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
Hundreds of Ways
Conor Oberst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What a dream to just be walking on the ground
What a time to live among the ashen remnants of our love
It came before and I'm still looking for that now
It took centuries to build these twisted cities
It took seconds to reduce them down to dust
And all the tour guide could say was
Don't look so forlorn
Don't you look so scared
Don't get so upset
This world was never fair
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the days
There are hundreds of ways
Now you just find one
I used to think that time was of the essence
Now I just wish I could get some sleep
All this strange parade of sounds the city makes when I lay down
Little explosions that set fire to my dreams
Sometimes I get mistaken for this actor
And I guess that I can see it from the side
Maybe no one really seems to be the person that they mean to be
I hope I am forgotten when I die
Don't contradict me
Don't make me cross the line
If you feel threatened
It's only 'cause I might
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the days
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
Yes, there are hundreds of ways
So you best find one
All my hero's they're all talk
Running in circles
Some stop watch some cast
Love was the message. Full stop
We ramble on and on
We ramble on and on
I stole all the rhinestones out of Carolina
Sold them out in Bakersfield for cash
The bandshell got a band sounds like an arcade in Japan
Blew all my quarters trying to get that feeling back
Now any sucker can turn boredom into violence
A sociopath riding on a bus
His irises are black from his novelty contacts
He looks around but he can't see the rest of us
In my sunglasses don't mind the blinding light
Yeah it's getting dark bro, but I've always loved the night
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of ways
To get through the day
Just find one
The opening lines of "Hundreds of Ways" are hauntingly beautiful. They represent the idea that the simple things in life can be the most profound experiences we have. Conor Oberst sings about the significance of witnessing the sunshine, walking on the ground, and living among the remnants of love. Those simple things can represent life, death, and rebirth. It's fascinating that he chooses to delve into the idea that everything we see around us can be reduced to dust in seconds. It's an excellent way to remind the audience of just how fragile life can be. The tour guide's words encourage those around him to take pictures and try and remember what was done. The line serves as an ode to the idea that a picture can speak a thousand words or more, and we should cherish the memories we create, no matter how short-lived they might be.
The song touches on the idea that life is full of contradictions, and we can only do our best to find a way to get through the day. Regardless of who we are or what we do, life is never fair. We must overcome whatever obstacles come our way and not let our fear overpower us. Oberst uses his storytelling skills to remind us that we have options. There are hundreds of ways we can choose to navigate life. We need to find our unique path and persevere.
Conor Oberst has created an almost apocalyptic tune, which is very reflective. He reminds us that our memories and dreams can explode into little fires but cautions us that we are not alone in our struggle. He tells us that the city sounds can be jarring, and they can feel like an invasion of privacy. Yet, he implores us to find a way to navigate and overcome our fear of every strange sound we hear. The song tells us to embrace the dark and appreciate its beauty. He ends by reminding us that with time, we can always find a way to get through the day.
Line by Line Meaning
What a thing to be a witness to the sunshine
It's an incredible experience to observe and appreciate the beauty of nature.
What a dream to just be walking on the ground
The simple things in life, like taking a walk, can be a dream come true.
What a time to live among the ashen remnants of our love
Living with the remains of a broken relationship can be a dark and difficult time.
It came before and I'm still looking for that now
A search for something lost can feel never-ending and all-consuming.
It took centuries to build these twisted cities
Cities have been evolving for centuries and have taken a long time to develop into what they are today.
It took seconds to reduce them down to dust
The destruction of cities, which took so long to build, can happen in mere seconds.
And all the tour guide could say was
“Take your pictures folks it's late, try your best please to remember what was done.”
Even in the midst of tragedy, people try to continue on with what little they can do and document the history of their land.
Don't look so forlorn
Don't be filled with sadness and despair.
Don't you look so scared
Don't be afraid and anxious.
Don't get so upset
Don't be angry or frustrated.
This world was never fair
The world is often unjust and unpredictable.
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the days
There are hundreds of ways
Now you just find one
There are many ways to cope and carry on through hardships, and everyone has to find their own way to do so.
I used to think that time was of the essence
There was once a time when time felt like it was running out and it was essential to make the most of it.
