Enola Gay
Conor Oberst Lyrics


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He didn't give you that nickname
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

Overall Meaning

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
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