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)
For Real
Okkervil River Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For real knives
For real cries
And then the flash of steel from real guns
In real life
Really fills my mind
And I really miss what really did exist
And I miss the bus as it swerved from us
Almost came crashing to its side
Sometimes the blood from real cuts
Feels real nice
When it's really mine
And if you want it to be real
Come over for one night
And we can really, really climb
And those blue bridge lights might really burn most bright
As we watch that dark lake rise
And if you really want to see what really matters most to me
Just take a real short drive
It's just a drive into the dark stretch
Long stretch of night
Will really stretch this shaking mind
And this room, unlit, unheated
And the ceiling striped
And the dark black blinds
I want to know this time if you're really finally mine
I need to know that you're not lying so I want to see you tried
And I don't want to hear you say it shouldn't really be this way
Cause I like this way just fine
Cause there's nothing quite like the blinding light
That curtains cast aside
And no attempt is made to explain away
The things that really, really, really, really, really are behind
You can't hide
You can't hide
You can't hide
You can't hide
You can't hide
You can't hide
Okkervil River's "For Real" is a haunting and complex exploration of the darker aspects of human desire. The song is structured around a series of alternating images of violence, intimacy, and longing, all set against a backdrop of stark, atmospheric instrumentation.
In the first verse, the singer describes a desire for "real blood, real knives, real cries," suggesting a fascination with violence and the physicality of pain. This desire is juxtaposed with images of romantic attachment, as the singer longs for a past lover and reminisces about a moment of physical dominance in their past. The second verse further explores this theme, with the singer describing the pleasure of "real cuts" and inviting a lover to experience this same intensity of sensation. The final verse takes a more introspective turn, with the singer questioning the authenticity of their current relationship and seeking a deeper level of emotional commitment from their partner.
Throughout the song, the repetition of the phrase "really, really" emphasizes the singer's desire for a sense of genuine connection and intensity, whether through violence or intimacy. The refrain of "you can't hide" suggests a desire for vulnerability and openness, despite the potential risks involved.
Overall, "For Real" is a complex and layered exploration of human desire, grappling with themes of violence, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability in equal measure.
Line by Line Meaning
Some nights I thirst for real blood
At times, I crave actual bloodshed and violence
For real knives
I desire to use physical weapons to inflict harm
For real cries
I want to hear authentic screams of pain and fear
And then the flash of steel from real guns
The sight of a genuine firearm excites me
In real life
These fantasies are not limited to my imagination
Really fills my mind
These thoughts consume my consciousness
And I really miss what really did exist
I long for past violent experiences
When I held your throat so tight
Specifically, when I strangled someone
And I miss the bus as it swerved from us
I also have a desire for reckless driving and near-death experiences
Almost came crashing to its side
I take pleasure in the idea of a serious accident
Sometimes the blood from real cuts
Occasionally, self-harm brings me satisfaction
Feels real nice
It is a pleasurable sensation
When it's really mine
I prefer to cause the injury myself
And if you want it to be real
If you are also into these desires,
Come over for one night
Come spend a night with me
And we can really, really climb
We can partake in dangerous activities together
And those blue bridge lights might really burn most bright
On a bridge with blue lights, the brightness could be intense
As we watch that dark lake rise
We can watch the water level of a nearby lake increase
And if you really want to see what really matters most to me
If you want to know what is most important to me
Just take a real short drive
Simply go for a brief ride with me
It's just a drive into the dark stretch
The drive will be through a gloomy area
Long stretch of night
It will take place over a lengthy period of darkness
Will really stretch this shaking mind
It will greatly test my unstable mental state
And this room, unlit, unheated
The location we will be in will be dark and cold
And the ceiling striped
The ceiling has stripes
And the dark black blinds
The windows have black blinds that block out the light
I want to know this time if you're really finally mine
I desire to confirm that you are truly committed to our dangerous lifestyle
I need to know that you're not lying so I want to see you tried
I require reassurance that you are truthful and loyal to me
And I don't want to hear you say it shouldn't really be this way
I will not accept anyone telling me I should not be living this way
Cause I like this way just fine
I thoroughly enjoy this violent way of living
Cause there's nothing quite like the blinding light
There is nothing more exhilarating than the sudden brightness of a scene
That curtains cast aside
When the curtains are pulled back, revealing a violent or shocking scene
And no attempt is made to explain away
There is no justification or explanation for the violence
The things that really, really, really, really, really are behind
The true motivations and desires behind the violence are preferred to remain unaddressed
You can't hide
These desires cannot be suppressed or covered up
You can't hide
These desires cannot be suppressed or covered up
You can't hide
These desires cannot be suppressed or covered up
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HAWES-LAND
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
PAUL SANDOR
Over a decade ago, this was the first song I heard from my now favorite band. Can't understand why they haven't reached Arcade Fire level success. Will's lyrics cut to the bone...
3ó
yep, but I do like the really small venues my guy plays in..
ShortsKing
Amazing song... But changes to much in volume between the lower and higher parts.... Hard to find a middle, its either to low or to high...
ashkon52
I think this is the best song he has ever written. It is quite simply one of the best pieces of songwriting in the last 10 years. Graphic, vulnerable, brutally honest lyrics that border on insanity yet seem so relatable.. "I need to know your not lying.. cause I want to see you tried...Cause theres nothing quite like the blinding light curtains cast aside". Is this really me. As if with every chord he violently strums, a knife is swung and the truth for all to bear. Yes I am a normal person
Birdo
Watching this video back as an adult gives it such a harder edge. My take now is that the young boy has an abusive father and turns into a monster himself, because of how he was mistreated (the father "transmits" the music to him and he changes, like the cycle of abuse).
He finds a girl and hurts her, but she gets him to open up and remember the hurt child within himself (cutting him out of the monster's heart), and they run away. But even when the reach a better place together (the meadow), they are still being chased by his inner demons, and by the abuse of his father. Maybe it's impossible that either one of them will ever escape it.
Heavy stuff man :(
Birdo
As an aside... Please remember that no one can really "fix" or save someone who is abusive. Only they can fix themselves, and they really have to want to. Please always take care of yourselves first out there friends :)
Trollid
Reading your comment gave me the chills.
C S
Word
Lorka & The Echo Orchestra
wow, intense. Will Sheff is pretty fearless in his art. that's what makes it so brilliant. you can feel it even without the video/ or deconstructing the lyrics.
RhythmicCarnage
You nailed it