Cape Canaveral
Conor Oberst Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Oh, oh, oh brother totem pole
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
Forgive, you did forgive

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

Overall Meaning

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
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Comments from YouTube:

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

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