came apart
I fell apart when we were separated
Please, please, please sister Socrates
Addressing a friend as a philosopher
You always answer with a question
You never give a straightforward answer
Show some kindness to a petty thief
Forgive someone who has done wrong
Forgive, you did forgive
You showed mercy and forgave
Watch the migrants smoke in the old orange grove
Observing the scene of workers smoking in the grove
And the red rocket blaze over Cape Canaveral
Watching the launch of a rocket at Cape Canaveral
You've been a father to me
You've served as a father figure to me
In 1960's speak
Using slang from the 1960s
In the comatose joy that we're on TV
Feeling a sense of happiness and detachment while on television
While the mountain's side was shining
Observing a brightly lit mountain in the distance
Wild colors of my destiny
Vivid and unpredictable colors representing my fate
I watched your face age backwards
Remembering a person's face becoming younger in my mind
Changing shape in my memory
The image of a person's face changed in my recollection
You told me victory's sweet
You said that winning feels great
Even deep in the cheap seats
Even when watching from the worst seats in the house
Hey, hey, hey mother interstate
Addressing the interstate highway as a motherly figure
Can you deliver me from evil
Can you protect me from harm?
Make me honest make me wedding cake
Help me become more truthful and improve my life
Atone, I will atone
I will make amends and seek forgiveness
Wait, wait, wait mighty outer-space
Addressing outer space as a powerful entity
All that flying saucer terror
The fear of extraterrestrial spacecrafts
Made me lazy drinking lemonade
Feeling lethargic and unmotivated while consuming lemonade
A waste, it just went to waste
It is unfortunate and of no use
Like the Freon cold out the hotel door
Referring to the cooling liquid used in refrigeration
Or the white rocket fade over Cape Canaveral
Watching the departure of a rocket from Cape Canaveral
You've been a daughter to me
You've served as a daughter figure to me
Your buried shoe-box grief
Your hidden and private sorrow
I felt your poltergeist love like Savannah heat
Sensing your intense and supernatural love like the heat of Savannah
While the waterfall was pouring
While a waterfall was flowing nearby
Crazy symbols of my destiny
Unpredictable and inexplicable circumstances influencing my fate
I watched your face die backwards
Remembering a person's face becoming older in my mind
Little baby in my memory
The image of a person's face appeared young and innocent in my recollection
And you don't judge me
You never criticize me
That's not your style
It's not your way of behaving
But I won't see you for a little while
We will be separated for a brief period of time
And there's no worries
There are no concerns
Whose got time
Who has the time?
All these changes are going to fill your mind
You will be preoccupied with all these changes
Like the citrus glow off the old orange grove
The bright and vibrant orange hue shining on the grove
It's been a nightmare to me
It's been a horrifying experience for me
Some 1980's grief
The emotional pain and distress from the 1980s
Gives me parachute dreams
Inspires me with hopeful and uplifting dreams
Like old war movies
Similar to old movies about war
While the universe was drawn
During the creation of the universe
Perfect circles form infinity
The idea that a circle represents infinity and completion
I watched the stars get smaller
Observing the stars in the sky appearing to diminish in size
Tiny diamonds in my memory
Small, precious memories of the stars
I know that victory is sweet
I understand that winning feels great
Even deep in the cheap seats
Even when watching from the worst seats in the house
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MARK EITZEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
paul spillane
I love this song and the fantastic lyrics!
"I watched the stars get smaller
Tiny diamonds in my memory
I know that victory is sweet
Even deep in the cheap seats"
Robert Lopez
The lyrics are still great 👍🏻
flakRatty
the whole song is sweet but when conor takes a step back to the big picture with "While the universe was drawn
Perfect circles form infinity" it literally teared me up what a pull, thanks conor.
Chad A
flakRatty I've been listening to Conor and Bright eyes for ten years and I never made that connection. And I've listened to both songs several times. Crazy!! Thanks!!
Robert Lopez
Yeah some of his best lyrical work for sure ☺️
Llamamapdx
I got more caught up on “victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats!” Regardless as to our moment, can’t lie he pulls us in, here I am 14 years later. Still love this song!
soft and golden
This song is so beautiful. Been listening for over a decade now
Chess
I think he is one of the finest lyricists in the world
Silver Saint
You're God Dang Right
AllYourBase
Best lyricist ever