Bright Eyes — We Are Nowhere and It's Now
Album: I'm Wide Awake, It's MorningAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 645
Length: 4:05
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If you hate the taste of wine
Why do you drink it till you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth and who cares
How come you say it like you're right?
Why are you scared to dream of god
When it's salvation that you want?
You see stars that clear have been dead for years
But the idea just lives on
In our wheels that roll around
As we move over the ground
And all day it seems we've been in between
The past and future town
We are nowhere and it's now
We are nowhere and it's now
And like a ten minute dream in the passenger's seat
While the world was flying by
I haven't been gone very long
But it feels like a life time
I've been sleeping so strange at night
Side effects they don't advertise
I've been sleeping so strange
With a head full of pesticide
I've got no plans in all this time
I feel too restless to unwind
I'm always lost in thought
As I walk a block to my favorite neon sign
Where the waitress looks concerned
But she never says a word
Just turns the juke box on
And we hum along and I smile back at her
And my friend comes after work
When the features start to blur
She says these bars are filled with things that kill
By now you probably should have learned
Did you forget that yellow bird?
How could you forget your yellow bird?
She took a small silver wreath and pinned it on to me
She said this one will bring you love
And I don't know if it's true but I keep it for good luck
Why do you drink it till you're blind?
And if you swear that there's no truth and who cares
How come you say it like you're right?
Why are you scared to dream of god
When it's salvation that you want?
You see stars that clear have been dead for years
But the idea just lives on
In our wheels that roll around
As we move over the ground
And all day it seems we've been in between
The past and future town
We are nowhere and it's now
We are nowhere and it's now
And like a ten minute dream in the passenger's seat
While the world was flying by
I haven't been gone very long
But it feels like a life time
I've been sleeping so strange at night
Side effects they don't advertise
I've been sleeping so strange
With a head full of pesticide
I've got no plans in all this time
I feel too restless to unwind
I'm always lost in thought
As I walk a block to my favorite neon sign
Where the waitress looks concerned
But she never says a word
Just turns the juke box on
And we hum along and I smile back at her
And my friend comes after work
When the features start to blur
She says these bars are filled with things that kill
By now you probably should have learned
Did you forget that yellow bird?
How could you forget your yellow bird?
She took a small silver wreath and pinned it on to me
She said this one will bring you love
And I don't know if it's true but I keep it for good luck
Comments (156)add comment
Always sounds like he's about to cry. PSD and thank you.
Is he singing into a fan?
Jack_Jefferson wrote:
His name is Connor Oberst and he can be found as a solo artist, with Bright Eyes, with the Mystic Valley Band, with Desaparecidos, and Better Oblivion Community center (most recent).
This is pretty good. For the most part, the jury's still out on how I feel about Bright Eyes' singing voice. Most of the time, it sounds like he's shivering and needs a blanket.
His name is Connor Oberst and he can be found as a solo artist, with Bright Eyes, with the Mystic Valley Band, with Desaparecidos, and Better Oblivion Community center (most recent).
What a lovely song. Although (slightly) tinged with a wee bit much of the white person's precious woes thing. Good follow up with Hip Hug-Her though, King/Queen B&R. Laundered that takeaway from this, so I'll give it an 8.
Vocals are disjointed. Sounds like she recorded her part 3 months after his from her dressing room.
rjewyo wrote:
Indeed!
I enjoyed EmmyLou Harris in the background!
Indeed!
Wow! what a cheerful little ditty - NOT! 
Like a ten-minute dream in the passenger seat... nice line!
A little Cat Stevens?
Eeeuuuuw.
Sorry, not for me.
Sorry, not for me.
I shake my voice's inflection to make me sound more intimate and sincere! —> 2
ThePoose wrote:
Get some therapy.
I keep hearing Steve Forbert.....
Get some therapy.
I really don't like this one at all. Maybe it will grow on me.
Brilliant songwriter!! Please play some more.
I enjoyed EmmyLou Harris in the background!
I keep hearing Steve Forbert.....
scrubbrush wrote:
When I see plugins like that, it always raises privacy concerns. Minilyrics don't address privacy in their faq, but Softpedia declares Minilyrics 7.2.880 100% Clean.
Anyone who uses Winamp or iTunes to listen to RP should download "Minilyrics". it's a great lyrics player that accesses an online database to look for the lyrics to songs. It's got a TON of lyrics. Some are in the form of text files (so they're static) but others are .lrc (lyric) files and are synced to the song. This is one that's synched. the lyrics are great.
When I see plugins like that, it always raises privacy concerns. Minilyrics don't address privacy in their faq, but Softpedia declares Minilyrics 7.2.880 100% Clean.
You can use it for free but it nags you until you register. That costs USD $9.99 for a year on three PCs or USD $24.99 for a perpetual licenses on the same.
This is a good business model, imo, and the fact that they are not mining your data, but instead support themselves by offering an upgraded experience for a reasonable fee, is sadly noteworthy.
I would support these guys if they had a Linux client - and if I found myself using and enjoying the free version for any length of time. It's not really dissimilar to what Bill and Rebeca do here, although of course I don't consider the occasional reminder that RadioParadise is listener supported to be "nagging." :)
Anyone who uses Winamp or iTunes to listen to RP should download "Minilyrics". it's a great lyrics player that accesses an online database to look for the lyrics to songs. It's got a TON of lyrics. Some are in the form of text files (so they're static) but others are .lrc (lyric) files and are synced to the song. This is one that's synced. the lyrics are great.
Businessgypsy wrote:
I didn't know he was a "babe magnet". Conor Oberst may not appeal to a lot of folks (particularly here), but one can't accuse him of being passive about his chosen profession. He's been forming bands and releasing recordings since he was about 14 years-old. I don't like all of his material, but I think he's a pretty talented guy. I don't find these lyrics to be bad.
Listening to this very carefully, trying to determine why an affected warble and painfully bad lyrics = babe magnet. Teach me, Honorable Master!
I didn't know he was a "babe magnet". Conor Oberst may not appeal to a lot of folks (particularly here), but one can't accuse him of being passive about his chosen profession. He's been forming bands and releasing recordings since he was about 14 years-old. I don't like all of his material, but I think he's a pretty talented guy. I don't find these lyrics to be bad.
ziggytrix wrote:
if the voice isn't for you, try the content.
Still don't get what anyone hears in this voice. 
if the voice isn't for you, try the content.
ziggytrix wrote:
Imagine a trio with he, Billy Corgan and Paolo Nutini.
Still don't get what anyone hears in this voice.
Imagine a trio with he, Billy Corgan and Paolo Nutini.
Still don't get what anyone hears in this voice.
This is a great song and a great CD. Thanks Bill for keeping this in the play list and ignoring all of the tools and their tired emo jokes. Emmylou knows quality and so do you.
Let's hear more from this disc.
Let's hear more from this disc.
This is a good record. Prefer the earlier releases.
Something about sand in teeth, 7 cylinders firing, crooked picture frame . . . etc. . . .
Listening to this very carefully, trying to determine why an affected warble and painfully bad lyrics = babe magnet. Teach me, Honorable Master!
ch83575 wrote:
Chuckle, chuckle!
... I haven't decided which emo haircut I should get but I have started stocking up on the eyeliner.
Chuckle, chuckle!
"6"
webslinger48 wrote:
Dead on!!
It sounds like he's singing underwater...
Dead on!!
MsJudi wrote:
This statement reeks of superfluous overused verbose terminology. :-P
Pretentious emo crap.
This statement reeks of superfluous overused verbose terminology. :-P
Krispian wrote:
Absolutely. She'd sound wonderful singing a phone book, but hey.
After hearing this, I think I can die now, I have heard EVERYTHING: Emmylou Harris and Bright Eyes together? The mind reels...
Emmylou sounds wonderful in this song!
Absolutely. She'd sound wonderful singing a phone book, but hey.
After hearing this, I think I can die now, I have heard EVERYTHING: Emmylou Harris and Bright Eyes together? The mind reels...
xkolibuul wrote:
That's because none of the others tremulate quite like Oberst.
I think Isaac Brock is in the running.It sounds like he's singing underwater...
There's some nifty lyrics going on here.
This feels like one of those songs that is trying to be much deeper than it actually can be, given its lyrics. Never been a fan of Bright Eyes. :/
Don't like the wavey voice
PurplePrincess wrote:
Isn't it something akin to Modest Mouse? and that was one that took some time to grow on me but grow by God it did...Like this, too!
I like Conor's vibrato, the tremble in his voice, and find it very effective and I LOVE his lyrics. One of my favorites, thanks for playing.
Isn't it something akin to Modest Mouse? and that was one that took some time to grow on me but grow by God it did...Like this, too!
Emmylou sounds wonderful in this song!
MsJudi wrote:
Pretentious emo crap.
It sure is... but strangely I kinda dig it. I have this on vinyl, the first time I listened to it I wanted to vomit. There is even a line that goes something like "I get lost every time I leave the Village"... gag me! Then after a few more listens it started to grow on me. I haven't decided which emo haircut I should get but I have started stocking up on the eyeliner.
anything that keeps my kids from listening to (c)rap is ok by me. this they listen to, so in my mind thats a good thing.
MsJudi wrote:
Pretentious emo crap.
I don't think Emo is usually this bad.
Pretentious emo crap.
I like Conor's vibrato, the tremble in his voice, and find it very effective and I LOVE his lyrics. One of my favorites, thanks for playing.
wally42 wrote:
Conor's song structure and lyrical content take a some intelligence to understand. Where's your's?
I can't speak for the song structure, the music isn't bad, just tired. But the lyrics don't really take that much intelligence to understand. They're fairly pedestrian agit-rock, and they bore me to tears.
The lyrics are almost as bad as Oberst's voice, which is truly vile, perhaps the worst singing voice I've ever heard. (And yes, I give high ratings to Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits, among others, I'm not a snob about perfect singing voices)
DoctorHooey wrote:
I think I can hear his mascara running
ha!!! I dig...
drife wrote:
What makes this song work is the backing vocals of EmmyLou.
Sure does :)
a great addition to RP.
What makes this song work is the backing vocals of EmmyLou.
Aw, c'mon folks, this is alright. Anything with Emmylou is at least alright. Reminds me in some way of Shane McGowan with Sinead O'Connor. And I think the album cover art is cool, too. So enjoy.
Its been quite some time since I've heard bright eyes, and for some reason his voice doesn't make me want to punture my eardrums with a scredriver. never would have expected that...
I like this, in spite of the attention desperation.
i think the good tune is over
for today
Pyro wrote:
Emmylou is the best thing about this song.
Emmylou is one of the best things about being alive.
Awesome lyrics! Not sure if I like the singing, but it's an alright tune.
Is this the same male vocalist as for Giant Sand?
I can die now, I have heard everything: Conner Oberst and Emmylou Harris (!!) singing together. Wow, whodathunkit?
Actually it ain't bad. Just an odd pairing.
c.
I think I can hear his mascara running
Pyro wrote:
Emmylou is the best thing about this song.
ditto
His vibrato is out of phase with what I expect to hear, and the music/lyrics aren't good enough to overcome the deficit. Bleagh.
Not feelin' it today-
There's always tomorrow though.
This is pretty good. For the most part, the jury's still out on how I feel about Bright Eyes' singing voice. Most of the time, it sounds like he's shivering and needs a blanket.
That's because none of the others tremulate quite like Oberst.
Dunno if that's a word, but it fits so I'm running with it.
hcaudill wrote:
Wow, I'm surprised at all the negative reactions to this. All the hype about Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst has somehow passed me by, and I don't listen to FM; so I come to this with no preconceptions one way or another. I think this isn't bad and fits right in with everything else on this station. There's no shortage of tremulous weak-voiced sissy-boys singing on Radio Paradise - Aqualung, Travis, even Coldplay - and they don't get savaged here like this.
Emmylou is the best thing about this song.
stewnana wrote:
this is pure garbage
people who listen to this must be really cool
cause this belongs in a dumpster
Conor's song structure and lyrical content take a some intelligence to understand. Where's your's?
stewnana wrote:
this is pure garbage
people who listen to this must be really cool
cause this belongs in a dumpster
How insightful. Equating people who don't like the same things you do with garbage. At least, I think that is you are getting at. Your use of the language is somewhat lacking.
lmic wrote:
Cheer up, emo kid!
Cheer up, emo kid!
Bright Eyes makes me want to do terrible, terrible things.
I've listened to this album many times, and the words are food for thought for me every time.
Why does this remind me of Spirit of the West's Venice is Sinking?
I work with adolescent kids, and was turned on to this band by a depressed teenager, she said they help her when she feels sad.
I bitched about the quavery voice a few comments back. But what a catchy tune. I'm upping my rating.
meghan89 wrote:
I like Bright Eyes because the lyrics and vocals are like hearing a poem, but without an abuse of metaphors, allusions or theatrics and it feels artsy without being contrived or overdone.
poetry without metaphors is like sex without pleasure. You might as well call Bright Eyes' "music" poetry because it is so lacking in musical cohesiveness.
I really dislike this stuff.
I'm wondering whether you'd find Hallmark cards to be "Artsy"...
luin wrote:
Can't stand his voice and stand his music!!!!
I like his voice very much. Sounds very personal to me.
meghan89 wrote:I like Bright Eyes because the lyrics and vocals are like hearing a poem, but without an abuse of metaphors, allusions or theatrics and it feels artsy without being contrived or overdone.
I'm totally with you.
i was not ready to like Bright Eyes but when i threw "Lifted" my mp3 player i was sold. somehow it works better when it's just you and bright eyes in a confined space (my head)
he's an incedibly gifted songwriter, all of you who love Emmylou (my bad, The Divine Emmylou) owe it to yourselves to give it another go with Bright Eyes.
She picked Connor to work with and it's not like she needs the money or has nothing better to do. If she wants to work with him, she must have heard something you have yet to hear
this is a nice song, but not his best, despite the presence of the awesome E.H.
AphidA wrote:
This guy has such an affected whiny little sissy voice. It might be better if he wasn't afraid to actually sing with his real voice.
I don't mind it. Sounds a little like Damien Rice.
luin wrote:
Can't stand his voice and stand his music!!!!
But if he weren't so acclaimed you wouldn't be so dissatisfied...
Can't stand his voice and stand his music!!!!
stewnana wrote:
this is pure garbage
people who listen to this must be really cool
cause this belongs in a dumpster
Plus this guy actually has some good lyrics.
hcaudill wrote:
Wow, I'm surprised at all the negative reactions to this. All the hype about Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst has somehow passed me by, and I don't listen to FM; so I come to this with no preconceptions one way or another. I think this isn't bad and fits right in with everything else on this station. There's no shortage of tremulous weak-voiced sissy-boys singing on Radio Paradise - Aqualung, Travis, even Coldplay - and they don't get savaged here like this.
this is pure garbage
people who listen to this must be really cool
cause this belongs in a dumpster
I, too saw Bright Eyes with Jim and M Ward and consider it to be one of the best concerts I've ever been to. (Yes, I've seen many) Connor may not have a voice or beat that appeals to you on every song, but his lyrics are incredible. He is somewhat of a visionary in my book-- a very introspective for a guy his age! I hope that sometime one of his stories will catch your ear. 
Wow, I don't usually post negative reviews but man this song is depressing and stupid. 
What a lovely turn of phrase this lyricist has. Very nice.
The only reason I'm still listening is the promise of hearing Emmylou's voice. Now that she just joined in, I have to say that even she can't save this drivel. 
jdfrenzy wrote:
We saw Bright Eyes at the Newport Folk Festival last year. It's got to be one of the longest hours of my life (along with the one spinning class I'm ever likely to attend in my entire life) - he seemed to be up there for HOURS and it all sounded aimless and whiney and shambolic - I just didn't get it. To be fair, it wasn't just him - he was sharing the stage with Jim James and M. Ward. We'd been treated to musicians and songwriters of the caliber of Richard Thompson, Bela Fleck, Patty Griffin, Kasey Chambers, Jane Siberry up until then. When they came on, it sounded like a bunch of amateurs had ambled on to the stage.
I would have traded you a million dollars to be there and see Jim, M. and Bright Eyes. Some of my very favorite musicians. Sorry you didn't get it....
Inamorato wrote:
Sure sounds like it.
Sure is.
Nuance wrote:
Is that Emmylou in the background?
Sure sounds like it.
Wow, I'm surprised at all the negative reactions to this. All the hype about Bright Eyes and Conor Oberst has somehow passed me by, and I don't listen to FM; so I come to this with no preconceptions one way or another. I think this isn't bad and fits right in with everything else on this station. There's no shortage of tremulous weak-voiced sissy-boys singing on Radio Paradise - Aqualung, Travis, even Coldplay - and they don't get savaged here like this.
Ajfree wrote:
BRIGHT EYES fabulous. Saw him in Portland and he was stellar! Was quite drunk towards the end of the show, then again so was I.
okay, maybe that would help...it certainly explains him!
not a fan, sorry!
meghan89 wrote:
I like Bright Eyes because the lyrics and vocals are like hearing a poem, but without an abuse of metaphors, allusions or theatrics and it feels artsy without being contrived or overdone.
though I haven't heard many songs by bright eyes, taking this one as an example, I completely agree.
We saw Bright Eyes at the Newport Folk Festival last year. It's got to be one of the longest hours of my life (along with the one spinning class I'm ever likely to attend in my entire life) - he seemed to be up there for HOURS and it all sounded aimless and whiney and shambolic - I just didn't get it. To be fair, it wasn't just him - he was sharing the stage with Jim James and M. Ward. We'd been treated to musicians and songwriters of the caliber of Richard Thompson, Bela Fleck, Patty Griffin, Kasey Chambers, Jane Siberry up until then. When they came on, it sounded like a bunch of amateurs had ambled on to the stage.
Only thing that salvages this from Blah blah blah is Emmylou 
Nuance wrote:
Is that Emmylou in the background?
YES!
This guy has such an affected whiny little sissy voice. It might be better if he wasn't afraid to actually sing with his real voice.
I like Bright Eyes because the lyrics and vocals are like hearing a poem, but without an abuse of metaphors, allusions or theatrics and it feels artsy without being contrived or overdone.
spaceman wrote:
One of the reasons for the low rating may be that Bright Eyes is *way* overplayed on indie radio stations at the moment. The fact that a lot of CO's songs are very similar just makes it worse.
I don't get the Bright Eyes either, although some of my friends are fans. I think what ruins it for me is that he throws out new songs and albums by the truckload, instead of concentrating on making them better. If I remember correctly, he plays most of the instruments himself, which tends to make the sound instantly recognizable but uniform (not a good thing when you release 3 new albums a year)...
Might also have something to do with the fact that he's a complete nitwit, too.
nshifley wrote:
Wow, I figured the latest from Bright Eyes would be a prime candidate for RP. I mean, it's alt-country Americana with an indie edge. Shouldn't that make it an automatic 7.5+? 
One of the reasons for the low rating may be that Bright Eyes is *way* overplayed on indie radio stations at the moment. The fact that a lot of CO's songs are very similar just makes it worse.
I don't get the Bright Eyes either, although some of my friends are fans. I think what ruins it for me is that he throws out new songs and albums by the truckload, instead of concentrating on making them better. If I remember correctly, he plays most of the instruments himself, which tends to make the sound instantly recognizable but uniform (not a good thing when you release 3 new albums a year)...
Is that Emmylou in the background?
BRIGHT EYES fabulous. Saw him in Portland and he was stellar! Was quite drunk towards the end of the show, then again so was I.
Someone needs to get this guy a throat lozenge...he's making me wince.
That said, it's still pretty good, esp. the backing vocal. ;-)
Wow, I figured the latest from Bright Eyes would be a prime candidate for RP. I mean, it's alt-country Americana with an indie edge. Shouldn't that make it an automatic 7.5+?
Connor's lyrics are a mixed bag, which is not surprising since they come from someone so young. And, sure, his voice is not the smoothest, which he even admits in the song "Road to Joy" ("I could have been a famous singer, if I had someone else's voice."). But, to me, the high points of his music are so stratospheric that they basically negate the lows. He's a superbly talented songwriter that has already received alot of acclaim in the indie press, and I feel he will only become increasingly better with age.
Connor's lyrics are a mixed bag, which is not surprising since they come from someone so young. And, sure, his voice is not the smoothest, which he even admits in the song "Road to Joy" ("I could have been a famous singer, if I had someone else's voice."). But, to me, the high points of his music are so stratospheric that they basically negate the lows. He's a superbly talented songwriter that has already received alot of acclaim in the indie press, and I feel he will only become increasingly better with age.
A strong positive vote for Bright Eyes:
redeyespy wrote:
His voice isn't THAT bad. Lyrics are a mixed bag.
I think it's wabbit huntin' season. Ooh this group is a waskily bunch.
Such vocal quivering.
Yet I have heard that some of their other tracks are really good... :-k
Sorry, don't get all the hype about CO and this group.
ScottFromWyoming wrote:
7.
I know. Surprised myself. :shrug:
Same here. His voice isn't THAT bad. Lyrics are a mixed bag.
Love the tune. Very evocative of decadence and dissipation. And I always bow before the Goddess EmmyLou. But when he makes his voice quiver like that, I want to throw things. It's so affected.
I went to the postings to comment on this exact line. Funny, it seems to capture the sentiment a lot of people have about Bright Eyes.
Dragonfly_Launch wrote:
I don't know. The line "if there is no truth, why do you say that like you are right?" is pretty damn fine.
I bought this album after hearing a few bright eyes songs on RP. Wow, I have never heard more whining on a single sheet of vinyl than I did when playing this record. I should probably force myself to give it a second listen, but I dont really want to.
This guy writes some interesting lyrics, but there's something about those vocals that are just lacking for me.
I know a lot of folks have said that same thing about guys like Dylan, Waits, etc. But those guys, while not having what you would call great singing voices, have always, at least to my ears, been able to evoke some emotional state in their singing. This just sounds, I dunno, forced.
Oh please, what a waste of bandwidth.
I could pick out Emmylou's voice in any song. And she is always a welcome addition IMHO. Unfortunately, this song just doesn't do it for me, even with Emmy.
I don't know. The line "if there is no truth, why do you say that like you are right?" is pretty damn fine.
Love it! (Hugely because of Emmylou)
A solid "1". Still sucks.
this guy was in texas while I was there for a business trip. Heard this on the radio . . . "Bright Eyes' Conor Oberst lashed out as a crowd during a Texas concert, proclaiming from the stage: "I'd put a f***ing gun to my head before I'd live in your state."
Music is OK, but his politics are even better. And I went to HS just outside Austin.
Heard he has a strong following of sorts. Must have one hell of an agent.
MrSpaz wrote:
Never a quitter, I listened to the whole thing, but mainly just out of principle. Don't bother with this stuff; it's all as bad as this.
As bad as this or a lot worse. I picked up a copy of the CD from a friend, waited until I was in a good mood, listened to it straight through twice and then snapped it in half. The whole disc is god-awful, filled with this poser's off-key warblings about nothing set to music that offends. Truly dire.
7.
I know. Surprised myself. :shrug:
I recently went on a trip with a friend, and he had this entire album on his ipod and suggested that I listen to it. Despite the abysmal ratings I've given the two tracks I've heard here, I decided to give it a go, hoping maybe I'd just heard the low points before. Never a quitter, I listened to the whole thing, but mainly just out of principle. Don't bother with this stuff; it's all as bad as this.