Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Bright Eyes
Although it’s never explicitly stated, this song is most likely about the feelings of isolation and alienation felt by people suffering from clinical depression — a condition that Conor Oberst has publicly struggled with himself.
When asked to pinpoint the source of his depression, Oberst replied:
...
[Spoken]
No, it's seven, so it's five hours before 1998. (Okay, 1) Here's a song. (Alright, we're officially rolling) The last time I--
1, 2, 3, 1, 2, 3
[Verse 1]
Contrast and compare
Between the busy ones and the ones who don't care
Until there is no one
That you really know
So I drift through these days
Of appointments and promises made
They'll all end up broken
And quickly replaced
Weeks are slow, days drag on
Even practice and parties seem long
But I found myself going
I guess there's nothing to do, oh well
[Instrumental Bridge]
[Verse 2]
Group of kids, line of cars
More will show up after the bars close
There's this boredom
That drowns everything
Bottles break, music plays
Conversations competing for space
I look for a corner
Or a quieter room
There's no heat (there's no heat) In this house (in this house)
I can't breathe with these words in my mouth
But I'm not going to say them
Yeah, I've made that mistake before
On the stairs, she grabs my arm
Says, "What's up? Where you been? Is something wrong?"
I try to just smile
And say everything's fine
Contrast and Compare was written by Conor Oberst.
Contrast and Compare was produced by Mike Mogis.
Bright Eyes released Contrast and Compare on Mon Nov 02 1998.