I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning
Encyclopedia
I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning is one of two Bright Eyes albums (along with Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
) released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records
.
for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell
.
"Road to Joy" contains an interpolation
of Beethoven
's "Ode to Joy
". The title of the album is taken from a lyric in this song.
"We Are Nowhere and It's Now" appears in the 2007 film Knocked Up
.
They achieved success in the charts when the singles "Lua" and "Take It Easy (Love Nothing)" took the top two positions in the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart in 2004, and in 2005 the band set off on a two-part world tour to promote their new albums, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. The first half of the tour promoted the folk-influenced first album, and the latter half featured the more electronic second album. Both records made it into the Top 20 of the Billboard album charts. The tour was captured on Motion Sickness, released later in the year.
himself. The monologue
is a short story
about two strangers on an airplane that is about to fall into the ocean. Nearing the crash, one of the passengers begins to sing, "At the Bottom of Everything," the opening song of the album. The simple, four-chord folk song is one of Oberst's trademark sarcastic social commentaries
on American
ideals: "We must memorize nine numbers
and deny we have a soul. And in this endless race for property and privilege to be won, we must run..."
This song made its television debut on the April 30, 2004 episode of Late Late Show
. The short story was replaced with a dedication
to the Governor of California
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
, and the President of the United States
, George W. Bush
. "Two men I admire a lot," declared Oberst, "for their biceps
and for their creepy, fascist agendas," after which Conor counted the song in "1, 2, 666
." The conclusion of the story during the bridge was replaced by Oberst shouting "M. Ward
for president!"
A music video
directed by Cat Solen and starring Evan Rachel Wood
and Terence Stamp
was later made for the song, based on the story in its introduction, which remained intact.
It was #50 on Rolling Stone
's "Top 50 Albums of the Decade" and #31 on NME
's "Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade".
These opinions were not quite unanimous. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
of Allmusic criticized Oberst's "heavy-handed pretension in the words and [...] affectedness in his delivery," calling the album proof that "instead of reaching musical maturity, he's wallowing in a perpetual adolescence." A negative review from Keith Harris of The Village Voice
also found the record to be "a mess, and not just sonically."
Metacritic: 85 / 100. link
Popmatters: review.
.
1. "At the Bottom of Everything" – 4:34
2. "We Are Nowhere and It's Now" – 4:12
3. "Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)" – 4:29
4. "Lua
" – 4:31
5. "Train Under Water" – 6:05 Listen
6. "First Day of My Life" – 3:08
7. "Another Travelin' Song" – 4:16
8. "Landlocked Blues" – 5:47
9. "Poison Oak" – 4:39
10. "Road to Joy
" – 3:54
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn
Digital Ash in a Digital Urn is one of two Bright Eyes albums released on January 25, 2005 by Saddle Creek Records. It peaked at #15 in the US and #43 in the UK...
) released on January 25, 2005, by Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records
Saddle Creek Records is an American record label based in Omaha, Nebraska. Started as a college class project on entrepreneurship, the label was founded by Conor Oberst and Justin Oberst in 1993 . Conor soon turned over his role in the company to Robb Nansel...
.
Songs
The music videoMusic video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for "First Day of My Life" was directed by John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.- Early life:...
.
"Road to Joy" contains an interpolation
Interpolation (music)
Interpolation in music refers to an abrupt change in musical elements from the main theme.-In classical music:In music and musical composition, especially 20th century and later, interpolation is an abrupt change of elements, with continuation of the first idea...
of Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
's "Ode to Joy
Ode to Joy
"Ode to Joy" is an ode written in 1785 by the German poet, playwright and historian Friedrich Schiller, enthusiastically celebrating the brotherhood and unity of all mankind...
". The title of the album is taken from a lyric in this song.
"We Are Nowhere and It's Now" appears in the 2007 film Knocked Up
Knocked Up
Knocked Up is a 2007 American romantic comedy drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Judd Apatow. Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann, the film follows the repercussions of a drunken one-night stand between Rogen's slacker character and Heigl's just-promoted...
.
They achieved success in the charts when the singles "Lua" and "Take It Easy (Love Nothing)" took the top two positions in the Billboard Hot Singles Sales chart in 2004, and in 2005 the band set off on a two-part world tour to promote their new albums, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn. The first half of the tour promoted the folk-influenced first album, and the latter half featured the more electronic second album. Both records made it into the Top 20 of the Billboard album charts. The tour was captured on Motion Sickness, released later in the year.
Social commentary
Like the two Bright Eyes albums before it, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning opens with a spoken recording, this time by Conor OberstConor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
himself. The monologue
Monologue
In theatre, a monologue is a speech presented by a single character, most often to express their thoughts aloud, though sometimes also to directly address another character or the audience. Monologues are common across the range of dramatic media...
is a short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
about two strangers on an airplane that is about to fall into the ocean. Nearing the crash, one of the passengers begins to sing, "At the Bottom of Everything," the opening song of the album. The simple, four-chord folk song is one of Oberst's trademark sarcastic social commentaries
Social commentary
Social commentary is the act of rebelling against an individual, or a group of people by rhetorical means, or commentary on social issues or society...
on American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ideals: "We must memorize nine numbers
Social Security number
In the United States, a Social Security number is a nine-digit number issued to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents under section 205 of the Social Security Act, codified as . The number is issued to an individual by the Social Security Administration, an independent...
and deny we have a soul. And in this endless race for property and privilege to be won, we must run..."
This song made its television debut on the April 30, 2004 episode of Late Late Show
The Late Late Show (CBS TV series)
The Late Late Show is an American late-night television talk and variety show on CBS hosted by Craig Ferguson since 2005. It immediately follows Late Show with David Letterman and is produced by Letterman's Worldwide Pants Incorporated...
. The short story was replaced with a dedication
Dedication
Dedication is the act of consecrating an altar, temple, church or other sacred building. It also refers to the inscription of books or other artifacts when these are specifically addressed or presented to a particular person. This practice, which once was used to gain the patronage and support of...
to the Governor of California
Governor of California
The Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
, and the President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
. "Two men I admire a lot," declared Oberst, "for their biceps
Biceps
Biceps may refer to:*Biceps brachii muscle, a muscle located on the inside of the upper arm*Biceps femoris muscle, one of the hamstring muscles of the back of each thigh*Biceps , a point in a metrical pattern...
and for their creepy, fascist agendas," after which Conor counted the song in "1, 2, 666
666
Year 666 was a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 666 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Chertsey Abbey is founded.* Barking Abbey...
." The conclusion of the story during the bridge was replaced by Oberst shouting "M. Ward
M. Ward
Matthew Stephen Ward, known by his stage name M. Ward, is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence in the Portland, Oregon music scene. In addition to his solo work he is known as a member of She & Him and Monsters of Folk.-Career:...
for president!"
A music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
directed by Cat Solen and starring Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood
Evan Rachel Wood is an American actress and singer. She began her acting career in the late 1990s, appearing in several television series, including American Gothic and Once and Again...
and Terence Stamp
Terence Stamp
Terence Henry Stamp is an English actor. Since starting his career in 1962 he has appeared in over 60 films. His title role as Billy Budd in his film debut earned Stamp an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a BAFTA nomination for Best Newcomer.His other major roles include...
was later made for the song, based on the story in its introduction, which remained intact.
Critical response
I'm Wide Awake It's Morning received very positive reviews from music critics on both sides of the Atlantic. It was placed in the following best-of lists for the year 2005:| Critic/publication | Rank |
|---|---|
| Amazon.com Amazon.com Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and... 's Top 100 Editor's Picks |
79 |
| metacritic.com Metacritic Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,... http://www.metacritic.com/music/bests/2005.shtml |
15 |
| Rolling Stone Rolling Stone Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J... http://rollingstone.com/special/8952414/the_top_50_records_of_2005 |
8 |
| Planet Sound Planet Sound Planet Sound was a Teletext music page on ITV and Channel 4 in the UK. It was broadcast on analogue Teletext from page 340, and on digital Teletext from page 820. From May 24, 2007, Planet Sound was also available to read online via the Teletext website... |
1 |
| Time Time (magazine) Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong... http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1142059,00.html |
10 |
| Spin Spin (magazine) Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard... http://www.spin.com/features/magazine/2005/12/best_of_2005/ |
21 |
| Blender Blender (magazine) Blender was an American music magazine that billed itself as "the ultimate guide to music and more". It was also known for sometimes steamy pictorials of celebrities.... http://blender.com/guide/articles.aspx?id=1840 |
4 |
| Q Q (magazine) Q is a popular music magazine published monthly in the United Kingdom.Founders Mark Ellen and David Hepworth were dismayed by the music press of the time, which they felt was ignoring a generation of older music buyers who were buying CDs — then still a new technology... |
5 |
It was #50 on Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone is a US-based magazine devoted to music, liberal politics, and popular culture that is published every two weeks. Rolling Stone was founded in San Francisco in 1967 by Jann Wenner and music critic Ralph J...
's "Top 50 Albums of the Decade" and #31 on NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
's "Top 100 Greatest Albums of the Decade".
These opinions were not quite unanimous. Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Stephen Thomas Erlewine is a senior editor for Allmusic. He is the author of many artist biographies and record reviews for Allmusic, as well as a freelance writer, occasionally contributing liner notes. He is also frontman and guitarist for the Ann Arbor-based band Who Dat?Erlewine is the nephew...
of Allmusic criticized Oberst's "heavy-handed pretension in the words and [...] affectedness in his delivery," calling the album proof that "instead of reaching musical maturity, he's wallowing in a perpetual adolescence." A negative review from Keith Harris of The Village Voice
The Village Voice
The Village Voice is a free weekly newspaper and news and features website in New York City that features investigative articles, analysis of current affairs and culture, arts and music coverage, and events listings for New York City...
also found the record to be "a mess, and not just sonically."
Reception
Rolling Stone: 4 / 5. linkMetacritic: 85 / 100. link
Popmatters: review.
Track listing
All songs by Conor OberstConor Oberst
Conor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
.
1. "At the Bottom of Everything" – 4:34
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Mandolin
- Tim Luntzel - Upright Bass
- Jesse Harris - Acoustic Guitar
- Jim James - Background Vocals
2. "We Are Nowhere and It's Now" – 4:12
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Mandolin
- Nate Walcott - Trumpet
- Matt Maginn - Electric Bass
- Jesse Harris - Acoustic Guitar
- Jason Boesel - Drums
- Nick White - Piano
- Emmylou Harris - Background Vocals
3. "Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)" – 4:29
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Pedal Steel Guitar
- Nate Walcott - Trumpet
- Tim Luntzel - Upright Bass
- Alex McManus - Electric Guitar
- Jason Boesel - Drums
- Clark Baechle - Drums
- Nick White - Hammond B-3 Organ
- Maria Taylor - Background Vocals
- Andy LeMaster - Background Vocals
4. "Lua
Lua (song)
"Lua" is a single by Bright Eyes released in October 2004. Originally appearing on the album, I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning, the song deals with two people as they struggle through depression, addiction, and an interminable night...
" – 4:31
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
5. "Train Under Water" – 6:05 Listen
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Pedal Steel Guitar
- Matt Maginn - Bass
- Jesse Harris - Electric Guitar
- Jason Boesel - Drums
- Nick White - Fender Rhodes Electric Piano
- Jake Bellows - Harmonica, Background Vocals
6. "First Day of My Life" – 3:08
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Tim Luntzel - Upright Bass, Bowed Bass
- Jesse Harris - Acoustic Guitar
7. "Another Travelin' Song" – 4:16
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Pedal Steel Guitar
- Tim Luntzel - Upright Bass
- Jesse Harris - Acoustic Guitar
- Jason Boesel - Drums
- Clark Baechle - Drums
- Nick White - Hammond B-3 Organ
- Emmylou Harris - Background Vocals
8. "Landlocked Blues" – 5:47
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Nate Walcott - Trumpet
- Tim Luntzel - Upright Bass
- Jesse Harris - Acoustic Guitar
- Nick White - Piano, Vibraphone
- Emmylou Harris - Background Vocals
9. "Poison Oak" – 4:39
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - Pedal Steel Guitar
- Matt Maginn - Electric Bass
- Jason Boesel - Drums
- Nick White - Hammond B-3 Organ
- Maria Taylor - Background Vocals
10. "Road to Joy
Road to Joy (Bright Eyes song)
"Road to Joy" is the last song on Bright Eyes' 2005 album I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning. It was written by Conor Oberst. The name of the album is taken from a lyric in the song.-Structure:...
