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
Enola Gay
Conor Oberst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But you smile when he calls you the Enola Gay
Turns the lights down low for your migraines
And fetches what you've strewn
All around the room up and down the hall
Asking for your Sodium Pentathol
So you can read aloud from your big tell-all
Anecdotes in platitudes
This world's mean getting meaner too
So why'd you have to make it all about you
There's no harm in stepping to the side
Light your hurricane lamp when the sky grows dark
The wind's pissed off and the sun's at large
What you've gotta do, it's just a matter of pride
Until you vanish like the rest, out of sight and out of mind
Working all day in the control room
Mashing Charles Manson songs up with Showtunes
The feelings come quick but they leave as soon
Like music from a passing car
It's crowded in the club where you meet your friends
Try to save some room for the elephant
Every day's a chore and you're not done yet
You didn't think it'd be this hard
The root's begun, we're a nervous crew
So why're you trying to make it all about you
It's not so bad, it's just a flash of light
Light your hurricane lamp when the sky goes dark
The rain's upset, it just falls apart
You will get your wish, it's just a matter of time
Until you vanish like the rest, out of sight and out of mind
Until you vanish like the rest, out of sight
The lyrics of "Enola Gay" by Conor Oberst can be interpreted as a critique of self-centeredness, particularly in a world that is becoming increasingly hostile. The song's title refers to the aircraft that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan during World War II, which is significant because it suggests a devastating event that changed the world. The Enola Gay is also a symbol of power and destruction, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for someone who is self-centered and selfish.
The first verse describes a person who enjoys being called by a nickname given to them by someone else. The person suffers from migraines and asks for Sodium Pentathol so they can feel comfortable sharing their stories with others. The second verse describes someone who is working in a control room, mixing the songs of Charles Manson with Showtunes. The chorus repeats the phrase "why'd you have to make it all about you," which suggests that the song is about someone who is too self-centered.
The song then goes on to suggest that this self-centeredness is unacceptable in a world that is "mean getting meaner too." The next lines discuss the need to "light your hurricane lamp when the sky goes dark," which could symbolize the need to find light in darkness or to find a way to survive when things get rough. The last verse repeats the message that it's time to step aside and think about others because eventually, we will all "vanish like the rest, out of sight and out of mind."
Overall, "Enola Gay" is a compelling and thought-provoking song about the dangers of self-centeredness and the need to think about others in a chaotic and difficult world.
Line by Line Meaning
He didn't give you that nickname
He is not responsible for the nickname you have
But you smile when he calls you the Enola Gay
You enjoy being called by that nickname
Turns the lights down low for your migraines
He dimmed the lights to ease your migraine
And fetches what you've strewn
He picks up the things you've scattered around
All around the room up and down the hall
You've scattered objects both inside and outside the room
Asking for your Sodium Pentathol
He is requesting the truth serum Sodium Pentathol
So you can read aloud from your big tell-all
He wants you to confess to everything from your tell-all book
Anecdotes in platitudes
You are sharing a story that is trite and overused
This world's mean getting meaner too
The world is becoming increasingly hostile
So why'd you have to make it all about you
Why did you have to make everything revolve around you?
There's no harm in stepping to the side
It's okay to take a step back
Light your hurricane lamp when the sky grows dark
Prepare for dark times by getting a light source
The wind's pissed off and the sun's at large
The weather conditions are tumultuous
What you've gotta do, it's just a matter of pride
You need to do what you need to do to maintain your dignity
Until you vanish like the rest, out of sight and out of mind
You'll disappear and become forgotten, like many others before you
Working all day in the control room
You've been working all day in a place where everything is monitored
Mashing Charles Manson songs up with Showtunes
Mixing the music of Charles Manson with musical tunes
The feelings come quick but they leave as soon
Emotions come rapidly but dissipate just as quickly
Like music from a passing car
Emotions are fleeting, like the sound of music from a car driving by
It's crowded in the club where you meet your friends
The place where you and friends meet is packed
Try to save some room for the elephant
Try to leave some space for the awkward or difficult issue at hand
Every day's a chore and you're not done yet
Every day is a difficult task and you haven't finished all of them
You didn't think it'd be this hard
You expected it to be easier than it has been
The root's begun, we're a nervous crew
There are signs of trouble, and people are anxious
So why're you trying to make it all about you
Why do you keep trying to make everything about yourself?
It's not so bad, it's just a flash of light
Things aren't as bad as they seem, it's only a momentary difficulty
The rain's upset, it just falls apart
The rain is tumultuous and falling down intensely
You will get your wish, it's just a matter of time
Your desire will come true, it's only a matter of time
Until you vanish like the rest, out of sight and out of mind
You'll disappear and become forgotten, like many others before you
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: CONOR M. OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind