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)
I Want To Know
Okkervil River Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
solely to know, solely to know
Hunger drives me onward to feel all of the skin,
all of the skin, all of the skin
The thrill of the knowing blasts me out of my brain
I want to know, I want to know
Into our eyes, thousands of flashes cause us to feel alive in the skies
I want to know, I want to know
I want to know, I want to know
I have to know, please let me know
Solely to know, solely to know
Oh, I want to know
Oh, I want to know
Please let me know
Solely to know, solely to know, solely to know
Oh, I want to know, I want to know
Please let me know, solely to know
Solely to know, solely to know
The lyrics to Okkervil River's song "I Want to Know" explore the intense desire for knowledge and understanding. The singer describes the lengths they are willing to go to acquire this knowledge, even resorting to extreme measures like drinking or self-harm to obtain it. The repetition of the phrase "solely to know" emphasizes the singular focus and obsession with acquiring knowledge.
The hunger mentioned in the lyrics symbolizes a deep longing or craving for understanding. The singer is driven by this hunger to explore and experience every aspect of life, represented by the desire to feel "all of the skin." This suggests a yearning for a complete and immersive understanding of the world around them.
The song also touches on the exhilaration and thrill that comes with knowledge. The line "The thrill of the knowing blasts me out of my brain" suggests that the pursuit of knowledge brings a sense of euphoria or a heightened state of consciousness. This thrill is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "I want to know," indicating a strong and unwavering desire for understanding.
In the chorus, the lyrics shift to a collective perspective, referencing the shared human experience. The line "Into our eyes, thousands of flashes cause us to feel alive in the skies" suggests that through the acquisition of knowledge, individuals are able to connect and experience a sense of vitality and purpose.
Overall, "I Want to Know" explores the powerful and consuming nature of the thirst for knowledge, delving into its impact on the individual and the collective human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
We drink or break open our veins solely to know,
We engage in extreme and self-destructive actions, such as drinking or even harming ourselves, with the sole purpose of gaining knowledge or understanding.
Hunger drives me onward to feel all of the skin,
An intense desire and longing pushes me forward, craving to experience every sensation and every aspect of life.
The thrill of the knowing blasts me out of my brain
The exhilaration that comes from acquiring knowledge is so overwhelming that it defies logical thinking and transports me beyond the confines of my mind.
I want to know, I want to know
I have an insatiable desire to gain knowledge and understanding.
Into our eyes, thousands of flashes cause us to feel alive in the skies
As we absorb knowledge and understanding, our eyes are enlightened by countless revelations, making us feel vibrant and alive as if soaring among the heavens.
I want to know, I want to know
I continue to have a burning desire to acquire knowledge and understanding.
I want to know, I want to know
The hunger for knowledge persists, and I yearn to satisfy it.
I have to know, please let me know
It is imperative for me to gain knowledge, and I implore others to share their wisdom with me.
Solely to know, solely to know
My sole purpose and motivation are to acquire knowledge and understanding.
Oh, I want to know
Oh, how intensely I desire to gain knowledge and understanding.
Oh, I want to know
The yearning for knowledge persists, and I am consumed by the need to learn.
Please let me know
I beseech others to share their knowledge with me so that I may satisfy my thirst for understanding.
Solely to know, solely to know, solely to know
My unwavering focus and purpose revolve solely around acquiring knowledge and understanding.
Oh, I want to know, I want to know
I am consumed by an overwhelming desire to gain knowledge, and it dominates my thoughts.
Please let me know, solely to know
I implore others to provide me with knowledge so that I may fulfill my quest for understanding.
Solely to know, solely to know
My sole motivation and drive stem from the pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind