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
Space Invaders
Conor Oberst Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or atleast I think I do
What's on my mind isn't half of what on your's
And I turn,see you quaking
And I'm wrapped in your old man coat
Like a present or a broken in leather shoe
And buried in that warmness I can't even remember my fears
Is it obvious to you yet that you hold me up?
Do you know,do you know that you hold me up?
And the planet is safe for now
And my planet is safe for now
Space invaders is getting closer
And my space ships not sure how to fight them,to fight them without you
To fight them,to fight them without you
Can't fight them without you,without you,without you
Im sorry if its scary for me to depend on you
I dont mean to be a burden at all
I decided in this silence that I can't do this alone
I need safty and hope that you're not pissed off
And Im selfish and I know it
To ask this of you at a time when your life's so upside down
Now at a time when your life's already mess up as it is
At a time when your life's so up side down
The planet is safe for now
Well my planet is fine for now
Space invaders is getting closer and I'm really not sure how to fight them,to fight them without you
And they're coming so close now
And they're getting so close now
Invaders right on top of me and my space ships don't know how to fight them,to fight them without you
I need you now,I need you now,I need you now
Don't leave me now,don't leave me now,don't leave me now,don't leave me now
Can't fight them,can't fight them,can't fight them,won't fight them,can't fight them without you
And I guess you are like a clown fish in a sea of animals
Yeah that's a sweeping metaphor
The lyrics of Conor Oberst's song Space Invaders express a sense of vulnerability and dependence on someone else. The singer acknowledges that they are not as emotionally strong as the person they are addressing, and that they need that person's support in order to face the challenges that are coming their way, represented by the impending invasion of space invaders. The singer describes feeling wrapped in the other person's coat, which provides a sense of comfort and protection from their fears. The metaphor of a broken-in leather shoe suggests that this relationship has been established over time and has become familiar and dependable.
The singer acknowledges their selfishness in asking for support from someone who is already dealing with their own problems. They express a desire for safety and hope, and a fear of being a burden. The repeated phrase "can't fight them without you" emphasizes the singer's dependence on the other person, and their fear of facing a difficult situation alone. The metaphor of the clown fish in a sea of animals suggests that the singer feels out of place and vulnerable in a world that is larger and more dangerous than they can handle on their own.
Overall, the song expresses a sense of emotional vulnerability and the need for support and connection with another person in order to face life's challenges. The metaphor of the space invaders represents the unpredictable and daunting obstacles that we all face at one time or another, and the importance of having someone to rely on in those moments.
Line by Line Meaning
I know what you're thinking
I believe I can understand your thoughts
Or atleast I think I do
Or maybe I only think I can understand
What's on my mind isn't half of what on your's
I feel like I am not as affected as you are
And I turn,see you quaking
I notice that you are trembling with fear
And I'm wrapped in your old man coat
I am wearing your coat, which makes me feel safe
Like a present or a broken in leather shoe
It feels like a gift or something that fits me really well
And buried in that warmness I can't even remember my fears
I feel so comfortable and protected that I can't recall what scared me
Is it obvious to you yet that you hold me up?
Do you realize how much support you give me?
Is it obvious to you yet that you keep me up?
Do you recognize how much you lift me up?
Do you know,do you know that you hold me up?
Are you aware of the degree to which you support me?
