Okkervil River is an indie/folk rock band from Austin, Texas USA. Formed i… Read Full Bio ↴Okkervil River is an indie/folk rock band from Austin, Texas USA. Formed in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya. The band currently consists of Will Sheff (vocals, guitar), Will Graefe (guitar), Sarah K. Pedinotti (keyboards), Benjamin Lazar Davis (bass) and Cully Symington (drums).

The band self-released their first album, Stars Too Small to Use, which led them to the South by Southwest music festival. After recording their first album in a garage, they signed with Jagjaguwar. Okkervil River continued by releasing four more albums, including critically lauded concept album Black Sheep Boy.

After a period of touring for Black Sheep Boy, Okkervil River followed up with The Stage Names. The album sold 10,000 in its opening week in the United States. The group released a free covers album, Golden Opportunities Mixtape from their live performances.

The band has garnered positive critical reception. Especially noted are each song's lyrics, intricate instrumentation, and thematic albums. In addition, they were featured on the talk show Late Night with Conan O'Brien and have performed with high profile bands such as The Decemberists, The New Pornographers, The National, and Lou Reed.

Okkervil River released their most recent album The Silver Gymnasium on September 3, 2013.

Discography:
* 1998 Bedroom EP – Jound
* 1999 Stars Too Small to Use - Jound
* 2002 Don't Fall in Love with Everyone You See - Jagjaguwar
* 2003 Down the River of Golden Dreams - Jagjaguwar
* 2003 Julie Doiron/Okkervil River (A split CD with Julie Dorion) - Acuarela
* 2004 Sleep and Wake-Up Songs (EP) - Jagjaguwar
* 2004 Sham Wedding/Hoax Funeral (A split CD with Shearwater) - Jagjaguwar
* 2005 Black Sheep Boy - Jagjaguwar
* 2005 Black Sheep Boy Appendix (EP) - Jagjaguwar
* 2006 Overboard and Down (EP) – Inertia, Australia-only tour EP
* 2007 The Stage Names - Jagjaguwar
* 2008 The Stand-Ins - Jagjaguwar
* 2011 I Am Very Far - Jagjaguwar
* 2013 The Silver Gymnasium - ATO Records
* 2016 Away - ATO Records
* 2018 In The Rainbow Rain - ATO Records

Current band members:
* Will Sheff - acoustic guitar, vocals, harmonica (keyboard occasionally)
* Travis Nelsen - drums, misc. percussion
* Scott Brackett - trumpet, coronet, keyboards, organ, tape player, misc. percussion
* Patrick Pestorius - bass, piano, woodblocks
* Justin Sherburn - keys, guitar
* Lauren Gurgiolo - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin

Past band members:
* Seth Warren - guitar
* Zachary Thomas - vocals, bass
* Jonathan Meiburg - vocals, banjo, guitar, accordion, piano, organ
* Mark Pedini - drums
* Brian Cassidy - electric guitar, pedal steel, mandolin, melodica (keyboard and accordion when on tour without Jonathan)

Black Sheep Boy
Okkervil River Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Here I am back home again
I'm here to rest
All they ask is where I've been
Knowing I've been West

I'm the family's unowned boy
Golden curls of envied hair
Pretty girls with faces fair

See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy

If you love me, let me live in peace
Please understand
That the black sheep can wear the golden fleece
And hold a winning hand

I'm the family's unowned boy
Golden curls of envied hair
Pretty girls with faces fair
See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy

I'm the family's unowned boy
Golden curls of envied hair

Pretty girls with faces fair
See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy

Overall Meaning

The song "Black Sheep Boy" by Okkervil River is the title track of their 2005 album. The song revolves around the idea of being an outcast, a black sheep, within a family or society. The lyrics describe the singer's return home after being away to the West. He is met with questions from his family about where he has been, but all he wants is to rest. He is aware that he is the family's "unowned boy," and he has enviable features such as golden curls and the attention of pretty girls. The lyrics assert that even as the black sheep, he can wear the "golden fleece" and hold a winning hand.

In the chorus, the singer pleads for understanding from those who love him. He asks for the space and peace to live as he is while acknowledging that even as an outcast, he can achieve greatness. The repetition of "See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy" reinforces this point, emphasizing that being different doesn't mean being inferior.

Overall, "Black Sheep Boy" is a song about finding value and worth in oneself despite being considered different or odd. It encourages accepting those who stand out, recognizing that they can hold just as much potential for success and happiness as the rest of society.

Line by Line Meaning

Here I am back home again
Returning to my hometown after being away

I'm here to rest
Needing a break from the world

All they ask is where I've been
People are curious about my travels

Knowing I've been West
Aware that I've been exploring the western part of the country

I'm the family's unowned boy
Feeling disconnected from my family

Golden curls of envied hair
Having a physical trait that others desire

Pretty girls with faces fair
Attracting attention from women

See the shine in the Black Sheep Boy
Noticing the unique qualities that set me apart from others

If you love me, let me live in peace
Requesting personal space and the freedom to be myself

Please understand
Asking for empathy and compassion

That the black sheep can wear the golden fleece
Acknowledging that even an outcast can have success and wealth