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)
SOLO
Okkervil River Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And what have you got to say?
Well, I'm waiting, but I can't stay long
It's such a lovely day
There's a time to be talking
And a time when it's no use
Right now I think the things you say are liable to confuse
Do you play solo?
Ain't life a solo?
What a wonderful way to live, she's travelling all over the world
Why, the fame and all the golden opportunities unfurl
No time for the gent with the Mulliner Bentley and heaven knows what else
Why, he wouldn't even stand a chance with all his oil-wells
She's just gone solo
Do you play solo?
Ain't life a solo?
I've always lived in a mansion on the other side of the moon
I've always kept a unicorn and I sometimes sing in tune
I could tell you that the grass is really greener on the other side of the hill,
But I can't communicate with you and I guess that I never will
We've all gone solo
Ain't life a solo?
Do you play solo?
And ain't life solo?
The lyrics to Okkervil River's song "Solo" explore the theme of independence and individuality. The song speaks to the idea that there is a time and place for conversation and social engagement, but there are also moments when we need to break away and be alone. This can be a difficult concept to navigate, and the song highlights the potential for confusion in communication when we are in different places in our lives.
The opening verse begins with a greeting, but quickly moves to the idea of leaving. The singer is waiting, but cannot stay for long. They acknowledge that it is a lovely day, but they are on a different wavelength than the person they are speaking to. The things that the other person says are liable to confuse them, and so they need to leave and be solo.
The second verse introduces a character who is living a very different life from the singer. This person is traveling the world and enjoying all of the attention and success that comes with it. They do not have time for those who are not on the same path as they are. The unicorn that the singer keeps is a symbol of their own unique interests and pursuits, which are not necessarily shared by others. Ultimately, the song concludes with the repetition of the question "Do you play solo?" emphasizing the idea of individuality and the importance of taking time to be on one's own.
Line by Line Meaning
Good morning, good afternoon
Greetings are meaningless without substance
And what have you got to say?
What message do you have to convey?
Well, I'm waiting, but I can't stay long
I have limited time and cannot waste it waiting
It's such a lovely day
The weather is pleasant
There's a time to be talking
There are appropriate occasions for speaking
And a time when it's no use
Conversations can be futile
Right now I think the things you say are liable to confuse
I find your words perplexing at the moment
I've just gone solo
I am now pursuing my goals alone
Do you play solo?
Do you also prefer working independently?
Ain't life a solo?
Isn't life ultimately a pursuit of individualism?
What a wonderful way to live, she's travelling all over the world
Her lifestyle of globetrotting seems fulfilling
Why, the fame and all the golden opportunities unfurl
She is exposed to numerous fortunate circumstances
No time for the gent with the Mulliner Bentley and heaven knows what else
She does not have the time nor interest for wealthy suitors
Why, he wouldn't even stand a chance with all his oil-wells
Being affluent cannot compensate for lack of compatibility
She's just gone solo
She is also now prioritizing her independence
I've always lived in a mansion on the other side of the moon
I have always been distant and out of touch with others
I've always kept a unicorn and I sometimes sing in tune
I hold on to fantastical beliefs and sometimes express myself artistically
I could tell you that the grass is really greener on the other side of the hill,
I could suggest that other paths may be more favorable
But I can't communicate with you and I guess that I never will
I cannot connect with you and do not see that changing
We've all gone solo
We are all embracing our individuality
Ain't life a solo?
Isn't it remarkable how we all strive for independence?
Do you play solo?
Do you also partake in solitary pursuits?
And ain't life solo?
Life is inherently about personal growth and experiences
Contributed by Alexander R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank Thorne
Waterloo Sunset
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, rolling into the night
People so busy, make me feel dizzy, taxi light shines so bright
But I don't, need no friends
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset's fine
Terry meets Julie, Waterloo Station, every Friday night
But I am so lazy, don't want to wander, I stay at home at night
But I don't, feel afraid
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset's fine
Millions of people swarming like flies 'round Waterloo underground
Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
And they don't, need no friends
As long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset, they are in paradise
James Smith
Will is one of the best songwriters in the business currently. I love the direction he and the band have taken on the new album. This album and the last have just been unbelievably good. So much better than they even needed to be. It's sad to see the number of people in this comment section that are not understanding the significance of this band and what they have accomplished. Will has nothing to prove. He's not riding anyone's coattails. He's not trying to change the world or be in some kind of competition with other bands or songwriters. He's just creating art and it's beautiful to watch.
Alex Herter
Just fantastic! Great songs, lyrics, singing, playing, arrangements, just everything very artful!
Küb
Thankful for KEXP exposing me to music I've never heard every single day!
Oliver
Agreed. KEXP is really cool.
Arnaud Noar
Beaux arrangements, belles recherches sonores belle découverte !!! Great poetry in you
Bibbo Bibbo
Delicious music 👏👏👏
Pancho308
Saw them with Wilco awhile back...what a treat.
Ronald Dan Caliva
I'm a fan of theirs all the way from the Philippines 🇵🇭
Frank Thorne
Waterloo Sunset
Dirty old river, must you keep rolling, rolling into the night
People so busy, make me feel dizzy, taxi light shines so bright
But I don't, need no friends
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset's fine
Terry meets Julie, Waterloo Station, every Friday night
But I am so lazy, don't want to wander, I stay at home at night
But I don't, feel afraid
As long as I gaze on Waterloo Sunset, I am in paradise
Every day I look at the world from my window
Chilly chilly is the evening time, Waterloo sunset's fine
Millions of people swarming like flies 'round Waterloo underground
Terry and Julie cross over the river where they feel safe and sound
And they don't, need no friends
As long as they gaze on Waterloo Sunset, they are in paradise
Nathan Douglas
im sorry if you already knew that and this comes off as passive aggressive, just took me a few listens to catch and understand.