Now I just wish I could get some sleep
Sleep is invaluable and desired more than anything else.
All this strange parade of sounds the city makes when I lay down
Little explosions that set fire to my dreams
The noises of the city can be both soothing and unsettling, frequently causing strange dreams and interrupted sleep.
Sometimes I get mistaken for this actor
And I guess that I can see it from the side
Maybe no one really seems to be the person that they mean to be
I hope I am forgotten when I die
Identity can be a fluid concept, and people are often not what they appear to be. The author hopes that he is not remembered after he dies.
Don't contradict me
Don't make me cross the line
If you feel threatened
It's only 'cause I might
The author warns others not to challenge him, as he may respond aggressively and cause harm.
All my hero's they're all talk
Running in circles
Some stop watch some cast
Love was the message. Full stop
The author's former heroes disappoint him or her, as they speak but lack action or direction. Love remains the most important message.
We ramble on and on
We ramble on and on
People tend to keep talking without actually saying anything of substance.
I stole all the rhinestones out of Carolina
Sold them out in Bakersfield for cash
The bandshell got a band sounds like an arcade in Japan
Blew all my quarters trying to get that feeling back
The author reflects on past missteps and lost opportunities, reminiscing of a time when joy was more available.
Now any sucker can turn boredom into violence
A sociopath riding on a bus
His irises are black from his novelty contacts
He looks around but he can't see the rest of us
In a world where entropy and boredom can drive people to dangerous ends, even sociopaths can blend in undetected.
In my sunglasses don't mind the blinding light
Yeah it's getting dark bro, but I've always loved the night
Even when things are difficult and the future is uncertain, the author appreciates the darkness and is ready to embrace it.
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of ways
To get through the day
Just find one
Reiteration of the message that there are countless ways to live through hardships, and one must search for their own path.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: CONOR M. OBERST
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Charné Barnard
What a thing to be a witness to the sunshine
What a dream to just be walking on the ground
What a time to live among the ashen remnants of our love
It came before and I'm still looking for that now
It took centuries to build these twisted cities
It took seconds to reduce them down to dust
And all the tour guide could say was
"Take your pictures folks it's late, try your best please to remember what was done."
Don't look so forlorn
Don't you look so scared
Don't get so upset
This world was never fair
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the days
There are hundreds of ways
Now you just find one
I used to think that time was of the essence
Now I just wish I could get some sleep
All this strange parade of sounds the city makes when I lay down
Little explosions that set fire to my dreams
Sometimes I get mistaken for this actor
And I guess that I can see it from the side
Maybe no one really seems to be the person that they mean to be
I hope I am forgotten when I die
Don't contradict me
Don't make me cross the line
If you feel threatened
It's only 'cause I might
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the days
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
Yes, there are hundreds of ways
So you best find one
All my hero's they're all talk
Running in circles
Some stop watch some cast
Love was the message. Full stop
We ramble on and on
We ramble on and on
I stole all the rhinestones out of Carolina
Sold them out in Bakersfield for cash
The bandshell got a band sounds like an arcade in Japan
Blew all my quarters trying to get that feeling back
Now any sucker can turn boredom into violence
A sociopath riding on a bus
His irises are black from his novelty contacts
He looks around but he can't see the rest of us
In my sunglasses don't mind the blinding light
It's getting dark but I've always loved the night
But there are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds of ways
To get through the day
There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of ways
To get through the day
Just find one
Sami Harvey
I don't understand how one singer has held my heart for fifteen years and never once disappointed me, but I'll take it.
🌌Night⏳Time
J. Sami Harvey I second that. amen , haleluja 🔥🙏🔥X
Guywhodoesthings
Same
Willow Loe
Sami Harvey i feel the exact same.
Bluesummers 76
Same
stacy.
So much yes.
Tuggy
Thanks. You got me off of six years of medically prescribed pure heroin and fentanyl. So many tears and spinning smiling moments of mania to your music. Thanks for my life.
Paco delp
This guy is a total genius !
Nick Saunders
I didn't expect any less. I love that his "wobbly" voice is back.
ScreamingInTheCalle
Right? The Rolling Stone article described his voice as "craggy," which I think is a pretty apt descriptor.