And the planet is safe for now
Everything seems fine for the moment
And my planet is safe for now
I feel okay right now
Space invaders is getting closer
Trouble is coming
And my space ships not sure how to fight them,to fight them without you
I don't know how to handle the impending problems without your help
Can't fight them without you,without you,without you
I need your help, I can't do it alone
Im sorry if its scary for me to depend on you
I apologize if I am asking too much of you
I dont mean to be a burden at all
I really don't want to inconvenience you
I decided in this silence that I can't do this alone
I came to the realization that I truly cannot handle this by myself
I need safty and hope that you're not pissed off
I need to feel safe and I also don't want to upset you
And Im selfish and I know it
I recognize that I am being self-centered
To ask this of you at a time when your life's so upside down
I feel guilty for relying on you when your life is chaotic
Now at a time when your life's already mess up as it is
Especially when your life already has so many issues
The planet is safe for now
Everything still seems okay
Well my planet is fine for now
I am still managing
Space invaders is getting closer and I'm really not sure how to fight them,to fight them without you
The problems are coming closer and I am still unsure how to handle them alone
And they're coming so close now
Trouble is approaching very fast
Invaders right on top of me and my space ships don't know how to fight them,to fight them without you
I am under attack and I have no idea how to deal with this without your help
I need you now,I need you now,I need you now
I am desperate for your assistance
Don't leave me now,don't leave me now,don't leave me now,don't leave me now
Please don't abandon me
Can't fight them,can't fight them,can't fight them,won't fight them,can't fight them without you
I cannot face these problems alone, I need your help
And I guess you are like a clown fish in a sea of animals
You are special in a challenging environment
Yeah that's a sweeping metaphor
Yeah, it's a broad comparison
Contributed by Elizabeth V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Yose Wise
I know what you're thinking
Or atleast I think I do
What's on my mind isn't half of what on your's
And I turn, see you quaking
And I'm wrapped in your old man coat
Like a present or a broken in leather shoe
And buried in that warmness I can't even remember my fears
Is it obvious to you yet that you hold me up?
Is it obvious to you yet that you keep me up?
Do you know, do you know that you hold me up?
And the planet is safe for now
And my planet is safe for now
Space invaders is getting closer
And my space ships not sure how to fight them, to fight them without you
To fight them, to fight them without you
Can't fight them without you, without you, without you
I'm sorry if its scary for me to depend on you
I don't mean to be a burden at all
I decided in this silence that I can't do this alone
I need safety and hope that you're not pissed off
And I'm selfish and I know it
To ask this of you at a time when your life's so upside down
Now at a time when your life's already mess up as it is
At a time when your life's so up side down
The planet is safe for now
Well my planet is fine for now
Space invaders is getting closer and I'm really not sure how to fight them, to fight them without you
And they're coming so close now
And they're getting so close now
Invaders right on top of me and my space ships don't know how to fight them, to fight them without you
I need you now, I need you now, I need you now
Don't leave me now, don't leave me now, don't leave me now, don't leave me now
Can't fight them, can't fight them, can't fight them, won't fight them, can't fight them without you
And I guess you are like a clown fish in a sea of animals
Yeah that's a sweeping metaphor
Yose Wise
I know what you're thinking
Or atleast I think I do
What's on my mind isn't half of what on your's
And I turn, see you quaking
And I'm wrapped in your old man coat
Like a present or a broken in leather shoe
And buried in that warmness I can't even remember my fears
Is it obvious to you yet that you hold me up?
Is it obvious to you yet that you keep me up?
Do you know, do you know that you hold me up?
And the planet is safe for now
And my planet is safe for now
Space invaders is getting closer
And my space ships not sure how to fight them, to fight them without you
To fight them, to fight them without you
Can't fight them without you, without you, without you
I'm sorry if its scary for me to depend on you
I don't mean to be a burden at all
I decided in this silence that I can't do this alone
I need safety and hope that you're not pissed off
And I'm selfish and I know it
To ask this of you at a time when your life's so upside down
Now at a time when your life's already mess up as it is
At a time when your life's so up side down
The planet is safe for now
Well my planet is fine for now
Space invaders is getting closer and I'm really not sure how to fight them, to fight them without you
And they're coming so close now
And they're getting so close now
Invaders right on top of me and my space ships don't know how to fight them, to fight them without you
I need you now, I need you now, I need you now
Don't leave me now, don't leave me now, don't leave me now, don't leave me now
Can't fight them, can't fight them, can't fight them, won't fight them, can't fight them without you
And I guess you are like a clown fish in a sea of animals
Yeah that's a sweeping metaphor
Shan Bax
yall i need this on my spotify playlist
von donks
why does this song make me cry?
Dooley
GENIUS
David The Goliath
fire
Wesley Brenner
chords?
Gen
5 years late...
Verse:
(Capo 1st fret)
G D Am
G D C
(repeat)
Em C D
PetieFr
yes
Kevin Meyer
he used to sing like the dinosaur jr guy. whats his name?
k!llua
Except j's voice was wayy deeper