" – 3:54
- Conor Oberst - Vocals, Acoustic Guitar
- Mike Mogis - 12 String Electric Guitar
- Nate Walcott - Trumpet
- Matt Maginn - Bass
- Alex McManus - Electric Guitar
- Clark Baechle - Drums
- Nick White - Hammond B-3 Organ
Personnel
Note: I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning and Digital Ash in a Digital Urn are the first Bright Eyes albums on which Conor Oberst, Mike Mogis, and Nate Walcott became the three permanent members of Bright Eyes.- Conor OberstConor OberstConor Mullen Oberst is an American singer-songwriter best known for his work in Bright Eyes. He has also played in several other bands, including Desaparecidos, Norman Bailer , Commander Venus, Park Ave., Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, and Monsters of Folk.-Musical career:Oberst began...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Mike MogisMike MogisMike Mogis is a Nebraskan producer/engineer and multi-instrumentalist who, along with his brother A.J. Mogis, founded Presto! Recording Studios ....
– mandolinMandolinA mandolin is a musical instrument in the lute family . It descends from the mandore, a soprano member of the lute family. The mandolin soundboard comes in many shapes—but generally round or teardrop-shaped, sometimes with scrolls or other projections. A mandolin may have f-holes, or a single...
, pedal steel, guitar, 12 string guitar (tracks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10) - Nick WhiteNick WhiteNicholas Edward White is a musician who plays keyboards in the indie-pop group Tilly and the Wall from Omaha, Nebraska. He has also been known to play keyboards for Bright Eyes on tour...
– pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, organOrgan (music)The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
, rhodesRhodes pianoThe Rhodes piano is an electro-mechanical piano, invented by Harold Rhodes during the fifties and later manufactured in a number of models, first in collaboration with Fender and after 1965 by CBS....
, vibraphoneVibraphoneThe vibraphone, sometimes called the vibraharp or simply the vibes, is a musical instrument in the struck idiophone subfamily of the percussion family....
(tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10) - Jesse HarrisJesse HarrisJesse Harris is a Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter. He has collaborated with several musical artists including Norah Jones, Melody Gardot, Madeleine Peyroux, Nikki Yanofsky, and Lizz Wright.-Early life and education:...
– guitar (tracks 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8) - Tim Luntzel – bass (tracks 1, 3, 6, 7, 8)
- Jason BoeselJason BoeselJason Boesel was the drummer for Rilo Kiley and has also played with The Elected. He also drummed in the Bright Eyes touring band during their 2005 tour, and went on to write the liner notes for the consequent Bright Eyes live album, Motion Sickness and contributing to Bright Eyes' 2007 record,...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(tracks 2, 3, 5, 7, 9) - Matt MaginnMatt MaginnMatt Maginn is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He plays bass guitar in the indie-rock band Cursive and is a frequent contributor on a number of Bright Eyes records...
– bass (tracks 2, 5, 9, 10) - Nate WalcottNate WalcottNate Walcott is a trumpet, flugelhorn and keyboard player who has appeared on several of Saddle Creek Records artists' albums. He is one of three permanent members of Bright Eyes, along with Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis, and has toured with Bright Eyes....
– trumpetTrumpetThe trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
(tracks 2, 3, 8, 10) - Clark BaechleClark BaechleClark Alan Baechle is the drummer in the band The Faint. He also played in another Nebraskan band, Park Ave. He has also played on many releases and tours for Bright Eyes, playing drums and clarinet...
– drums (tracks 3, 7, 10) - Emmylou HarrisEmmylou HarrisEmmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
– vocals (tracks 2, 7, 8) - Alex McManusAlex McManusAlex McManus is a musician from Omaha, Nebraska. He is part of the indie scene and played with bands such as Acorns, Empire State, Lambchop, Vic Chesnutt, and Bright Eyes...
– guitar (track 3) - Maria TaylorMaria TaylorMaria Diane Taylor is an American singer/songwriter from Birmingham, Alabama. She is also a member of the duo Azure Ray with Orenda Fink, as well as the band Now It's Overhead, both of which are signed with Saddle Creek Records...
– vocals (tracks 3, 9) - Jake Bellows – harmonicaHarmonicaThe harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, vocals (track 5) - Jim JamesMy Morning JacketMy Morning Jacket is an American rock band from Louisville, Kentucky.The band consists of Jim James , Tom 'Two-Tone Tommy' Blankenship , Patrick Hallahan , Carl Broemel , and Bo Koster .-History:My Morning Jacket was...
– vocals (track 1) - Andy LeMasterAndy LeMasterAndy LeMaster is an American singer-songwriter and producer/engineer from Athens, Georgia. His primary band is Now It's Overhead. LeMaster has engineered, produced, and performed in many of the releases on the Saddle Creek label, including records by Bright Eyes, Now It's Overhead, Azure Ray,...
– vocals (track 3)